This is Bird Note. While the energy and momentum of full speed ahead birding

can mean citing a large number of species, there's quiet joy in standstill birding.

Pick a place, forest, field, marsh, then find a seat that's preferably dry and blend in.

Sitting with your back against a tree is especially good.

Be still.

After perhaps 20 minutes, birds accept you as part of the landscape and go back to their

bird business, eating, courting, feeding their young, like this secretive Swainson's thrush.

If you start with your binoculars held up almost to your eyes, you won't need to make any

sudden movement. Slow movement or no movement is the key.

Perhaps you'll spot a female hummingbird flying back to her secret nest.

Some birds may be curious and come quite near, allowing you a better look.

This is not about logging species,

but about close and contemplative observation. You become part of the birds' world.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann. Birdnote gives you the sounds of birds every day,

and you get the sites as well when you follow us on Instagram,

at BirdNote Radio.