Deep Bird Language

It comes as no surprise that many COASST participants are lifelong observers of wildlife. A number of volunteers come with an extensive history of paying close attention to the natural world around them, be it plants, insects, mammals or birds. Cultivating a habit of attentiveness to the subtle environmental interactions, movements, and events around you takes time, but can yield some amazing secrets and treasures. As I’ve met with COASSTers now for many weeks, I’ve listened to numerous stories of up-close and personal encounters with wildlife; witnessing the birth of a fawn in the woods, gaining the trust of a raccoon and her kits, having a bird pluck seed from your hand, and staring into the eyes of a whale while on kayak. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for sure! Accomplished birder, wildlife tracker and author Jon Young knows a thing or two about intimate connection with nature. His recent book, What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World was recommended to me by a dear friend and I have to say it was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Jon’s basic premise is this: songbirds know everything there is to know about their environments - by tuning in to their language, you too can explore this world of veiled knowledge. Jon focuses on what he calls “deep bird knowledge,” a discipline long practiced by Native American communities, yet seldom heard of in contemporary societies. Young avers that birds are the sentries of the forest (and I’d add coasts as well) and with respect and reverence for their language, we can open up a door into a rich world of knowledge and wonder, like never experienced before. For anyone interested in wildlife or birds, I’d add Jon’s book to my “must read” list!