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Naturalist Training Articles

Where Do Birds Go At Night? (Roosting And Sleeping Birds Explained)

Apart from a short time during the nesting season when some birds may sleep on their nests to keep eggs warm, you may be surprised to learn that birds don’t actually use their nests for sleeping. So then where do birds go at night? And where exactly do they sleep? At night, birds go to a safe place to sleep called a roost. Roost sites include sheltered bushes & tree branches, or inside … [Read more...] about Where Do Birds Go At Night? (Roosting And Sleeping Birds Explained)

Filed Under: Articles, Bird Language, Naturalist Training

How To Identify Birds (Observation + Experience)

Hey... What bird is that? One of the most common areas where people struggle in nature studies is being able to confidently identify birds. This is because birds are constantly moving and changing their behavior in response to whatever is happening in the environment. Most of the best bird identification advice can be summed up in the following general guidelines: Of course, there's … [Read more...] about How To Identify Birds (Observation + Experience)

Filed Under: Articles, Bird Language, Naturalist Training

Nature Mapping: An Intuitive Way To Learn Your Land & Predict Animal Behavior

Today's podcast talks about nature mapping as a learning tool to promote deeper awareness of the land & how animals are using your local environment. I'm excited to share the story of how mapping helped me trail a mother cougar with her sub-adult family through the Pacific Northwest rainforest. I actually got to see these animals up close and personal, but the really cool thing is how … [Read more...] about Nature Mapping: An Intuitive Way To Learn Your Land & Predict Animal Behavior

Filed Under: Animal Tracking, Naturalist Training, Podcast

A Story About Squirrel Families & Being A Natural Mystery Detective…

Today's podcast shares a fun story about squirrels that also contains some great lessons for exploring natural mysteries... Just click play to listen! (or download to your device) This is one of my personal "teaching stories" and it's a perfect example of how nature based mentoring connects us to a living oral tradition. On one level, it's just a fun story about an experience I had one … [Read more...] about A Story About Squirrel Families & Being A Natural Mystery Detective…

Filed Under: Animal Tracking, Naturalist Training, Podcast

14 Types of Plants Everyone Should Know: Photos, Identification & Uses

There are more than 390,000 different types of plants in the world today. So if you want to identify plants and even practice using them in daily life, that’s an insane number of species and could get pretty overwhelming. Luckily with the right approach, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can start learning some of the most important plants that every nature lover should know. One of the … [Read more...] about 14 Types of Plants Everyone Should Know: Photos, Identification & Uses

Filed Under: Articles, Naturalist Training

How To Spend More Time Outside (14 simple ways to easy nature enjoyment)

Do you want to spend more time outside? In this age of electronics there’s a growing appreciation for all the amazing life benefits gained from spending lots of time outside. Nature is a free source of fresh air & simple enjoyment that calms the mind & body, releases stress and improves happiness. But even with this understanding of nature’s role for overall life satisfaction, I … [Read more...] about How To Spend More Time Outside (14 simple ways to easy nature enjoyment)

Filed Under: Articles, Naturalist Training, Nature Connection

What Do Hawks Eat? (With diet lists for 9 common hawks)

Most nature adventurers have probably at some point caught the sight of a hawk flying above an open field or even around your local neighborhood. Hawks are truly fascinating and magnificent birds to see up close, but they also tend to be significantly more reclusive than most other birds you might be familiar with. So one of the big keys to help you really understand the patterns of local … [Read more...] about What Do Hawks Eat? (With diet lists for 9 common hawks)

Filed Under: Articles, Naturalist Training

Bird Nesting Facts & Behaviors: When Do Birds Lay Eggs?

It’s always exciting to watch a bird fly into their secret little spot in the bushes and know there’s a nest with bird eggs hidden inside. On my own journey to get connected with nature, some of my biggest discoveries and lessons have come from time spent watching nesting birds in action. Bird nesting behavior is pretty easy to observe so this is a great place for beginners to explore… but … [Read more...] about Bird Nesting Facts & Behaviors: When Do Birds Lay Eggs?

Filed Under: Articles, Bird Language, Naturalist Training

Pheasant Territorial Behavior: Video with pheasant calls explained

If you've ever heard ring-necked pheasants calling during early spring, you might have been hearing their territorial behavior. Male pheasants are quite territorial during the breeding season. They will climb up on rocks or leaf piles to crow at regular intervals. These calls are made to defend territories, and also to attract females.  This video is a perfect example of the body … [Read more...] about Pheasant Territorial Behavior: Video with pheasant calls explained

Filed Under: Animal Tracking, Bird Language, Naturalist Training, Videos

Beginner’s Guide to Nature Journaling: 12 Tips For a Better Nature Journal

Nature journaling outside

One of the most impactful methods I ever learned to improve my experience of the outdoors is nature journaling. Nature is filled with amazing things to discover at every turn… but it’s also incredibly complex! The first time I tried to observe meaningful patterns in birds & plants, it was like my brain couldn’t fully process all the information coming in through my senses. There are … [Read more...] about Beginner’s Guide to Nature Journaling: 12 Tips For a Better Nature Journal

Filed Under: Articles, Naturalist Training

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How To Read The Secrets of a Forest

Hi, My Name Is Brian Mertins…

Brian Mertins

When I was 15 years old I had an experience of sudden lucid clarity while hiking in the woods. Since then I’ve been passionately seeking tools for helping modern humans develop razor sharp natural instincts. I’m the author of multiple courses & ebooks about bird language, naturalist training, observation skills & outdoor mindfulness. My goal is to share these life changing skills with YOU! Continue reading

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