Soaring beyond birdwatching

Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds
by Melissa Hafting

Victoria: Rocky Mountain Books, 2024
$45  /  9781771606547

Reviewed by Amy Tucker

*

Some books inform, others inspire, and a rare few speak directly to the heart. Dare to Bird by Melissa Hafting is one of those rare books. From the moment I turned the first page, I felt an instant connection with the author—not just as a reader but as someone who understands how birds can be both a passion and a refuge. Hafting does not simply write about birdwatching; she invites us into her world, sharing how birds have shaped her life, helped her through grief, and given her a purpose beyond herself.

Birding is often imagined as a peaceful, solitary activity, a gentle escape into nature. However, for Hafting, it is so much more. It is a bridge between loss and healing, a means of advocating for a more inclusive world, and a reminder that hope can always be found in the wild. In Dare to Bird, she blends personal storytelling with powerful messages about conservation, representation, and the magic of the avian world.

At first glance, this might look like a book for bird enthusiasts, but its reach is far broader. It is for anyone who has ever found comfort in nature, struggled with loss, or fought to make a space for themselves in a world that did not always feel welcome. Above all, it is a book about connection—to birds, people, and something greater than ourselves.

Dare to Bird is steeped in deep personal loss from the first chapter. Hafting dedicates the book to her parents—her mother, Valerie, who passed on Christmas Eve 2021, and her father, Arne, who died on her mother’s birthday in 2023. As someone who has experienced grief, I felt her words resonate in my chest. Grief is isolating, unpredictable, and all-consuming, but it is also a reminder of the love we carry.

For Hafting, birds have been her lifeline through grief. She recalls the simple but profound moment her father introduced her to birding by showing her a black-capped chickadee. At that moment, that tiny bird became an anchor in her life, carrying her through the darkest times. “Birdsong is pure joy; when I hear it,” she beautifully describes, “the heavy burden of life and grief lightens just a little.” That sentiment hit home for me. Grief is heavy, but nature offers a gentle reprieve, a fleeting moment where pain gives way to something bigger, something timeless.

I had to pause while reading more than once to take in Hafting’s words, particularly when she described how nature pulls us forward, even when grief tries to hold us back. “Birds have given me hope and have helped me to survive. So I thank the birds for giving me strength to keep on getting out the door. Despite the trauma and pain, the birds are a light for me in the darkness.” It is a simple yet profound truth—grief never truly leaves us, but neither does the world’s beauty.

As much as Dare to Bird is about healing, it is also about breaking down barriers. Hafting is an outspoken advocate for diversity in the birding world, and she does not shy away from discussing the challenges of being a birder of mixed Black and white heritage.

She candidly reflects on her early years birding, when she rarely saw people who looked like her. “Birding is unfortunately not as safe and as welcoming a space as it could be, and I hope one day it will change to be more inclusive for all people.” Her words are not bitter but hopeful—she believes in change and has worked to create it.

Through her activism and mentorship, Hafting ensures that young BIPOC birders feel seen and supported. “Organizations must no longer assume everyone feels welcome but do active work to make them feel welcome and encourage BIPOC participation.” Reading this, I felt an overwhelming sense of admiration. It takes courage to challenge the status quo, and Hafting gracefully invites others into the conversation rather than pushing them away.

Hafting’s love for birds is infectious. As I read, I was captivated by her descriptions of migration patterns, the quiet dignity of owls, and the persistence of species that have survived against all odds. She reminds us that birds are more than just beautiful creatures—they are symbols of resilience.

“Birds are resilient beings, and I think that is why I find such a kinship with them. I have been through some difficult struggles in my life, and the birds help and inspire me to keep going,” Hafting writes. Her connection to birds mirrors her grief, adversity, and activism journey. However, Hafting is not only in awe of birds—she is deeply concerned for their future. “The destiny of birds is held right in the palm of our hands. Across the world, we must strive to protect the land, sea, and air they need to survive.” As I read these words, I felt a deep sense of responsibility. Dare to Bird is not just a book about appreciating birds but a call to action.

Throughout the book, Hafting weaves a powerful thread of connection—not just between birds and humans but between people themselves. “Birds connect us and reflect how we are connected to those we love,” she observes. That sentiment lingered in my mind long after I closed the book.

I have always believed that nature can bind us, even across distances and time. Reading Dare to Bird, I saw my relationships reflected in Hafting’s stories—the family walks in nature, the friendships built through a shared love of wildlife, the quiet moments of watching a bird and knowing, somehow, that I am not alone. However, the connection is not just about sentimentality but about responsibility. “We need to realize that, by protecting birds and their habitats, we are also protecting ourselves.” Hafting clarifies that when we fight for birds, we fight for our future.

By the time I reached the final page, I felt changed. Dare to Bird is not just a book—it is an experience. It is a conversation with someone who understands the ache of loss, the thrill of discovery, and the unshakable need to protect what we love. Hafting leaves us with a simple but powerful thought: “If we all loved birds, it would surely be a better place.” After reading her words, I believe that too.

This book is for anyone who has ever found peace in the rhythm of wings, looked to the sky for answers, and believes that we can—and must—do better. For bird lovers, conservationists, and those searching for meaning in nature, Dare to Bird is essential reading. And for those who have never picked up a pair of binoculars, it may just be the nudge they need to start looking.

*

Amy Tucker is an educator and researcher with more than two decades of experience in post-secondary education. Since 2001, she has worked as a University Instructor and Open Learning Faculty Member at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). Her primary areas of focus include education, training, recruitment, career development, and management. Her research emphasizes decolonizing education, promoting reconciliation, and advancing principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in both academic and community settings. In addition to her academic work, Amy enjoys outdoor activities such as running, swimming, cycling, hiking, and kayaking. Her adventurous spirit shines through in her participation in various athletic events and her passion for exploring the natural beauty of British Columbia. Amy shares her experiences as an athlete in her newspaper column, “The Accidental Athlete,” which appears in the Kamloops Chronicle. Kukwstsétsemc. [Editor’s Note: Amy Tucker has reviewed books by Theo Dombrowski, Margaret V. Ostrowski, Sara Ellison, Jody Wilson-Raybould, Peter Edwards & Kevin Loring, and Russ Grabb for The British Columbia Review.]

*

The British Columbia Review

Interim Editors, 2023-26: Trevor Marc Hughes (non-fiction), Brett Josef Grubisic (fiction)
Publisher: Richard Mackie

Formerly The Ormsby Review, The British Columbia Review is an on-line book review and journal service for BC writers and readers. The Advisory Board now consists of Jean Barman, Wade Davis, Robin Fisher, Barry Gough, Hugh Johnston, Kathy Mezei, Patricia Roy, and Graeme Wynn. Provincial Government Patron (since September 2018): Creative BC. Honorary Patron: Yosef Wosk. Scholarly Patron: SFU Graduate Liberal Studies. The British Columbia Review was founded in 2016 by Richard Mackie and Alan Twigg.

“Only connect.” – E.M. Forster