Join Dexter and Jason as they delve into the mental health benefits of birding. Even when you have to wake up at 4 am to see Greater Prairie Chickens in freezing cold weather, there is still an immense health benefit. Those moments when you can commune with and observe nature provide joy, anxiety reduction, stress reduction, happiness, and perspective. Sometimes we forget that birding presents challenges through adventure and pursuit of birds. The payoff for finally seeing the bird is a rush of endorphins. Additionally, the journey to the bird is just as valuable as seeing the bird.

We are inspired by mindful birders like Tammah Watts (author of Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching). Do you check your mental state before and after you bird? Did you know that birding can be used to deal with grief? Do you ever feel like you’ve gotten physical exercise while birding? Do you feel better when you help other birders see birds?

Humans are social beings, and we built ways of interpreting the world through nature. We evolved within it, so it’s not surprising that nature directly connects to our mental health. Our brain was wired to pay attention to it. Watching birds survive also affects how we move forward in life. The struggle to provide for our families isn’t limited to humans; birds do the same. It’s important to try and connect with that. Like the small but powerful Blackpoll Warbler who travels thousands of miles and blesses us with its song for a few moments on its journey, we can take inspiration from its success.

Don’t shortchange the community connections and the support systems developed with those friendships. Those connections are also important for maintaining your mental health. This includes the proper use of your social media outlets. Have you adjusted your social media algorithms to show you bird joy and a positive bird community? One day, you never know, you may end up birding with your favorite homies and looking at Roseate Spoonbills!

Get out there and find some Bird Joy!

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin 

In Color Birding Club

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Bird Joy Podcast. This week, Dexter and Jason delve into birding as a family, sharing insights, tips, and heartwarming stories on how birding can bring families closer together and foster a love for nature.

The episode kicks off with tips for parents on introducing children to birding. It focuses on age-appropriate bird identification techniques and engaging activities that make birding fun for kids (like learning the pneumonic for the Eastern Towhee or finding non-birding joys of the space). It also highlights family-friendly activities like nature walks and DIY bird feeder projects, which are both enjoyable and educational.

They discuss the significant educational value of birding for children, including developing observation skills, learning about biodiversity, and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. One fun way to do this is by introducing apps like Merlin and Seek. It's not just a fun activity; it's a learning journey for your little ones that feels more like Pokémon Go! 

Inclusivity is emphasized, with advice on making birding accessible for all family members, regardless of age or experience. Practical tips for planning family birding outings include recommended spots, essential gear, and safety precautions. Your spouse may see a Schalow’s Turaco before you do, or your mom may spot a Snowy Owl in a parking lot in August!!

The hosts highlight the importance of connecting with nature as a family and the benefits of spending quality time outdoors. They also discuss opportunities for families to engage with local birding communities, join family-friendly events, and share their experiences.

Join Dexter and Jason as they inspire families to start their birding journeys together. Take advantage of the tips, stories, and resources to make birding a joyful family activity. Happy birding!

Listen, Share, Subscribe, Leave a Review, and help us spread a little Bird Joy!  Thanks for listening, homies.

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club

In this week's unique episode of The Bird Joy Podcast, Dexter and Jason, both avid birdwatchers and budget-conscious individuals, delve into the world of birdwatching on a budget. They share their tips on budget-friendly birding equipment, including affordable binoculars, field guides, and bird feeders. The hosts also provide creative DIY projects, such as homemade bird feeders and baths. They highlight the benefits of shopping at second-hand stores or online marketplaces for discounted equipment.

Dexter and Jason also discuss free or low-cost birding activities and events. They share information about local birding clubs and groups that offer free outings and bird walks. Additionally, they suggest visiting public parks, nature reserves, and wildlife refuges that provide free access for birdwatching.

The episode explores creative ways to enjoy birding without a hefty price tag. Dexter and Jason emphasize the benefits of backyard birding. Lastly, they encourage listeners to participate in citizen science projects, often requiring minimal or no cost.

Remember to subscribe to The Bird Joy Podcast, a platform that celebrates diversity in birdwatching, to stay updated on future episodes. Please leave a rating and review—your feedback helps us improve and reach more bird enthusiasts. Share the podcast with your fellow birders to spread the joy of birdwatching. Follow us on social media @birdjoypod for more birding tips and updates, and join our inclusive community at the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin and In Color Birding Club to connect with other bird lovers.

We hope you enjoy this episode. Happy birding!

In this week’s episode, join Dexter and Jason as they discuss some key birding ethics that one needs to know and consider when finding bird joy. Everything from dogs and pets off leash while trying to experience Eastern Meadowlarks to the use of lasers to help folks get on birds, the attempt (and sometimes failure) to see birds like the Eastern Towhee, and the controversial practice of playing bird calls to lure birds in (why would you do this for Short-eared Owls?). Key attention is given to how we treat each other as an extension of our birding activity while out on the trail. It is no surprise that the experience of Black and brown folks in the outdoors provides a key nuance to this discussion (as indicated by Drew Lanham’s 9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher). Of course there is also some bird joy, even if it’s found in the macabre practices of the “little bitty murderers” the Northern and Loggerhead Shrikes.

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they dive into why having a diverse birding community is essential. They discuss some of their experiences and growth since the inaugural Black Birders Week, like finding a connection to Dr. Drew Lanham's book, “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature.” This episode is about our journey and passion to create a more diverse birding community and why that should mirror the diversity we see in birds like the cool Ruff. We also spotlight some fantastic birding groups, like the Special Bird Service, Chicago BIPOC Birders, BIPOC Birders of Michigan, The Oxnard Birders Club, and the Urban Bird Collective. We look to empower all of us to take action to ensure our communities remain engaged with the natural world (through birding or otherwise). Let’s go find that joy together!

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they cover the ins and outs of how to get started in your own birding journey. The guys cover building community in your local patch, choosing the right pair of binoculars for you, the most helpful bird guide and identification tools for your area, and most importantly, how to find that #BirdJoy in the process. Join them as they share in the joys of building a diverse birding community by accepting folks as they are.  Are you excited to get started on your own celestial birding experiences? Don’t miss fun recaps of generating good birding juju and even our favorite ungovernable groundhogs LOL.

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club

Chill with Dexter and Jason as they talk about the anticipation of Spring migration and why birding is an incredibly rewarding activity. They get into those formative and continuing birding experiences with a Tufted Titmouse sparkbird, various owls that sometimes sell you lollipops, and a single Red-Flanked Bluetail in New Jersey.  They discuss how community and “Bird Nerd” euphoria are created through birding, for example, chillin' with some blinged-out (banded) Common Grackles. This episode is about why YOU deserve to be outside looking at birds, like the perfect American Woodcock. 

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club

In this episode, Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall welcome our fellow bird nerds into a space to celebrate Bird Joy. We cover displaying Red-winged Blackbirds, taunting Northern Mockingbirds, and even a lost Yellow-billed Loon in Las Vegas. This episode is all about vibing with nature and the restlessness that comes with Spring fever. Join us as we create space for new birders through the equitable, diverse, safe, meaningful, ethical, inclusive, and joyful pursuit of our fluffy homies.

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin

In Color Birding Club