mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

In this episode, we’ve invited our listeners and network members to share works of poetry or prose that holds meaning for them within their own practice of Mindful Birding.

For many practitioners of Mindful Birding, the art of poetry or putting words to our connections to birds can be a powerful element of the practice.

In this episode, you will hear the voices of Kai Siedenburg, Arax Seghman, Pam Zicca, Susan Preston, Dave Edson, along with your two cohosts, Holly & Holly.

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

In this episode, we explore the theme of resilience and the ways Mindful Birding can help strengthen our own psychological wellbeing during challenging times. We reflect on how turning our attention to birds can offer grounding, perspective, and gentle encouragement when life feels heavy or uncertain.

We also spotlight the role of the caregiver, and how finding time to connect with birds can offer much-needed respite, renewal, and restoration.

*In our Joy of Birdsong segment, natural sound recordist Laura Sebastianelli shares a recording of American Woodcock performing a sky dance at Frazer Point on the Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park in Winter Harbor, Maine. If you want to learn to record nature, or are already an experienced recordist, she invites you to join her and others in a Natural Sound Recordists Gathering for a week of exceptional field recording opportunities in the Cobscook Bay region of Maine to record, learn, and share among peers.

*** Due to processing and automated mastering through our podcast platform, Laura Sebastianelli’s audio file was unfortunately badly distorted! We sincerely apologize for this issue and would like to offer listeners access to the original recording, where you can hear her beautiful recording its unmastered, undistorted form.: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/435216921

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas

mindfulbirdingnetwork@gmail.com

In this episode we spend time with long-time Mindful Birding Network member Faraaz Abdool, and we a style of birding that Faraaz calls Casual Birding, and how this style, like Mindful Birding, anchors itself in the quality of attention.

Faraaz is a wildlife photographer, author, speaker, and birding guide from Trinidad & Tobago who is passionate about making birding more accessible and meaningful for people everywhere. His book Casual Birding in Trinidad & Tobago, published in 2020, explores a philosophy of birding that emphasizes enjoyment, curiosity, and connection over competition. This intention of "birding and being" is Mindful Birding.

Faraaz’s photography and writing have been widely published, and he regularly speaks with birding groups, podcasts, and conservation audiences around the world. Through his guiding, media work, and collaborations , Faraaz helps inspire a deeper appreciation for birds and the experience of observing them.

Check out Faraaz's website here: Faraaz Abdool,com

More about Faraaz here

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas