Why do birds never get tired of dancing bachata? Because they always got wings to keep them in swing! On September 17th, the Audubon Center at Debs Park hosted a Bird Sit and Bachata lessons through a collaboration between Los Angeles Latino Outdoors and Queerchata. It was an event that brought people together to observe birds shake their tail feathers and then had community members learn how to move their own metaphorical feathers.  

The evening kicked off with looking for birds in the Children’s Woodland, accessed by crossing a small bridge adorned with California Grapevines. After entering the Children’s Woodland, everyone grabbed a pair of binoculars and field guides and began the search for our feathered friends. Community members shared space and held space to learn about birds, conservation, and each other's favorite birds and stories. We heard a lovely story of a daughter remembering how she and her mother once observed a Raven drop a nut on the ground. Her mother went to pick up the nut and then realized that the Raven had dropped it with the intention of cracking it. Instead of leaving the nut for the hungry Raven, her mother cracked it all the way open and handed her the tasty morsel inside, effectively stealing it from the Raven and ensuring the Ravens 7-year ongoing grudge towards her! 

Our Center director additionally shared how her grandfather kept mourning doves and how they became her favorite bird and fueled her curiosity. And incidentally during our Bird Sit we were paid a visit by Ravens and a mourning dove! Throughout our time there we also saw a Black Phoebe, Red Tailed Hawk, Hummingbirds, an abandoned bird nest and a little bird even told us they saw a Goldfinch on their walk about the Center. 

After spending time watching the birds move about, it soon began the birds turn to watch us move to the tweet of the music.  

We gathered in a circle in the center of the courtyard. As we introduced ourselves to one another, it was lovely to hear that we were joined by bird enthusiasts, bachata enthusiasts, and a mix of both. We learned the first steps and then transitioned to dancing in pairs – I guess birds of a feather do dance together!  

We switched partners every so often as we learned the moves and got to know each other through dance. It felt like we could have danced the night away if it were not for the Coyotes howling to reclaim the night.