Send us a text

Do you often hear the question: “See anything good?” while birding?

In this episode we discuss this question and tease apart the idea of “what is a good bird”, what is a “good birder”, and how sometimes these questions might allow self-judgement to surface, and how these questions relate to both our mental health and self-compassion.

We also bring up the fear of missing out, and how this may also influence our mental wellbeing in the context of birding. Link to Bird Diva blog on Fomo

In the Mindful Birding Nerding science segment, Holly Thomas shares how self-compassion can enhance our experiences with birds.
Links: Dr. Kristin Neff

Balanced Minds : Comparison vs Compassion

Thich Nhat Hahn’s writing provides prompts on how to replace negative energy and mindful birding could be a good way to address that negative energy if it surfaces for us.

Reading suggestions:

Dawn Songs edited by Jamie K. Reaser and J. Drew Lanham

Mary Oliver’s Owl’s And Other Fantasies

J.Drew Lanham’s Sparrow Envy

The Joy of Birdsong segment features birds recorded from Acadia National Park’s Schoodic Peninsula

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

Send us a text

Have you ever wondered how you can become even more attuned to the birds around you?

In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, Holly and Holly have a conversation with Dan Gardoqui, a well known specialist in bird language, and nature-based consultant & coach, award winning educator and naturalist.

You’ll get to hear some tips and input on deepening our connections to the natural world, "talking to birds", thinking about our attention and energy, curiosity as a superpower, and practicing gratitude.

We also share a segment from the book What the Robin Knows, by Jon Young, for which Dan served as science and audio editor.

In the Joy of Birdsong segment, you’ll be treated to Dan’s incredible mimicry of some common North American birds.

Learn more about Dan and Lead with Nature at Lead with Nature

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

Send us a text

In this episode we welcome Dr. Barbara Patterson from Fort Collins Colorado. Barb’s work of creating and contributing to the Mindful Birding programs in her community is tremendous. Her latest endeavor is called The Mindful Birding Project, and she shares the details with us here.

Barb authored the booklet A Mindful Birding Journey which was first distributed to cancer patients in her local community, and can be found as a free download on the mindful birding network’s resources page.

Holly Thomas shares a reading from writing of Ed Yong, and how this so beautifully intertwines with mindful birding.

Chris Benesh returns in this episode's Joy of Birdsong segment, sharing some special moments he had with a Brown-backed Solitaire in Oaxaca Mexico.

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