May 25th: Next Meet-up of the Bird Language Club

Hello all,

Just returned from a short trip to Gabriola Island, where I was entranced by the variable songs of the Townsend’s Warbler on a nice walk to visit some old growth forests that have been protected in the Elder Cedar (S’ul-hween X’pey) Nature Reserve. We also saw and heard many yellow, wilson’s and yellow-rumped warblers along with the very plentiful Pacific-Slope, or Western Flycatchers.

The April meet-up of the Bird Language Club was a huge success! It was great to meet a few new people, see old friends, and to connect with others I’d only met online. We will be meeting again on May 25th at 9am, this time in Beacon Hill Park (míqәn) for some urban bird language learning.

We will meet again Saturday May 25th at the corner of Southgate and Quadra (see map below). We may stay in this area or walk about 15 minutes to the South East woods. Please sign up (for free) via eventbrite. You are also welcome to just show up at the park at 9am, but if you sign up we will know to wait and look out for you if we end up walking to a different location from the meet-up spot.

As before, we will have a go-around to meet each other, have a short chat and introduction to bird language for new folks, and then go off to do some solo sits followed by the mapping exercise. After that is done we can casually catch up and take a look at field guides to answer any questions.

Bring binoculars if you have them and like using them, a sitting pad or small camp chair, and extra warm clothing or a rain jacket if the weather looks unpredictable or cold. You may also want a pencil/pen and a journal for the solo sit. We’ll bring a thermos with some hot tea—so if you want some a travel mug could be helpful!

And, in case anyone is feeling lost after what we learned last week, this helpful handout gives a summary that repeats a lot of what I shared about getting started with bird language and how to deepen what you notice.

Looking forward to seeing you on May 25th!

Happy Spring,

Julian