A Gentle Start to Birdtober
An encouraging guide for sketching birds your own way
We’re about a month away from Birdtober — a month-long celebration of birds that takes place every October. In a few weeks, artists and bird lovers around the world will begin filling their sketchbooks (and hearts) with feathers. I love this time of year, not only for migration and the change of season but also for the sense of discovery and challenge that Birdtober brings.
Originally, Birdtober began as a thirty-one-day social media challenge: draw or paint each bird from the prompt list, then share your work with a hashtag. That’s still one way to do it. But I want to offer a new vision for this yearly tradition — shifting the focus away from output and into a season of exploration, growth, curiosity, and appreciation.
Think of Birdtober as an invitation into a season of exploration, growth, curiosity, and appreciation.
Birdtober doesn’t have to mean posting every day, or even drawing every day. You might choose to do one or two sketches each week or simply follow along as a way to deepen your love for birds. Whether you’re an artist, a birder, or someone who simply delights in the natural world, there’s a place for you here.
Think of Birdtober as an invitation, with many doors you can walk through. You might choose one pathway, or dip in and out of several depending on the day.
Three Pathways into Birdtober
Here are three possibilities you might consider for your Birdtober experience. Try one for the whole month or sample each as inspiration wings your way.
Learn
Use the daily prompts as a way to get to know new species. You could look up the day’s bird on eBird, read its species account, study its colors, and listen to its song or watch a video. A morning routine of discovery — just ten minutes with coffee and curiosity — can be a rich way to join in.
Draw
If you’d like to sketch, Birdtober is a perfect chance to focus on growth. You might practice proportions, experiment with composition, or zoom in on a particular feature like bills, feet, or eyes. Or you might simply play:
Try blind contour or sketch with your non-dominant hand.
Draw birds as if for a children’s book.
Keep it small and quick — index cards or tiny sketchbooks.
Even a single sketch can teach you something new.
Contemplate
Birds are more than subjects — they are guides to wonder and awe. You might try a practice of Visio Divina (sacred seeing), gazing at a bird until something “shimmers” and speaks to your heart. Or offer a simple prayer for the well-being of the species of the day. Gratitude, lovingkindness, or quiet attention can all be ways of honoring birds through Birdtober.
A Gentle Invitation
There’s no wrong way to participate. Whether you draw one bird or thirty-one, learn about a few new species, or simply pause to notice the birds around you, you’ll end October with fresh eyes and a deeper connection to the feathered world.
During the month of October, you’ll find me posting Birdtober sketches in Notes. For Insiders, I’ll be sharing photo reference, drawing tips, and instructional content. You can find a growing archive of Insiders-only posts Behind the Paywall.
I’d love for you to join me. Share your own discoveries in the comments so we can encourage each other along the way. Insiders can share images in Substack’s chat feature.
However you choose to join, I hope Birdtober brings you joy, fresh eyes, and a deeper love for birds.
No. Way. Birdtober? I'm late to the party but my birding and illustrator sides are nerding out right now. Love the drawings you're posting!
Love the Great Gray Owl. Owls are one of my favorites.