Since my childhood, I’ve harbored a profound love for birds. I vividly remember as a young boy strolling through the forest when, right before my eyes, a buzzard took flight. The impact of that moment was indelible, as if I had witnessed magic. Now, as an adult, my love for birds has only deepened.

The sight of a V-formation of seventy geese flying by fills my heart with joy. In my soul, I wish them a safe journey.

Witnessing a group of swans gracefully gliding past feels like a wonder. These birds are truly magnificent, elegant, and graceful. To see them in flight brings me so much joy!

When I see a kestrel hovering above the field, I join in his silent prayer, hoping that people’s hearts may reopen to the beauty and magic of nature.

The song of a wren in the garden makes my heart sing with happiness.

Today, it’s not just about seeing birds; I can also intuitively feel them. It’s as if they are letting me know of their presence or that I will encounter them. Allow me to share a few examples.

Recently, I took a walk with my father through the village. Despite the scarcity of nature, I pointed out a few birds like the green woodpecker and the great spotted woodpecker. Since my father isn’t well-versed in birds, he was delighted that I was willing to teach him.

Fueled by my enthusiasm, I told him, “And now, I’ll show you a kingfisher.” In reality, it was more of a playful statement than an expectation of actually finding a kingfisher. Nonetheless, buoyed by my excitement, we decided to play along, checking every pond for a kingfisher.

The next day, we went for another walk, and I said to my father, “This time, I’m really going to show you a kingfisher.” As we walked a bit further, what did we see? A kingfisher, perched by the ditch in Krimpen aan den IJssel, where there’s hardly any nature.

Throughout my life, despite numerous nature walks, I rarely spot a kingfisher. When I do, it feels like a miracle. Encountering one in this manner felt truly special. I sensed that we would come across this bird and, in a way, called out to it.

Another example is the goldcrest. Every time I see this smallest bird in Europe, my heart melts with love. I can also feel the goldcrest.

During a recent bike ride through Krimpen, before setting out, I had the wish to see a goldcrest. The feeling that I would encounter one was strong. On the other hand, I had my doubts; goldcrests are seldom seen.

So, I was cycling. My intuition says stop—I stop. And what do I see in the bushes? A goldcrest. I’m overjoyed. I continue cycling. My intuition says stop—what do I see in the tree? Another goldcrest, this time I can observe it closely from two meters away. I feel the love in my heart for this tiny creature. What a gift. I continue cycling, just through the streets of Krimpen. My intuition says stop—I hear a sound, as if a tiny bird is somewhere in the bushes. I don’t see it yet, but I feel it—I hear it. And then I see it—a goldcrest. I feel the love—I am love in that moment.

Can you sense the message in this experience? We are one with nature; we are all connected. We can feel each other when we open our hearts to one another.

Let me know in the comments if you have any similar experiences.