Bird Banter

The Bird Banter Podcast #201 with Bob Zaremba

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:35:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Bob Zaremba, a Georgia birder. We talk about his birding story, birding in Georgia, his Georgia big days, pelagic trips off Georgia, and more. Enjoy!

For more details see the blog post associated with this episode on The Bird Banter Podcast website blog.

Check out the Georgia Ornighologic Society site here.

Here is Bob's eBird profile.

Thanks for listening.

The Bird Banter Podcast #200 with Tim Lenz

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:01:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Tim Lenz, a longtime back-end developer for eBird, member of record-breaking Team Sapsucker big days, and now the creator of BirdingApp, a new phone app that offers messaging, route planning, real-time rare bird alerts and more. Check it out.

As always contact me with suggestions for great guests, or any questions or comments.

If you are unfamiliar with eBird, check it out here.

On the blog on BirdBanter.com I'll list lots more related info and links of possible interest.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #199 with Eric Hope

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 13:07:36 -0700

Eric Hope is my guest for this episode of the podcast. I met Eric while chasing a couple of rare shorebirds at the Mouth of the Cedar River hotspot in southern King County, WA and thought at the time he might be an interesting guest. In the next few days he continued to find great shorebirds there, and I was sure I wanted to talk with Eric. I hope you enjoy.

As always suggestions for future guests are helpful. Contact me here.

Check out prior guest Charlie Wright's incredible eBird checklist from Dune Peninsula last month.

Here is a link to the eBird Hotspot for the mouth of the Cedar River.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #198 with Ivan Phillipsen

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:34:39 -0700

Ivan, creator of The Science of Birds Podcast, and I talk about his birding story, his work as a podcaster and a tour leader, how he researches and creates his episodes, and more. Enjoy.

Check out Ivan's tour company, Wild Latitudes

Thanks for listening.

If you have guest suggestions let me know on my Contact page.

Read more related info on the blog post about this episode.

The Bird Banter Podcast #197 with Ron Weeks

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 02:06:00 -0700

On this episode Ron Weeks, a top Texas birder, veteran of multiple record big days, author of books on regional birding in Texas and elsewhere, and active speaker at bird festivals and elsewhere is my guest. We talk about his birding experiences, big days, and lots more. Enjoy.

Bird Banter Blog to see more details on this episode.

Contact Ed about guest recommendations or anything else you like.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #196 with Zac Cota

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 08:28:32 -0700

Zac Cota and I talk about his adventure as a traveling nurse exploring the country, birding, working and visiting as many as possible of what he estimates to be 1508 federally preserved natural areas, including National Wildlife refuges, National Parks and Monuments, National Forests and lots more. Hear about this quest, as well as his birding story and a little about life as a travelling nurse. Enjoy.

Here is a link to the Instagram page Zac is starting to document his experiences at the conserved areas.

Here is a link to the promised map Zac has created of all of the 1508 conserved areas.

Check out the Bird Banter blog post to see more.

The Bird Banter Podcast #195 with Dr. David Mann and HaikuBOX

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 02:04:00 -0700

On this episode Dr. David Mann talks about HaikuBOX, a small device that can record and identify bird calls and songs nearby, and send these recordings and IDs to a smart phone app for you to check anytime. It is pretty cool, and yet one more way for birders or researchers to monitor birds in an area. I find especially interesting, besides the device itself, the background story of how it was conceived, produced and marketed. It uses the neural net BirdNet from who else, Cornell, which uses similar computer learning technology to that used in Merlin.

It's pretty cool To see more detailed info check out the associated blog post on BirdBanter.com, and please leave comments there or in a review on your favorite podcast app.
Thanks for listening, and until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #194 with Peter Cavanagh

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:36:31 -0700

How do birds fly anyway? Well, in an incredible number of ways, adapted to their needs and circumstances. Birds have evolved from dinosaurs, some have evolved to not fly, others to fly in so many different habitats, circumstances and ways that to understand all of this is beyond human comprehension, but my guest on this episode, Dr. Peter Cavanagh, has set out to help readers understand a lot of what is understood, in a way that a non-PhD scientist can comprehend. Listen, read and learn.

Find Dr. Cavanagh online at on his website.

Here is a link to buy his book on Buteo Books.

Check out some pretty spectacular photography on his Instagram page.

The Bird Banter Podcast #193 woith Rick Szabo

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 03:30:00 -0700

Rick Szabo is a birder, birding guide, and participant on the current NBC series Destination X, a reality TV competition where Rick's superpower is his knowledge of the range and distribution of the birds of most areas of the world. He remains in the competition at the time this episode drops, so watch to see if he can win the competition. Rick and his wife also make birding and travel videos you can watch on his You Tube channel as well as on his Instagram feed.

As always there are more links and info on the blog post associated with this episode on BirdBanter.com

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #192 with Suzy Buttress

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 02:46:00 -0700

On this episode I Suzy Buttress, the host and creator of The Casual Birder Podcast, talk about her birding story, her podcast, and her community of birders that she has nurtured around her podcast audience. It is a good story of advocacy, ambassadorship, and enthusiasm for birding, and I admire her work.

Just prior to recording this episode, Suzy and I talked with me as her guest for her podcast, so that was a different experience too. Check out our episode together at the link above also if you like.

As usual, check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com where I'll discuss a few of the topics we cover in the episode.

Thanks for listening.

Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #191 with Erick Masias

Tue, 27 May 2025 17:03:40 -0700

Dr. Erick Masias and I talk about his relatively recent and intense start as a birder, and his involvement in the Chicago birding community, the BIPOC birding community, the local birding scene in Chicago, and about his upcoming move to the central California Bay area for residency. I really enjoyed hearing his story and stories. I hope you do too.

Paper on the breeding and migration of high Arctic breeding Sabine's Gulls.

The Joy Bird Podcast

The Urban Birding Festival

Windy City Bird Lab

Chicago BIPOC birders on Instagram

Erick on Instagram

The Field Museum

As always see the Bird Banter Blog post for more info and links.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #190 with Gabriel Willow

Sun, 04 May 2025 18:33:43 -0700

I met Gabriel Willow when his trip and the western Colombian Andes trip I took with Molly Brown and Hillstar Nature Tours overlapped. I learned about common experiences I share with Gabriel, growing up in small towns in Maine, birding in and around NYC (admittedly much less for me) and was excited when Gabriel agreed to talk for the podcast.
Check out Gabriel's NYC area and other tours on his website.

See more links on the BirdBanter.com blog post associated with this episode.

Thanks for listening. Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #189 with Wayne Klockner

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 01:37:00 -0700

The American Birding Association is an organization I as a birder sometimes take for granted. I love getting Birding magazine, and especially North American Birds regularly, but wanted to really learn a lot more about the organization I've been a member of for years, but never really looked at carefully. Wayne helps a lot, by educating me about what the ABA does, and for me, better understanding why I should continue to support the organization. In addition, Wayne is an avid birder with his own birding story and stories. Enjoy.

The American Birding Association

Birding magazine

North American Birds

As always, to learn more check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com and Contact Me with suggestions for guests or other feedback.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #188 with the Creator of Birdiegame.net

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 01:35:00 -0700

In case the masquerade ball thumbnail is not enough, David, the creator of Birdiegame, the very popular daily bird ID photo quiz, chooses to remain anonymous. I had a blast talking with David, and the game is one of my joys each morning. Check it out. Birdie Game

We talk about the game, but also about a number of other things. One of David's personal passions is seeing and finding owls. I mention a prior episode with the Urban Birder, David Lindo, where we discuss the Long-eared Owls of Serbia.

I also mention the Warbler Guide app, which I enjoy and recommend.

As always check out the blog post on birdbanter.com related to the episode.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #187 with Jason Zolle

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:23:33 -0700

On this episode I talk with Jason Zolle, a birder I know from Washington who recently moved to Colorado. Jason and I talk about his birding story and experiences, as well as his work as a non-partisan counsel to the WA legislature, his travels and his art. Enjoy.

Jason's Art Website is here.

Information about the Rebecca Heisman episode and the book I recommend, Flight Paths is here.

Here is an article about Suciasaurus Rex, Washington's Official State Dinosaur

A always check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com related to this episode.

If you have suggestions for guests, or just want to reach out to me use the Contact Page.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #186: Colombia Recap with Bruce LaBar

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 01:42:00 -0800

It;s great tio be back. After a long hiatus to attend the birth of my first two grandchildren in Costa Rica, and then a birding trip to Colombia, the podcast is back. On this episode Bruce LaBar (remember episode #3) and I recap our Colombia trip. It was a terrific trip with Hillstar Nature Tours, and leader Mollee Brown and Yessenia Tapasco.

Check out my trip report on eBird where lots of photos from many of the participants are on the eBird lists.

For more photos and details see the blog post on the BirdBanter.com blog.

The Bird Banter Podcast #185 with Keith Corliss

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 01:07:00 -0700

As I mention in the introduction, some of my best times recording episodes for the podcast is when I just talk birding with another birder, like myself who just loves to talk birding with a fellow birder. No other agenda, just having fun. Keith Corliss is my guest on this episode, a North Carolina birder who perfectly exemplifies a fellow birder enjoying taking an hour to chat about birding and meeting a new friend. Enjoy

See Keith's eBird profile here

Keith's email is on his ebird profile.

I mention several episodes I really enjoyed with other birders who have great local and regional birding experiences to share. You'll find links to those and more on my

I also mention the San Diego Birding Festival, I believe I misnamed it as the Sea and Sage Festival on the recording but here is the link.

You can find information about the Searcher 5-day pelagic with Todd McGrath and others here.

Westport Seabirds in Washington can be found here.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #184 with Alex Sowers

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 01:57:00 -0700

On this episode Alex and I talk about how he has enjoyed birding in Eastern Washington as a Washington State University student, after birding in the Seattle area for most of his early birding days. We also talk about his mammal WA big year in 2022, his birding story, and more.

Enjoy.

Reach Alex by text, his phone number is on his eBird profile, or by email sowersalexander1- at- gmail- dot - com

On the Birdbanter.com blog post about this episode you can find links to many of the ebird hotspots discussed and more.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The BIrd Banter Podcast #183 with Dr. Joan Strassmann

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:01:00 -0700

On this episode we talk about slow birding, as Joan Strassmann writes about in her book. Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying Birds in Your Own Backyard. Joan also talks about her work at Washington University in St. Louis, and how her teaching there has led to using birding in the area as a means of teaching students observation skills. In her book she goes into beautiful detail about places and birds she sees and visits regularly.

You can find her book anywhere books are sold. Here is a link on Buteo Books.

To see her bio at Washington University in St. Louis click here.

To read the blog post associated with this episode or to send a comment or suggestion to me use these links.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #182 with Melissa Hafting

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 01:11:00 -0700

On this episode Melissa and I talk about her new book, Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds as well as her recent travels. Melissa was a guest on Episode #105 in July 2021 where you can hear more about her background and birding story.

Find her new book whereever books are sold. Here you can find it on Buteo Books.

You can read more about Melissa's experiences and the book in an article in Audubon Magazine.

As always check out the related blog post on BirdBanter.com

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #181 with David Lindo

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 01:07:00 -0700

I don't know many birders who may be better known by a reputational moniker than by their real name, but The Urban Birder, David Lindo, may be my first. I had certainly heard of someone called The Urban Birder, but only looked up who this was after Diane Yorgensen-Quinn put out notice of a trip David is planning to take Diand, Faye and likely other members of our ABC Birding Club on to see the Short-eared Owls of Kikinda, Serbia this winter.

On the episode we talk about the planned trip, how he came to be known as the Urban Birder, about his various services and roles in his company, and about his approach to urban birding in general. I think you'll find it interesting.

To see more, check out the related Bird Banter blog post.

Thanks for listening, and until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #180 with Ezekiel Dobson

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 08:45:25 -0700

On this episode I talk with Ezekiel Dobson, the young birder who just became the youngest Lower-48 ABA birder to see 700 species in a year on his 2024 big year. Ezekiel talks about his big year, his birding story, the birders and birds he has seen this year, and on what's yet to come, both in the big year and the years ahead for him.

Read more on the blog post on Bird Banter.

Support Ezekiel on his Go Fund Me page.

Follow Ezekiel on Instagram

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #179 with Dr. Abby Darrah

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 02:09:00 -0700

On this episode Abby and I talk about the conservation efforts she is working on with Audubon Delta and the conservation of Black Skimmers and Least Terns, as well as her doctoral studies with mixed flocks in the American tropics, her birding story and stories.

You can contact Abby through Audubon Delta. Read more about topics on this episode on the blog post on BirdBanter.com

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #178 with Matthew Bell

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 01:08:00 -0700

Matthew Bell, a Connecticut birder and travel specialist with the Connecticut Aud ubon Society is my guest on this episode. Matt got passionate about birding while at Ohio State University after a trip to Costa Rica, and on getting back to Ohio helped revive the Ornighology Club there. We talk about his work at Connecticut Audubon, his birding experiences, and birding in Connecticut.

If you have suggestions for guests you'd like to hear from, contact me here and I'll be grateful.

As always the blog post on BirdBanter.com has more links and details on topics related to this episode. Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #177 with Larry Schwitters and Diane Yorgason-Quinn

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 14:51:00 -0700

On this episode Diane Yorgason-Quinn (see Episode #20) and Larry Schwitters talk about their work with Vaux's Swifts and the Vaux Happening Project. Larry got his start in swift research hiking to and looking for Black Swifts at over 100 waterfalls (thing very remote) in Washington State (and Oregon and CA). From there he helped preserve the Wagner Schoolhouse in Monroe, WA. From there he continued to start the Vaux Happening Project which documents roosting Vaux's Swifts at many old chimney roosts throughout the western U.S. and Mexico.

Enjoy. To learn more check out the associated blog post on BirdBanter.com

The Bird Banter Podcast #175 with Jacob Miller

Thu, 30 May 2024 01:26:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Jacob Miller, a young Washington birding friend who has just completed his freshman year at Washington State University. Jacob shares his experiences as a first year university student, talks about birding in a new county and part of the state, big days and developing new birding friends, as well as starting a birding club at WSU. Enjoy.

We talk about Liam Hutcheson's WA big year, hear about it on episode #168.

To hear more about nocturnal bird calls in Washington, check out Episode #118 with Jim Danzenbaker.

Read more on the Bird Banter Podcast Blog post.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #174 with Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch

Mon, 13 May 2024 01:39:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with the authors of the new identification field guide to Empidonax flycatchers and Pewees as well as the book on Myarchus flycatchers and Kingbirds, Cin-Ty Lee and Andrew Birch. We talk about their longtime birding friendship, their birding stories, and the new books.

Check out the books at your favorite book resource. Field Guide to North American Flycatchers: Empidonax and Pewees and Kingbirds and Myiarchus.

Read more and see a book review on the BirdBanter.com blog.

The Bird Banter Podcast #173 with Mollee Brown

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 02:02:00 -0700

Mollee Brown is my guest on this episode and we talk about her Nighthawk Agency, which provides business solutions for the birding industry. We also talk about her work as a bird guide, her birding story, and the trip she is leading for Hillstar Nature to the the Chocó region of Colombia that I'll be taking next winter.

Check out Nighthawk Agency here. The trip to Chocó here, and The Birding Coop here.

The learn more about the topics discussed see the blog post on BirdBanter.com.

The Bird Banter Podcast #172 with Joshua Covill

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 01:01:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Josh Covill, a Montana birder who leads birding tours in Montana as well as in Central and South America. Josh was the guide on my recent trip to the Santa Marta area of Colombia, and is a fabulous birder and really nice guy. Enjoy.

Find Josh for a Montana Tour at Glacier Birding.

Joshua's page at Hillstar Nature Tours.

See the blog post on BirdBanter.com for lots more related info and links.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #171 with Courtney Ellis

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 01:14:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with a relative newcomer to birding, Courtney Ellis. Courtney began birding during the pandemic, and has become a birding enthusiast and ambassador. Check out her podcast The Thing with Feathers, as well as her soon to be released book Looking Up: A Birders Guide to Hope Through Grief.

We talked about my episode #148 with Holly Merker where you can hear about Ornitherapy and the Mindful Birding Network.

To read more about the things we talked about check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #170 with Holly Garrod

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 12:05:37 -0700

On this episode I talk with Holly Garrod, an accomplished birder, bird bander and conservationist about her work on bird banding networks with Birds Caribbean, and about the MOTUS network progress in the Caribbean. Her energy is fabulous, and her knowledge and expertise wonderful. I think you'll enjoy hearing her story.

Check out Birds Caribbean here.

See the Caribbean Birding Trail information here.

Learn about the MOTUS network and the Caribbean MOTUS systems at these links.

Here is info on the 2023 Caribbean Global Big Day efforts.

Read more about Holly and the topics we discussed on the Bird Banter Blog Post.

Thank for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #169 Ed's Winter Trip

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 13:37:01 -0800

Well, after a long break for a fabulous winter trip, the podcast is back with Ed talking about his trip to Florida, Colombia and Costa Rica.

The Colombia trip was run by Hillstar Nature Tours and led by Joshus Covill.

The Proaves Organization is worth checking out, and here is their article about the possible new species of antpita.

To see photos, more detailed narrative, and other cool stuff about the trip check out the Bird Banter blog post about the trip.

The Bird Banter Podcast #168 with Liam Hutcheson

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 01:51:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Liam Hutcheson, sho just finished his record breaking Washington State big year. We talk about his big year, highlights, misses and people. Also about his birding story. While talking with Liam I marveled at how interconnected our birding community is, and how helpful birders are to each other. Pervious guests on the show who helped in one way or another with Liam's birding and his big year include:

Bill Tweit episode #8

Shep Thorpe episode #9

Ryan Rodriguez episode #47

Ken Brown #2, Bruce LaBar #3 and I were with Liam on a trip in early 2023 with Jacob Miller to the southeast corner of WA to see winter specialties.

For more details check out the BirdBanter.com blog post about this episode.

Until next time, good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #167 with Marco Valtriani

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 01:03:00 -0800

Birding is not the first thing many think about when considering a trip to Italy, but as birders, it is always a consideration. On this episode I talk with Marco Valtriani, a guide with the Birding In Italy group of bird guides. As you can inagine a lot of their business is taking visitors from the U.S. and other far away countries out for a birding break from their other tourist activities in Italy.

We talk about where and when to find birds in Italy, how to best use the services of his birding tour group, the hopeful fact that the killing of birds for food has markedly diminished, the natural park system of the country, and lots more.

I also talk a bit about Christmas Bird Counts, how you can find one, and my experiences with CBCs.

Thanks for listening. As always, check out the blog associated with this episode on the Bird Banter website.

Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #166 with Steve Hampton

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 01:03:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Steve Hampton about his experience on the AOU Ad Hoc Committee on English names for birds, about climate change and the research on how it is affecting birds, about gulls in the Port Townsend area, his trip to Antarctica and more.

You can find more about Steve and contact him on his professional website Stephen-Carr-Hampton.com

His blogs are The Cottonwood Post about birding and Memories of the People about issues related to indigenous peoples of the U.S.

Here is a link to the official recommendations of the AOU ad hoc committee on English Bird names.

We talked about so many things you may want to see more links and discussion on the Bird Banter Blog post.

Thanks for listening. Until next time good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #165 with Rachel Hudson

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 01:08:00 -0800

My guest on this episode is Rachel Hudson, a Lewis County, Washington birder who is also a photographer, artist and recent college graduate. We talk about her interest in birding as a very young child, reading and nurturing her interest in birds from age 3, through her childhood birding in Texas and to her move to Washington for college. She has a genuine love for birds and birding that comes through clearly, and was really fun to talk with and get to know better.

She talks about the Vaux Happening project, as well as her work with her local Audubon Chapter. You can reach out to Rachel by email lighteningdash09 - at - yahoo - dot- com

Read more about the Vaux Happening project and other related topics at the Bird Banter blog post associated with this episode.

Until next time, good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #164 with Dorian Anderson

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 01:24:00 -0800

Dorian Anderson is my guest on this episode of the podcast. Dorian was a guest on one of my earliest episodes #5 in Feb. 2019, and I have been waiting it seems forever to talk with him again once his book was written and published. After you hear from Dorian today I'm sure you'll want to read Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery.

On the episode we talk about Pop Tech, a pretty cool concept and event that I had not heard about before. Check it out.

Here is a link to the Tammy and David McQuade episode we discuss. Here is the Biking for the Birds blog link. Here is a short You Tube done on his biking year.

Thanks for listening. Good Birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #163 with Michael Hobbs

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 01:18:00 -0700

On this episode my guest is Michael Hobbs, a King County, WA based birder who has been doing weekly bird surveys at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA for almost 30 years. You can contact Michael at this link to the park. We talk about the experience of such regular intentional bird surveys of a single location, the benefits, both in friendships made and birding experiences of his efforts, and about his other birding interests.

County birding is also fun, and Michael is one of a handful of WA birders who have listed >150 species in all 39 of the WA counties. He travels internationally at times for birding, and is an overall interesting guest. Enjoy.

To see more information about the episode and topics, see the blog post on the Bird Banter website.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #162 withWill McLean Greeley

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:59:22 -0700

I'm guessing you know about The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, but do you know about the man who willed it to existance, the man known as "The Birdman of the Senate?" I didn't until Will McLean Greeley, the Great-great nephew of Senator McLean, and author of a biography on Senator McLean reached out to me and we talked for the podcast. It's a great story, and one I'm enjoying learning more about.

You can find the book on Amazon here or at the publisher's website here.

Read more about the book, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and more on my blog post.

Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy the book.

Until next time, good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #161 with Frank Izaguirre

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 01:53:00 -0700

ON this episode Frank and I talk about his PhD work on field guides and how they have influenced conservation. To hear a video with Frank on this topic watch this You Tube.

We also talk about the recent ABA social media network called ABA Community.

Check it out.

For more info about Frank and this episode visit the blog post on BirdBanter.com

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #160 with John Oshlick

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 01:25:00 -0700

On this episode we talk about John's birding story, birding in Connecticut, and his chase to see American Flamingos that were blown north by Hurricane Idalia. We talk about why the Long Island Sound is not great for pelagic birding, but is excellent for other birds.

The Bird Banter Podcast #159 wtih Ken Ostermiller and Adam Jackson Creators of BirdingHotspots.org

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 01:11:00 -0700

eBird is a great tool for many purposes, but there are times when a birder wants to know how to best bird a hotspot, where to park at the hotspot, are there restrooms there, and generally about birding the hotspot. It is great to ask a local birder, but often that is not possible, and so what to do? Now the answer is easy. Go to BirdingHotspots.org where my guests Ken Ostermiller and Adam Jackson have created an open source, crowdsourced site for birders to help each other know how to find birds at any eBird hotspot.

You can help by using the "suggest edit" feature to help flesh out the information on any hotspot.

Please get feedback to me, or contact Ken to volunteer to help as an editor for your state.

Thanks for listening. Please leave a rating and reveiw. See more on the Bird Banter Blog.

Until next time, good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #158 with Molly Adams and Sydney Golden Anderson of the Feminist Bird Club

Sat, 12 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with two of the leaders of The Feminist Bird Club, Molly Adams who is the originator of the NYC chapter, and Sydney Golden Anderson who has been active in the Chicago chapter and now lives in Colorado. I was excited to hear about the clubs work to increase diversity and be inviting to all people with an interest in birds. Their work toward this goal is inspiring to me and I hope to you.

You can find the the Feminist Bird Club NYC Chapter website here, and there find links to many of the other chapters. Follow the NYC, Chicago or Seattle clubs on Instagram. Buy the new book The Birding for a Better World: A guide to Finding Joy and Community in Nature anywhere books are sold, available Sept 5, 2023, but you can preorder now.

I mention BirdingHotspots.org in the episode, and I encourage listeners to participate in this crowd-sourced birding tool online.

Check out the blog post associated with this episode on the Bird Banter Website.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #157 with Greg Harrington

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 15:04:35 -0700

On this episode I talk with Greg Harrington, a Seattle, WA birder I've met several times in the field, and who had become a proficient and prolific birder in the area over a very few years. He is always fun to meet, and was really fun to talk with on this episode. He is a high school history teacher, and spent some of the Covid time when teaching was online teaching from the road while travelling around the U.S. exploring and birding.

You can find Greg's email on his eBird profile here.

Here is a link to A Birders Guide to Washington on the WOS website. You can buy it here.

Here is Jerry Cooper's old but IMO still fabulous: BIRDFINDER: A Birder's Guide to Planning North American Trips

See the blog post associated with this episode on the Bird Banter Blog for more details. Thanks for listening. Please leave a rating and reveiw.

The Bird Banter Podcast #156 with Scott Harris

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:14:00 -0700

On this episode Scott and I talk about his discovery of birding as a passion later in life, and about how this led to his quest to see all of the Lower-48 raptors, initially in a year, but eventually in 17 months. Scott is also a prolific author, and we talk about his writing and his future birding plans.

His newest book: RaptorQuest: Chasing America's Raptors

See more about the places and people we talk about on the BirdBanter.com blog.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #155 with Dan Scheiman

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 01:54:00 -0700

On Episode #155 I talk with Arkansas birder Dan Scheiman about birding in Arkansas, his birding story and creating backyard habitat by Planting for Birds. You can see Dan's eBird profile here, and read more on The Bird Banter blog here.

I'd love to hear about birders you'd like to hear from as guests. Reach me on the contact page or in part of an episode review. Thanks for listening.

Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #154: Ken& Ed Go East Coast Pelagic Birding

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 06:16:09 -0700

Pelagic birding is different in many ways from birding on land. It's fun, exhausting, and difficult, but can be really great too. Ken Brown, my long-time birding buddy, and I have dreamed of getting out of Hatteras N.C. with Brian Patteson for years, and finally made it happen this year. Despite difficult weather we had a great trip, and talk about that and more on this episode.

Patteson Seabirding

Westport Seabirds

The Science of Birds Podcast

Blog post on Birdbanter.com

Dynamic Soaring Video

The Bird Banter Podcast #153 with Rebeccca Heisman

Tue, 23 May 2023 00:01:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Rebecca Heisman, author of the new book Flight Paths, and hear about the story of writing the book, more stories about the people behind the research on bird migration, and her personal and birding story.

In the introduction I talk about the migration watch scene at Dune Peninsula. Check out the eBird hotspot page here.

You can learn more about Rebecca at her website rebeccaheisman.com

As always find more related info on the Bird Banter Blog post about this article.

Until next time, I hope you enjoyed migration, and good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #152 with Bryony Angell

Tue, 09 May 2023 00:22:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Seattle area bird----more----er Bryony Angell, who is a professional writer with many published articles related to birding. Much of her recent work is related to women in birding and the birding experience from a woman's perspective.

You can reach Bryony on her website here.

Read more about Bryony, and topics discussed on the episode on the Bird Banter blog post related to this episode.

Here is a link to the article about women only birding trips we mentioned on the episode. The Guatamalan female guides we mentioned were Claudia Avandaño who led my trip and Ana Paula Oxom is the guide leading an upcoming Guatamala trip.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #151 with Dr. Jim Kettelkamp

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 01:01:00 -0700

Jim and I talk about his birding in Johnson County, Iowa as well as his birding story, which began as a youth, had a long dormant stage, and has been revived in recent years with county big years, birding around the ABA area and a reinvigorated interest in backyard nature habitat. I think you'll enjoy hearing Dr. Kettelkamp's story.

You can reach Jim on Facebook @jim.kettelkamp where you can check out his backyard habitat.

The Bird Banter Podcast #150: Ed on a Winter Trip to Florida and Costa Rica

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 01:07:00 -0700

I put up this episode in part because it's been longer than usual since my last episode was published, and I didn't want listeners to think I had disappeared. It's a different than usual episode, without a guest. I talk about my recent getaway trip from the rainy Pacific NW, to the Florida Keys and to Costa Rica.

It was primarily a winter vacation trip, with some time dedicated to birding. I loved the chance to enjoy Big Pine Key from the comfort of a vacation home of a friend of Marian, and I talk a bit about the birding there.

In Costa Rica I spend a few days birding in Caño Negro, and a few more with my guide Carlos Ureña in the La Fortuna area PN Quetzales.

Be sure to watch for future more typical episodes with great guests.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #149 with Mikuláš Řimánek

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 01:01:00 -0700

On this episode I have my first guest from the Czech Republic, Mikuláš Řimánek.

I met Mik when he was a teenage Rotary Exchange student and had the chance to get out birding with Mik then. Since then Mik has become a leader in his country in the effort to recruit more youth into birding, and his story is both inspirational and exciting for me. I think you'll enjoy hearing Mik's story. You can reach out to Mik on Facebook or Instagram. You can see his eBird profile here.

As I mentioned please let me know both about successes and efforts in your area to bring more young people into our wonderful hobby and passion. Leave info in the podcast review section, or on the BirdBanter.com contact section.

Also read more about the episode and related topics on the BirdBanter.com blog here.

Until next time. Thanks for listening, and good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #148 with Holly Merker

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 02:09:00 -0800

On this episode Holly Merker talks about Ornitherapy, her experiences with birding as therapy and of ways we can use birding as a means of improving our state of wellness. She is also an extraordinarily talented and accomplished birder. You can find out lots more on the BirdBanter.com blog post about this episode.

Buy her book Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul on her website.

Check out the Mindful Birding Network website here.

Please leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app.

Thanks and until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #147 with David Swain

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:31:00 -0800

After several episodes with guests who are big-time birding listers, we change pace for this episode featuring a birder whose passion has led him to trekking, birding and supporting the communities of some of the highest elevation communities on earth, in the mountains of Nepal. When I met David Swain on the ship on my recent Antarctica trip I know he would be really fun to talk with for the podcast. Learn about Nepal, life in some of the highest elevation villages on earth, about trekking and birding in those areas and more. Enjoy.

The Altitude Project

David Swain on Facebook

Read and see more on the Bird Banter Blog

The Bird Banter Podcast #146 with Peter Kaestner

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 01:13:00 -0800

I had a chance to meet Peter Kaestner on my recent Antarctica trip. On the cruise Peter gave a talk about his life passion of seeing as many species of birds as he can in the world. He worked for the U.S. diplomatic service, lived in many "birdy" places and visited many others. He now works part-time as a birding tour guide for Rockjumper Worldwide Birding Adventures, and has seen over 9700 of the 10,933 species now on the IOC checklist. It's an amazing story, and I hope you enjoy hearing Peter's story and stories. As always check out the BirdBanter blog for more details. You can reach Peter by email using the address on his eBird profile.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #145 with Victor and Ruben Stoll

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 01:27:00 -0800

In 2022 Victor and Ruben Stoll, brothers and birders from Tennessee, shattered the only one year old Lower-48 U.S. big year record, seeing about 25 more species than the previous record set by Tiffany Kersten, a prior guest. The Stoll brothers seemed to manage to have fun while often driving day and night, taking turns sleeping and driving from one birding site to the next. Hear about aligator attacks, a mouse in the food stash, rare birds and lots more. Enjoy.

Find both Ruben on Facebook and VIctor on Facebook at these hyperlinks.

Check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com for more details

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #144 with George Armistead

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 01:47:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with George Armistead about our trip to Antarctica, his birding story as well as his birding tour company Hillstar Nature. George has his own podcast with Alvaro Jaramillo and Molly Brown called Lifelist: A Birding Podcast that you may want to follow also. I certainly enjoy it.

You can find George on his website at the link above.

As promised you can learn more about the highly successful rodent eradication on the South Georgia Islands, about Katabatic winds, Churchill birding, the Bird Safe Philly Project, Christmas Bird Counts and more at my blog post on the Bird Banter Website.

To learn more about the importance of museums in modern science and ornithology, as well as hear from two extraordinary guests on the podcast check out:

The Bird Banter Podcast #30 with Peter Wimberger

and The Bird Banter Podcast #68 with Dennis Paulson.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #143: Antarctica

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0800

I don't do many solo episodes but couldn't resist an episode to talk about my recent expedition cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Antarctica is such an awesome, wild, remote and special place I've long dreamed of visiting. Well, after two years of covid postponements I finally managed the visit this November. The ABA, Alvaro's Adventures, and Rockjumper Birding put together a ship full of birders and Quark Expeditions ran the ship, and we did it.

For lots of details on the trip, see my trip report,and for lots of photos see my Flickr Album. To hear another podcast about the trip, check out Nate Swick's podcast episode with two of the expedition guides Ted Floyd and Katinka Domen.

If all goes as planned my next episode will be a talk with one of the top guides on the trip, and fellow podcaster George Armistad. Follow his podcst (along with Alvaro Jaramillo and Mollee Brown) Life List: A Birding Podcast.

As always check out the Bird Banter Blog for more detailed info.

Until next time, good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #142 with Francis Canto Jr.

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:40:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Francis Canto Jr., a birder and birding guide from Belize. I learn a lot about Belize, birding there, and about Francisco and his work and passion for birds and birding. Enjoy.

You can find Francisco on Facebook

Here is a link to the Belize Bird Conservatory Hawk Watch Project web page.

Thanks for listening. As always read more about this episode on the Bird Banter blog.

Until next time. Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #141 with Mathew and Levi Radford

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 01:02:00 -0800

On this episode father-son birders Mathew and Levi Radford join me to talk about their birding, birding in Oklahoma, and how birding as a father-son duo had been important in their lives.

You can find their Father and Son Birding page on Facebook here. Mathew here, and Levi here.

Read more about my recent coast birding trip on the ABC Birding site here, and as always check out the BirdBanter.com blog here.

The Bird Banter Podcast #140 with Doug Hitchcox

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 03:12:00 -0800

On this episode Doug Hitchcox, a field educator with the Maine Audubon Society and one of very few birders to have found 400 species of birds in the state of Maine is my guest. We talk about his birding story and adventures, as well as his work with Maine Audubon. Doug is really fun to talk with, and I cannot wait to try to get together birding with him next time I go home to Maine.

You can find Doug @dhitchcox on Twitter

or contact him at Maine Audubon by email naturalist@maineaudubon.org

Here is information about the Gilsland Farm which we talk about in detail on the episode.

Here is the website for the Hog Island Audubon Camp.

As always find more at BirdBanter.com under the blog section

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #139 with Deborah Green

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 01:01:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Deborah Green, the president of the Orange Audubon Society, and the chairperson of the upcoming North Shore Birding Festival on Lake Apopka, Florida. This really a pretty cool festival as you'll hear about on the episode.

Deborah is also a birder who travels to birding festivals, and so we talk a bit about some of her favorites. To see more about birding festivals check out the BirdBanter.com blog post associated with this episode.

You can find Deborah by email at festival@orangeaudubonfl.org

Thanks for listening, and until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #138 with Alex Harper

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 01:06:00 -0700

7On this episode Alex Harper, a birder and trip leader from Las Vegas, NV talk about birding in Sin City, his company Bird Las Vegas that leads half and whole day trips individualized to his customer's needs in Las Vegas. Alex has also birded Alaska extensively, and has a great birding story. Enjoy.

Bird Las Vegas Website

Check out the associated blog post on BirdBanter.com

Contact Alex through his website here.

The Bird Banter Podcast #137: A Special Backyard Birding Episode with Tammy Poppie

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 01:02:00 -0700

Backyard birding has become somewhat a national if not worldwide hobby for many during Covid times, and on this episode Tammy Poppie, creator of the website On The Feeder is my guest. We talk about how to keep birds safer with proper feeder cleaning, bird window strikes, and overall how to enjoy the birds in your yard.

As always check out the associated blog post on BirdBanter.com for more links and info.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #136 with Matt Goff

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 01:05:00 -0700

On this episode Matt Goff, a Sitka birder and all around naturalist, talk about birding in Sitka, his 10+ years of doing a bi-weekly radio show on KCAW, the local radio station in Sitka, about birding and many other aspects of the natural history and environment of the Sitka area. He also has a website SitkaNature.org where you can learn lots more. It was really fun to hear about hyper-focused birding in his home city/borough. Matt is a self taught naturalist, who is simply very interested in every aspect of the natural world around him. Birding is just one aspect of his love of nature and his study of his local environment. It seems like a very healthy and wonderful focus, and one we can all admire if not emulate.

The Bird Banter Podcast #135 with Sarah Swanson

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 01:26:00 -0700

On this episode Sarah Swanson and I talk about her new book, Best Little Book of Birds: The Oregon Coast, as well as her birding story, her prior book, birding around Portland, OR and lots more.

You can preorder Sarah's book Best Little Book of Birds: The Oregon Coast

She is @Sarahlovesbirds on Instagram

Be sure to check out the blog post with lost more info on BirdBanter.com

Thanks for listening. Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #134 with Mike Resch

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 20:41:07 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #134 Mike Resch and I talk about his multi-decade quest to see >200 bird species in every continental U.S. state. He achieved this goal recently on a trip to Montana, as well as reaching another target goal of 15,000 total ABA state and province ticks. (listen to hear what a “tick” means) Besides being a realty nice guy, avid and accomplished birder, and inveterate state birder, Mike has visited places and seen beautiful places most of us have never heard of or seen. For more from Mike check out Episode #33. Check our Mike's blog here to read about many of his forays into state birding. Enjoy.

The Bird Banter Podcast #133 with Dan Casey

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:20:14 -0700

On this episode Dan Casey, a top Montana birder, and I talk about his birding story, birding in Montana, ebird, bird records committees, and I really enjoyed hearing from a birder from an area I do not know well, and who has a wonderfully balanced and holistic approach to birding his state. I hope you enjoy hearing from Dan as much as I did.

You can contact Dan by email: danielcasey55 -at-gmail- dot-com

Here is Dan's eBird Profile

Be sure to check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com for more related info and links.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #132 with Matt Aeberhard

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode Matt Aeberhard and I talk about his remarkable carreer and experiences as a world-class wildlife videographer, his birding story, his new project Birds of America: How Birds Can Save Us.

You can see lots more about Matt on his website, or follow him on Instagram @mattaeberhard.

As always check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com for more links, and in this case some embedded video by Matt.

Thanks for listening. Good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #131 with Marcos Trinidad

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 01:37:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #131 I talk with Marcos Trinidad, the Center Director at Debs Park in Los Angeles, an avid birder, a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion in the environmental movement. We talk about Marco's experiences in finding ways to have cell phones and technology provide positive experiences in nature, how to appreciate the urban nature around us, and his personal birding and life experiences.

You can reach Marcos at the Debs Park Audubon site, on Instagram @huskynaturalist or on Twitter @brownbirder

Thanks for listening. Please leave a rating and review.

Until next time, good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #130 with Bill Young

Mon, 30 May 2022 00:16:00 -0700

On this episode Bill Young and I talk about his lifelong birding passion and experiences, and focus especially on his interest and work with bird bahavior, as well as his focused birding at Monticello Park in Arlington, VA. Bill and his friend Ashley Bradford have developed and maintained the website MPNature where incredibly detailed and useful information about the park can be found. I find this a fabulous example of what can be learned and shared by really paying attention and focusing on a small local patch for birding and more.

As always read and learn more at the Bird Banter Blog.

Until next time, good birding!

The Bird Banter Podcast #129 with Jackie Lindsey and Charlie Wright of COASST

Mon, 16 May 2022 01:33:00 -0700

On this episode we talk about COASST, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, with Jackie Lindsey, the Science Director and Charlie Wright, the Data Verifier as guests. I learn about the COASST programs, hear stories of interesting and unusual dead bird discoveries, and enjoy hearing about the program and more from Lindsey and Charlie.

You can find more about COASST at their website.

On their website you can find about their research publications, how to volunteer or donate, and buy a field guide to beached bird ID.

To read lots more about some of the things we discussed as well as see some photos check out the blog post on the Bird Banter Blog.

Thanks for listening. Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast: Ed From The Great River Road Part 2

Thu, 05 May 2022 18:38:59 -0700

On this episode I report on birding the Great River Road, and various places nearby, from Memphis to Davenport, Iowa and then on to Omaha. Overall a great experience, seeing new states, new roads, and getting an appreciation for the great river.

Highlights were great looks at Sedge Wren, some fabulous National Wildlife Refuges, and of course the Mississippi River and all it entails.

For more details, photos and related information see the blog posts under Ed's Birding Notes on the Bird Banter website.

Stay tuned for some great guests coming soon.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast: Great River Road Trip Week 1

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 04:09:50 -0700

On this episode I fill in between episodes with guests. On the first week of my planned 3 week road trip up the Mississippi from New Orleans to Iowa, Marian and I bird around New Orleans, venture south to see the destruction, rebuilding and birds of Grand Isle, and head north as far as Memphis. We bird in 4 states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. For listeners this will be a different episode, and I hope you enjoy it, but if not my more typical episodes with guests will return after the trip.

To see more details about the trip check out the Ed's birding notes on the BirdBanter.com website. here and here.

Good birding.

The Bird Banter Podcast #128 with Alex Marine

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode Alex Marine and I talk about birding Missouri, his birding story and his 2021 Missouri birding big year. Alex also helps me learn about birding in Missouri along the Mississippi river area in preparation for a road trip I'll be taking soon.

You can reach Alex on Facebook or Instagram.

As always learn more about the details and things mentioned on this episode on the Bird Banter Blog.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #127 with Raphael Fennimore

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 01:01:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Raphael Fennimore about his 2021 King County, WA big year, his experiences with marine mammal research, his scuba diving, his photography experience with a new mirrorless camera and more. I hope you enjoy.

Reach Raphael at Raphael.Fennimore - at- gmail - dot- com or via his Instagram Feed @RaphaelFennimore

See more details and hopefully interesting information on the BirdBanter.com blog.

Please leave a rating and review. Thanks for listening.

The Bird Banter Podcast #126 with Dr. Daniel Klem

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 08:28:25 -0700

On this episode Dr. Klem and I talk about one of the leading and least well publicized causes of bird mortality in the world which is collision with glass surfaces. Birds simply don't see glass as a barrier, try to fly through it, and die in startling numbers. Hear the facts, learn what you can do, and be able to make informed decisions about the ways you can help reduce this tragedy.

Dr. Klem is a professor of ornithology at Muhlenberg College. He recently published a book, Solid Air: Invisible Killer, Saving Billions of Birds from Windows.

You can buy the book at Hancock House Publishing

You can find more details at Dr. Klem's website.

Also find lots more details at my blog post on BirdBanter.com

The Bird Banter Podcast #125 with Nick Bayard

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 16:45:07 -0700

Do you know anyone who does not love Bird Note, the 2 minute immersion into bird life and lore on NPR radio? I sure don't. My guest on The Bird Banter Podcast #125, Nick Bayard, is the Executive Director of Bird Note. I learned that Bird Note is so much more than the NPR Bird Note Today show. Listen, enjoy and learn.

Hear Bird Note Daily here.

Support Bird Note here

Subscribe to Bird Note email list-serv here

Read more about todays episode on the Bird Banter Blog here.

Until next time, Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #124 with Michael Todd

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 01:47:00 -0800

On this episode Michael Todd, the top eBird lister in Tennessee and I talk about birding his home state, his birding story, his mentors, and more.

Michael mentions several top Mississippi River floodplain hotspots in Tennessee on the episode. Here are some eBird links to those areas.

Ensley Bottoms Maxxon Wastewater Lagoons

Tennessee NWR Big Sandy Unit

It was really fun to hear about a new place and from a birder who really knows the area well.

As always check out the blog post about the episode where by the time this airs I'll have more details about my birding in the Nashville area.

'Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #123 with David and Dee Simpson

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 02:14:00 -0800

On this episode David and Dee Simpson talk about their Florida birding, their company Birding with David Simpson, Dee's blog Dee at Eight AM, and their birding stories.

Dee posts a photo and an educational poem about where she is and what she sees every morning on her blog. David does bird guiding in Florida and beyond, and is an avid state and county lister in Florida, with over 150 species seen in every one of Florida's 67 counties.

David has a passion for teaching visitors about everything natural in Florida, and this passion comes through clearly on the podcast episode.

Dee and David have a You Tube Channel with educational videos about birding in Florida that I find really good.

As always see more about the episode on the BirdBanter.com blog post.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #122 with Tiffany Kersten

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 01:01:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #122 Tiffany Kersten talks about her record breaking Lower 48 United States birding big year, seeing 726 species while raising awareness for the safety of women in nature. It's a great story and Tiffany tells it well.

You can see Tiffany's blog here.

Read more about the year on The Bird Banter blog and find other big years on the podcast prior epsodes #121 Will Brooks and Jason Vassallo, #4 Christian Haganlocher, #5 with Dorian Anderson and his Biking for Birds Big Year, and #79 with Lynn Barber on her Texas and Alaska big years.

As always comments and feedback are welcome, and if you have ideas of guests you'd like to hear on the podcast contact me on the website contact page.

Thanks for listening. Until next time good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #121 with Will Brooks and Jason Vassallo

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 20:55:54 -0800

On this episode I talk with two young Washington State birders who are good friends, who met in an unusual circumstance, and who undertook big years in 2021. Jason saw the 9th highest total species list ever seen in the lower 48 states, while documenting every sighting by photo or audio means, and did so while maximizing the fun, adventure and wonderlust experience of the year. Will broke the Washington State big year record by 6 species in a year when arguably the top vagrant location was closed to birding. Both great accomplishments and it made for a lot of fun conversation. Enjoy.

See the Bird Banter blog post for lots more details.

Follow Jason's Instagram accounting of the big year. @Jason2021BigYear

Watch a video on Seattle News 5 for a brief discussion of Will's year.

The Bird Banter Podcast #120 with Bob Flores

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 18:13:38 -0800

On this episode Bob and I talk about his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, his birding story and stories and more. How many birders have birded in Area 51? My guess is not many. His career path involved working at many of the great U.S. National Wildlife Refuges including the Loxahatchee NWR in Florida, the Wheeler NWR in Alabama, Kern NWR, Stillwater NWR in Nevada, and the Ridgefield and Columbia NWRs in Washington.

Bob encouages birders to ask their senators Here are contacts for the WA Senators and Representative of that area.

Senator Patty Murray
Murray.senate.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 696-7797
Seattle Office (866) 481-9186

Senator Maria Cantwell
Cantwell.senate.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 696-7838
Seattle Office (206) 220-6400

Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler
Jhb.house.gov
Vancouver Office (360) 695-6292
Washington DC Office (202) 225-3536

Thanks for listening.

The Bird Banter Podcast #119 with Michael and Paula Webster

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 01:02:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #119 with Michael and Paula Webster we talk about their 5-year birding adventure in South America. They travelled in a Toyota pop-top camper van, had wild and harrowing experiences and saw remote and wonderful places, people and birds that are almost beyond belief. They are real, as you can see by watching many of their videos on the You Tube Channel The Condors Feathers.

Michael and Paula decided after careers in business for Michael and as a math teacher for Paula to follow their lifelong birding passion to travel, document and experience places they dreamed of seeing. They spent 5 years traveling throughout much of South America. While there they produced a fabulous video documentary on one of South America’s most endangered bird species, the Hooded Grebe. It is spectacular. Check out Tango in the Wind.

Michael has written a book about the adventure, to be released in the U.K. in about February, and in the U.S. later in 2022 called The Condor’s Feather: Traveling Wild in South America which you can find to pre-order on Amazon or in the U.K. at Waterstones.

I loved the chance to meet and talk with this amazing couple, and cannot wait to read the book.

Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #118 with Jim Danzenbaker

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 00:01:00 -0800

On this episode Jim Danzenbaker and I talk about his experiences leading wildlife safaris to the Antarctic region, his pelagic birding experiences, his birding story, career, about Christmas Bird Counts and more. Enjoy.

Find a CBC in Washington here.

See the 2021 CBC report from Natioinal Audubon here.

Check out the blog post on the BirdBanter.com blog here.

Until next time, good birding and good day1

The Bird Banter Podcast #117 with Joe Morlan

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:01:00 -0800

On this episode Joe Morlan and I talk about his multifaceted birding career and experiences. Joe taught birding classes at the College of San Francisco for year, served as member, chair and now as webmaster of the California Bird Records Committee, is an author, and is a really good storyteller.

You can reach Joe from his website.

Read more on the BirdBanter.com blog post about this episode.

Thanks for listening.

Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #116 with Charlie Wright

Sat, 20 Nov 2021 07:43:55 -0800

On this episode Charlie and I talk about his early birding years, his time on remote Alaskan Islands and on research vessels, and his local birding especially at a new Tacoma hotspot Dune Peninsula Park. Charlie was an early adopter and volunteer reviewer for eBird and is the data reviewer for COASST. I'm really excited to have Charlie as a guest and think you'll enjoy hearing his story. Thanks for listening.

As always read more about the episode on the BirdBanter.com blog post.

Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #115 with Iván Lau

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 01:28:00 -0800

On this episode I talk with Iván Lau, the birding guide I used on a recent brief trip to Medellin, Colombia. Iván was really top notch, and we got in a lot of birding in the 3 days I had available. Medellin was beautiful, the birds were spectacular, and the experience was great.

You can contact Iván at on Instagram @ivanlaulovera or by email at

ivanlaulovera@gmail.com Check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com with more information if you are interested. Thanks for listening.
Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #114 with Zach Poland

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 01:35:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #114 I talk with Zach Poland, a top Oklahoma birder who I heard about from Pete Janzen of Episode #112. Zach talks about his birding story, birding in Oklahoma, how his training in geology influences his birding strategies and more. Enjoy.

See the blog post on Birdbanter.com for additional information.

Thanks for listening.

Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #113: Ed on Molt

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 19:46:04 -0700

There are few nuances of birding that cause more confusion and frustration than molt. Birds have to replace their feathers every year to survive, and understanding this process called molt can bring a not just a better understanding of birds and bird ID, but make looking at the details of plumage of each bird we see a little more fun. I'm certainly no expert on molt, but hearing about the process from the perspective of a non-expert who enjoys the subject may help listeners wrap their brains around the terminology used and the process. I hope so.

Check out Steven N.G. Howell's great book Molt in North American Birds, which I said I'd link to in these notes, but appears to be out of print. Borrow a copy from a birder you know if you can.

I'll put up a blog post on BirdBanter.com with more details.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast#112 with Pete Janzen

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:20:11 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #112 with Pete Janzen we talk lots about Kansas birding. Pete wrote books about birds and birding in Kansas as well as a detailed work on the Birds of Sedgewick County, Kansas. He wants you to know about the best place in the ABA area to book Lesser Prairie Chicken lek viewing with the Gove County group that manages these. You can contact Jim Miliensifer at jhmillensifer@gmail.com Here is their web site.

Be sure to check out the blog on BirdBanter.com for more details.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #111 with Mason Maron

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 01:02:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #111 I talk with Mason Maron, a young birder who is studying at Washington State University, is beginning a research project on Gray-crowned Rosy Finch diet changes over the last 60 years, and was a lot of fun to talk with. You can find his photography on his website Mason Maron Photography and on his @masonmaronphotography Instagram site.

Read more related information on the BirdBanter.com blog post for more information.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #110 with Andy Stepniewski

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 08:06:33 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #110 with Andy Stepniewski we talk about his passion and interest in the shrub-steppe habitat that remains near his home in Yakima County, WA, his birding story and some of his birding experiences. Andy was mentored by Jim Lane, of bird finding site guide fame, and he was a primary contributor to The Birder’s Guide to Washington.

For more detailed information see the blog post on BirdBanter.com.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #109 with Jason Vassallo

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 00:01:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #109 with Jason Vassallo we talk about his 2021 ABA Big Year, his birding story, and other things birding. Jason is a very talented young Washington birder, and it was fun to get to know him better. I also enjoyed hearing about some of the places he has visited this year. I'm just itching to visit some of them myself.

Here is a link to Jason's Intagram page @jason2021bigyear

Be sure to check out Bird Banter's blog to see more details related to the episode.

Thanks for listening. Please leave a review and rating on the podcast platform that you use.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #108 with Sophie Wickham

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 08:18:47 -0700

England has a great collection of bird observatories, mostly spaced around the coastline, some on islands, some on the main island. Sophie Wickham, my guest on this episode is the warden at the Holme Bird Observatory in Norfolk County. We talk about her job there, the observatory and the system of observatories in England, the birds seen there and British birding in general.

Here is a like to the Holme Bird Observatory website and here is the Norfolk Ornithologists Association site.

See the blog post on the Bird Banter website for more details.

Until next time. Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #107 with David Waters

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 01:01:00 -0700

David Waters, the driving force behind the project to reintroduce Great Bustards to England, is my guest on The Bird Banter Podcast #107. I first met David when my wife and I visited his home to see his captive Great Bustards (injured birds) and to hear his story of the project. We also got to see some of the reintroduced birds on the Salisbury Plains.

You can learn more about this project at The Great Bustard Project Homepage or on my blog post with more information about this episode.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #106 with The Birder's Show Guys

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 00:01:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #106 the hosts of The Birder's Show, a YouTube series that debuted during the pandemic, Diego Calderón and Chris Bell are my guests. We talk about their exciting new show, birding in Colombia, and more. Don't miss this one. Thanks for listening.

For more info see my blog on Birdbanter.com

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #105 with Melissa Hafting

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Melissa Hafting is my guest on the Bird Banter Podcast #105, and we talk about her work with young birders in BC, her leadership of the BC Rare Bird Alert, and her birding experiences. You can find Melissa on Instagram @bcbirdergirl

Please leave a review and rating on the podcast platform you prefer, and check out the blog associated with this episode on The Bird Banter Blog

See Melissa's blog here

Check the BC Rare Bird Alert here

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #104 with R. Bruce Richardson

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 00:03:00 -0700

On this episode we talk birding in Australia with R. Bruce Richardson, entertainer, birder and now author of An Australian Birding Year. Australia has been high on my most wanted list of places to go, and it is even higher after talking with Bruce.

Check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com for more photos and info about Bruce and the episode. Thanks for listening.

Until next time. Good birding and good day

The Bird Banter Podcast #103: Birding with Friends Again

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 17:25:16 -0700

The pandemic has kept lots of us from getting out birding with larger groups. It has crushed the ecotourism industry, but even birding clubs like our ABC Birding club here in Tacoma, WA have missed the social and birding gatherings we enjoyed prior to Covid. In this episode I share thoughts on birding with friends, mentorship, and a bit about our first group trip in the reopening. Enjoy.

Please contact me on the Bird Banter site to suggest guests you'd like to hear on the show.

Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #102 with Russell Rogers

Sat, 29 May 2021 19:33:19 -0700

Russell Rogers is a talented birder who has changed his primary area of field work and study from birds to beetles. We talk about his birding story, including his time in Washington State where I met him, and about how he diverged into the less common study of beetles. Beetles are the order Cleoptera, the largest order in the Insect class of animals. Listen to learn more about these cool bugs from a birder turned beetle-guy. Enjoy.

The Bird Banter Podcast #101 with Kathleen Foley

Wed, 19 May 2021 01:01:00 -0700

Kathleen Foley, program director for the Westermn Bluebird San Juan Reintroduction Project is my guest on this episode. We talk about the project, her experiences both with bluebirds and birding on the islands and elsewhere. Really cool stuff IMO.

Check out the project at at the San Juan Preservation Trust website here.

See more on the Bird Banter website blog post.

Until next time. Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast#100 with Sierra and Scott Downes

Mon, 10 May 2021 01:01:00 -0700

On the 100th!!! numbered episode of The Bird Banter Podcast I talk with father-daughter birders Scott and Sierra Downes. There are lots of birding families, but IMO lots more birders who have not been blessed with children who become avid birders. We talk about birding together, as well as their travels and experiences. Sierra was the recipient of the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders Award and plans to attend the BSBO Camp Chiricahua this summer, Covid allowing.

Be sure to check out the BirdBanter.com blog post with more details on this episode.

The Bird Banter Podcast #99 with Phil Green

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 11:55:42 -0700

On this episode I talk with avid eBirder, San Juan County, WA birder, longtime Yellow Island resident, and bird song audio recording enthusiast Phil Green. He has an interesting story and I hope you enjoy getting to know Phil as much as I did on this episode.

Here is a link to Phil's Yellow Island Blog.

Here is his eBird profile.

Check out the Bird Banter blog post for more details.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #98: Mixing a Family Visit with Birding in Costa Rica

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 02:10:00 -0700

This is an episode I do solo without a guest. I try to talk about my experience on a recent family trip to Costa Rica. The challenge of focusing on important time with family while being lured into birding a very birdy habitat was ever present. Check out the blog post on the Bird Banter website to see photos and more details about the trip.

Here are links to contact the guides I used, Carlos Ureña and Andres Chinchilla.

I’ll be back soon with a more usual episode with a guest. Until then, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #97 with Jordan Boersma

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Jordan Boersma. Jordan is without a doubt the first guest I know of who has had to avoid pirates to get to an island expedition, though John Sterling did worry about cannibals in one of his early work experiences that he talks about on the podcast. Jordan is working on his PhD at Washington State University, and we talk about his study of testosterone levels in female White-shouldered Fairywrens, ice worms and Gray-crowned Rosy Finches on Mt. Rainier and more. Enjoy.

See Jordan's website to look at his research or contact him via Twitter @jordan_boresma

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #96 with Neil Paprocki

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 00:01:00 -0700

On this episode Neil and I talk about his work with raptors, especially his recent PhD work on Rough-legged Hawks, but also rapelling down to put motion-activated cameras on Gyrfalcon nests in Alaska, California Condor conservation work, and more.

Contact Neil via his instagram or twitter accounts using just his name @neilpaprocki Enjoy

The Bird Banter Podcast #95 with Eric Heisey

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0700

On this episode Eric Heisey and I talk about his birding, his research on Savannah Sparrows at the Ryan Norris lab working on an island in the Bay of Fundy with a breeding population of Savannah Sparrows.

You can reach out to Eric by email heiseyew -at- email-dot-com

Please leave a comment and review and review

Thanks. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #94 with Jon Anderson

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 00:01:00 -0700

Jon Anderson is a hard guy to miss on a birding trip. He is a big guy with a big moustache who is not shy about joining in any conversation, and he enjoys both birding and birders. On this episode we hear about Jon’s birding and career stories as well as about his peregrination in his first year of retirement. Enjoy.

You can contact

Jon by email festuca-at-comcast-dot-net

Be sure to check out the blog post on birdbanter.com where you can read more about this episode and topics we discussed.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #93 with Debbie Beer

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:01:00 -0800

Debbie Beer is a birder, traveler, and works at Nature Lands, a land trust in the Delaware Valley area. We talk about her birding and travels. Sometimes on an episode it is fun when I learn that I share experiences with a guest. Both Debbie and I have birded in Kenya and Morocco, as well as the greater NYC area. Enjoy.

Debbie is active in the Delaware Valley Ornithologic Club, and won the Bob Billings Big Year award in 2020.

See the Birdbanter.com blog post for more details about this episode.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #92 with Cyndi Routledge

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:01:00 -0800

On this episode Cyndi Routledge and I talk about her passion for hummingbirds, her research on hummers as well as other

species, and her banding experiences. Listen for the segment on "cool hummingbird facts." You can find Cyndi on The Southeast Avian Research Project website.

Read more on the Bird Banter Website blog post on this episode.

Until next time. Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #91 with Alex Patia

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Alex Patia is my guest on The Bird Banter Podcast #93 and we talk about his birding story and experiences. Alex has birded in Washington and New Mexico most extensively, and we talk about how he keeps finding himself in big year quests that he had not planned to do as the year began. He is an environmental educator and it was my pleasure to talk with Alex about birding on this episode. Enjoy.

You can reach out to Alex on Instagram or by email alexpatia89-at-gmail-dot-com

Read more about this episode on the Bird Banter website blog.

Until next time good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #90 with Cameron Cox

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:30:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #90 Cameron Cox and I talk about lots of things, but maybe the most interesting to me was to hear about his philosophy on bird identification and the ways birders can learn more advanced bird ID. He has a lot of experience at identification of birds in flight, and we talk about how birders can improve that skill set. Of course there is a lot of less technical birding talk too. Enjoy.

You can find Cameron on Facebook @kumleni or on email kumleni-at- Gmail-dot-com.

See the blog post on birdbanter.com for more detailed information.

Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #89- Looking Back

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:42:10 -0800

It's a new year, and more impactful for my emotional state a new presidential administration, and this prompted me to look back at the podcast's first 2 years. Stories, people, birds, and more are topics I look back at as we move forward with birding and life. As always check out the blog post on birdbanter.com for more details. Enjoy.

The Bird Banter Podcast #88 with Brian "Fox" Ellis

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #88 with Brian “Fox” Ellis you’ll hear the story of a lifelong birder and professional story teller. Brian has worked as a story teller and performer for over 40 years, and tells his birding story and others on this episode. Enjoy.

Here are links to Brian’s Web Site Fox Tales International

You can find his You Tube Channel here:

Find lots more information plus a great place to leave your favorite birding story on The Bird Banter Podcast blog.

Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #87 with Dan Cooper

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 02:00:00 -0800

Well, that wraps up the Bird Banter Podcast Episode #87 with Dan Cooper. I hope you enjoyed listening, and as always I welcome feedback, either as a review or rating on the podcast on your favorite podcast feed platform, by comments on the Bird Banter.com blog that adds supporting details to this episode, or by reaching out to me @birdbanter on both Twitter and Facebook.

You can find Dan's Web Site here.

Until next time, Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast #86 with Jason Westlake

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #86 with Jason Westlake we talk about his vocation as a professional traveler, his integration of birding into that career, and birding in Costa Rica where Jason now lives and runs the Tierra de Sueños Retreat and Wellness Center in Puerto Chiquita.

Be sure to check out the BirdBanter.com blog for lots of supporting details and links for topics discussed in this episode. Until next time. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #85 with Jonah Gula

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 02:00:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #86 I talk with a young birder and graduate student Jonah Gula about his work with African Storks, his birding story and other research work, and about African Storks in general. I also learned about predation of Greater Sage Grouse in relocation efforts. Fun stuff. Enjoy.

You can find Jonah at Jonah.gula@yahoo.com

or on Instagram @JonahGula

Here is a link to a photo of a Saddle-billed Stork on Jonah’s Instagram page

Be sure to check out the blog on BirdBanter.com to read more about information related to this episode and other.

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #84 with Larry Hubbell

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

Tire particulate and salmon runs recent article

Life after Eddie post

Link to drop of water call of Raven

Larry Hubbell and I talk about his decade of regular patch birding and blogging at the Union Bay area as well as his work to restore the Arboretum Creek drainage system to a functional riparian habitat. Listen and learn from a birder and conservationist who by regular thorough birding and documentation of his local patch is making a difference. Enjoy.

Union Bay Watch

Revitalizing Arboretum Creek

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #83 with Matt Bartels

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0800

How does the Washington Rare Birds Committee work and what makes it effective? How did Matt find 200 species of birds in every one of the 39 WA counties, and how did he get so passionate about county listing? Interested in the history and workings of the Washington Birds website (and printed journal prior to the website)? Matt and I talk about these topics and more on The Bird Banter Podcast #83. Enjoy.

Links

WA Birder

WOS Bird Records Committee pages

The Bird Banter Podcast #82 with Paul Bannick

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800

Paul Bannick is an award winning photographer and author and on this episode we talk about his photography, his new books about the Life History of Great Gray and Snowy Owls, his conservation work, photography in general and his life’s work and stories. Enjoy.

Here is a link to Paul’s website, where you can contact him by email or buy his books.

Read more and see related info on this episode at the Bird Banter Blog.

Until next time: Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #81 with Florence Reed and Patrick McMillan

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800

I learned lots and had fun talking with Florence Reed and Patrick McMillan. I learned that most of the people in the world feed themselves on relatively small family farms, and that helping them inprove yields and improve their health and lives. This alone would be a worthy endeavor, but these farming methods can at the same time really make a difference in the global climate change crisis while improving habitat for migratory birds. Birders should care about this. I do, and am so happy to have the chance to talk with these two passionate experts.

You can learn about Sustainable Harvest International on their web site, follow them on Facebook, and support their cause if you feel compelled as I have felt.

Learn more at the Bird Banter Blog post about this episode.

Until next time. Good birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #80 with Darren Clark

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 16:31:05 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast #80 Darren Clark and I talk about birding Idaho, photography, eBird, tell birding stories and more. Enjoy.

You can contact Darren Clark at his website Darren Clark Photography, or follow him on Instagram at either @darrenclark or @idahobirds

Here is Darren’s eBird Profile.

Be sure to check out the BirdBanter.com website to see the blog post with lots more details and links related to this episode.
Until next time; Good Birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #79 with Lynn Barber

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800

Lynn Barber, big year birder in several states and the ABA, and author of three books joins me on this episode of The Bird Banter Podcast. Lynn is an accomplished birder and tireless big year birder. She holds the Texas and Alaska big year records, and until 2016 I believe had the highest ABA Big Year total for a woman. She has a great story. Enjoy.

Lynn lives in Anchorage, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic got stock of her new book, Big Years, Biggest States: Birding in Texas and Alaska that you can get as a signed copy mailed to you by contacting her on email dalybar@aol.com Just put book order in the subject line and she'll arrange to send you a copy.

See the blog post on birdbanter.com to find more details and information related to Lynn and her story.

Thanks for listening. Good birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #78 with Nick Lund

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 03:00:00 -0700

Nick Lund, "The Birdist" and I talk about how he became The Birdist, birding in Maine, his birding story, and about birding adventures and more on this episode.

Here are some key links related to the episode. See the blog post about this episode on the Bird Banter Blog for more information.

The Birdist

Maine Audubon

The ABA Podcast episode on birding Newfoundland

Please leave a review and rating on your podcast feed of choice. Good Birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #74 with Tom Bancroft

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 03:00:00 -0700

This episode was recorded about a month ago, and the plan was to publish it while I was recovering from a hip replacement surgery. Somehow it slipped by, and is being published a bit later than usual. I think you'll enjoy hearing Tom Bancroft's birding story, and about his career in conservation and ornithology. Enjoy.

Here is a link to Tom's photography website.

Be sure the check the BirdBanter.com blog post about this episode for more links and information.

The Bird Banter Podcast #77 with John Patten Moss

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 19:57:09 -0700

You may remember John from episode #31 when we talked about his upcoming birding big year traveling only by unicycle and on foot. Well, as with all things 2020 Covid-19 intervened, but the start of his planned big year is story enough to warrant having John back to hear how is adventure went. In a nutshell, crazy and super cool. Enjoy.

Here is a link to John's blog.

Check out the BirdBanter.com blog post here and leave a comment about your favorite big year stories.

Thanks for listening. Good birding. Good day

The Bird Banter Podcast#76: 5 Common Birds

Sat, 26 Sep 2020 16:21:57 -0700

Sometimes as birders we are too quick to overlook the beauty of our common species in search of uncommon or unexpected birds. Non-birders and birders alike may enjoy as I take a deeper look at 5 species commonly seen in most places in the United States. Why do geese poop so much? Why is it Canada Goose but not America Redstart? Check it out.

Also see the associated blog post with photos and more info on these common birds.

Here is a link to the Wild Turkey Thanksgiving Episode.

Please share this episode with your non-birding and birding friends alike.

Good birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #75 with Matt Yawney

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 03:00:00 -0700

Matt Yawney talks about finding vagrants in Grant County, WA, his birding story and more on The Bird Banter Podcast #75. Be sure to read the blog post associated with this episode on The Bird Banter website.

Leave a rating and review wherever you get your podcast feeds.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast ##73 with Jason Fidorra

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 15:37:49 -0700

Jason Fidorra and I talk about his experiences as the Washington State Wildlife manager for the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Benton and Franklin Counties, as well as his experiences as a field researcher prior to that job, his birding story, the shrub-steppe habitat of his area, and more. Enjoy.

You can find Jason on Facebook.

He also moderates the Tricities Birders Facebook page.

Be sure to check out the blog post on BirdBanter,.\\.com for more details.

The Bird Banter Podcast #72 with Kimball Garrett

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:24:10 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #72 with Kimball Garrett we talk about Kimball's extensive experience as a Los Angeles County, CA birder, his work as the Collections Manager for the L.A. Natural History Museum Ornithology Collection, of his time in the golden days of California birding, and his birding story and experiences. Enjoy.

Here is a link to Kimball's bio and contact info at the museum.

Check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com for more information related to the episode.

The Bird Banter Podcast #71: Ed on Birding Resources

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 11:27:12 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast #71 host Ed Pullen talks about resources birders can use to learn to be better birders, to identify birds, and to further their enjoyment of birding.

See the Supplemental Information blog post on BirdBanter.com for links to find most of the resources mentioned in this episode.

Please subscribe to The Bird Banter Podcast wherever you get your podcast feeds to not miss future episodes, and leave a rating and review on your podcast feed platform.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast #70 with Peter Hodum

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 06:03:14 -0700

Peter Hodum is a professor at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA and is a passionate birder and researcher of seabirds. We talk about his passion and work with seabirds off the Washington coast as well as in the Juan Fernández Islands off Chile. Peter is an eloquent speaker, penultimate teacher, and I know you’ll enjoy hearing his birding story. For lots of photos and much more detail check out the post on the Bird Banter blog at http://birdbanter.com

Here is a link to Peters not-for-profit mentioned in the episode. https://oikonos.org/

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #69 with Francisco Garcia

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 10:28:02 -0700

Hear about birding in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico from a local guide and top local birder. San Blas is an area where you can find a large variety of species and habitats all on short drive day trips while based in this delightful coastal community.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #69 with Francisco Garcia

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 03:01:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #69 with Francisco Garcia we talk about birding in the San Blas area of Nayarit, Mexico on the west coast between Mazatlán and Puerto Nuevo. Francisco runs Safaris San Blas, a birding guide service in that area, and was recommended as a guest by Heather Ballash and Marcus Roening when we recorded Episode #64.

Here is a link to the Safaris San Blas Facebook page where you can find Francisco’s Phone number and email address.

Here is a link to the ABA A Birder’s Guide to Washington that I praise in the introduction to the episode.

Thanks for listening. Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #68 with Dennis Paulson

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 03:12:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode with Dennis Paulson we talk about his start as a bird watcher, his life as a naturalist, his dragonfly studies and publications, his travels, and a bit about the politics of conservation and environmentalism. Birding, Bird Watching, and the love of nature are common themes. Enjoy.

You can reach dennis by email at dennispaulson - at- comcast.net

He is on facebook as @dennis.paulson.10 and as he mentions he posts educational info with photos regularly.

Read more details about Dennis and the episode at the Bird Banter blog.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #67 with Dr. Roger Lederer

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 04:45:06 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #67 with Dr. Roger Lederer we talk about not just birding and ornithology, but tips on how to prepare for a career in ornighology, travel, and his birding website Ornithology.com Below are some links to topics we discuss.

Here is the page on Ornithology Careers.

Here is the Osher Foundation site for adult courses Dr. Lederer discusses.

Here are links to some of the other episodes I talk about in the intro.

Blog post on the Mary Gustafson Episode #55

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #66 with Andrew Emlen

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 03:00:00 -0700

Andrew took me out birding in Wahkiakum County, WA and we recorded this episode after a great day of birding. We talk about the Alcyon Farm, his home and wonderful natural area, birding in Wahkiakum County, his Skamokawa Swamp Opera band, his Sea Kayak Business, the history of steemboats on the Columbia River, and more. He is a fabulously talented and interesting person.
Here is a link to the facebook page of the Skamokawa Swamp Opera

and here is a link to Columbia River Kayaking.

Read and see lots more at The Bird Banter Blog.

Until next time. Good birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #65 with Thomas O'Donnell

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 16:49:39 -0700

Patrick O’Donnell is my guest on Episode #65 of The Bird Banter Podcast and we talk about all things birding in Costa Rica. Patrick lives in San Jose, Costa Rica, is a guide for day trips from San Jose, leads trips for his local birding club all over the country, and writes extensively. He has published the Costa Rica Bird Finding eBook which I downloaded in Kindle format, but is available in other formats also.

He is a leader in the Birding Club of Costa Rica

Check out the blog post on the Bird Banter site for more details about the episode and related links.

Until next time. Good Birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #64 with Heather Ballash and Marcus Roening

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 17:23:07 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #64 with Heather Ballash and Marcus Roening we talk about being a birding couple, about their extensive experience birding in Mexico, and about our local Pierce County, WA birding community.

You can read more about related topics on the Bird Banter Podcast Blog.

Please leave a review and rating on the podcast feed of your choice, and reach out to me if there are guests you’d like to hear from.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #63 with Mike Denny

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 03:00:00 -0700

On this episode Mike Denny sits with me and Ken Brown, in a remote area of the Northern Blue Mountains, and we watch and listen to a recently fledged trio of Great Gray Owlets and their parent as we talk about the owls, the area and Mike's amazing passion for birding, education and the environment. See how many species of birds you can ID from the background of the recording.

Here is a link to The Secret Life of the Forest: The Northern Blue Mountains. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PuebOvlZu4

Here is the web site of the Blue Mountain Land Trust, the group that has helped preserve the land around a top birding area we visited, Coppei Creek https://bmlt.org/

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #62 with Jean Pullen

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 02:05:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #62 my daughter, Jean Pullen, and I talk about her passion, restorative agriculture in the tropics. Jean lives in Costa Rica and is in the process with her partner Alan of restoring a hectacre of previous pastureland into a productive, earth-restoring agriforestry project. Jean also works with Jungle Project. You can read more about restorative agriculture at Kiss The Ground.

You can follow Jean on Facebook

Be sure to check out the blog post on the Bird Banter Website that tells more about the subjects we discussed today. Also please leave a reveiw and rating on the podcast feed of your choice.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

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The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #61 with Stefan Schlick

Mon, 25 May 2020 03:22:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #61 Stefan Schlick and I talk about birding in the Pacific Northwest, his experiences as a birding trip leader, and a bit about dragonflies and . Stefan is a top ABA birder with roots in Germany who has lived in several top ABA birding areas. He now is a full time birding trip guide based near Portland, OR.

You can find his Portland Audubon Society trips on their web site.

Stefan's web site is Birdmeister's Blog

See the supporting notes and more info on this episode at the Birdbanter.com Blog Page.

Please leave a review and a rating on your favorite blog feed site or here.

Until next time. Good birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Episode #60 with Nate Swick

Mon, 18 May 2020 03:54:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #60 I talk with Nate Swick, whose job with the ABA is loosely defined as digital content manager, but birders know as the keeper of the ABAs Rare Bird Alerts page, more recently from the ABA Podcast, and as one of the primary faces of the ABA online. Nate is an avid birder, and has helped bring the ABA into the online world in a meaningful way. I enjoyed talking with Nate, and hope you enjoy listening.

Here is a link to the ABA Join and donate page as promised on the episode.

See the Bird Banter Blog post related to this episode for more information.

Until next time, Good birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #59 with Gary Bletsch

Sun, 10 May 2020 03:00:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Gary Bletsch, a birder from Skagit County, WA who is an avid county birder, a funny guy, and a lot of fun for me to get to know. You'll hear a lot about Skagit County birding, as well as about Gary's travels and his birding story.

We talk about the Washington birding website WA Birder. Check it out on this link.

Here is a link to the trip report for the Pierce County big day I participated in this week. Bruce LaBar from episode #3, Will Brooks from episode # and Peter Wimberger from episode # were the other birders on the trip.

Visit the Bird Banter blog for more details about and related to this episode.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #58 with Dave Irons

Fri, 01 May 2020 15:41:28 -0700

On this episode I talk with Dave Irons, a top birder, an eBird reviewer, prior regional editor of North American Birds, author of the new book Field Guide to the Birds of Oregon, and a really educational and interesting guest on the podcast. Enjoy.

Here is a link to buy the Field Guide to the birds of Oregon on Buteo Books.

I mention the episode with Dave's wife Shawneen Finnegan. Here is a link to that episode on Apple Podcasts. You can find links to several other platforms on the Bird Banter Website.

Dave talks about the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. I strongly recommend it to any birder who wants to attend a great festival.

Please leave a review and rating on the podcast feed of your choice.

Until next time.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #57 with Pete Salmansohn

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 03:00:00 -0700

Pete Salmansohn, knows as Puffin Pete, is my guest on The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #57. Pete has worked as an educator for National Audubon Society and other organizations, and has been especially involved in education about seabirds off the Maine Coast. We talk about the highly successful and ongoing reintroduction of Atlantic Puffins and other seabirds to breeding islands off the Maine Coast. Enjoy.

We talk about Hog Island Audubon Camp and here is a link to their site.

Here is a link to a 2010 Science article on the Puffin Reintroduction.

Here is another article about the work of their project. I like this one a lot.

Here is a link to one of Pete's children's books on Amazon.

Be sure to check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com to see more related info.

Good birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #56 with Mike Bergin

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 15:43:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Mike Bergin, the founder of the largest Birding Blog on the internet about how 10,000 Birds came about, its incredible run of popularity, and about his birding story. Mike is a true birding ambassador and I expect you to enjoy listening.

Here is a link to 10,000 Birds

We mention the Suzie Gilbert, my guest on the last episode of this podcast, has new novel published recently. You can buy a copy of Unflappable on her website.

Be sure to leave a rating and review on your podcast feel site about this episode or The Bird Banter Podcast in general.

Thanks and good birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #55 with Suzie Gilbert

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 02:26:00 -0700

On Episode #55 I talk with bird rehabilitator and author Suzie Gilbert. We talk about her progression from volunteer at a local raptor rehab program where her experience as a writer led to a newspaper column, a children's book and eventually to having her own in-home bird rehab center. Her first adult book was a memoir about the challenges of trying to balance life as a Mom and a rehab center owner and manager. Her new novel, which I can vouch for as a fine read, is Unflappable, a novel about a young woman on the lam with a bald eagle she is trying to smuggle from Florida to Ontario, Canada. It is fun to talk about her passion for birds and her writing career. Enjoy.

You can buy Unflappable at Amazon or Barnes and Noble online.

Her website is SuzieGilbert.com

We talk about her time as a writer for 10,000 Birds, a top birding blog.

Here is a link to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association website Suzie mentioned where you can learn lots about bird and other wildlife rehab.

Be sure to check out my blog post with more details about the episode at Birdbanter.com.

Until next time.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #54 with Nate Chappell

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 00:30:00 -0700

In this episode Nate and I talk about his early birding years in the Tacoma area with his older brother Chris, his early photography on a birding trip to South Africa, and his progression from birding into becoming a professional nature photographer and photography tour leader. It's a fun story, and I think you'll enjoy hearing about Nate's career and travels.

You can follow Nate on facebook @ChappellPhoto or at his web site http://www.trogontours.net/

The Tahoma Audubon Society that Nate mentions has lots of field trips as well as having a Christmas Bird Count. You can find theim at https://www.tahomaaudubon.org/

Be sure to check out my web site Bird Banter

Until next time. Good birding and good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #53 with Ryan Merrill

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 09:25:32 -0700

Ryan Merrill and I talk about his birding story, birding in Washington State, and about his local patch birding. He also talks about his work on the Washington Bird Records Committee, and life as the husband/father in a family with a young child as a birder. Enjoy.

Photo Credit: The photo of the Swallow-tailed Kite used in the thumbnail for this episode is by Laurel Parshall. You can hear Laurel and other "Willettes" on episode #20 of The Bird Banter Podcast.

You can reach Ryan by e-mail: rjm284-at-gmail-dot-com

Here is a link to the Washington Bird Records Committee site: http://wos.org/records/

This is info about the Seattle Audubon Society Young Birders activities: https://www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/About/EnvironmentalEducation/YoungBirders.aspx

The Swallow-tailed Gull Ryan found in WA made the local media in many places. Here is an example: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/this-very-rare-bird-in-edmonds-is-4000-miles-from-home/

Ryan talks about Carkeek Park near his home in Seattle. Here is info about that local park: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/carkeek-park

I hope you all stay well, get birding often, and until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #52 with Stephanie Seymour

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 02:11:00 -0700

On this episode I am joined by Stephanie Seymour, the artist of the recently released album There Are Birds. She is an avid birder, has her own private official hawkwatch station at her home in New jersey, and is a longtime professional musician. This album has 12 songs, each with the song title being the name of a listable North American bird except the final track, Migration is Over. Three of the songs are included in this podcast. Enjoy.

You can buy Stephanie's album at her website: There Are Birds

If that hyperlink does not work just go to http://www.therearebirds.com/

We mention the birding in Central Park with Saphir who led walks in spring there for about 40 years before her death. The movie, The Central Park Effect is very cool, and features Saphir in part. https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/news/birdwatching/film-central-park-birders-explores-birdwatching-deeply-human-activity/

Find more at my blog at htt p://birdbanter.com/index.php/category/thebirdbanterpodcastblog/

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #51 with Lane Epps and Corrie Fulsom-O'Keefe

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:53:54 -0800

Lane Epps and Corrie Fulsom-O’Keefe Episode Podcast notes

On the Bird Banter Podcast Episode #51 I talk with two women who have maintained and nourished a long-time and long-distance birding relationship. They actually used a recent episode of this podcast to help plan a birding trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and interestingly on that podcast two of my best birding buddies and I talk about our trip. I hope you enjoy the episode.

Lane works with the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, and here is a link to their website. http://www.btnwildlife.org/

Here is a link to the Brookline Birding Club website https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/ This is the club that hosted the bird walk in the Boston Gardens where Land and Corrie first birded together.

Here is a link to the Bombay Hook NWR site mentioned in the episode https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/

Until next time, good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #50 with Nathanael Swecker

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:52:56 -0800

In The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #50 Nathanael Swecker and I talk about his extensive experiences birding on the huge military post in Tacoma, Joint Base Lewis McChord, about his bird banding at the Morse Preserve, his work with the Tahoma Audubon Society where he is serving at the current president, and about his experience as an openly gay birder. He is an exceptionally engaging and articulate guest, and I think you'll enjoy his story.

You will find more details about this episode on the associated blog post on BirdBanter.com

Enjoy.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #49: Home from Texas

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 02:43:00 -0800

I got home from Texas this week, the next day chased and found a lingering Siberian Accentor in Cowlitz County for a new Washington State bird to me, and now sit down to reminisce about the trip to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. I talk briefly about my time with Ken and Bruce, but mostly about stretching myself, leading a trip of 11 people to the valley, far outside my past trip-leading experience and off my home turf. It worked out pretty well. I had fun and I think the others did too. We saw some cool birds, new places, and everyone got through it without undue stress or major problems.
You can read more about the trip on the Birdbanter.com blog, or on the trip report on the ABC Birding Club website.

Thanks for listening.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #48 with Mary Gustafson

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 02:42:00 -0800

I’ve been in the LRGV now for almost 2 weeks, and am starting to feel like I can find my way around. I am also starting to meet some of the local birders, and today was able to meet with Mary Gustafson. I

learned that Mary and I have at least one thing in common. Ken Brown was helpful to us in our earlier birding days. When Mary was at UPS Ken often took her out locally birding. You can hear Ken's birding story in episode #2.

Mary is a top national birder, and has lived in the Lower RGV for about 15 years. She has been a trip guide here, has a long resume as an ornithologist working around the country and abroad, and was really fun to meet and talk with today.

She mentions that she worked at the National Bird Banding Center, and here is a link to their website. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pwrc/science/bird-banding-laboratory?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

She mentions Peter Pyle’s two tome book used by bird banders and museum curators for bird ID, aging, etc. Here is a link to that on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Identification-Guide-North-American-Birds/dp/0961894024 This is part 1, part 2 is easy to find also.

Here is the web site for the National Butterfly Center. https://www.nationalbutterflycenter.org/

Be sure to check out BirdBanter.com blog for more info, photos, etc.

Follow @birdbanter on Facebook and @birdbanter on twitter. My error on the podcast, I changed my twitter handle from @dredpullen to @birdbanter.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #47 with Ryan and Victor Rodriguez

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 04:00:00 -0800

On episode #47 I talk with Ryan Rodriguez at his Dad, at the office of his Dad and primary birding chauffeur Victor Rodriguez. Ryan learned to read at age 4 by studying the Sibley Guide to the Birds of North America for a full summer. He is an avid birder, Young Birder of the Year contest participant, and a wonderful guest on the Bird Banter Podcast. Enjoy.

Check out the associated Bird Banter Blog Post for more information and photos of and about Ryan.

Please leave comments, reviews, and contact me on the Bird Banter website contact page if you have suggestions for additional guests or topics.

Good Birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #46 from South Texas with Ken and Bruce

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 15:19:41 -0800

We record Episode #46 after our 8th consecutive long day of birding in the lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, and Ken and Bruce were gracious enough to talk with me about our time here. To learn more about Ken and Bruce's birding story and our times birding together check out two of my earliest episodes @2 with Ken Brown and #3 with Bruce LaBar. I think you'll enjoy both of them.

During this episode we explored much of the valley, and it is far too much for podcast notes to discuss here. Check out the Bird Banter blog at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/category/thebirdbanterpodcastblog/ for a more thourough report.

Here is a link to the World Birding Center site: http://w ww.theworldbirdingcenter.com/

Please leave a review and rating on whatever platform you get your podcast feed from, and until next time.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #45 with Annie Meyer

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 04:15:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #45 I talk with Annie Meyer. I first met Annie when she was a pre-teen birder, and we talk about her birding story, her birding and research experiences, and conservation issues regarding birds. She has wonderful stories to tell. I had a great time talking with Annie. Enjoy.

You can reach out to Annie Meyer @anniemeyer on Facebook on Instagram @Annie_Meyer

The website for Third Millennium Alliance in Equador, preserving corridors for wildlife is http://tmalliance.org/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/silent-skies-billions-of-north-american-birds-have-vanished/ Is a link to the Science article we talked about.

Here is the Third Millenium Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/tmalliance/

We also discussed Land Trusts. Here is a link to the Washington Association of Land Trusts https://walandtrusts.org/

Here is a link to a photo of and info about the bird we discussed, the Hoatzin. https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/Species-Account/nb/species/hoatzi1/overview

Until next time, Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #44 with Clarice Clark and Jerry Broadus

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 08:35:53 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #44 Clarice Clark and Jerry Broadus, Tacoma area birders and volunteer conservation and ornithology researchers talk about their life experiences in these fields. They have really walked the walk in terms of putting their efforts, resources and time to further their passion for helping understand and safe birds and bird habitat. Here are some links to topics they discussed to learn more.

First here is a link to our ABC Birding Club website and the article on the presentation by Jerry and Clarice. http://abcbirding.com/saving-hawaiis-birds-june-2019-presentation-by-abcs-intrepid-bird-banders-clarice-clark-and-jerry-broadus/

This is information about the Duck Stamp program and a way to buy yours online. https://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php

This is the website of the Friends of Willipa Bay who run the festival we talked about on the episode. https://friendsofwillaparefuge.org/

This is the site of the Nisqually NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Billy_Frank_Jr_Nisqually/

This is more information about the issues Jerry and Clarice faced in their recent work in Hawaii. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/01/07/nr20-004/

Last this is the site of Duck’s Unlimited. You know an old and powerful organization when they have a great url like this. https://www.ducks.org/

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #43: 2019 the Year in Review

Sat, 28 Dec 2019 19:55:25 -0800

In this episode, after most of 2019 as the inaugural year of The Bird Banter Podcast, with 53 episodes, some brief and unnumbered, I look back at the guests I've talked with, the fun I've had, and feel happy with the year in the rear view mirror. Enjoy.

Here are some links to things discussed in this episode:

http://thespeckledhatchback.blogspot.com/ Dorian Anderson's current website and his Biking for the Birds 2014 Big Year Blog http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com/

You can find Christian Hagenlacher's book and website here: http://www.thebirdingproject.com/falconfreeway

Here is the Alvaro's Adventures Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alvarosadventures

Here is a link to Rob Porters Songbirding Podcast Website: https://songbirding.com/

Dr. Geoffrey Hill's website has his birding blog and a link to his professional website to learn more about his research on speciation: https://www.ornithologistsblog.com/

To learn about John Pushcock's Attu tours and other tours check his website here: http://www.zbirdtours.com/

You can find Sharon Stiteler, aka Birdchick here for her podcast: http://www.birdchick.com/

Be sure to check my blog at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/category/thebirdbanterpodcastblog/

were you can find more info about the podcast, blog posts related to most episodes, and more.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Episode #42 with non-birder son Brett from Cambodia

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 02:34:03 -0800

In this episode I talk with my son Brett. I'm visiting Brett in SE Asia, with visits to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We talk about his travel and experiences in SE Asia, about birding in these two areas, and have a father-son talk about issues we have observed in these areas. I hope you enjoy.

Here is a reference about where the plastic in our oceans comes from. 90% comes from just 10 rivers, 8 of which are in Asia. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/06/90-of-plastic-polluting-our-oceans-comes-from-just-10-rivers/

Here is a reference about bicycle training in Chiang Mai https://www.tropicalmba.com/chiang-mai-is-a-great-place-for-a-winter-cycling-training-camp/

Thanks for listening, and until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #41 with Alex Wang

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 00:01:00 -0800

In this episode I talk with Alex Wang, a birder and conservation biologist living on the Big Island of Hawaii, who is home to visit his family in Tacoma. His Dad, Art Wang was my guest on Episode #14 so be sure to check that out too. We talk about many conservation issues for birds on the Hawaiian Islands, the inclusion of Hawaii into the ABA area, and Alex's birding story. Enjoy.

This is a link to the Hawaii Birding Babe home page where you can likely find Alex to take you on a day of birding on the big island if you visit there. https://www.facebook.com/Hawaii.Birding.Babe/

This is the Hawaii Audubon webpage where you can read about birding in Hawaii. http://www.hawaiiaudubon.org/birding-in-hawaii

Be sure to look for my post on BirdBanter.com for a blog post with photos Alex provided of many of the native Hawaiian birds, literally in his hand from banding work. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Wish me safe travels in Asia, and I hope to find great guests to talk with there for future episodes.

Until then, Good Birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Happy Thanksgiving wild Turkey Episode

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 19:21:16 -0800

Happy Thanksgiving.

Let us give thanks for the wild birds we all love, for the time to see and study then, and for all our blessings.

For more info on the history of Wild Turkeys in the U.S. see the associated post on The Bird Banter Podcast.

http://birdbanter.com/index.php/2019/11/28/wild-turkeys-in-the-u-s-here-almost-gone-and-here-again/

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast from Kauai, Hawaii

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 00:59:00 -0800

In this episode I talk about the birding I've managed on my Kauai, Hawaii vacation. Enjoy.

Check out my blog on Birdbanter.com to see photos from the trip and some of this info in writing. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Until next time, Aloha.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #40 with Isaiah Nugent

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 02:00:00 -0800

In this episode Isaiah and I talk about his 2019 Washington State Big year and his birding story. Isaiah is a top young Washington State birder, and I hope you find his story interesting. I also talk a bit about my upcoming vacation to Kauai and the issues with exotic species in Hawaii.

You can contact Isaiah via the e-mail address available on his eBird profile page which also has up to date information on his WA big year progress and links to photos, etc. https://ebird.org/pnw/profile/MzA3NTU4/US-WA-073

Here is a link to Episode #26 with Tim Larson and the issues about house mouse eradication on the Farallon Islands off the California Coast. https://birdbanter.podbean.com/mf/play/aen4nt/The_Bird_Banter_Podcast_Episode_26_with_Tim_Larson.mphttps://birdbanter.podbean.com/mf/play/aen4nt/The_Bird_Banter_Podcast_Episode_26_with_Tim_Larson.mp33

You can also reach out to Isaian on Facebook or Instagram.

Stay tuned for more about my upcoming Hawaii birding experiences.

Until next time, good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #39 with Rob Porter

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 03:00:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #39 I talk with Rob Porter, creator of The Songbirding Podcast. On his podcast Rob takes listeners along with him on walks through birdy and otherwise quiet areas of Ontario, where he essentially gives a song-by-song narrative of the bird sounds he hears. You feel like you are out birding with a local expert who is teaching you about the birds you are hearing along with him. It is really cool. Be sure to check it out on any of the top podcast feeds. Here is a link to Songbirding Podcast on iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/preview-songbirdi ng/id1480167042?i=1000449879933

here is a link to the Birding by Ear series I talk about in the intro to this episode. This is the Eastern U.S. course, there is also a series for the Western U.S. birds. https://www.buteobooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=BBBAO&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=11266

You can find more about this episode on my blog post at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Thanks for listening. Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #38 with Alex Israel

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 02:00:00 -0800

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #38 I talk with Alex Israel, a conservation activist with the Safe Flights program of the New York City Audubon Society. The combination of human light at night in cities combined with glass exterior skyscrapers in major migratory bird flyways is a lethal one to many songbirds. Listen to hear about this and more.

Here is a link to the New York Audubon Societies Safe Flights Program page: http://www.nycaudubon.org/index.php/project-safe-flight

This is the article I mention on nocturnal calls and “supercollider” species that are especially at risk from nighttime lights and skyscrapers. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190402215613.htm

Here is a link to info about The Central Park Effect documentary I mention on the episode. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2310157/

Here is the eBird details page on Central Park in NYC. https://ebird.org/hotspot/L191106

See my blog post on Birdbanter.com for more details.

Until next time. Good Birding. Good Day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #37with John Pushcock

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #37 I talk with Alaskan Island expert and trip leader John Pushcock. John has been able to lead trips to Attu in recent years using a seaworthy ship to transport birders from Adak to Attu, birding Attu by day, and sleeping on the boat at night. He also has led trips to Adak, Utgiagvik (previously Barrow), Alaska. John runs a Seattle based birding tour company Zugunruhe Birding Tours, website Zbirdtours.com http://www.zbirdtours.com/

You can find John on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/john.puschock but the best way is via his website above.

On the podcast we talk briefly about my experience on the 5-day Pelagic trip on the Searcher out of San Diego. The leader of that trip is John McGrath, I could not recall his last name when we were talking. Here is a link to the trip site. https://www.bajawhale.com/wildlife-tours/pelagic-birding-tours/

We talk about Johns early birding days on the east coast, his time in California, and how he came to become a leading Alaskan island bird tour operator. Enjoy.

Until next time, good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #36 with Tasha DiMarzio

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode Tasha and I talk primarily about her work to support the endangered Steller's Eider in Alaska, but also about her birding story, her early experiences as a birder and as a field biologist, along with her work recently on Eastern Egg Island in Maine. Be sure to check out all the links on The Bird Banter website at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Here is a link to Tasha's Instagram account @featheredobsession https://www.instagram.com/featheredobsession/?hl=en

On the blog post you'll find lots of links to things we mention in the episode and more.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #35 with Dr. Ursula Valdez

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 09:10:21 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #35 Dr. Valdez and I talk about her birding story, and especially about her research in the Peruvian Amazon. Her project in the Madre de Díos (Mother of God) mountains in southeastern Peru is documenting the amazing biodiversity there, working with local youth to provide paying jobs, increase environmental awareness and provide valuable data on the bird and other species diversity there. A correction to the introduction, CECCOT is in the Tambopata region, not the city of Tambopata. It is near the city of Puerto Maldonado. Volunteer opportunities are available, and you can check them out at the Facebook page of @CECCOT (Centre de Educacíon, Ciencia y Conservacíon Tambopata) Their website is also very informative.

My blog post at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/2019/10/14/dr-ursula-valdez-and-the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-35/ has lots more detail and links to issues like illegal gold mining and her falcon research.

Enjoy. Good birging. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #34 with Brad Waggoner

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 16:27:29 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #34 I talk birding with Brad Waggoner. Brad is a top Washington birder, and an especially avid Kitsap and Clallam County birder. He is the chairperson of the Washington Rare Birds committee, and one of the most respected Washington birders. Enjoy.

Here is a link to the Washington Rare Birds committee page on the WOS website: http://wos.org/records/

Here is a link to Brad’s eBird list from 2 weeks ago when he had 99 species just in the town of Neah Bay: https://ebird.org/pnw/view/checklist/S60044350

Brad doesn’t make a profile on eBird public, but snooping around eBird shows his as a leader on these lists on an easy perusal:

Kitsap County, WA #1 298 species

Clallam County, WA #4 (really #3) 299 species

Washington State tie for #3 443 species

Be sure to follow @BirdBanter on Facebook, the Bird Banter blog at http://birdbanter.com/

Thanks to Ryan Merrill for the photo of the Blackburnian Warbler used for the thumbnail photo on this episode. This bird was found by Ryan and Brad on a recent trip to Neah Bay.

Be sure to subscribe to The Bird Banter Podcast so you can find each new episode or any of the prior episodes.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #33 with Mike Resch

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 21:10:52 -0700

In this episode I talk with Mike Resch about his quest to see at least half of the species of bird on the state checklist of each of the lower 48 states plus the District of Columbia. A daunting task, and he is nearly there. A wild story. Check it out. Note the thumbnail of this episode is a screenshot of the state lists diagram on Mike Resch's eBird profile. Note all the red and orange!

Here is a link to Mike's blog: http://statebirding.blogspot.com/

Here is a link to Blair Bernson's blog, the mutual friend of Mike and me who is on a different 50-state quest. https://blairbirding.com/ Be sure to check out episode #18 with Blair Bernson.

Be sure to look for more information on the Bird Banter website: http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Until next time, Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #32: Looking Back at Episodes 1-10

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 14:21:24 -0700

In this episode I looked back at the first 10 episodes of The Bird Banter Podcast. I've learned a lot, had fun, and think I've gotten better at many aspects of hosting this podcast. I've certainly had fun, talked with birders I's never have met without the podcast, and have had generlly positive feedback. Please leave a rating and comments on this episode and about the podcast in general either on the Apple Podcast store, Spotify, Stitchder or whereever you get your podcast feeds. Alternatively check out Bird Banter on Facebook or Twitter, or go to my blog at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/ where you can leave comments.

Some of my best birding buddies and coolest guests were on the first 10 episodes, and I tried to take parts I think you'll enjoy as hte basis of this episode.

Good birding and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #31 with John Patten Moss

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 10:03:59 -0700

On this episode I talk with John Patten Moss, a young birder from Georgia, who is also a unicycle enthusiast. John plans to do a big year in 2020, all while human powered and traveling on his touring UNICYCLE! Unbelievable? Listen and hear about his plans, his birding story and more.

Here is a link to his website where he plans to have a blog chronicaling his trip and his big year.

https://2020thevision.blogspot.com/

If this sounds somewhat like Dorian Anderson's 2014 Biking for Birds big year, listen to hear some of the unique challenges facing a unicyclist on the road. Here is a link to The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #5 with Dorian Anderson where we talk about his big year, and below that a link to Dorian's blog about that year.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-5-with-dorian-anderson/id1450449001?i=1000430710312

http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com/

For bikers planning a road trip here is a link to the "Warm Showers" app John mentions on the episode.

https://www.warmshowers.org/

Until next time, good birding, and good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #30 with Peter Wimberger

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:52:12 -0700

In The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #30 with Peter Wimberger we meet on site at the Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound. This was a new experience for me, getting out of my studio and doing a recording at the site we are discussing. It led to good inspiration and energy and I hope you find it enjoyable.

The Slater Museum has a website linked here where you can look at many of the specimens as photographs, and the Slater Museum Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SlaterMuseum/ has information on all of their events.

I discuss in the introduction the new book Oceanic Birds of the World a Photo Guide by Howell and Zufelt. You can find it at https://smile.amazon.com/Oceanic-Birds-World-Photo-Guide-ebook/dp/B07V7ZSYLR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2S34OP03KW0IB&keywords=oceanic+birds+of+the+world+a+photo+guide&qid=1567025183&s=gateway&sprefix=oceanic+birds+of+the+world%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1

Be sure to check out my blog post about this episode at Birdbanter.com

I'll also have additional photos and information on the Bird Banter Facebook page.

Until next time. Good Birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #29 with Christian Hagenlocher

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode Christian and I talk about his recent trip to Attu, the eastern most island off Alaska that is still a part of the U.S. and therefore the American Birding Association Area, as well as his recent guiding experience and his time at the Hog Island National Audubon Camp as a counselor. He also talks about the process of writing his soon-to-be-released book Falcon Freeway.

You can buy his new book at http://www.thebirdingproject.com/falconfreeway Hurry to get a signed copy by preordering now.

Here is info about the Hog Island NAS camp. https://hogisland.audubon.org/

Read more at the Bird Banter Blog. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #28: Cool Bird Facts

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 19:34:34 -0700

In this episode I go solo, and talk about things I'm learning as I take the Cornell University online course: Ornithology: Comprehensive Bird Biology. You can find about it here: https://academy.allaboutbirds.org

I talk about bird anatomy and physiology, and try to focus on aspects of their structure and function that I find especially interesting.

Check out the accompanying blog post at http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Also leave feedback at my facebook page @birdbanterpodcast

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #27 with Tammy and David McQuade

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 17:25:08 -0700

In this episode I talk with the McQuades, a birding couple who are on their 5th consecutive big year in the lower 48 states, and this is their 4th consecutive year of >600 species in the lower 48. We talk about their birding stories, birding as a couple, birding while working full time, birding on what they call the last ABA birding frontier, the Gulf of Mexico, where they bird at speeds of >50 mph using radar to find the widespread birds, and how social media has enhanced their efforts and experiences.

Check out my post on birdbanter.com where I will leave more detailed information, but here are a few links about topics discussed.

https://www.facebook.com/david.mcquade.96

Dorian Anderson's blog from his bicycle big year. http://bikingforbirds.blogspot.com/

Christian Hagenlocher's The Birding Project page: http://www.thebirdingproject.

Laura Keene's blog site https://birdtherock.com/tag/laura-keene/

Blair Bernson's blog with details of many of his 50 state saga: https://blairbirding.com

Olaf Danielson's Big Year Blog: http://olafsbigyear.blogspot.com/

John Weigel's 2019 Big Year blog https://birdingyear.com/back-in-the-game/

Good Birding and Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #26 with Tim Larson

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 22:51:41 -0700

In Episode #26 my guest Tim Larson makes a strong case for the use of poison to eradicate mice from the Farallone Islands off the coast of California. Rodent infestation of bird breeding islands is a huge issue. Seabirds are facing incredible pressure on their populations from overfishing, global warming, and other issues without solutions that have been proven to work. Rodent eradication can work, but is controversial because of the use of poisons with short-term effects on other animals than the intended rodents. Still Tim makes a case that their use is effective, proven and more humane than allowing them to continue to prey on birds who evolved to breed on islands where there were no mammalian predators. I hope you find the episode informative. Please leave a review or leave additional comments on the BirdBanter blog post related to the episode.

Here is a link to the Facebook page about the project. https://www.facebook.com/Farallones-House-Mouse-Eradication-Project-534040270353530/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Here is a link to an article about the successful project on the island where Tim worked and mentioned early in the episode. https://blog.nature.org/science/2015/12/15/miracle-palmyra-rats-birds-recovery-restoration-invasive-species-hawaii-nature-wildlife/?fbclid=IwAR0iIyQeuskChvJiokAEw9B7ImDNAZvJIidVbOBto8_DAYkl1zj8kXTEoQ4

Here is a link to a video about rodent eradication. https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/on-assignment/assignment-paradise-lost-found-n572216?fbclid=IwAR1FoCNxOaSVDxpGPAv1U2jZXWCa2fTiChaP7k740Bpcp-9RsN9Uy_Muv_M

Here is the mailing address of NOAA Tim mentioned as a place to send letters in support of the project.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 5128
Washington, DC 20230

Until next time.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #25 with Dr. John Fitchen

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 02:00:00 -0700

In The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #25 with Dr. John Fitchen we talk about the simlarities in our early lives, and then get into John's birding story. He started later than some birders, but when he got going, he hit is hard. Attu, a record breaking county big year, and now a memoir. Enjoy.

You can buy Dr. Fitchen's book Life through the lens of a Doctor-Birder: A Memoir on Amazon, or on you can get a 10% discount at this link using the code "banter": https://aerbook.com/store/fitchen

We talked a bit about the role of military physicians in early American ornithology, and you can read about this online at

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44442753?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Be sure to check out the blog post enhancing this episode at ht tp://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #24 with Nick Bonomo

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 08:08:01 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #24 Ed and Nick talk about Nick's recent Alaska trip, his 2019 "self-found" or "no chase" Connecticut big year where he is doing a big year where he does not chase birds found by others, rather looks for his own bird sightings. We also talk about his role in leading trips for the Connecticut Audubon, including an upcoming trip to sub-Saharan Africa, using NEXRAD to monitor migration, and of course his birding story.

Nick has a blog, Shorebirder.com https://www.shorebirder.com/

Here is a link to a resource for pelagic trips out of Cape Cod. https://www.brooklinebirdclub.org/pelagic-trips-2/

Here is a link to the eBird primer on using radar to follow migration. https://ebird.org/news/radar

Here is the site Nick recommends for access to radar data http://weather.rap.ucar.edu/radar/

-Nick suggests the following settings.

Product: 0.5 Reflectivity Background: (doesn't really matter) End date: Today End time: Most recent Loop duration: 3-4 hours...this gives you a good timespan to see migration in action. You can view the "liftoff" as the sun sets, or you can view the much more gradual "descent" of birds as dawn approaches. I'll be sure to put up a blog post with this info on http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/ Until next time; Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #23 with Ann Nightingale

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 20:06:09 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #23 my guest is Ann Nightingale, a Victoria B.C. birder who has become the face of Victoria birding, is a great birding ambasador, a very good birder, and a great guest on the podcast. Be sure to hear about her trans-Pacific repositioning cruise, her work at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory as a bird bander a

nd activist, and find out the origin of her enviably great name.

Here are links to some of the things we talk about in the episode:

Rocky Point Bird Observatory

http://rpbo.org/

A link to the bird call resource kit created by Ann and others. http://rpbo.org/bird_call_resource_kit.php

You can find Ann on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ann.nightingale

I hope you enjoy the episode. Until next time.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #22: Why Birding

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 02:00:00 -0700

In Episode #22 I ask why am I, and I think lots of other people, birders. Why birding and not fly-fishing or painting or a million other hobbies/passtimes. Some stories and clips from previous episodes augment the answer. Enjoy.

Here is a link to the Blair Bernson episode with the clip on. "The Rules of a Chase. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-18-with-blair-bernson/id1450449001?i=1000440536850 If you prefer a platform other than iTunes you can find links to Stitcher, Spotify and Podbean on BirdBanter.com http://birdbanter.com/

Here is a link to the Dorian Anderson episode on why birding is so attractive. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-5-with-dorian-anderson/id1450449001?i=1000430710312

Be sure to check out the blog post on BirdBanter.com to see photos and supporting information.

Good Birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #21 with Dr. Geoffrey Hill

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 02:00:00 -0700

On this episode I talk with Dr. Geoffrey Hill, professor at Auburn University, about his birding as well as his research. We spend bit of time talking about his theory on speciation, involving compatability of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. It is pretty interesting, and I expect you will find it informative and enjoyable.

Here is a link to The Hill Lab website https://www.thehilllab.com/

This is his birding website: https://www.ornithologistsblog.com/

I found this article about Dr. Hill's research and speciation theory very informative: https://aeon.co/essays/why-do-the-most-flamboyant-males-have-the-evolutionary-edge

Thanks for listening.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #20 with the Willettes

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 02:00:00 -0700

The Willettes? Is this a broadway dance group? A 60's music group? No, its a group of birder women who love to go birding together. That is of course when they are not drinking wine with bird labels, or buying or creating matching bird-theme apparel. I hope you enjoy this episode with Wilette #1, #4 and #13, also known as Diane, Faye and Laurel.

Diane Yougenson-Quinn writes the lead article for almost every Tahoma Audubon newsletter. You can see her work here: https://www.tahomaaudubon.org/newsletter

Laurel Parshall is excellent photographer and you can see lots of her work on her Flickrer site https://www.flickr.com/pho tos/llp_unesolitaire

Check out the associated blog post about the Willettes on the Bird Banter website. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/blog/

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #19 with WIll Brooks

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:00:00 -0700

In this episode I talk with Will Brooks. Will took the Pierce County, WA birding community by storm 3 years ago when he matriculated at the University of Puget Sound, about 1.5 miles from where I live. Since he has found many of the rarities in the county, has set a new Pierce County big year record with 245 species, and has earned not just the respect, bur the awe of the rest of the county birders. We talk about his birding story, his county big year, strategies for finding rare birds, and his research last summer on the local subspecies of White-crowned Sparrows. Enjoy!

Here is a link to a recent WOS newsletter where Will published an article about his research. http://wos.org/documents/wosnws/wosnews179.pdf

Here is a link to the ABC Birding club site and a writeup about his presentation to our club. http://abcbirding.com/will-brooks-tells-us-the-secrets-of-white-crowned-sparrows-march-26-2019/

This is a link to Will's eBird profile. https://ebird.org/pnw/profile/NDE3OTMx/US-WA-053

I'll put up a blog post with more details about our interview on Http://birdbanter.com

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #18 with Blair Bernson

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 17:48:24 -0700

In this episode Ed and Blair talk about Blair's birding story as well as his 50-50-50 quest to see 50 species of birds in one day in each of the 50 United States each with a local birder. Enjoy.

Check out Blair's blog at https://blairbirding.com/

You can also find blair on Facebook as Blair Bernson or often posting to the Washington Birding listserv, Tweeters. http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pipermail/tweeters/

Be sure to leave a review and rating whereever you get your podcast feed. Check out Birdbanter.com for more details about this blog post and to check out prior episodes. You can also get direct links to The Bird Banter Podcast on the iTunes store, Stitcher or Spotify there

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #17 Memorial Day Weekend

Tue, 28 May 2019 09:50:26 -0700

On Episode #17 Ed talks about the recent Memorial Day weekend, memories of this weekend gone by, and the recent ABC Birding meeting where Ken Brown from Episodes #2 and #6 presents a talk on birding names and nomenclature.

Ed talks about stumbling onto a colony of nesting Pigeon Guillemots on Anderson Island, and the Willettes, a group of women in the ABC club.

Check out the post on the ABC Birding Blog about Ken's talk. http://abcbirding.com/whats-in-a-name-ken-on-bird-names-and-nomenclature/

Look for more about this episode on the blog at BirdBanter.com. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/2019/05/28/the-bird-banter-podcast-episode-17-memorial-day-weekend-notes/

Until nest time. Good Birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #17 with Shawneen Finnegan

Mon, 20 May 2019 03:00:00 -0700

In this episode Ed talks with Shawneen Finnegan, one of the top U.S. birders who offers a wealth of perspective on birding, rare birds commettees and what it has been like to be a top female birder when at times she was part of a significant minority.

Here is a link to Shawneen's Linked In page. https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawneen-finnegan-4200501a/

Here is her new website where she show paintings of pets. https://www.shawneenfinnegan.com/

Check out my website where I have a blog, as well as links to all of my previous podcast episodes, as well as quick ways to access the podcast episodes on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher. http://birdbanter.com/

Here is a link to the 5-day San Diego Pelagic Trip web site we talk about in this episode. https://www.bajawhale.com/wildlife-tours/pelagic-birding-tours/

Be sure to leave a review on the iTunes store or whereever you get your podcast feed.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #16 with Alvaro Jaramillo

Thu, 16 May 2019 04:00:00 -0700

In this episode Ed talks with Alvaro Jaramillo about his career in birding and his experiences. Alvaro is an author, a tour company guide, a top expert in the American tropics, and a respected expert on gulls, new-world blackbirds, and pelagic birds.

You can follow Alvaro on his facebook page or at his web site Alvaro's Adventures, http://alvarosadventures.com/

He wrote the Peterson Guide to the Birds of Chile you can find on Amazon at https://smile.amazon.com/Birds-Chile-Princeton-Field-Guides/dp/0691117403/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=TOABLEDFF5NZ&keywords=birds+of+chile%2C+alvaro+jaramillo&qid=1557964332&s=gateway&sprefix=alvaro+jaramillo%2Caps%2C205&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Here is a link to Amazon for his book on the new world blackbirds. https://smile.amazon.com/New-World-Blackbirds-Alvaro-Jaramillo/dp/0691006806/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=new+world+blackbirds&qid=1557964406&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Thanks for listening. Good birding. Good day.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #15: Ed on the WOS Convention and Mainstream Birding News

Tue, 14 May 2019 10:28:54 -0700

On The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #15 Ed talks about his experience at the Moses Lake WOS convention he attended last weekend, as well as two mainstream tidbits of birding news.

Link to the Atlantic article on the Birdsafe Cat Collar. Maybe a way to allow your cat outdoors without killing so many birds.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2015/12/accessories-for-your-murderous-pet/419601/

Article on the feral cat problem in the U.S.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/6/us-is-overrun-withmorethan50millionferalcats.html

Article on the rail that has been found as an avian example of iterative evolution, where a once extincet species reevolves from a common ancestor. Cool stuff.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/vb9bpm/this-bird-went-extinct-and-then-evolved-into-existence-again?utm_source=vicefbus&fbclid=IwAR2vJD_DkPYtZqM7TGVRCI0P7MccmEFAR6-RJUP5wljvrT_o_nAwuGDKyOM

Be sure to subscribe to The Bird Banter Podcast on the iTunes store, or Spotify or Stitcher. Also please leave a review and rating.

Until next time. Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #14 with Art Wang

Mon, 06 May 2019 12:05:46 -0700

In The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #14 Art Wang is Ed’s guest. Art is a longtime birder and neighbor of Ed in Tacoma. Art stated birding at a young age in California, has a long history of environmental and political activism, and has a great birding story. Enjoy.

Here is a link to the Tahoma Audubon Society Bird-a-thon fundraising page for Art’s May 11th birdathon. Proceeds go to the education, conservation and other efforts of TAS. https://tahoma.z2systems.com/np/clients/tahoma/campaign.jsp?campaign=62&fundraiser=8984&

This is a link to Ed’s recent post on the Gray’s Harbor Shorebird Festival trip mentioned in the podcast. Check out the photos. http://birdbanter.com/index.php/2019/05/06/grays-harbor-shorebird-festival-field-trip-today/

Leave a review and rating on the iTunes Store or other podcast feed site.

Good birding. Good Day!

TheBird Banter Podcast: Last Day in the Sahara and Off to Ifrane

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 13:41:56 -0700

Ed talks about the unexpected diversity of birding habitats found on his Morocco trip, as well as a little about the cultural differences observed between more populated and remote places.

Desert Sparrow and Fulvous Chatterer searches take up much of the last day in the desert, and on the way to Ifrane Lesser Short-toed Lark and Wood Lark are two new lifers found.

The trip is winding down. Back to Washington State birding and listerners can expect more typical episodes featuring guests coming soon.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast: Birding Near Merzouga in the Sahara Desert

Fri, 26 Apr 2019 10:20:42 -0700

After a shorter day of birding host Ed Pullen talks about birding around Merzouga, a town on the edge of the Sahara that caters to tourists wanting a taste of the desert.

Birding was great, seeing the Sahara was great, and having a shorter day was timely.

Check out BirdBanter.com for a post with photos and more details.

Good Birding. Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast: Morocco High Atlas and Desert Birding

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 12:59:39 -0700

On Day 7 of Ed's Morocco trip the group leaves Agadir heading east in the valley between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas Ranges, then crossed the High Atlas Range twice, first south to north, then back again in search of high-altitude specialties. Then on to spend the night in the valley, before spending Day 8 in scrub-desert headed towards the Sahara.

Highlight birds are Tristan's Warbler, Leaviallant's Woodpecker and lots of larks and wheatears.

The Moroccan world continues to be welcoming and exotic.

Check out http://birdbanter.com to see blog posts with photos and more details.

The Bird Banter Podcast: Morocco Days 5 & 6 - Agadir

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 13:07:00 -0700

On Day 5 we leave Marrakech and travel to Agadir, with stops enroute for the Northern Bald Ibis, Audouin's Gull, Ruddy Shelduck, and lots more. The coast of Morocco we pass through is the vacation beach area of choice for Moroccans and has beautiful beaches, scrub-desert habitat, and lots of birds.

The Bird Banter Podcast Episode #13 with Dalton Spencer

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 07:00:00 -0700

In episode #12 hose host Ed Pullen talks with Dalton Spencer, a young birder from Lewis County, WA. Ed first talks about an uncoming trip to Morocco, and then Ed and Dalton talk about life as a young birder. It brings back memories of when every birding experience was new and exciting, and they discuss how a young birder gets involved in the birding scene.

A link to Dalton's eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/NzUxMTc2/US-WA-041

The Legacy Tours website for the tour group Ed is joining on his upcoming Morocco Trip. https://legacy-tours.com/

A checklist from the 2016 tour with an agenda similar to Ed's Morocco Trip. https://legacy-tours.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/9.April-5th-19th-2016-MOROCCO-BIRD-LIST.pdf

As a 16 year old Dalton organized and complied the numbers for a new Christmas Bird Count in Lewis County, WA. Here is a link to a local newspaper article about that effort. http://www.chronline.com/christmas-bird-count-comes-to-lewis-county/article_c668242c-040f-11e9-b40f-d7bdf9924154.html

Please check out BirdBanter.com for more related info, and for news as Ed tours Morocco.

Until next time, Good Birding! Good Day!

The Bird Banter Podcast: A Day Birtding in the Atlas Mountains

Sat, 20 Apr 2019 13:59:48 -0700

On the 4th day of my Morocco Birding Tour we drove from Marrakech (not the butchered city name I use in this one take recording) to a ski resort on Oukoimeden Mountain in the High Atlas Range. Our elevation in the parking lot from where we walked up was 8600' and we walked 7+ miles, so I'm about ready to crash as I post this episode.

Our in-country guide is Mohamed Bargache, so we joked that today Mohamed took us to the mountain.

The bird mentioned is Crimson-winged Finch, not bunting or sparrow as I said in the recording.

I hope you are enjoying my one-take and publish episodes from this trip.

I'll also post blog summaries of many of the days.

Good birding. Good day!

The Bird Banter Podcast: Morocco Day 3 Update

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 14:09:11 -0700

On the third day of the Legacy Tours Morocco Trip we birded again in the upland area north of Rabat in heavy rain, and then stopped once at a Gazelle reintroduction preserve on the way to Marrakech. The birds were cool, but the Medina at Marrakech is the primary topic of this brief episode.

Enjoy.

Good birding. Good day!