Stories in Flight —
Step Into a Global Story of Movement, Meaning, and Connection
Bird Migration Gathering: Encore Experience
Journey through dynamic speaker sessions from five countries, tracing how birds connect continents, cultures, and people across the world.
What you’ll gain:
A season-long journey into global migration stories
Your place within birds' continent-crossing movement
Gentle space to explore at your own rhythm
Access through February 26, 2026
Because your birding life becomes richer when you see your corner of the world as part of a global movement.
Enrollment closes December 13.
After that, these stories are available only inside the Birders Hub private Migration Library.
Two Ways You Can Step Into the Encore Experience
This gathering is where your story joins the global migration.
1. Join the Birders Hub — the ongoing home for these stories
A global community where your birding life expands in meaning and connection.
If you join before December 13, you’ll receive full Encore access automatically — at no additional cost — for as long as you remain a member.
Inside the Hub, the stories continue through:
Guided practices
Story-rich reflections
A welcoming worldwide community of bird lovers
Seasonal rhythms synced with hemispheric movement
2. Get the Encore-Only Seasonal Pass
If you simply want the ten keynote sessions, you can unlock all of them instantly — and explore through February 26.
Perfect if you want:
A meaningful seasonal experience
Quiet time with the global stories
No ongoing commitments
Both paths unlock the same Encore recordings — the Hub simply offers a richer, more supported way to experience them.
Enrollment for both paths closes December 13.
A Place Where Stories Keep Migrating
Inside The Birders Hub, these threads become part of your daily and seasonal rhythm:
Noticing becomes belonging
Curiosity becomes connection
Stories become shared meaning
If you’re looking for a place where your birding life can grow — gently and globally — this is where it happens.
The Hub is where these seasonal stories find their long-term home — and where your birding life deepens in community.
Why Bird Lovers Join The Hub
Connect Across Flyways
Meet bird lovers across countries, cultures, and hemispheres through meaningful conversations and seasonal gatherings.
Expand How You See the World
Hear stories that shift how you understand birds, place, migration, and yourself.
Feel a Sense of Belonging
Find a gentle, welcoming space where your voice matters — and where global stories meet personal meaning.
What People Experienced
Each story that took flight in the Gathering continues to move hearts long after the event ended.
This gathering is where your story joins the global migration.
“What struck me was the heartfelt, sincere, authentic discussions we had with John Muir Laws, Jon Young, Julie Zickefoose—everyone really. It made me feel hopeful that we have these wonderful people in our community.”
— Della, USA
“I wasn’t aware of the migration route via Asia from Alaska to Australia… I’m very much inspired, and I’m happy that I joined, even if I only partly joined.”
— Regina, Germany
Your own story begins shifting as soon as you step in.
This gathering is where your story joins the global migration.
Global Voices From the 2025 Gathering
These are the kinds of voices you’ll meet inside the Encore and the 2026 Gathering — researchers, artists, storytellers, and community leaders from across the flyways.
“The thing that really strikes me is increased awareness… access to these talks is a wonderful asset — a way of expanding awareness and understanding.”
— Rick, Colorado
Right now, the Encore Experience is your chance to begin.
Because wonder grows
when it’s shared.
A final gentle reminder:
You’re not just unlocking sessions — you’re stepping into a global rhythm of curiosity, connection, and care.
“I’m so impressed with the thought and skill that went into creating this. For a first-year event, it was mind-blowing.”
— Jackie, New USA
“These three days carried us through so many landscapes of thought and feeling — migration, creativity, connection, and care.”
— Kelly, Host, Closing Session
Next in Flight: Bird Migration Gathering 2026
February 27-March 1, 2026
Three days of global stories, live connections, and meaningful exploration.
You’ll hear from voices across continents: migration researchers, community leaders, artists, storytellers, conservationists — all united by the desire to understand how birds connect our world.
More details coming soon.
Your next journey begins with the Encore.
For Partners, Presenters, & Sponsors
Connect your work with a global audience of bird lovers seeking depth, curiosity, and meaning.
Follow the Birds brings together:
Highly engaged bird enthusiasts
Voices from all over the world
A values-driven community centered on connection, care, and global belonging
Whether you’re a presenter, sponsor, collaborator, or affiliate partner, your story can meet an audience ready to receive it.
Ways to Join the 2026 Journey
Partners: Co-create meaningful experiences
Sponsors: Engage a global audience
Speakers: Share your voice, research, or artistry
Partners: Delight your audience
Share stories and experiences your audience will remember.
Sponsors: Engage birders globally
Align your brand with a global movement of curiosity and connection.
Speakers: Spread your message
Share your research or artistry with a highly engaged worldwide community.
About Follow the Birds
Follow the Birds exists to help you step into a deeper, more connected birding life.
We do this by gathering global stories — migration, culture, art, science, and human experience — and offering them in a way that invites reflection, belonging, and meaning.
Founded by Kelly Miller, Follow the Birds is a place where:
Your curiosity becomes care
Your stories meet other stories
Your birding life expands into a global community
Birds move through the world by rhythm, instinct, and connection.
Here, you’re invited to follow that path — and find your place along the flyways.
Together, we’ll create a space where voices, like flyways, cross hemispheres.
Turn Birding Into a Shared Global Experience
Here, you’ll join stories of migration from scientists, artists, storytellers, and bird lovers worldwide.
What you'll experience at the Bird Migration Gathering:
Stories that inspire — culture, place, and meaning in every flight path.
Global voices sharing migration journeys across continents.
Guidance from artists + scientists to expand how you see birds (and yourself).
A movement of belonging — birding as shared joy, not just a solo pursuit.
This Is Where Birding Becomes Community
Your joy in birding becomes a shared celebration — every story expanding your world, every voice reminding you that you belong.
Meet the guides who will inspire and connect you with a worldwide circle of bird lovers.
“Scott Weidensaul ranks among an elite group of writer-naturalists.”
Los Angeles Times
Scott Weidensaul
New Hampshire, USA
Following Migration Across Hemispheres
Craig Foster
Cape Town, South Africa
Intimacy With the Wild
Dan Puplett
Scotland, UK
Reading Nature’s Hidden Stories
Julie Zickefoose
Ohio, USA
Personal Habitats, Avian Individuals
VIP Live Q&A on Thursday, 10/23 @ 2 pm MDT
Jon Young
California, USA
Bird Language and Ancient Wisdom
VIP Live Q&A on Friday, 10/24 @ 10 am MDT
George Bumann
Montana, USA
Sculpting Stories of the Wild
Lynn Wickersham
Colorado, USA
Mindful Science in the Field
VIP Live Q&A on Friday, 10/24 @ 2 pm MDT
John Muir Laws
California, USA
Drawing Birds for Nature Journaling
Richard Fuller
Queensland, Australia
Migration Without Borders
Elizabeth Mills
England, UK
Connecting Seas and Skies
Want more? Go VIP: Extended Access with keynote Q&As + Game Night Sessions live October 23-25.
Explore the Daily Lineup – See Where Your Journey Can Lead
Your place in the Gathering awaits
Join live kickoffs, intimate gatherings, and presentations you can revisit anytime.
Imagine hearing a migration story from halfway across the world — and realizing it echoes your own.
This is how you join the Gathering:
Claim your spot today
Connect early — Get instant access to The Gathering Place community forum.
Belong everywhere — Join live sessions and on-demand presentations during the 3-day event, October 23-25.
“Jon Young is one of the heroes of the new nature movement.”
Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle
Left to right: Kelly Miller (Host), Jon Young (Bird Language & Ancient Wisdom), and
Craig Foster (Intimacy With the Wild)
Choose Your Ticket
Event Access – $50
7 days of connection and discovery — access to each session (through November 1, 2025)
Daily live gatherings — kickoffs and interactive sessions
Flexible pace — stream new talks each day when it fits your schedule
VIP Extended Access – $100
365 days of inspiration — revisit every presentation all year long (through Oct 26, 2026)
Exclusive live Q&As — connect directly with select keynote speakers
Community fun — Thursday & Friday Game Night Sessions included
Return anytime — rekindle your sense of wonder and belonging whenever you need it
Don’t Bird Alone. Join the Flock.
Birds don’t see borders. Why should we?
From mountains to mangroves, deserts to deltas — their migrations remind us of our shared humanity.
Imagine swapping bird stories with someone from halfway across the world — and realizing you’re part of something bigger. Join bird lovers across continents in one shared Gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide if the Encore is right for you, here are a few quick answers:
How long do I have access to the Encore sessions?
Once you join, you’ll receive season-long access to all ten keynote sessions from the 2025 Bird Migration Gathering — available through February 26, 2026.
You can watch at your own rhythm — no deadlines, no rush.
What exactly is included?
Your Encore pass includes:
All 10 keynote speaker sessions from this year's Bird Migration Gathering
A quiet space to explore the sessions whenever you wish
The ability to revisit the stories that moved so many people this year
Is this the full Gathering?
Yes. The Encore Experience reopens all ten keynote sessions, exactly as they appeared during the live Gathering.
When do I get access to the sessions?
Immediately.
As soon as you enroll, all ten keynote sessions unlock inside your Follow the Birds account.
What’s the difference between joining The Birders Hub and buying the Encore on its own?
Joining The Birders Hub gives you:
Automatic access to all 10 keynote sessions (included at no extra cost)
Ongoing guided practices, stories, and monthly gatherings
A global community exploring the deeper meaning behind migration
Purchasing the Encore on its own gives you:
Access to all 10 keynote sessions through February 26, 2026
No community features or continued guidance
Both paths unlock the same Encore recordings —
The Hub simply offers the experience in a much richer, more supported way.
If I join The Birders Hub, do I need to purchase the Encore separately?
No.
If you join before December 13, the full Encore recordings are automatically included at no extra cost for as long as you remain a member.
What if I attended the Gathering but didn’t upgrade to VIP?
This is your moment to step back into the full keynote library for the whole season — without the VIP price.
Email kelly@followthebirds.com for your Participant discount link.
Can I give this as a gift?
Yes. Many people choose the Encore as a gentle, meaningful seasonal gift.
Just reply to your purchase confirmation and I’ll help you set it up.
Will the Gathering return?
Yes — the next Bird Migration Gathering takes wing February 27–March 1, 2026.
The Encore is the final chance to experience this year’s stories before the next migration season begins.
A Gift For You
7 Practices for a More Meaningful Birding Life
A free guide drawn from seven keynote speakers.
A quiet way to begin deepening your birding life today.
PO Box 3152
Durango, Colorado, 81303
United States
Contact Us
kelly@followthebirds.com
+1 (602) 291-7319
Mountain Daylight Time (UTC−07:00)
Follow the Birds is based in the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains in Durango, Colorado, USA. My favorite migrating bird is the Black Swift, which travels from sheer cliffs in Colorado to the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. What's yours? ~ Founder, Kelly Miller
© 2025 Follow the Birds™️. All rights reserved. Follow the Birds is a registered business entity in the United States.
Durango, CO 81302
United States
