This is Bird Note.

She was an incredible astronomer, master of the stars,

extremely knowledgeable of landscapes and geography,

an expert forager and healer, an amazing naturalist.

She was in tune with the birds and their calls,

notably the hoot of a barred owl.

Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! and their calls, notably the hoot of a barred owl.

Harriet Tubman was a heroic abolitionist in the cause to end chattel slavery, and an expert birder.

On the Underground Railroad, Tubman used the song of the Bard Owl as a signal to let freedom seekers know

that she had arrived. Her call let them know when it was safe to come out. She mastered the sound

and used it throughout the Underground Railroad.

After learning this story, I was inspired to learn this hoot myself in homage to Tubman.

It was so smart to use the Bard Owl Song as a signal.

It's easily disguised its nature.

She knew to use it at night when it would blend in with other nighttime sounds.

But those in the know knew it was Tubman.

And when they heard it, it was an important signal on a journey to freedom.

This week is Black Birders' Week.

To learn how to participate,

follow the hashtag Black Birdersweek on social media and visit Birdnote.org.

I'm Tasha Lawson.