24 Days of Meeting the Bird Neighbours
January 10, 2022.
Dear friends,
It’s been a while since I’ve sent a postcard, but know that you’ve been in my thoughts. I wonder what your plans are for making 2022 a Nature New Year? For the holidays, I started each day with my nature journal, simply cutting out a picture of a local bird. It all began when I couldn’t find an Advent calendar, so I decided to make my own based on the birds I saw. My family was intrigued but quick to ask: Did 24 bird species really stay here all winter? I assured them that they did, but I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect. My first entry was a cardinal. From then on, it felt like an adventure every time I stepped outside. I surprised myself on the 24th by still having more winter birds I could have added. I no longer cut out a bird daily, but the habit has been established. On days when I feel anxious, I go back to making a bird over coffee. It feels so good to be creative and realize how many birds are right around the corner! I’d love to hear your tricks for connecting with nature. Emma
Update:
After sharing my Advent bird calendar via my newsletter, a number of readers asked to see all the birds. The pages of my nature journal are now posted below for your viewing pleasure. You’ll see that it’s a work in progress, and I look forward to sharing future paper creations with you!
If you’d like to join my newsletter to receive the latest postcard, you can sign up here. Find the Nature Journaling Club under experiences.
Notes:
The most recent Christmas Bird Count took place in High Park on December 19th, 2021. An astounding 46 species of birds were recorded by volunteers on this day. My intention this winter is to cut out and hopefully spot all the birds on the list. To learn more about the bird count results, visit the High Park Nature website.
A daily observation that I record in my nature journal is my FBE (first bird encounter) for the day. I find this is an easy way to be mindful when I step outside. Often when I notice my first bird(s) I can’t help but greet them, and this always brings a smile to my face.
Experimenting with cutouts in my nature journal was inspired by the book The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life's Work at 72 by Molly Peacock. The Later Bloomer website has a wonderful introduction to this incredible artist, Mary Granville Delany.
The Paper Cuts video series via CBC is another wonderful source for paper-cutting inspiration.
