Bird language Workshop (for adults)

Course dates April 18th 2024, 10-3pm Forest Row, East Sussex. Location announced upon booking

Price Options

£50 – £75 (sliding scale)

Buy tickets Contact us

Learning to identify and interpret bird sounds 

About the day

This workshop will guide participants into the language of birds at this time when birdsong approaches its peak in the year. Through stories, songs, games, focussed listening and practical guidance on species identification, participants will be enabled to begin interpreting the soundscape of both songs and calls and their significance.

The beautiful setting of Spring Rise Community Gardens in Forest Row, will be the hub for the day, and a guided walk is integrated to take in different local habitats for birds.

This is great opportunity for outdoor education practitioners seeking to grow their own knowledge or looking for tips to engage children and young people in natural history. 

Who is the course suitable for

  • This course is suitable for adults, no experience necessary.
  • This is great opportunity for outdoor education practitioners seeking to grow their own knowledge or looking for tips to engage children and young people in natural history. 

The day will cover

  • Learn to begin interpreting the soundscape of both bird songs and calls and their significance.
  • Listen to bird call mimicry from wildlife guide Tom Ford.
  • A guided walk to explore different local habitats for birds.
  • Learn songs, stories, and games,
  • Learn skills in focussed listening and practical guidance on species identification.
  • Create an opportunity to engage in simple nature connection.
  • Connecting with like-minded community.

Course Fees

 £50 – £75 (sliding scale)

  • Standard fee: £50
  • Supporters fee: £75
  • Supported fee: We have a number of concessionary spaces reserved for those in financial need, plus one fully funded space. Please enquire at [email protected]

Please pay at the level comfortable to you. We support paying it forward – when you pay more as a supporter, it will directly facilitate someone else to attend via the supported (concessionary) rate. And all additional income will directly help with the planting of Children’s Forests, contributing towards a bright future for all.

Terms & Conditions

Please read our Terms and conditions, linked here.

About the tutors


Tom Forward: Ecologist and wildlife guide Tom Forward, brings with him 20 years experience in the field. He specialises in birds, and bird call mimicry is his party trick.

Jack Durtnall Jack is a musician, nature connection facilitator and forest school leader who came to nature connection work through an innate love for nature and folk song, inspired by the life-work of Jon Young and the 8 Shields. Jack’s background is in music. As well as his role leading workshops and facilitating on plantings, Jack co-leads the Children’s Forest Tree Choir and is part of the team bringing through the Song Forest project. Jack is part of the Folkadelix band, hosts a monthly jam session at the Hop Yard in Forest Row and performs solo shows.

Testimonials

Slide 1

“I love everything about Children’s Forest's courses. These immersive nature days are filled with so much enchantment and joy that leave me feeling deeply connected to the more than human world and to my true self as an inseparable part of nature. I particularly adore singing tree songs together, which feels like a beautiful way of reciprocating the many gifts the trees offer us. I've shared with my children and they are now Children's Forests biggest fans!"

Rachel P
Slide 2

"A really wonderful day connecting with trees and learning more about our own indigenous traditions too. I'd highly recommend these workshop for anyone looking for a couple of hours escape - I arrived exhausted and left energised and rejuvenated!"

Lucy R
Slide 3

"I've attended numerous Children’s Forest short courses and each time I leave brimming with inspiration and new knowledge that I can't wait to share with my family and the groups I teach. I've learned so much from the wealth of wisdom they share on tree lore, responsible foraging and some truly connective nature crafts, games and songs that will really enrich my educational groups!"

Sally B
Slide 1

“Thank you so much Children’s Forest, the days you bring feel very special, like a forest school for adults. Beautiful beloved songs sung from the heart, weaving and connecting hearts together, hands on experience with nature from source to creation, gathering in circle and being truly human and releasing all the bliss you have inside can be shared.”

Jo P
Slide 1

"I loved learning how to process and eat the nourishing acorns on the acorn workshop. The Children's Forest course was fun and left me with skills that I will be using for the rest of my life!"

Millie D
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Upcoming courses

May 22-25th 2025

Three day Facilitator Training Course ~ Sussex

Standard fee: £500, Supporters fee: £650 (contact us for Concessionary fee). Paying the supporters fee enables us to offer concessionary fees. (payment plans are possible)

The Children’s Forest Facilitator course is an immersive 3-day camp that aims to provide participants with a deep nature immersion experience in a beautiful Sussex woodland while experiencing the four step journey of the Children’s Forest. Our aim is to create a heart centred learning experience that will inspire you to create your own tree planting projects through nature connection practice, practical knowledge and indigenous wisdom.

Find out more