If there are birds or seagulls hanging out on the ground, as long as there is a path around them to not disturb them, I'd rather do that then run close to them and scare them into flying away.
I don't know why I do this with pixels but just started to do it one day and kept at it.
Also, I never take a weapon into the secret woods and just leave the slimes who live there in peace. Killed enough of their brethren in both mines, don't need to wipe them completely out.