This is Bird Note. I'm Deja Perkins, an urban ecologist, and I'd like to give you a crash course on urban birding.

There's nothing like the sound of the eastern towey reminding you to drink your tea.

First thing in the morning. In the eastern U.S., these are not birds you have to travel far to sea.

In fact, you can see the eastern towe and many other birds just by taking a walk around your neighborhood.

One of the reasons I love birds is that you don't have to go far to find them. You can sit on your porch, at your local park, or even in the parking lot of your

favorite store, and you will find birds. All it takes is at least five minutes of mindfulness.

If you don't see anything right away, don't be discouraged. Remember to look up. Maybe you will catch a

vulture soaring overhead on a warm breezy day,

or the flash of red on a red-tail hawk as it soars by.

Check the power lines, light poles, and tops of buildings for the electric blue flash of the eastern bluebird.

Close your eyes. Listen. Pass the sounds of the cars and the traffic. Pass the sounds of people

chatting nearby. Do you hear it? Drink your tea. This week is Black Birders Week.

To learn how to participate, follow the hashtag Black Birders Week on social media and visit birdnote.org.

I'm Deja Perkins.