Led by Michelle Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana

Link for more information & Registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/land-trust-days-intro-to-mindful-birding-tickets-1998132979530

Mindful Birding is a practice combining mindfulness with the joy of birding. Connect with the natural world and the birds that inhabit it. This Mindful Birding experience, led by a certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, takes place along a relatively flat gravel and grassy trail. During this session, time is built in for quietly sitting, wandering, noticing birds, resting, and sharing observations as we travel up to 1.0 miles. Participants will be introduced to observation prompts, meditations, and/or journaling to promote a sense of presence and awareness.

Mindful Birding at Stoneleigh : A Natural Garden, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA

Led by Holly Merker

Through a guided experience, we'll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the birds surrounding us.

Techniques and prompts accompany the gently guided walk and / or “sit spot” experiences, which strive to enhance our observation skills, promoting a deepening of our experiences with birds around us. This in turn amplifies the multitude of benefits birds provide to our overall wellbeing.

Participants will be provided “Mindful Birding” journals and offered prompts to increase observation and awareness to have a take-away from the experience to continue the practice in their relationships with birds around them.

Led by Holly Merker for Chanticleer Gardens, Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA

Now Sold Out! join the waitlist

Register here: https://buy.acmeticketing.com/events/583/detail/69d55fc435678508f2b6d2e3?date=2026-09-23T00:00:00%20

End your busy day with the calming effects of nature’s beauty and birds, and a gently guided experience to soothe your mind, body, and spirit.

Through a guided experience, we'll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the birds surrounding us.

Techniques and prompts accompany the gently guided walk and / or “sit spot” experiences, which strive to enhance our observation skills, promoting a deepening of our experiences with birds around us. This in turn amplifies the multitude of benefits birds provide to our overall wellbeing.

Participants will be provided “Mindful Birding” journals and offered prompts to increase observation and awareness to have a take-away from the experience to continue the practice in their relationships with birds around them.

Mindful Birding combines observing birds with mindfulness techniques, creating a practice that incorporates a heightened awareness. Labeling or identifying birds is not the primary focus, but instead, the intention is slowing down and noticing, with the birds as our guides.

Led by Holly Merker, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA

Register Here: https://wctrust.org/calendar/

Mindful Birding invites us to slow down and connect with birds. Dusk is the perfect time to practice Mindful Birding end your day with birds and nature, allowing for a calm and restorative experience.

Through guided instruction, we’ll learn simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while tuning into the birds and natural world surrounding us.

No experience necessary with birding or mindfulness!

Come experience how watching birds can bring you more than just the enjoyment.

This workshop will be led by Nature & Forest Therapy Guides Michelle Morton and Donna Riner in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Mindful Birding is a nature-based wellness practice that combines the practice of mindfulness with the joy of bird observation. This experience is best described as a slow, sensory, and immersive walk. During our time together, we will engage our senses—eyes, ears, hands, nose, body, and heart—to connect with the natural world and the birds that inhabit it.

Michelle and Donna will co-lead the walk with gentle invitations, or prompts, designed to deepen your sensory awareness. These invitations will help you experience birds and their habitats in a mindful, intentional way. Many of these invitations will be grounded in literary quotes, poetry, and visual art, to honor perspectives & stories that have come before our own. 

This is not a traditional, guided interpretive walk. The aim is to slow down and observe birds without any pressure to identify them. Instead we will use our sensory awareness to observe birds, their behaviors, and their habitats with the intent to share what we notice, feel, and wonder within the community.

Learn more and register here

With Barbara Patterson in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

This program is now full!

Led by Barbara Patterson, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, US

Immerse yourself in the magic and serenity of spring at Rocky Mountain National Park! In this workshop, we will
Practice mindfulness techniques while learning more about the  Rocky Mountain birds, their curious habits and how they inform us about the natural world.

Led by Dr. Angelika Nelson, Oberpfalz, Germany

Immersing Yourself in Nature & Birdwatching

A mindfulness-based practical day for anyone who wants to do more than just look at nature—who wants to perceive and experience it consciously. The program includes guided exercises in sensory awareness, birdwatching, and nature observation in one of Germany’s most biodiverse regions.

What to expect

• Guided excursions into diverse habitats

• Mindfulness and sensory awareness exercises in nature

• Bird and wildlife observation without performance pressure

• Slowing down and conscious sensory experiences

• Discussion and reflection in a small group

• Time for silence, wonder, and personal experience

For nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, beginners, and anyone who wants to consciously experience nature rather than simply identifying species.

Bird Conservancy’s Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake State Park

Mindful Birding with Barbara Patterson: 9am and 10am

Please sign up at the BCR booth.

Learn more here: https://www.birdconservancy.org/event/fall-birding-festival/

Zoom Link Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82921308750?pwd=kzoIikroZrXKLQImZLcu5Z66faWOTD.1

This is our seasonal gathering online to highlight our collective work, explore Mindful Birding practices, learn about emerging research and science behind the practice, and connect with each other.

If you’ve already joined (free!) the network by subscribing, you’ll receive reminder and a link to the session through email. Haven’t joined yet? Tap that purple button in the upper right corner to join the network and get on our mailing list!

The network upholds an inclusive space and cultivates kindness and generosity where members can thrive. We celebrate people of all levels of interest, knowledge, abilities, and skill with regard to birds and Mindful Birding.

Mindful Birding at Cienega Creek Preserve with Holly Thomas and Chris Benesh

“Difficulty: Moderate. Expect a slow hike on dirt trail that has some loose rocks and moderate incline at times. Bathroom at the trailhead. Bring two liters of water.

Mindful birding is about the intention to focus on the present moment without judgment, just noticing and welcoming whatever shows up, opening our senses to take in the sights and sounds of birds.  Our morning will begin with an overview of mindful birding and its health benefits followed by a birding walk into the cottonwoods along Cienega Creek from the Gabe Zimmerman Trailhead. Drive time to meeting location from festival venue is about 30 minutes, specific meeting instructions will be emailed beforehand. Limited to 10 participants.”

Led by Holly Merker, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania US

Registration and information- Click here

Watching birds is not only fun, but good for you! Learn why getting your daily dose of Ornitherapy is just what the doctor ordered….

Ornitherapy leads to a more mindful approach to the observation of birds, benefitting our mind, body, and soul. We’re pushed and pulled in many directions, no matter our age. If we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing a form of self care. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system.

Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to birds, how to practice Ornitherapy for optimal benefits, and learn about the latest research in the power of nature for overall wellbeing. Come experience how watching birds can bring you more than just the enjoyment. Through guided instruction, we’ll learn simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while tuning into the birds and natural world surrounding us.

Greater Seattle - Puget Sound area, Washington, USA Led by Roniq Bartanen

No doubt our world is fast paced and ever changing, but we can learn to slow down and tap into the natural world that is home to all of us. One way is through the practice of mindful birding. Mindful Birding increases overall wellness by deeply and intentionally connecting us to our surroundings, inspiring us to settle our mind and body for quiet observation in nature.

Led by Roniq Bartanen, this slow birding experience will bring awareness and attention to bird habitat, song and behavior. Tips for identifying birds will also be included but will not be the primary focus. All ages and levels of birding experience are welcome! Her focus is to create a safe and welcoming space for all to enjoy the outdoors. She believes strongly in the healing power of time spent in nature.

Union Bay Natural Area, nicknamed "The Fill" is Seattle's former garbage dump. Currently over 260 bird species have been reported at this urban birding hot spot! We will spend time exploring and learning about this unique and special home for wildlife.

Roniq’s passions include mindful, urban and accessible birding, promoting female bird guides through her ‘Female Bird Guide Resource List’ as well as writing about the culture and joy of birds and birding at www.shebirds.com.

Register here through the Puget Sound Bird Fest: https://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.com/bird-walks

Image courtesy of © Roniq Bartanen

Led by Barbara Patterson, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado US

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Immerse yourself in the magic and serenity of spring at Rocky Mountain National Park! In this workshop, we will
Practice mindfulness techniques while learning more about the  Rocky Mountain birds, their curious habits and how they inform us about the natural world.

Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, San Antonio, New Mexico led by Holly Merker

Mindful Birding blends bird observation with simple mindfulness practices, inviting you to slow down and experience birds as guides rather than focusing solely on identification.

Through a gentle experience, we'll engage our senses — tuning into sight, sound, and presence — to deepen awareness and connection with the birds around us. Prompts and supportive techniques enhance observation skills while amplifying the wellbeing benefits that come from intentional time in nature.

Benefits of mindful birding include stress relief, feeling more connected to birds and nature, enhanced sensory awareness, and strengthened observation skills. Participants receive a mindful birding journal with prompts to help continue the practice beyond the program.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA led by Chris Chappell‍ ‍

Mindful birding combines mindfulness practice and observing birds. We will learn about and practice together how to be present and accepting with both birds and our own experience. This style of birding involves an intentional focus on our own self-care or on a deeper connection with nature through birds. Slowing down and paying close attention to their colors, their shapes, their flight, their sounds, and their behaviors, while also being aware of how we are affected, can both create closer encounters with them and produce the myriad of wellness benefits for which both mindfulness and nature immersion have become known. This is an enjoyable and easeful way into mindfulness practice and all its benefits.  

Offered through Santa Fe Community College Register Here

Location is a beautiful outdoor setting close in Santa Fe NM. Location will be shared with those who sign up (the class has a participation limit). 

Led by Barb Patterson, Fort Collins, Colorado US

Colorado State University , Drake Hall

Register through:
Www@osher.colostate.Edu

Osher life long learning series: Love is in the air and what better way is there to deepen our connection with birds, and mindful birding. This practice blends observation with mindfulness, helping to slow down, heighten awareness and letting birds be our guides. By doing sit spots and learning bird language you can witness the fascination courtship and mating rituals of Soring.

Pickens, South Carolina, USA, Presented by Steve Patterson

South Carolina Parks, Recreation, and Tourism is proud to present the annual Blue Wall Birding Festival, held in Upstate South Carolina from April 23 to 26, 2026. Our home base for the event will again be Table Rock State Park. From there, we will branch out and bird some of the best hotspots for spring migration in northwestern SC. At this time of year, we should find a great variety of migrating birds as well as a nice selection of the region's breeding birds, such as Swainson's Warbler, and perhaps a few lingering winter residents. All trips will be led by knowledgeable local birders.

Registration: https://www.gcbirdclub.org/BlueWallRegistration.html

Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA led by Holly Merker

Celebrate Earth Day with Mindful Birding at Dusk at Chanticleer Gardens

Through a guided experience, we'll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the birds surrounding us.

Techniques and prompts accompany the gently guided walk and / or “sit spot” experiences, which strive to enhance our observation skills, promoting a deepening of our experiences with birds around us. This in turn amplifies the multitude of benefits birds provide to our overall wellbeing.

Participants will be provided “Mindful Birding” journals and offered prompts to increase observation and awareness to have a take-away from the experience to continue the practice in their relationships with birds around them.

 Mindful Birding combines observing birds with mindfulness techniques, creating a practice that incorporates a heightened awareness. Labeling or identifying birds is not the primary focus, but instead, the intention is slowing down and noticing, with the birds as our guides.

VIA ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84330020876?pwd=Dbnme8ubFlntzcarMGqnEIJIKF5jBg.1

Meeting ID: 843 3002 0876

Passcode: 187551

This is our seasonal gathering online to highlight our collective work, explore Mindful Birding practices, learn about emerging research and science behind the practice, and connect with each other.

If you’ve already joined (free!) the network by subscribing, you’ll receive reminder and a link to the session through email. Haven’t joined yet? Tap that purple button in the upper right corner to join the network and get on our mailing list!

The network upholds an inclusive space and cultivates kindness and generosity where members can thrive. We celebrate people of all levels of interest, knowledge, abilities, and skill with regard to birds and Mindful Birding.

7:30 PM 9:00 PM EASTERN TIME - Wednesday April 22 ,Australia /New Zealand / Asia

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Led by Mary Ellen Heisey

Mindful Bird Walks connect people with the natural world. We use birds as our guides. We slow down and observe what is living around us. This is not a typical or traditional bird walk. We will not be identifying, labeling, or counting birds. Mindful Bird Walks combine observing birds with mindfulness techniques, creating a practice of awareness and a connection with nature using birds as our guides. The intention of the walk is to slow down, engage our senses, be aware of the present moment, relax and immerse ourselves in nature, to create positive memories that we can recall when needed.

Our first walk will be Wednesday, April 15, at 9:30 AM at Wayne’s Woods. We will meet in the parking lot. Most of the walk will be on black-topped surfaces. We will walk about 1 mile at a slow pace and may walk on the grass to the picnic tables. You may bring binoculars if you want, but it is not necessary. This walk will be limited to 10 participants and registration is required.

Registration:https://vfparkalliance.networkforgood.com/events/98193-mindful-birding-at-valley-forge-national-historical-park

Led by network member Suzann Chesebrough-Pruitt, Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Enjoy the Botanic Garden and learn about plants that grow well in Southern Nevada home gardens that attract birds. Enjoy a sensory experience in the garden while learning what birds commonly reside in local home gardens and perhaps view a few nonresident birds here for the winter. This event is ideal for persons with limited mobility, new to birding or those who want to experience nature at a slower pace. A donation of $5.00 per donation is suggested, but you can donate as much as you want.

Learn more and REGISTER here