January 5, 2024
Did you know?! Today, and every year January 5th rolls around, is National Bird Day! Whoo! Hoo! Or should I say “Tweet!” Have you hugged a bird today?
“National Bird Day, celebrated on January 5th, is a day dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and appreciation of birds. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of birds and their habitats, and encourage people to take action to protect them.”
Back Story
(or Why this seemingly random information nugget has popped into this blog post, and what happened to those fascinating Full Moon stories?)
Since my Full Moon project came to a close in November, I’ve been pondering over my list of ideas that might become a fun project. With elbows propped on my drawing table and chin cupped between the palms of my hands, my eyes and mind began slowly drifting outside to a winter scene where patches and drifts of snow had collected from our last storm. Readjusting my focus to the bird feeder right outside my studio window, I watched as 15-20 dark-eyed juncos engaged in minor skirmishes, competing for seed. Birds on the feeder and the ground ravenously plucked and scratched for tasty morsels before they were stolen by another hungry junco.
That’s when it hit me …… the constant activity at the feeder, every day, brought to mind the number of holidays, events and sometimes solemn to whacky occasions we the people have designated to commemorate and celebrate. The published lists (official? who knows) are long, cover every day of the year, and often include a dozen (more or less) International, National, State and Local happenings/day!
The topics are boundless; some familiar (Valentine’s Day), some hilarious (National Pass Gas Day), some educational (Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day); some raise awareness about a cause (National Save the Eagles Day), while some satisfy your appetite (National Curried Chicken Day) ….. your thirst (National Green Juice Day) …. your sense of play (National Fruitcake Toss Day) … your sense of self (Measure Your Feet Day).
Apparently, if you can think it, there’s a “Day.”
So here goes ….. I’ll be tackling a “Day” a month during 2024, that is likely to make a good fit for my Nature Journal. Then Flambé, not to be left behind dog paddling in a sea of flounder, has agreed to play too. Kat will pick a “Day” each month where the event is more light-hearted, laughable, fantastical.
And there you have it! Scattered among my regular nature journal pages and Flambés Misadventures will be our interpretations of a few dozen of the hundreds of notable events we think are worthy of recognizing this and in future years!
Enjoy!
What’s your favorite (backyard) bird? Oh and please share how you celebrated National Bird Day!
a curious nature 
Barb,
Love how you’ll commemorate a “Day” each month. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. As far as me, I celebrated National Bird Day interviewing applicants and their references for our Fairfax chapter of VA Master Naturalists. We will be conducting our Spring 2024 basic training course starting mid-February. I became certified VA naturalist back in 2022 and I love giving back to our natural world. Nature journaling is near and dear to me. Have a great January!
Dee
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Really appreciate your comments, Dee! And a wonderful way to spend National Bird Day! Birds around the globe will be forever grateful for your careful and patient assessment of future master naturalists qualifications! Bravo! And what a great way to give back to the community! Happy New Year!
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I missed sharing a bird photo or thought on this special bird day, but I am thrilled to enjoy yours! Thank you for your beautiful share, Barb. 🙏🏻
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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
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It is a small gesture in exchange for viewing your art.
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So sweet! Your reply made my evening perfect!
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Perfect! 😊
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I look forward to your “Day” coverage each month! There certainly are some wacky ones, but I like the National Chocolate Chip cookie day or Pizza day! I’ll have to look for the nature days, though! Our Dark-eyed Juncos here have a simple coloring- black head and gray body. They are regulars at our feeder, but my favorite is the Chestnut-backed Chickadee as well as the Black-capped Chickadee — they are so darling & friendly. Daily, I enjoy our bird friends at the feeder and love hearing the Downy Woodpecker pair chirp to each other and take turns snacking! Wonderful Junco drawings and you’ve recorded some keen observations!
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Thanks tremendously for the comments and feedback, Karen! Love your favorite picks for celebratory days! Yum! I recall from one of your recent posts that you have chestnut-backed chickadees! Wow ….. would love to see that one! We also get the black-capped chicks, and really enjoy them especially when the juniper titmice return in late winter. Enjoy your birds!
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What a great idea for your blog. Love the junco’s. We have both the dark eyed one and the black capped junco at our feeder too this time of year. Always love watching the birds. Also have magpie, two kinds of blue jays, some crows and Lewis woodpeckers this time of year. And an occasional red tailed hawk.
Sue
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Hello Sue! Love your message …. thanks! Sounds like you have many of the same birds we have a bit further south, with one notable exception ….. the magpie! Wished they would venture a bit further south. During the winter we often take deivesmup to Las Vegas (NM) just to see a magpie or two. They were always my favorite bird when I was a kid. They are noisy and can be messy, but how,gorgeous! Enjoy. Oh, and delighted yiu like my new blog idea. Pure fun, and Flambé insisted I keep up with my zentangling on the days she picks. Hahahah! Keep warm and Happy New Year.
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You should come up our way sometime. I always have magpies around. About 5 of them this morning. We are about the same distance as Las Vegas and a whole other world of birds and plants up here to explore.
Sue
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I may have to do that sometime …… sometime when the weather is warmer! Brrrrrrrr! Thx for the invite, Sue!
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It’s interesting to see these juncos– so different from the dark-eyed juncos that are here for for winter.
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I really enjoyed your post for exactly the same reason! Thanks Jean for taking a look.
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Ah, I missed this special day. I always get reminded of donuts and coffee, but never something good for the soul. Thank you for this reminder!!
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Surely there must be soulful donuts?! Thanks for checking out my post! Happy belated National bird day ….. never too late!
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