Synopsis
Turning to Birds: The Power and Beauty of Noticing by Lili Taylor is a collection of twelve lyrical and introspective essays that weave together memoir, nature writing, and meditations on mindfulness, chronicling the author’s transformative journey into the world of birding. Taylor, an acclaimed actor known for roles in films like Mystic Pizza and The Conjuring, begins her narrative with a pivotal moment about fifteen years ago when, seeking solace during an “emotional sabbatical” from her demanding career, she retreated to her rural home north of New York City. Expecting silence, she instead discovered the vibrant, symphonic world of birds that had always surrounded her but had gone unnoticed. This awakening sparked a deep passion for birdwatching, which she pursues with the same keen observation skills honed in her acting profession, using binoculars—affectionately called “bins” by birders—to uncover stories of survival, resilience, and beauty in the everyday.
Through vivid prose, Taylor shares intimate encounters with various bird species across diverse settings, from urban Manhattan to the wilds of New Mexico and Ohio. She describes tracking flitting woodpeckers through oak trees, marveling at majestic blue jays on a city fire escape, and experiencing the exhilaration of witnessing a migratory flock from atop the Empire State Building. Closer to home, she finds quiet joy in observing a nest of hatchlings in her Brooklyn backyard. Each essay, often centered on a specific bird or birding experience—like the patience taught by Gambel’s quail, the odd charm of an American woodcock, or the majesty of sandhill crane migrations—serves as a lens through which Taylor explores broader themes of presence and connection. She reflects on how paying attention to birds reveals a parallel world of constant change, movement, and tenacity, inviting readers to engage fully with their surroundings and find wonder in the ordinary.
Taylor’s narrative is both personal and universal, blending her experiences as a birder with insights from her life as an actor and her involvement in conservation as a board member of the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association, and the New York City Bird Alliance. She draws thoughtful parallels between acting and birding, noting how both require acute awareness and the ability to inhabit the moment. The essays also touch on conservation issues, such as the impact of human activities on bird migration, exemplified in her volunteer work during the 9/11 memorial’s Tribute in Light, which can disorient migrating birds. Accompanied by black-and-white illustrations by Anna Koska, the book is a love letter to the resilience of the natural world and a call to mindfulness. Taylor’s infectious enthusiasm and empathetic voice make Turning to Birds an accessible and inspiring read, encouraging both novice and seasoned birders to see the world anew and find joy in the small, often overlooked moments of life.