The other morning I stepped out early to walk my dogs.  The sun had not yet risen, but the sky was beginning to lighten.  As dawn emerged, the birds began to wake.  With no other ambient noises, my ears were privy to an assortment of wild bird songs.  It being spring, some of the birds launched immediately into their mating calls.  The Barred Owl cried, “Who cooks for you?”  and the Wild Turkeys gobbled back and forth to one another in the hopes of finding love.  The deluge of calls continued as overhead I heard the Canada Geese honking their way north.  Then, as the sky brightened even further, the cheery tweets of the Chickadees and the whistle of the Cardinal was added to the chorus.  An occasional caw of a Common Crow punctuated the melody as did the drumbeat of the Piliated Woodpecker.  Serenaded thusly, I walked my dogs in a state of wonder, listening intently for each new voice.

Often our ears are so bombarded by a cacophony of noise, we miss the delightful delicate sounds of the woods and fields.  This spring I vow to spend more time listening.

To kick-start this with your own brood or group of students you might want to begin with the book, The Listening Walk by Paul Showers.

I’m also a huge fan of the children’s author Kevin Henkes.  This year he has written a new book entitled simply, Birds.  If you want to spur an interest in birds, this book is a great introduction encouraging the reader to incorporate several senses as well as the imagination.

I’m also going to celebrate by taking the time to bird watch.  My bird feeder has served the likes of Cardinals, Flickers, Blue birds, Nuthatches, Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers.  Last year we had an Indigo Bunting and an Oriole stop by for a bite.  I hope they decide to come back again this year.  And I hope that you decide to take a moment and listen with your heart as well as your ears.