During these walks, we will have time for conversation, reflections, and quiet, as well as seeking to identify as many birds as possible. There will be plenty of opportunity to learn about birds and practice the spiritual aspects of watching birds. This is without a doubt a wonderful mindfulness practice. If the weather is particularly wintry, please make reservations so we can keep in touch with you. On such days, the walks will be shorter and/or we can meet to enjoy a warm coffee and conversation so we can build community and share our connection to nature.
These walks will be led by our renowned avian conservationist, Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner, who is First Unitarian’s community minister and Co-Director of One Earth Conservation. Donations (suggestions of $5) are much appreciated. All donations will go towards bird conservation in the Americas. You can donate at the One Earth’s page.
January 4, 2025
Time of start and end: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Focus and expected viewings: Celebrating National Bird Day – What Could the New Year Bring to you and Birds. Hopefully we will get to see some water birds and some great winter weather.
Location: Grays Lake Park parking lot off where Grays Lake Road begins the John Grubb Lane
January 18, 2025
Start and end time: 8-10 am
Focus and expected viewings: Our theme for this walk on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend will be how birds help us connect to freedom and the goal of flourishing for all beings. We will meet a bit earlier than usual to give us a chance to see as many birds as we can. I was just there and we saw a barred-owl, brown wood-creepers, golden-crowned kinglets, and a pileated woodpecker.
Location: We will meet at Walnut Woods State Park at the circle turnout that leads to the Bird Watching Blind. The address is: Walnut Woods State Park, 3155 Walnut Woods Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
If you can’t find us or get lost, you can contact LoraKim at: +19143259574.
February 22, 2025
Time of start and end: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Focus and expected viewings: Spring is still a month away but already the birds are heading home in the clear blue sky announcing your place in the family of things (from Mary Oliver). What can we see today that tells us we belong.
Location: Blue Heron Lake at the Raccoon River Fishing Pier – parking lot off Iowa Road. The main entrance of the park is 2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265 but look for the parking lot of the fishing pier going counterclockwise around the lake to the Southwest.
Sandhill Cranes March 14–16, 2025
Time of start and end: Friday 7 p.m. and until Sunday midday (depending on weather).
Focus and expected viewings: A Spiritual Retreat and Bird Walks with Sandhill Cranes in Kearny Nebraska. You can attend any or all of the planned events: meals, board walk views, short walks.
Location: Please register so we can send you the final schedule. We begin with a shared meal on Friday in Kearny, Nebraska. The next morning, we will meet very early the following morning (7 a.m.) at the Plautz Crane Viewing Area at the corner of Lowell Road and Elm Island Road to see the cranes and other water birds begin their day.
April 20, 2025
Time of start and end: 6:15 – 8:00 a.m.
Focus and expected viewings: We will watch the sunrise and the migratory birds pass over us through the sky as we recall how cultures celebrate in this time of Spring, especially with the holidays of Easter and Passover on this day.
Location: Grays Lake Park parking lot off where Grays Lake Road begins the John Grubb Lane. (we might change this if construction ends at the Grays Lake Concession Stand – stay tuned).
April 24, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Presentation: Birding for Life.
This is a presentation and not a walk:
Focus: During this presentation we will review the scientific and cultural aspects of how people relate and respond to nature, and specifically to birds. Recent studies show how immersion in nature can yield health benefits for humans, as can the practice of birding. Being intentionally mindful of birds, also reaps benefits not just for humans, but for the birds themselves. As people come to understand and connect to birds, they increase their resilience and health by being with birds, and in so doing, increase their capacity to care for themselves and for others. The mindful practice of birds can take only minutes a day but conversely also involves a lifetime of commitment, exploration, and wonder.
Location: Franklin Library Parking lot (Western boundary), 5000 Franklin Library Avenue
April 26, 2025
Time of start and end: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Focus and expected viewings: We are coming into the peak of the spring bird migration. We will talk about where the birds are heading and where we might be heading as spring turns into the abundance of summer.
Location: Franklin Library Parking lot (Western boundary), 5000 Franklin Library Avenue to walk along Waveland Train into Glenwood Cemetery.