Happy Wednesday, friends! The first few days of 2024 have felt so joyful. I hope you’ve felt that way too. We are back into the swing of school and it’s such a nice feeling. I’m here today to share my bird of 2024! Sounds strange, I know, but I’m so excited to slow down and learn lessons from nature this year.
Like Kat and Juliann, I am reading The Comfort of Crows over the course of the year. The book is broken up into weeks of the year so it’s perfect for this type of slow reading. This week’s reading was about paying attention to and taking meaning from your first bird spotting of the year.
I’ll admit – I was hoping for a crow. I’ve developed a fascination for the creatures and am obsessed with feeding and befriending the local flock. Have you seen the story about the little girl who gets gifts from crows? That could be me! So I’ve started carrying peanuts and cashews in my coat pocket, ready to show the crows that I’m friendly. No gifts yet but I believe that RebecCAW and CAWrl will learn to trust me.
But my first bird sighting of 2024 wasn’t a crow. Instead, it was a White-throated Sparrow. I thought about squeezing my eyes shut and erasing the image from my memory, but decided to trust the process. I did a bit of research about the symbolism of sparrows and was immediately heartened:
“In general, Sparrow symbolism urges you to embrace a simpler life.”
That was the whole purpose of choosing LESS as my word in 2023. And reading further about sparrows:
What a beautiful summation of what I wanted to accomplish last year. It feels perfect for 2024, doesn’t it? And one more quote about sparrow symbolism:
I haven’t picked a word for 2024 yet, but I’m certain it will have something to do with the sparrow.
Today’s plan: school, cooking lots of food, and spreading about a ton of bunny poop on a new flower garden I’m planning for the spring. My eye will be to the sky and the bird feeders though, hoping to spot a new friend or two. I hope you’re able to find some time to do things you love. Take good care.
The Cozy Burrow 
Katie, This was so interesting, as my focus this year is on “Place”. I want to be more mindful of what is in front of me, of what is around me. Birds, Plants,Trees, Animals. I am excited. Will check out The Comfort of Crows. Be well! Enjoy…
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Linda – my word is also place. Would love to share thoughts.
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GM Julian.
My word for the year is actually Splendid. However, I am focusing on a year long course with Janisse Ray on Sunstack called Journey In Place. Check it out.
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Juliann,
My WordPress isn’t in operation and hasn’t been for a very long time. Typo on previous reply that should be * Substack. I would be open to exchanging emails.
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I love this, Linda! And I think you’ll be interested in The Comfort of Crows. The readings each week are short and wonderful. Here’s to 2024!
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Thank you. I just ordered it!
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Oh, what fun Katie! I am not quite sure what to do about my “sighting” because I saw two birds on the feeder first thing… a Carolina Wren and a Red bellied woodpecker! Two birds I don’t often see at the same time on the feeder (if ever!!) I am just grateful it wasn’t the Starling Onslaught that happens frequently! 🙂
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What a fun conundrum! I wonder what Margaret Renkl would say? The Carolina Wren was my second choice for a first bird (right behind the crow), but woodpeckers are fascinating too. I can’t wait to see what (if!) you choose 🙂
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This sounds like a perfect bird sighting for you. Enjoy these early days and I look forward to hearing more about your word search.
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Thanks, Juliann! I’m being pulled towards one but I’m not sure if its “the one” yet or not! I’ll give it a few more weeks 😉
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I love this post Katie and seeing a Sparrow as your first bird sighting seems to echo what you have been doing. I really should pick up a copy of The Comfort of Crows to read this year, it seems t9 be an amazing book. I as well have a fascination of crows, and ravens too. They are such interesting and intelligent birds. Did you know that crows have the IQ of a seven year old child? I recently watched this video on Ravens https://youtu.be/D6s3u0624P8?si=ay-pLS4yBF4mOxtr they are really interesting birds.
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Thank you for that factoid on crows! I did NOT know that! I think The Comfort of Crows is right up your alley, Tina. Let me know if you decide to grab a copy!
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You’re welcome Katie and I will ☺️
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I really, really like Margaret Renkl’s writing. You might even call me a fan. A happy New Year to you and yours. I hope it is full of good food, good books, and good times.
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This is my introduction to Renkl and it is so joyful! I’m glad to know that you’re a fan of hers 🙂 Happy New Year to you too! We’re trying to be a vegetarian household in January so I’m channeling you in the kitchen!
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I’ve read her in the New York Times, and I’ve requested the book through interlibrary loan. Thanks for letting me know about it.
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This was a great post – I love taking lessons from a sparrow! Good luck on befriending your crows. I see them often around my library and mentally wish them well.
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Thanks, Laila! How fun to see crows at your library. If you fed them, you could become the Library Crow Lady!
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That sparrow is so cute. We get sparrows at our feeders but I’ve never heard of a white throated one. Don’t think we get them here in the UK. I love bird spotting and watching.
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Thanks, Laura! I’ve also taken to birding over the last few years but the idea of a First Bird is new to me. So this has been a fun activity!
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I have definitely noticed your joy so far this year — even in writing, it just erupts from the page (screen?), and I am glad of it. I love that your first bird was a sparrow and what it signifies. Mine was a robin, which apparently are a sign of rebirth and new beginnings. It seems a bit strange to get that when winter’s just begun, but maybe it means some new things are in store for me this year.
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A robin! I love robins. We don’t have many of them around this time of year but I know spring is on the way when I see a great big flock of them land in our front yard. Hmmmm… rebirth and new beginnings. Exciting things must be just around the corner for you!
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What a perfect bird sighting for you Katie. The song of the white throated sparrow is quite unique too. Like you, I am reading The Comfort of Crows each week. The first birds I sighted were four cardinals, three males and one female. It wasn’t the bird I would have chosen but I decided to honor the sighting and was surprised at the wide array of symbolism. I wrote a little about it in this week’s post. You sound quite happy and that is wonderful.
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I love that so many of us are reading The Comfort of Crows! What a fun and informal group read for us all to have. Cardinals are one of my favorite birds – I love their calls. I can’t wait to scoot over to your blog and read more about their symbolism. I hope you have a great day!
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We have a few things in common this year…! My First Bird is a house sparrow. Oh, it was a funny first day… (I’m posting about it on Monday. I think we had a similar reaction. Actually, reactions!) I hope your new year is off to a good start.
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I loved your post! And I’ve had a wonderful new year so far, thank you! I hope the same for you 🙂
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oh Katie, I think this is the perfect bird for you (like Margaret Renkl told me “The right bird will come to you.”) Merlin has heard a white-throated sparrow in my neighborhood, but I haven’t seen one yet. Still not seeing many birds … cold, rain, cold, wind … the birds are hiding!
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The birds have been hard to spot for us this year too. And isn’t Merlin wonderful?! I love how connected its made me feel to my backyard over the last couple of years.
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