Hillary Behr with a bird language collective map of activity. Photo: Juno Lamb
What are those birds doing? Why are they making these particular sounds?
On Saturday, May 4 from 6:20-9:30AM, Chocorua Lake Conservancy presents Bird Language, an outdoor workshop in Tamworth Village with naturalists and outdoor educators Hillary Behr and Kyle Ball of New England Wildlife Tracking. During this program, Hillary and Kyle will share information from the book What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World by Jon Young, lead the group through two “bird sits” in during which participants will observe and interpret bird language, and then spend time as a group mapping what was observed to draw larger conclusions about what’s happening in the landscape. Knowledge of bird song and bird identification is useful but not required—humans can learn to interpret the different “voices” of birds without necessarily knowing the species.
In order to survive, birds have to be keenly aware of and responsive to what’s happening around them. With practice, humans can tune in to what the birds are saying and doing and learn to interpret this language. The birds can tell us when there is a predator around and even what species it is, before we see it. From watching birds through the lens of bird language, we can tell where their territories are, who their mates are, and when their nests are in danger. When we pay attention to bird language, it opens up a whole new way of seeing nature!
Bird language interactions are most prominent during the 2 hours after sunrise. So that we can start early in the morning, Hillary and Kyle will offer Intro to Bird Language on Tuesday, April 30, at 7PM, via Zoom. This presentation on Bird Language is for registered participants as well as anyone who would like to learn about this method of observation. The online program will be recorded and be publicly available if you cannot make the scheduled meeting time. It will include experiences and stories as a means to introduce Bird Language concepts and patterns. People who are planning on coming to the in-person event should definitely attend or watch this introduction.
Please dress appropriately for the weather. If you like, bring a blanket, pillow, or folding chair to sit on as the ground is often damp in the early morning, sun and/or bug protection, a water bottle, and snacks. Interested and patient kids ages 6 and up are welcome with a caregiver—the program includes over an hour of quiet sitting and observing time. This program is free and space is limited; CLC welcomes donations in support of its work. Please register in advance above so that we can let you know of any changes in the schedule. Your confirmation email will include information re: where we will meet. Rain date for the in-person program will be Sunday, May 5.
Big thank yous to the Town of Tamworth and the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm for hosting the bird sits. We are so lucky to have the beautiful, protected open spaces of the Remick Museum in Tamworth Village!
Hillary Behr, left, and Kyle Ball, center, at the 2023 Bird Language workshop.
Hillary Behr grew up exploring the woods and waters of Tamworth and still calls it home. She earned a degree in Environmental Conservation and spent 8 years in rural California, working in land conservation and outdoor science education. Hillary has a Masters of Education and has worked as a teacher in many different settings, both outdoors and in the classroom, most recently teaching high school Environmental Science.
Kyle Ball grew up recreating in the White Mountains. With a childhood of hiking, he was drawn to forestry and wetland delineation. He earned a Master’s of Science studying the effect of climate change and parasites on moose populations in northern NH. He is an avid wildlife tracker and holds a level 3 Track and Sign Certification from the internationally recognized CyberTracker North America. He has been birding by ear for 15 years and has been actively practicing Bird Language for three years. Hillary and Kyle jointly own and operate New England Wildlife Tracking, which was created to help foster a relationship between our neighbors and the life around us through wildlife tracking, bird language, and nature connection.
Banner image: Participants’ notes sitting on a bird language collective map. Photo: Juno Lamb