Upcoming Events
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching - An interactive presentation. Author Holly Merker talks about when we allow birds and nature to slow us down, we are practicing “self care”. Research shows that connecting with wild birds and nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system.
Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to wild birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of observation, and learn about the latest research surrounding the impact of nature on human health and why we need birds for overall wellbeing.
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
For the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and Los Alamos Senior Center
A joint event with the Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR and Holly Merker sharing the many benefits to personal wellbeing that immersing in nature and experiences with birds can offer us.
Nourshing Ourselves while Nourishing Birds
A joint presentation with the Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR for the Wild Birds Unlimited of Albuquerque East, NM
demonstrating how and why wild bird feeding nourishes us as much as it nourishes the birds.
Followed by book signing
Private Event for La Vida Llena
A private event - Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
A series of presentations by Holly Merker, on behalf of the Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR in San Antonio, New Mexico
Free public and private events throughout the Land of Enchantment, including events in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Albuquerque
The Birding Prescription: How Mindful Birding is good for us and the birds
Hockessin, Delaware with Holly Merker and Dr. Joe Francis
Hosted by the Delaware Ornithological Society (DOS)
Join DOS Member Holly Merker and current DOS President Joe Francis for a conversation about birding’s impact on health and well-being. In relating personal experiences as well as the latest insights from the scientific literature, they will touch on ways to refocus attention, reduce eco-anxiety and climate grief, and build connection to nature and each other through mindful birding practices. Come prepared to learn new skills to recapture joy and awe in the outdoors.
More info here: https://www.dosbirds.org/event/birding-rx/
Panama : The Canal Zone and Chiriqui Highlands
This 10-night trip showcases the best of Central Panama and the Western Highlands. We’ll spend the first four days in the “Canal Zone”, just an hour outside of Panama City, where lush tropical rainforests offer rich, dazzling birdlife, flamboyant butterflies, sloths, and several species of monkeys. On Day five we take an in-country flight to the province of Chiriquí. Here, retreating into the cloud forest there is a vastly avifuana. We nestle into the magnificent montane landscape for the 5 days of exploration, including an optional excursion up to Volcán Barú, Panama’s highest peak.
Learning the Language of Birds
For Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware
In person immersive, both outdoors and indoors for a well-rounded experience. We’ll put learned skills from the workshop into practice outdoors as part of this experience.
Learn how, why, and when birds sing, and come away with foundational skills for understanding and learning the language of the birds right outside your own doors.
Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars (some will be provided), and wear practical shoes for walking over uneven paths. Pace will be slow and accommodate most mobility levels.
Ornitherapy & Mindful Birding
Hockessin, Delaware, USA
Surround yourself with the beautiful landscapes of the nationally recognized Mt Cuba Center, and settle into absorbing the wellness benefits that Ornitherapy, a practice of Mindful Birding, has to provide us all.
Author and mindful birding leader, Holly Merker, will provide the background on how and why taking time to observe the birds around us supports our mental and physical wellbeing. Part of the program will be indoors, then we’ll head outside for an experience with birds where Holly will teach us how to harness the powers of Ornitherapy with the birds right in our own backyards.
Space is limited to ensure a small group experience.
The Mindful Birding Project
An in-person workshop and day-long immersive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In collaboration and partnership with Barbara Patterson of Ft Collins Audubon, and other organizations.
The Joy of Birding
The Joy of Birding comes from taking the time to slow down, to be present, and to really observe and enjoy the birds and nature around us. If you have been hoping to learn more about birds and develop your skills in identifying by sight and ear, then this session is perfect for you! Whether you are just starting out on your birding journey or are well down the path already, we can all learn from each other in this dynamic session.
Each day you will immerse yourself in the splendors of seabird colonies, lush summer landscapes, and rich spruce woods of coastal Maine. Each night you will roost in your cozy Hog Island perch. A multi-talented staff will guide you on field trips to experience some of the iconic coastal Maine bird life like puffins, terns, guillemots, warblers, and bobolinks. Throughout the week you will develop your birding skills through engaging workshops, field trips, boat rides and evening lectures. Some workshops may include Birding by Ear, Optimizing Optics, Birding Ethics and Leadership, Community Science, Birding for Wellness, and more.
Join us in experiencing the transformative magic of Hog Island Camp where you will absorb nature’s rich boost of relaxation. You will leave with a renewed sense of wonder and discovery. It will be a joy that will last a lifetime.
Mindful Birding Retreat : Panama
Whitehawk Birding with Holly Merker
Led by Marta Curti, Jenn Sinisac, and Holly Merker
This 7-day mindful birding retreat is set in the lush highlands of western Panama.
On this retreat, we will be joined by Holly Merker, co author of Ornitherapy: For your Mind, Body and Soul and Founder of the Mindful Birding Network.
At times we will gather for workshops about mindful birding, and plenty of time will also be available for optional mindful activities, including yoga, meditation, Forest Therapy, nature sketching, and free time to enjoy in nature.
To learn more, click this link: Panama Mindful Birding Retreat
Mindful Birding: Rekindling Our Connections to Nature
A multi-day experience - Hog Island Audubon Camp, Bremen, Maine USA
Limited Space: Registration opens December 3, 2024
We are thrilled to offer this brand-new program for next summer. We know from recent research that mindful practices have many positive impacts on our mental, physical, and emotional health. Whether you're an educator, caregiver, health professional, or nature enthusiast, we can all benefit from mindful connections to nature.
Come join us to learn nature-based wellness techniques that deepen our connection to nature and support our self-care, and bring home skills that can be incorporated into your own work. This session will highlight several different practices like mindful birding, nature journaling, mindful movement, and forest therapy/bathing in the peaceful and picturesque surroundings of Muscongus Bay.
The director, Holly Merker, is a certified nature and forest therapy guide, founder of The Mindful Birding Network, an author of Ornitherapy, and long-time instructor and session director here on Hog Island. We hope you will join us for a week of learning, healing, and tranquility.
Please note, this program is shorter than a typical camp week. It will run from Sunday August 24 – Thursday August 25.
Mindful Birding Retreat: Belize
Mindful Birding Retreat in Belize
Whitehawk Birding with Holly Merker
Our Belize: Mindful Birding Retreat is a 6-day experience and will be slightly different from a typical birding tour. We will take our time to truly enjoy the beauty and wonder of the birds we see and will spend some time observing their behavior and learning more about them.
On this retreat, we will be joined by Holly Merker, an author of Ornitherapy: For your Mind, Body, and Soul and Founder of the Mindful Birding Network, who will open our eyes to the practice of ornitherapy through gentle ornitherapy sessions and forest bathing.
WBU Santa Fe - Nourishing Ourselves with Birds
A presentation in collaboration with the Friends of Bosque del Apache NWR for the Wild Birds Unlimited of Santa Fe, NM
demonstrating how and why wild bird feeding nourishes us as much as it nourishes the birds.
Mindful Birding at South Cape May Meadows
This year’s Birdability Week will take place from October 21-27. Celebrate all week long by attending an accessible and inclusive birding event.
Learn more and sign up here
The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey and New Jersey Audubon are co-hosting an inclusive birding outing and nature preserve tour as part of the celebration, on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. This event is open to people of all birding levels, from first-timers to pros. Together at a leisurely pace, we will explore one mile and a half miles of trail at the South Cape May Meadows Preserve. While birding, visitors will learn about the preserve’s history and habitat. At about halfway through the tour, we will gather at the observation platform on the Boardwalk Trail to practice mindful birding for about 20 minutes. This practice aims to deeply engage with and enjoy the birds and nature around you. Feel free to bring a journal for nature journaling!
An American Sign Language interpreter will be available on this tour. Water coolers will be available for attendees to refill their bottles. An accessible portable restroom is available at this preserve. Binoculars will be provided as requested. Accessibility information about the preserve can be found below; if you have further accessibility questions please contact Lily Mullock – lillian.mullock@tnc.org
Birdability Panel: The Mental Health Benefits of Birding
A Virtual Event
A Birdability Event featuring members of the Mindful Birding Network
Recent studies have illuminated the significant mental health benefits associated with birding. Our panelists will share their unique insights and experiences, discussing how birding can be a transformative practice for mental well-being.
Mindful Birding Workshop
Two Mindful Birding Workshops with Holly Merker will be held for the Seabrook Island community in Johns Island, South Carolina
First event: Sold Out
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
Lecture and Discussion with Holly Merker for Seabrook Island, SC Birders & Guests
Research shows that connecting with birds and nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Wild birds offer the perfect gateway into deeper experiences with nature.
Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters conservation.
Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to wild birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding, and learn about the latest research surrounding the impact of birds on human health and why we need birds for overall wellbeing.
Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
Lecture and Discussion with Holly Merker for Hilton Head Audubon & Guests
Research shows that connecting with birds and nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Wild birds offer the perfect gateway into deeper experiences with nature.
Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters conservation.
Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to wild birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding, and learn about the latest research surrounding the impact of birds on human health and why we need birds for overall wellbeing.
Supporting Wellbeing through Bird Feeding
Join author Holly Merker as she shares why bringing wild birds into our yards and gardens is more than just a fun hobby, it’s also good for our personal wellbeing.
Join us for a fun presentation and discussion!
Supporting Wellbeing through Bird Feeding
Join author Holly Merker as she shares why bringing wild birds into our yards and gardens is more than just a fun hobby, it’s also good for our personal wellbeing.
Join us for a fun presentation and discussion!
Fall Migration and Monhegan II
National Audubon’s Hog Island Camp in Maine, Bremen, Maine
With Scott Weidensaul, Holly Merker, and Seth Benz
More info here: https://hogisland.audubon.org/programs/fall-migration-and-monhegan-island
https://hogisland.audubon.org/programs/fall-migration-and-monhegan-island
For adults: This special, small-group session is devoted to fall migration, and will include an overnight stay on the iconic Monhegan Island. The rest of the week will be spent traveling to the best migrant hotspots based on the weather, tides, and bird migration patterns.
This camp is devoted to the wonders of autumn migratory season. This intensive week of birding will take participants from tidal marshes and beaches to hawk watches, spruce forests, and the outer islands and waters of Muscongus Bay, depending on where the birding is hottest. The highlight will be an overnight trip to Monhegan Island, one of the best "migrant traps" in the Northeast -- a place justly famous for its birding and dramatic rocky coastline, which has inspired artists for more than a century. Learn about how and why birds migrate and the conservation challenges facing them.
Fall Migration and Monhegan, Maine
National Audubon’s Hog Island Camp in Maine, Bremen, Maine
With Scott Weidensaul, Holly Merker, and Seth Benz
More info here: https://hogisland.audubon.org/programs/fall-migration-and-monhegan-island
For adults: This special, small-group session is devoted to fall migration, and will include an overnight stay on the iconic Monhegan Island. The rest of the week will be spent traveling to the best migrant hotspots based on the weather, tides, and bird migration patterns.
This camp is devoted to the wonders of autumn migratory season. This intensive week of birding will take participants from tidal marshes and beaches to hawk watches, spruce forests, and the outer islands and waters of Muscongus Bay, depending on where the birding is hottest. The highlight will be an overnight trip to Monhegan Island, one of the best "migrant traps" in the Northeast -- a place justly famous for its birding and dramatic rocky coastline, which has inspired artists for more than a century. Learn about how and why birds migrate and the conservation challenges facing them.
Ornitherapy & The Power of Birdwatching for Wellness
Salem, Massachusetts - Peabody Essex Museum
Join Holly Merker, professional birding guide, mindful nature teacher, author and cancer survivor, to delve into the realm of birding as self care. Research shows that connecting with birds and nature has the potential to reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and can even strengthen cardiovascular health and the immune system. Observing wild birds offers the perfect gateway into deeper experiences with nature. Through observation, we can not only learn about birds, but also gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters environmental stewardship and bolsters conservation.
Within the program, we’ll delve into our connections to wild birds, learn how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding and uncover the latest research surrounding the impact of birds on human health and why we need birds for overall well-being.
A book signing for Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul will follow the program.
Forest Bathing with Birds at Rushton Farms
The lush and thoughtfully stewarded landscapes and garden at Rushton Farm provide the perfect backdrop for reaping the wellness benefits that nature provides us.
With origins inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, harnesses the health and restorative benefits the natural world holds for us. This experience will be a bit different than a traditional outdoor guided walk, not focusing on sharing naturalist knowledge or identification, but instead allowing the forest and birds to intentionally guide us into slowing our pace by a skilled leader who is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
For more information, visit this link: Forest Bathing with Birds at Rushton Farm
Mindful Birding at the Hunterdon Art Museum
A collaborative event where art intersects Mindful Birding at the Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton NJ
Join artist Debra Ramsay and Mindful Birding Network founder Holly Merker for a guided experience in mindful observation, exploring the wonders of wild birds through art and the birds themselves.
This event will coincide with Debra’s exhibit “Flying Colors”
Ornitherapy: Why We Need Birds for Wellbeing
Join local author Holly Merker as she shares with us why birds and nature are necessary for optimal wellbeing, and how you can incorporate techniques and experiences with them into your self care practices.
Acadia's Iconic Birds, Whales, and Scenic Views
Led by professional guides and Mindful Birding Network members, Holly Merker and Seth Benz
Run through Hillstar Nature - Detailed Itinerary Here
Recharge your batteries and explore Acadia National Park, featuring an Atlantic Puffin tour and a separate whale watching trip in the nutrient-rich waters of the Gulf of Maine.
Observe common loons, shearwaters and humpback whales, and learn about regional ecology at a comfortable pace. Enjoy an exclusive tour to the summit of Cadillac Mountain with an expert naturalist. Experience the thrill of discovery while being immersed in Acadia National Park’s history and outstanding beauty, her landscapes and seascapes. Allow yourself to unplug, unwind, and restore your mind, body, and spirit with this small group experience.
This experience offers you:
Five days in coastal Maine for puffins, whales & more.
Relaxed pace based at the gorgeous and off the beaten path Schoodic Institute
Special Access Visits to the scenic Acadia National Park
Guides who prioritize experiences with birds over ticking off species seen, and know the area better than anyone.
ABA Adventure at Acadia National Park
Specially created for young birders and their families to have an immersion in the natural world to unwind and shed stress, and ignite curiosity and wonder in one of the most scenic regions of North America - for both young and old. Holly Merker will help instruct and guide this unique experience.
The ABA is partnering with the National Parks to provide an amazing adventure for younger birders, ages 9-12, with an accompanying adult. This unique experience provides an all-inclusive birding vacation set in the pristine landscape of Schoodic peninsula in Acadia National Park with all the comforts of private lodging, delicious meals prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, expertly planned daily outings, a puffin and seal boat trip, and in-session transportation. Allowing you to fully enjoy your time in Maine’s Acadia National Park.
Learn more here: https://www.aba.org/aba-adventure-at-acadia-national-park-july-7-12-2024/
Mindful Birding Retreat in Panama
This 7-day mindful birding retreat is set in the lush highlands of western Panama and combines the professional talents of guides and Mindful Birding Network Members Marta Curti, Jenn Sinasac, and special guest Holly Merker.
Nourish yourself while nestled into the invigoratingly green landscapes in the mountains of western Panama’s Cloud Forest, while being treated to incredible food, stellar views, and dynamic birds, mammals, flowers, butterflies, etc. while decompressing from life’s stressors.
We will practice Mindful Birding, Forest Bathing with a certified guide, Yoga, Nature Journaling, Meditation, and plenty of exploration of the birds and incredible biodiversity this unique area holds.
Because this retreat was carefully designed to be a slow-paced and restorative experience, there will be built-in free time to enjoy the lodge’s many fruit and hummingbird feeders, and relax with your feet up as you enjoy the peace and comfort of the incredible Mount Totumas Resort.
The Joy of Birding - Hog Island Audubon Camp
National Audubon’s Hog Island Camp in mid-coast Maine
Session Direction and Instructor: Holly Merker
Have you been hoping to find a hands-on way to build upon your skills as a birder while experiencing the incredible spectacles of birdlife in coastal Maine? If so, then this session is for you!
This session aims to provide a better understanding birds while expanding upon your skills in identifying by sight and by ear. Surround yourself in the splendors and nurturing land and seascapes of coastal Maine, while living on a quiet island surrounded by birds.
Mindful Birding at Dusk
Led by Holly Merker in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Hosted by the Willistown Conservation Trust at Rushton Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Spring evenings offer soft light and beautiful soundscapes of birds and other nature. Come wind down your day with some Ornitherapy.
Through guided instruction, we'll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the birds surrounding us. Techniques and prompts called “Orntiherapy Explorations” accompany the gently guided walk and sit spots, which through observation enhances our identification skills, while promoting a deepening of our experiences with birds around us. This in turn amplifies the multitude of benefits birds provide to our overall wellness. Participants will be provided Ornitherapy Journals to increase observation and awareness and have a take-away from the experience to continue wherever they go.
Acadia Birding Festival Keynote Presentation: Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching
The Acadia Birding Festival Presents Keynote Speaker Holly Merker
“Ornitherapy: The Power of Birdwatching”
Spring Birds of Acadia National Park
This tour is now SOLD OUT
Join author and professional guide Holly Merker and Schoodic Institute’s Bird Ecology Director Seth Benz, to explore the birds and habitats of Acadia National Park, as we base ourselves from the less-crowded and immently beautiful Schoodic Peninsula
Mindful Birding at the Morris Arboretum
Guided by Holly Merker, Mindful Birding & Nature-based Wellness Specialist
(This event is now SOLD OUT with a waiting list)
In Mindful Birding we will combine observing birds with mindfulness techniques, creating a heightened awareness of both ourselves and the world around us. Through guided instruction, we’ll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the abundant birds surrounding us on this autumn day in the Morris Arboretum & Gardens Natural Lands area.
This class will provide a reprieve from life’s stressors and pressures, stimulate your overall well-being, sharpen and enhance your identification skills, and more. We will slow down and notice the world around us, using the birds as our guides! Participants will be provided with ‘Ornitherapy Journals’ to increase observation and awareness and have a take-away from the experience.
Saturday, May 189:30 AM–12:00 PM
Go to Birding section to register.
Spring Migration Celebration
Join us for a weekend of celebrating Spring Migration at Bosque del Apache and learn about the amazing species that are spending the season with us! Holly Merker and Alex Harper will be returning to guide in-person, birding identification field trips.
Register here: Spring Migration Celebration
Forest Bathing with Birds at Pennswoods Winery
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
REGISTER HERE - MUST BE 21 Years of Age
Wild Birds Unlimited and Ornitherapy & Nature-Based Wellness are partnering with Penns Woods Winery to bring you a NEW outdoor wellness workshop!
Join us in the vineyard on April 28th from 3:00pm-5:30pm with Holly Merker, founder of Ornitherapy & Nature-Based Wellness in this calming, meditative, contemplative workshop. "Forest Bathing" is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku that harnesses the health and restorative benefits the natural world holds for us.
Deepen your connection to nature by engaging the senses and allowing the trees, vines and birds to intentionally guide you into slowing your pace and allowing the restorative benfits of nature to quiet your mind, body and soul while celebrating the spring season. This meditative experience includes a tea ceremony celebrating the spring season. Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine as well as a special 10% discount on wine purchases for participants following the conclusion of the workshop.
Read more about this event, including pricing, and accessiblity at this link: https://www.pennswoodswinery.com/product/forest-bathing-with-birds-at-the-vineyard
Please reach out to kacie@pennswoodswinery should you have any questions or call our Tasting Room aat 610.459.0808
Ornitherapy at Mt Cuba Center
led by Holly Merker in Hockessin, Delaware - Register through Mt Cuba Center
Finding balance in our busy and pressured lives can be challenging, but if we allow an appreciation of birds and nature to slow us down we improve our overall well-being. Research shows that exposure to nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through the mindful observations of birds and their habitats, we learn not only about them, but about ourselves.
This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Learning the Language of Birds
In-person outdoor/indoor workshop led by Holly Merker at Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin, Delaware USA - Register Here
When a bird sings, it tells you what it is and where it is. Increase your chances of successfully sighting and identifying songbirds “by ear” this spring using Holly’s intriguing strategies. Learn how, why, and when birds sing, and come away with foundational skills for understanding and learning the language of the birds right outside your own doors. Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars (some will be provided), and wear practical shoes for walking over uneven paths. Pace will be slow and accommodate most mobility levels.
“Rosalie's Ramble” Spring Migration with Hawk Mountain in New York City
Led by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Staff and
Hawk Mountain Board Member Holly Merker
Celebrate Hawk Mountain's 90th anniversary with a birding excursion to New York City's beautiful Central Park! Join HMS staff and volunteer naturalists for a guided birding experience in the Ramble, one of Hawk Mountain founder Rosalie Edge's favorite birding spots.
Cost includes transportation from Cabela's, guided birding, light refreshments on bus, and some free time in the park. Lunch is on your own. Prompt 6am departure. Estimated return time 7pm. Park map/info and waivers will be emailed.
https://www.hawkmountain.org/events/rosalies-ramble
Mindful Birding at Dusk
https://wctrust.org/
Led by Holly Merker in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Hosted by the Willistown Conservation Trust at Rushton Farm in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Spring evenings offer soft light and beautiful soundscapes of birds and other nature. Come wind down your day with some Ornitherapy.
Through guided instruction, we'll practice simple mindfulness exercises to engage our sensory awareness while intentionally tuning into the birds surrounding us. Techniques and prompts called “Orntiherapy Explorations” accompany the gently guided walk and sit spots, which through observation enhances our identification skills, while promoting a deepening of our experiences with birds around us. This in turn amplifies the multitude of benefits birds provide to our overall wellness. Participants will be provided Ornitherapy Journals to increase observation and awareness and have a take-away from the experience to continue wherever they go.
Texas Total Eclipse Birding
THIS TOUR IS SOLD OUT
Hillstar Nature presents: Texas Total Eclipse Birding
See full itinerary & details here: https://www.hillstarnature.com/texas-eclipse-birding
Guided by Whitney Lanfranco and Holly Merker
A week-long loop through central Texas, we enjoy stops at historic birding hotspots, while also seeking to observe an incredibly rare total solar eclipse.
Visiting the Gulf Coast for northbound migrants, we’ll also have a day to explore the legendary King Ranch, we will see the Texas Hill Country, check out a crazy cave full of millions of bats, and also give ourselves a great chance to see a total solar eclipse.