The Field Guides

The Field Guides episodes:

• 04.01.2024

  Ep. 64 - Let's Look at the Eclipse! (Not Literally)

  Who doesn’t love an eclipse? Apparently, wildlife has very mixed feelings about the whole affair. This month, the guys prepare for the upcoming 2024 total eclipse by looking into the research around how animals react to the moon photobombing the...

  
• 02.22.2024

  Ep. 63 - Field Trip!: On the Trail of the Florida Panther

  Bill meets Daniel in south Florida to record an episode about the Florida Panther and tackle the questions and misconceptions that leave this cat shrouded in mystery.

  
• 01.23.2024

  Ep. 62 - Timber Rattlesnakes: Still Endangered, Still Danger Noodle-y (Part 2)

  Part 2 of our Timber Rattlesnake episode. If you haven’t listened to part 1, go and do that. We’ll wait right here for you. The episode was recorded on December 7, 2023 at Hunters Creek County Park in East Aurora,...

  
• 12.26.2023

  Ep. 62 - Timber Rattlesnakes: Endangered Danger Noodles(Part 1)

  Love ‘em or hate ‘em, we wager you’ll enjoy this dive into the shiny (not slimy) world of rattlesnakes. This episode, the guys take a close look (but not too close) at the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), trying to show...

  
• 06.29.2023

  Ep. 61 - Bill and Steve’s Floating Fen Foray (featuring the WNY Land Conservancy)

  This month, Bill and Steve visit Floating Fen, although some might call it a bog, or is it a swamp? Thankfully, they’re joined by Erik Danielson, Stewardship Coordinator of the Western NY Land Conservancy (WNYLC), who schools them on the...

  
• 05.25.2023

  Ep. 60 - The True(?) Story of the Bald Eagle

  The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a rare example of a species humans managed to pull back from the brink of extinction by getting off our collective asses and doing some stuff. Already decimated by hunting and habitat loss, the...

  
• 02.07.2023

  Ep. 59 - Beavers! (No Damn Puns, Please)

  They’re hard-working, tail-slapping, tree cutting machines, and they’re one of the greatest wildlife recovery stories in North America: Castor canadensis, the North American beaver. And, as if all that weren’t enough, apparently their rear ends produce an oil that’s vanilla-scented....

  
• 11.30.2022

  Ep. 58 - Insectapalooza! (Part 2)

  Our six-legged celebration continues! In this second part, the guys wrap up their behind-the-scenes tour of the Cornell University Insect Collection with Jason Dombroskie, collection manager and director of the insect diagnostic lab, and THEN, Jason provides the guys with...

  
• 09.30.2022

  Ep. 58 - Insectapalooza! (Part 1)

  This month, Bill and Steve geek out over insects! And it’s because they were lucky enough to have an even bigger insect geek invite them on a field trip. Jason Dombroskie is the collection manager and director of the insect...

  
• 07.31.2022

  Ep. 57 - Mockingbirds Gonna Mock

  Have you ever heard a mockingbird imitate a blue jay? How about a seal imitating a Maine fisherman? This month, the guys explore what happens when animals make sounds they’re not supposed to: the wild world of vocal mimicry. Birds...

  
• 05.26.2022

  Ep. 56 - Let's Get Nuts!

  Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a tree well-known for its ability to negatively affect other plants growing nearby, a phenomenon known as allelopathy. But is Black Walnut really as allelopathic as the Internet would have you believe? In this episode,...

  
• 01.31.2022

  Ep. 55 - Bill and Steve Go to Hell(benders)

  What’s dark and slimy and over two feet long? It’s an Eastern Hellbender! This aquatic giant salamander, endemic to the eastern and central US, is the largest amphibian in North America, often weighing in at over 4 lbs.! The hellbender...

  
• 10.03.2021

  Ep. 54 - Can't Touch This: A Deep Dive Into Touch-me-not

  Jewelweed. Spotted touch-me-not. Orange Balsam. It’s a plant known by many names, and, even if you don’t recognize any of them, you’ve probably popped one of its exploding seed pods. A favorite of hummingbirds and nature-lovers young and old, it’s...

  
• 08.31.2021

  Ep. 53 - The American Chestnut & the Western NY Land Conservancy @ the Allegany Wildlands (Part 2)

  In part 2 of this month’s episode, the guys share how past and present research come together to create a realistic plan for bringing the American chestnut back, and Erik shares more about how the Allegany Wildlands fit into the...

  
• 08.31.2021

  Ep. 53 - The American Chestnut & the Western NY Land Conservancy @ the Allegany Wildlands (Part 1)

  This month, Bill and Steve look into the fall and (potential) rise of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata), and they’re joined by Erik Danielson, Stewardship Coordinator of the Western NY Land Conservancy. The Conservancy recently embarked on an effort to...

  
• 06.30.2021

  Ep. 52 - Who's Your Daddy (Longlegs)?

  This month, the guys set out to discover if daddy longlegs really are the most poisonous spider in the world, but, along the way, they uncover a fascinating array of arachnids and adaptations in the group known collectively as harvestmen....

  
• 05.29.2021

  Ep. 51 - Flickers Foolin' Around: Sex Roles in a North American Woodpecker

  The northern flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a common bird that has some exceptionally uncommon behaviors. Unlike most bird species, male flickers take an equal share of egg incubation and feeding, and, in up to five percent of females, a lady...

  
• 03.30.2021

  Ep. 50 - Antifreeze Fleas and More Winter-Active Insects (Feat. Dr. Wayne Gall)

  Spring is here! So, what better time to talk about winter-active insects? Steve recorded this one in February with entomologist and all-around-great-guy Dr. Wayne Gall, and there was no way we could wait until next winter to share it! Join...

  
• 02.21.2021

  Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 2)

  This winter (2021) marked the first time a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) was spotted in New York City’s Central Park in 130 years. Why was it there? Where did it come from? Since 99.9% of the population immediately just thinks...

  
• 02.11.2021

  Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 1)

  This winter (2021) marked the first time a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) was spotted in New York City’s Central Park in 130 years. Why was it there? Where did it come from? Since 99.9% of the population immediately just thinks...

  
• 11.15.2020

  Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 2)

  Now that Bill’s done droning on about animals, we can finally talk about PLANTS! and CARNIVOROUS plants at that. Steve reviews carnivorous plants in general and then breaks into examples of carnivorous plants that have evolved to eat poop: Roridula...

  
• 11.15.2020

  Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 1)

  With the high-end guests we’ve recently had on, we’re concerned that the podcast is getting a bit too classy. So, this month, we’re getting down and dirty, delving into the delightful topic of defecation. Specifically, animals that eat poop. We...

  
• 09.30.2020

  Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 2)

  Welcome to part 2 of our field trip to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. In this segment, Bill and Steve take a hike with Twan Leenders, Senior Director of Science & Conservation at the Institute. Twan has had a career...

  
• 09.30.2020

  Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 1)

  This month, Bill and Steve visit The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY. In part 1, we talk with CEO Arthur Pearson, delving into Roger Tory Peterson’s background, his influence on the modern field guide, how field guides influence...

  
• 09.02.2020

  Ep. 46 - The Piping Plovers of Sandy Island Beach

  This month’s episode is all about the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), a small shorebird that is endangered in New York State. Bill and Steve head off to Pulaski, New York to visit Sandy Island Beach State Park where plovers have...

  
• 07.26.2020

  Ep. 45 - In Search of A Nice Set of Pipes

  Rising from the forest floor in a ghostly array of pale, slender stalks, Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) is a forest floor denizen both beautiful and extraordinary. Many people mistake it for a fungus because It lacks chlorophyll. For many years,...

  
• 07.05.2020

  Ep. 44 - Bryozoans & The Western New York Land Conservancy @ The College Lodge

  This episode is all about those gross jelly blobs that you might see in marinas (AKA Bryozoans!). Bill and Steve are joined by Jajean Rose-Burney, Deputy Executive Director of the Western New York Land Conservancy. Jajean guides Bill and Steve...

  
• 06.02.2020

  Bonus 09 - Finding a Job in the Wild - An Interview with Matt Gaffney

  Have you ever dreamed of ditching your day job and pursuing a career in the woods? Maybe working with wolves in the desert southwest or conducting plant surveys in the wilds of Alaska? Well, Matt Gaffney did it! Leaving behind...

  
• 05.15.2020

  Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 2) - The Coywolf?

  This month, Steve and Bill present part 2 of their episode on coyotes, focusing on the questions, “How big of a threat to livestock are coyotes?” and, “Is the coyote in the east a new species?”

  
• 04.12.2020

  Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 1)

  Awooooo! This month, Bill and Steve talk all about coyotes.

  
• 02.01.2020

  Ep. 42 - It's Worth the Wait: Reproductive Delays and the 'Merican Black Bear

  During this episode, Bill breaks down the topic of reproductive delays, with a special focus on the American black bear (Ursus americanus). Come join the guys as they “peek inside the den”, and uncover this seldom-discussed aspect of the sex...

  
• 11.24.2019

  Ep. 41 - The Autumn Episode (Pumpkin Spice-flavored)

  …And we’re back! After a lengthy hiatus, Bill and Steve return with an episode focused on the fall. Specifically, they look into why fall is the neglected season when it comes to climate change research. Is it a conspiracy? Is...

  
• 07.31.2019

  Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 2) - How Safe is Bird Banding?

  Welcome to part 2 of our episode on bird banding! In this part, we look at what the research has to say about how birds fare during and after the banding process. All research that involves capturing and handling wildlife...

  
• 07.31.2019

  Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 1) - All About Bird Banding

  A bird alights on a nearby branch, and, for a brief moment, a flash of silver on the bird’s leg catches your eye. If you’re fortunate enough to get a closer look, you might notice that the reflection comes from...

  
• 07.01.2019

  Ep. 39 - The Alliterative Purple Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous Series #1)

  Carnivorous plants are the renegades of the plant world. About 800 known species have gone from primary producers to immobile predators. In this episode, Steve goes on and on and on about everything you want to know about carnivorous plants...

  
• 05.15.2019

  Ep. 38 - Ants in Our Plants

  Have you ever heard of myrmecochory? It may not pop up much in casual conversation, but this strange word is your doorway to a tiny, fascinating world of ant-plant interactions. Myrmecochory is seed dispersal by ants (don’t worry, we cover...

  
• 04.04.2019

  Ep. 37 - Bill and Steve Go Timberdoodlin'

  In spring, a naturalist’s fancy turns to thoughts of Timberdoodlin’, and that means heading out into the spring twilight, finding a brushy meadow, and listening for the buzzy “Peent!” of the American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) . AKA the Timberdoodle,...

  
• 03.29.2019

  Ep. 36 - Spring Science Geek Out!

  Spring is here, and the guys hit the trail to discuss spring-related science, including how climate change is impacting global plant growth and how it’s changing bird migration. Plus, Bill gives a (sort of) rebuttal to Steve’s unprovoked and vicious...

  
• 02.19.2019

  Ep. 35 - The Receding Hare Line (and More Snow-related Science)

  It’s Snow-and-Tell time! We’re deep into winter right now, and spring seems snow far away. So, we decided to embrace the season and look into recent research around a topic that would be sure to provide plenty of puns for...

  
• 01.20.2019

  Ep. 34 - The Downy-Hairy Game

  Did you ever wonder why Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers look so much alike? No? Neither did we, but it was because we always assumed they were just closely related species. Maybe you did, too, but thanks to the wonders of...

  
• 12.01.2018

  Ep. 33 - Hart's-Tongue Fern - Restoring an Endangered Species

  “Richer than millionaires! Happier than Kings! Envied by multitudes! May be said of hobnobbers with Hart’s-tongues.” So said one enthusiast of the Hart’s-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum) long ago, and we think you’ll agree. This species is exceptional in many...

  
• 11.04.2018

  Ep. 32 - The Devil Crayfish (Feat. Dr. Wayne Gall)

  Have you ever heard of a burrowing crayfish? We hadn’t, until our much-smarter-than-us friend, Dr. Wayne Gall, shared the story of how he discovered one particular species living in western NY 30 years ago - Cambarus diogenes - the Devil...

  
• 09.10.2018

  Bonus 08 - The Field Guides Live! (at the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage)

  Imagine a gathering of nature-lovers where, for three days, you could attend hikes, talks, and other programs on dozens of natural history topics. Such a gathering takes place each year in Allegany State Park in southwestern NY. For over sixty...

  
• 08.08.2018

  Ep. 31 - Magic Cicadas

  Nearly every year, somewhere in the eastern US, a brood of periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) emerges for the first time in 13 or 17 years. Each brood contains millions of individuals and it's probably one of the most spectacular displays...

  
• 07.25.2018

  Bonus 07 - Wild Ideas...The Podcast (Feat. Gordon Maupin)

  During this bonus episode, Bill interviews Gordon Maupin, former director of the Wilderness Center in northeastern Ohio and, along with Joann Ballbach and Gary Popotnik, the former host of "Wild Ideas...The Podcast". "Wild Ideas" was (and is) an excellent resource for information...

  
• 07.14.2018

  Ep. 30 - Have You Seen the Light?: Foxfire and Bioluminescent Fungi

  Have you seen the light? This month, the guys take their first foray into the world of fungi, specifically bioluminescent fungi! Although fireflies and other glowing critters have been well researched, fungi that glow are not nearly as well understood....

  
• 06.09.2018

  Ep. 29 - Jack-in-the-Pulpit, AKA George-Michael-in-the-Banana-Stand

  This is the story of two guys who enter the woods looking for Arisaema triphyllum, the graceful woodland wildflower known to many as Jack-in-the-pulpit. Not only is it beautiful to behold, but this member of the Arum family has a...

  
• 05.07.2018

  Ep. 28 - Spring Ephemerals: The Spotted Salamander

  The great salamander migration has begun! ...and ended... Every spring there is a small window of time when adult spotted salamanders emerge from their subterranean homes and mate in nearby seasonal wetlands. Bill, Steve, Rich, and Donna venture out to...

  
• 04.06.2018

  Ep. 27 - Spring Ephemerals: Skunk Cabbage

  It's not a skunk... and it's not a cabbage... This month, Steve and Bill discuss Skunk Cabbage. The guys go over the spathe, spadix, contractile roots, and thermogenesis, among other things. We also pose maybe too many questions to our audience:...

  
• 03.17.2018

  Bonus 06 - Spring Ephemerals: Coltsfoot

  Today we begin the first of many future episodes about spring ephemeral wildflowers. During this episode, Steve and Bill talk about Coltsfoot's adaptations, life cycle, use as a cooking spice, and toxicity. Unfortunately, the guys never figure out what the...