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In this episode of the mindful birding podcast, we are exploring gratitude and how practicing gratitude for birds can deepen our relationships with them and the world around us.

We asked our listeners and Mindful Birding Network members to share their own gratitude for birds, and why they were thankful for birds in their lives.

We thank the following people for sharing their gratitude for birds with us:

Jo from California, Marta from Panama, Amanda, Holly from Las Cruces, NM, Marge from Las Cruces, NM, Melissa from British Columbia, Candi Lynn, Joan from Seattle, Barb from NC, Alex from Las Vegas, NV, Jenn from Panama, Whitney from Indiana, Seth from Maine.

In our Mindful Birding Nerding, Holly Thomas covers the science of Gratitude and features the work of Robert Emmons which demonstrates why practicing gratitude is beneficial to our wellbeing. A powerul a quote from an article by Scott Weidensaul illustrates the magic that birds hold for us.

Holly Merker shares the poem “Daily Thanksgiving” inspired by the “Great Thanksgiving Address”, or the Daily Thanksgiving of the Onondaga Nation and Haudenosunee Confederacy, indigenous peoples of New York state. To learn more about the Great Thanksgiving watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uDMS-5JeEo&t=6s

In the Joy of Birdsong, Chris Benesh shares gratitude for his dad, who inspired his passion for nature and birds. Chris invites us to experience an audio souvenir of a very special trip to Belize he took with his dad prior to his death. You’ll hear sounds from Melodious Blackbird, Short-billed Pigeon, House Wren, Masked Tityra, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Social Flycatcher, Mayan Antthrush, and Rose-throated Becard.

Intro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Intro Birdsong & Clips throughout : Western Meadowlark
Outro music: “Inspired by Nature” by PlayAgain
Outro Birdsong: Eastern Meadowlark
Mindful Birding Network Website
Instagram: @mindfulbirdingnetwork
Produced by Co-hosts Holly Merker and Holly Thomas