Arizona Bird Call

An account of how an owl nest was saved following an invasion by a swarm of bees. A nature photographer and a beekeeper teamed up to move owl eggs from the nest to a quickly constructed nest box that was then mounted nearby. The female owl quickly took up residence and raised newly hatched owlettes to fledging. A report on Arizona Trail association's 'Seeds of Stewardship' initiative that introduces youth to nature. Bird of the episode: White-winged Dove. Birding hotspot: Marble Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Friend of wildlife: Friends of the San Pedro River. 

An update on research that describes how birds learn to communicate with one another through imitation and practice. A report on how bird losses affect the ability of some plant species to expand their ranges leaving them vulnerable to disease and ecological changes that can lead to extinction. Bird of the episode: Gambel's Quail. Birding hotspot: Huachuca Mountains Important Bird Area (IBA). Friends of wildlife: the Sonoran Institute.

A perspective on the extraordinary conservation movement involving social, cultural, industrial and political alliances that let to the establishment of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Bird of the episode: Abert's Towhee. Birding hotspot: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge IBA. Friend of wildlife: Hall Lab at Arizona State University.

A report on work underway to mitigate wildfire danger along roadways in Patagonia. A description of 'dust bathing,' a desert bird behavior among quail and other species that appears to help maintain good feather structure and control ectoparasites. A report on a field trip to Oak Flat campground by Maricopa Audubon Society. Bird of the episode: Ruddy Ground Dove. Birding hotspot: Anderson Mesa southeast of Flagstaff. Friend of wildlife: Southwest Audubon.

A report on new research indicating songbirds communicate across species during overnight migration. These findings are challenging long held beliefs about bird communication in general. A report on how and why the City of Tucson is using goats to control wetland plant growth in recharge basins at Sweetwater Wetlands. An introduction to Wilson's Warbler, a tiny songbird common to Arizona riparian areas Spring through Fall.
Bird of the episode: Red-tailed Hawk. Birding hotspot: Lower Oak Creek IBA in central Arizona. Friend of wildlife: Nature Conservancy of Arizona.

A review of the Kenn Kaufman book 'The Birds Audubon Missed' by Tom Gatz. New research on effects of fireworks on birds. Bird of the episode: Curve-billed Thrasher. Birding hotspot: Arivaca Lake south of Tucson. Friend of wildlife: Grand Canyon Trust.

An extensive report of bird detections captured by the Haikubox located on my patio in the North Valley of the Phoenix metro. Bird of the episode: Vaux's Swift. Birding hotspot of the episode: Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Important Bird Area (IBA) on the lower Colorado River near Yuma. Friends of wildlife: Phoenix Mountains Preservation Council.

A look at how birds raise their young from egg laying to hatching to fledging. An overview of the unique behavior of corvids (jays) and why they are such an attraction among birders. Bird of the episode: the Upland Sandpiper. Birding Hotspot: Gilbert Riparian Water Ranch, Gilbert, in the heart of the Phoenix Metro. Friends of Wildlife: Friends of Saguaro National Park.

Information about restrictions on activity near Bald Eagle nest sites across Arizona as a new breeding cycle begins.  California Condor recently released into the wilds of northern Arizona returns to the site where the egg from which she hatched was retrieved and incubated by biologists following the death of her mother from Avian flu. Incredibly, she had a brief encounter with her father as the two shared a meal. Bird of the episode: Western Grebe. Birding hotspot: Apache Creek Wilderness. Friend of wildlife organization: Altar Valley Conservation Alliance.

Sweetwater Wetlands reopens to wetland birds and birders after controlled burns eradicate invasive wetland plant species. Arizona Field Ornithologists conduct field expedition to Greenlee County. Cochise County receives $1.5 million Arizona state grant for water recharge project to protect San Pedro River. Birdability continues work promoting projects to enhance wildlife viewing for all. 72-year-old Albatross, oldest known wild bird, lays an egg. Bird of the episode: Gila Woodpecker. Birding hotspot: Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Friend of wildlife: Friends of the Sonoran Desert.