Contemplative Bird Walk: Connect with Nature for Mental Health

Time: 7am – 10am
Location: TBD – participants will receive location details
Speaker: Rebecca Brown

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day and National Mental Health Awareness Month, local outdoor guiding service Spirit Guides is hosting a contemplative bird walk on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 7 – 10 a.m. It will be held in the greater Littleton area; exact location will be determined closer to the date.

This guided experience offers participants the opportunity to practice what some call “slow birding,” a mindful approach to bird watching that emphasizes complete immersion in the natural environment. Rather than focusing solely on species identification, participants will engage all their senses to connect deeply with birds and their habitats.

“Traditional birding often emphasizes the checklist approach, but contemplative birding invites us to be fully present not only with the birds, but immerse ourselves in the environment around us,” says Rebecca Brown of Spirit Guides. “We’ll learn to observe not just through sight, but through sound, movement, and context – we’ll ‘be the bird.’” The event aligns perfectly with Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting the well-documented benefits of nature immersion for reducing stress, anxiety, and improving overall mental wellbeing.

“The practice of slowing down and truly observing what’s around us in the natural world can help get us out of our heads and feel reconnected with ourselves, others, and this remarkable place we live in,” said Brown. To register, please contact spiritguidesnh@gmail.com, or call/text 603-728-5557. More information is at www.spiritguides.life. Space is limited to eight in order to ensure an intimate and meaningful experience for all participants. Spirit Guides offer contemplative outdoor experiences including birding, fly fishing, photography, and wandering. Rebecca Brown is a registered NH Outdoor Guide.