Experimental birdwatch video stream by Yle
Sometimes the simplest ideas turn out to be the most captivating. That’s exactly what happened when Yle, Finland’s public broadcaster, set up a livestream from a bird feeder in the countryside with a little help from artificial intelligence.
The concept
The concept came from Yle producer Olli Koski, known for his work in nature radio and podcasts. He wanted to offer something calming and curious for families living in cities, especially those without gardens or easy access to nature.
So, he pointed a camera at a bird feeder in southern Finland, connected it to a smart AI system trained to recognize different bird species, and let it roll. Every time a bird landed, its name would appear onscreen in real time. The stream was available on Yle Areena, the broadcaster’s online platform.
The goal? To bring nature a little closer to home, spark interest in the birds just outside our view and create a quiet digital space where people could slow down and watch.
The results
The livestream attracted 1.7 million views in just two weeks and logged over 40,000 hours of watch time. It also sparked hundreds of enthusiastic reactions from viewers, many of whom asked for the stream to continue.
But one group in particular was unexpectedly hooked: cats. Photos flooded in of house cats glued to screens, watching the birds with laser focus. Cat owners shared snapshots on social media, especially on catstagram, tagging the stream as their pets’ new favorite show.
It didn’t stop there. The stream made its way into elderly care homes, offices and classrooms. Some used it as a peaceful background, others as a way to learn the names of local birds. Viewers described it as relaxing, meditative and even therapeutic. It is a true mix of ‘slow TV’ and quiet education.
What we learned
What made this project stand out wasn’t a big budget or flashy visuals. Maybe quite the opposite. It was the simplicity that drew people in: a feeder, a camera, some curious birds and the quiet charm of watching them come and go. No push for attention. Just presence.
The use of AI didn’t dominate the experience, it quietly supported it. By naming the birds in real time, it added a gentle layer of learning, without ever feeling intrusive or ‘techy’. It proved that technology can serve storytelling, rather than overshadow it.
And perhaps most telling: in a world that’s constantly refreshing and demanding our attention, people chose to sit with something slower. They wanted a breather.
But the real magic happened in the way people responded. They posted photos of their cats watching the birds, shared stories about birds they recognised from their childhood, sent in questions, bird facts and thank-you messages. It became a shared moment, built not just by Yle, but with its audience.
Apparently, some cats took their birdwatching duties very seriously, judging by the photos, they didn’t miss a single visitor.
Next Steps
For Yle, the project wasn’t just a success. It was a reminder that public media works best when it’s done with audiences, not just for them. It opened new doors for experimenting with ambient formats, creative AI use and content that’s both playful and meaningful.
And yes, the cats are still watching. 😉 If you’re jealous, no panic! You can also watch the birds here.
