Backyard Bird Count 2022!
This past long weekend was the Cornell Ornithology Lab's annual Backyard Bird Count. Did you happen to participate?
I always try to log at least one day of counts in during the bird count, but this year I accomplished at least a 30 minute log all 4 days!
Being Black History month as well as the bird count time of year, today let's celebrate Black Birding and Birders! Birding is an accessible and relaxing past time and all humans should feel safe and welcome in nature and bird watching always. Sadly, this sin't always the case - and that fact, is FOR THE BIRDS!!
Let's celebrate a few inspiring Black birders, and then, let's draw and paint a bird!
Isiah Scott:
This young Black ornithologist is spreading his wings and making change across the world of birding!
You may have seen Isaiah Scott featured by the likes of the Audubon Society, Nocs binoculars, LL Bean, New Balance shoes, and many more places.
Or perhaps you follow him on social media? (@ikesbirdinghikes & @theisaiahescott)
Now, I may be partial, because he is so wonder sparking and he is from Savannah, where I used to live, but mostly I am smitten because he is such a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and change making.
Isaiah, aka Ike, is also an award winning bird scholar, an avid nature journaler and bird artist - both photographically and illustratively. He is currently a student at Cornell University, another reason why Ike and his work are great subjects for this week! He also runs his own art web shop and birding tour business, Ike's Birding Hikes!
Isaiah Scott's long term aim is to:
"...publish a birding field guide using Gullah-Geechee language, terms, and knowledge."
Amazing, right? I know I will line up to buy that field guide!
Danielle Belleny:
This wildlife biologist and author is on a mission to make birding and nature safe and accessible!
Danielle Belleny is a force of nature. On top of her research and writing, this scientist and nature lover is one of the founders of Black Birders Week and @blackafinstem.
Prompted by the racial injustice towards Black birder Christian Cooper (the board member of New York City’s Audubon Society whom a white woman reported to the Police while he was simply birdwatching in Central Park), Belleny wanted to help create a world that encouraged inclusivity in the outdoors while countering police brutality towards Black people.
Danielle's research work in part focuses on the fascinating topic of how birds also behave as pollinators while her activist work shines on making every week Black Birders Week!
Aka the Cemetery Birder, Danielle reminds us how cemeteries are not only accessible and beautiful areas, they are also:
“...a nice place to reconnect with nature while also paying respects to our ancestors at the same time...”
More Black Birders & Outdoor Inclusivity Initiatives
Birder and host of the "Always be Birding" podcast. Challenging narratives, providing a platform, and amplifying the voices of BIPOC & Indigenous birders!
@She_Colors Nature Chelsea is a social and environmental outdoor and inclusivity advocate with a special focus on Black motherhood outdoor experiences.
The Outdoorist Oath
I've taken The Oath - Have you?
Let's create the outdoors we want to see - Planet/
Inclusion/adventure!
Join me in increase your advocacy for building a more inclusive outdoors for Planet and People!
Join the fun in May and support Black Birding! Learn more here from the Audubon Society!
Corina Newsome
A wildlife conservationist and one of the founders of #BlackBirdersWeek and @BlackAFinSTEM along with Danielle Belleny. Learn more about the movement and how Corina the ornithologist is increasing representation and making the outdoors welcoming for all!
Christian Cooper
Brining Joy and fostering community - That is what celebrated NYC birder Christian Cooper is inspiring because, "Birds are here for everyone!" Discover more in this article interviewing Christian.
Wonder Wednesday 115: Paint a Bird on It!
I have a surprise for you this month!
To celebrate birds (and painting and drawing), I am thrilled to present guest artists Sean Mahan & Dave MOMO! They both teach us, step-by-step, how they draw a bird. And the best part is we get to draw along!
You can draw following their progressions, print out the step-by-step and trace them, and then you could have some fun adding your own colors!
Materials
Paper
Pencil, Pens, and or Paint
Draw with Sean!
Craft a cute bird with Sean Mahan! Sean reminds us to enjoy the delight of being expressive with our line making - aka -shift the concern of "making a bird" to enjoying making each mark.
Draw with Dave!
Draw a happy looking bird with Dave! MOMO says keep in mind that the head, beak, and body are simply the shape of an avocado!
What bird from your neck of the woods will you paint first?
Share in the comments below!
Share your bird art on Instagram #wingswormsandwonder
Seeds to Sprout:
Backyard Bird Count
Discover more about the Ornithology Lab's Backyard Bird Count and learn how to participate in citizen science during the count weekend and all year long!
Winter Cardinals
Draw a cute cardinal step-by-step the Wings, Worms, and Wonder way! This photo tutorial shows you how to draw the cardinal and also how to blend and create the vibrant red feathers with color pencils!
Birdseed Bagels
Entice those early spring birds to your window and make good use of old baked goods with birdseed bagel feeders!