Sunrise Birding for Life
Those who bind to themselves a joy
Do the winged life destroy
They who kiss the joy as it flies
Live in eternity’s sunrise
– William Blake (adapted)
Location of the Sunrise Birding for Life events in South Carolina
For the goal of promoting joy, mutual liberation, and unconditional solidarity we have begun holding Birding for Life gatherings, online, at sunrise two times a week. These are lived experiences centered on our recent book,” Birding for Life: How to Save Ourselves, Birds, and the Planet,” (I was recently interviewed by Dr. Mark Bekoff about this book). During each session we watch the sun rise and continually look up and out at the trees, meadow, and at any passing or calling birds. We begin with recalling the movement of the moon, stars, planets, and comets in the sky, and then reflect upon and discuss a reading, learn science and conservation facts about birds, share a bird/nature connection practice, suggest journal and discussion questions, and experience silence. And yes, we keep a list of birds we see and hear.
For instance, today I told viewers of the comet Lemmon in the Northeast sky which I had just seen a couple of hours earlier with a blurry tail dipping under the big dipper. As the sun rose, we had dueling pileated woodpeckers calling from each side of the meadow and a blue jay imitating a red-shouldered hawk.
Our questions for the day were:
1. What do you breathe in where you are. What other species are with you and what is in the air? Let us recognize that it can be difficult to take it all in, including what has been and what will be lost. We breathe in higher levels of carbon dioxide that suggest climate change, and we experience all around us loss of biodiversity, not to mention pollution. Let us hold ourselves tenderly knowing that when we breathe deeply of this world, it is not all pleasant.
2. What do you breathe out to help the world? Plants can use your carbon dioxide, and others can use your heart, compassion, and commitment. What do you give the world?
You can attend these 15–18-minute gatherings live on zoom.
You can also watch the recordings on YouTube, such as the one from today:
If you would like to join us live (please do!) here is the link. You can check the changing times and current schedule here. The times change according to the constantly shifting time of the sunrise, and my travel schedule. In November we will attempt to do this live from Guyana and Suriname, and in December from Nicaragua. We also have a live, monthly Birding for Life retreat (Zen and Bird), starting on December 6-7, 2025. You can find more information about this retreat here.
The sun rises over all creation, so no matter where we are, we can share the same gratitude and joy that is possible for us maybe not in every moment, but in the next moment or breath.
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