April 19, 2026: Mindfulness + Birding - Centering
Mindfulness is the practice of bringing attention to what is happening in the present moment while letting go of judging the moment as good or bad. In practicing mindfulness, you choose to breathe into whatever may be happening right now, instead of distracting yourself from it.
The practice of being mindful teaches us to be here now, with the earth as it is, allowing us to lean into pleasant experiences in nature and enjoy them fully. One of the things I enjoy most about birding is that when we are birding, we are fully present, in the now. Mindfulness and Birding go together like two peas in a pod!
This class is the second class of the Mindfulness + Birding series. My inspiration for this series comes from Micah Mortali’s book Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature. In his book, Micah has developed a rewilding flow, designed to bring mindfulness into your everyday life, and to develop a sense of calm, connection, and confidence outdoors. This sequence contains 10 steps, each of which you could concentrate on for a lifetime. Those steps are:
Intimacy with place
Centering
Breath
Gratitude
Embodiment
Walking with awareness
Engaging and expanding all the senses
Nature meditation and observation
Bushcraft
Share circle
Today, we shared time together Centering, which allowed us to connect to our breath and ground in to the present moment.
Micah Mortali says that “Centering is when you invite your attention into the present moment, which is when you have the power of skillful action. Getting centered in the present, coming home to your body and breath, is where mindfulness begins.
Before our exploration of the birds of Woods Lake, we discussed the importance and the power of breath, and the way it can still the mind, sharpen the senses, and expand awareness. Not only are these qualities important when navigating day-to-day tasks and challenges, they will also greatly help your birding abilities! The practice of centering before a bird hike prepares you to receive the experience of nature fully. I almost think of it like using a magnifying glass; the experience of being present in nature can be more vivid, powerful, and moving.
Learning about mindfulness + birding.
Seth teaching on centering.
To cultivate this clear, calm, peaceful state, Seth led birders through a guided meditation. This included a systematic relaxation of the body, gentle shaping of the breath, and a clear intention to guide and anchor our hike. After our sit, with sharp senses and calm minds, we geared up and headed across the street to Woods Lake.
I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded
to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found,
was really going in.
- John Muir
Though it was a chilly morning, the sun was shining, and the birds were active! We observed six Bufflehead (a crowd favorite), a juvenile Osprey flying overhead, many Swallows (Tree, Northern Rough-winged, and Barn), and a lone Killdeer darting across the lake. We also located three Red-winged Blackbird nests along the shoreline.
The Mindfulness + Birding gang!
Looking out over Woods Lake.
Looking for waterfowl at Woods Lake.
Sneaking peaks at birds at Woods Lake.
Birders also found some morel mushrooms, too! This was a fun surprise!
Morel mushroom at Woods Lake.
Morel mushroom at Woods Lake.
We meandered along the shoreline, stopping frequently to set up the scope and observe birds closely. The pace was casual, and the time spent together felt genuine and lighthearted. We practiced noticing the wandering mind, and with the help of our feathered friends, we kept coming back to the present moment. We found great joy in that which was right in front of us.
Thank you to Heather of Wild Birds Unlimited for hosting the event. Thank you also to Micah Mortali for the inspiration for this series, and for being a guiding light. Thank you to all those who attended. Thank you to Mother Earth, and all the creatures you support. Thank you to the birds, who so effortlessly keep us anchored in the present moment through their beauty. We’re looking forward to our next session.
To view our full checklist from this morning, click here.
