I never expected birdwatching to become such a big part of my life. It started quietly in the spring of 2023, shortly after my dad passed away. I found myself spending more and more time in my Michigan backyard, sitting in silence. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but I started to notice the birds. I had lived in this house for years without realizing how alive the nature in my backyard truly was. There were layers of birdsong I had never paid attention to before. Curiosity got the better of me, so I ordered a small window feeder, something simple. When the first bird showed up, I was completely hooked.
From there, it snowballed. Feeders went from one to many, and my quiet deck turned into a little bird haven. One of the first birds that really caught my heart was the red-bellied woodpecker. A pair started visiting regularly, and I’d stop whatever I was doing just to watch them. I still do. Every time they show up, it feels like a tiny gift.
By that first spring, I could hardly believe my eyes when a Baltimore Oriole showed up. That bright flash of orange was unlike anything I had ever seen in my yard. I was instantly hooked. Orioles have been my favorite migratory bird ever since. Their return each spring helps me navigate the seasons and long Michigan winters, reminding me that something new and beautiful is always just around the corner.
No one in my immediate circle was particularly interested in wild birds, or being photo-bombed by my daily videos, so I turned to TikTok to share my excitement. I started posting up-close bird videos that make you feel like you’re right there with them. That’s when everything changed. I quickly became passionate about capturing these moments in a way that others could connect with too.
The support from my community is what really keeps me going. I get comments all the time from people who say my videos bring them peace or lift their spirits during tough times. In just 18 months, I’ve grown a collective community of 102.5k followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. I now share wild bird videos along with my favorite products to help others create bird-friendly spaces of their own!
What started as a quiet moment in grief has grown into something so much bigger. Birding helped me heal, and now I get to share that joy with thousands of others every day.
Perch with Carrissa!
@chirpnook on
What’s Your Story?
In an effort to place the spotlight on the birding community I am seeking birders who are interested in sharing their spark bird story to be featured on the Modern Birder Collective. Whether you’re a backyard birder, nature trail birder, or in an urban setting, every birder has a story to tell which can inspire others to discover the joy of birding.
SUBMISSION
Want to share your story on the Modern Birder Collective?
It’s easy! Simply write up your unique spark bird experience and email it to modernbirdercollective@gmail.com. Be sure to include the following:
- Your name as you’d like it to appear in the published post.
- A photo to be used as the featured image.
- Your story, written by you, I’ll copy and paste it directly into the post. It can be as short or as detailed as you’d like to capture your experience.
- Any social media handles (optional) you’d like to include so fellow birders can connect with you and grow the community.
Looking forward to connecting with you soon & happy birding!
Modern Birder Collective 
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