Episode 14: Mindful Birding - Your Questions Answered Part I

04/25/24 • 35 min

In this episode of the Mindful Birding Podcast, Holly & Holly answer some of the questions received surrounding Mindful Birding. This episode is part one of our discussion, and we hope you enjoy.
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected] or through the Mindful Birding Network

Holly Merker shares a segment from Dr. Alexander Skutch's writing on companionship and connections of the birds we encounter from the book The Life of the Hummingbird
In this segment, we hear an audio recording of Skutch's beloved Bicolored Antbird created by birder and naturalist Jonathan Irons
In the Mindful Birding Nerding segment, Holly Thomas explores two studies surrounding the impact of nature on healing, including Dr. Roger Ulrich's landmark study looking at how a view through a window impacts recovery for hospitalized patients recovering from surgery, and the psycho-evolutionary theory, which demonstrates how the natural world impacts our feelings of wellbeing.
For the Joy of Birdsong segment, we Hollys share some audio postcards from our recent travels around the US.
Here you will hear songs and sounds from the following birds:
Pacific Wren, Cassin's Sparrow, Black-capped Vireo, and Golden-cheeked Warbler.
Locations of recordings include:
Birch Bay State Park, South Llano River State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park

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

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Previous Episode

Episode 13: Benefits of Bringing Birds in Closer with Brian & John from Nature Centered Podcast

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In this episode, Holly & Holly gather with their friends Brian Cunningham and John Shaust of the Nature Centered Podcast, a podcast from Wild Birds Unlimited.
Brian and John share some perspectives on why bringing birds in closer benefits us, experiences and connections with birds from their own backyards, and why birds can be companions wherever we go. We touch on why the interest in bird feeding took off during the pandemic, how bird feed & supply stores act as "wellness centers" in their communities.
Holly Thomas reads an excerpt on Woodcocks from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, and throughout the podcast we hear the voices of several of the birds who are talked about, including: Carolina Chickadee, Canada Warbler, White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, and Wood Thrush (sound recordings in this episode by Holly Merker).

Next Episode

Episode 15: Hope, Healing, and Mindful Birding with Therapist Pamela Lowell

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In this episode, Holly and Holly spend time talking with trauma therapist, artist, and author Pamela Lowell, and how Mindful Birding and time spent connecting with birds and nature can be an effective therapeutic vehicle not only for human wellbeing, but also for the wellbeing of our planet.
Find Pamela's book My Summer with Ospreys here
Holly Merker offers a quote by the Tao te Ching

Holly Thomas shares how a pause can bring us into the present moment, and how this can help guide us in Mindful Birding and in life. In this segment, Holly quotes Tara Brach's - The Sacred Pause, and reads the poem called "The Clearing" by by Martha Postlethwaite, from her book Addiction and Recovery: A spiritual pilgrimage
In our Joy of Birdsong segment, Holly Thomas shares the song of the Black-chinned Sparrow she encounters in New Mexico.