What happens when one woman's curiosity about disappearing birds grows into a global movement? For Kelly Miller, founder of Follow the Birds, a simple question about winter silence along the Animas River trails became a three-day gathering connecting scientists, artists and storytellers from across the world. The Bird Migration Gathering — held each March and October — drew participants from 16 countries at its inaugural October event, exploring migration through ornithology, conservation, art, storytelling and technology. Past contributors include celebrated naturalist Scott Weidensaul, wildlife advocate Craig Foster of Cape Town, South Africa, and bird language expert Jon Young. The next gathering takes place online March 13-15, 2026. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin’ Donuts
From pole to pole. We have birds. Even if they're in the Antarctic or in the Arctic, even if they don't fly, they may waddle To be able to have that global cross-cultural connection with other people for the community of Durango,
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When I first moved here, I started walking the animas river trails every day, sometimes twice a day. And I just found myself really amazed by all the birds that were here. But then I lived, I, I stayed here through the winter and then I was shocked by how silent it was like, wait a minute, where did all the birds go? Because I'm from Phoenix, I'm from the desert. The birds are happy all year long. But then all of a sudden they then they not only got quieter, but they also disappeared. And so I started to wonder where, where did the birds go? And followed the birds came as a result of that. So the bird migration gathering is the three day experience where I bring together scientists, artists, and storytellers around the concept of bird migration. I bring these folks from all over the world so that you can get a glimpse of all the different flyways that are happening globally. In the first October, bird migration gathering, we had participants from 16 different countries. It's the level of biodiversity that these individuals are bringing to the conversation, bringing together, of course, ornithology, the love of birds, following birds. But we've got conservation coming into the mix. Politics in a good way through international treaties. We've got art, storytelling, technology. I have one of our speakers goes into web coding if you're interested. I mean, it is just such a rich conversation and I think you'll be amazed at how there are so many different ways that we as individuals can be a part of what birds are doing around the world and how we can follow them and enjoy their presence. Just that much more.
For more information, visit follow the birds.com. And for more stories like this, visit: durangolocal.news
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