Bird’s Eye View

In this episode I had a great conversation with Dr. Rich Kostecke from Austin, Texas. He is Director of Science and Stewardship for Hill Country Conservancy. We chatted about the great birds of the hill county of central Texas, his favorite birds and ecoregions, Hill Country Conservancy, his work in conservation, and the Colima x Virginia's Warbler hybrid swarm of Davis Mountains in west Texas. Thank you, Rich!

Check out the HILL COUNTRY CONSERVANCY website. Here is Rich's eBIRD CHECKLIST FOR COLIMA x VIRGINIA'S WARBLER HYBRIDS and RICH'S eBIRD PROFILE.

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Let's chat about the Common Raven, White-winged Dove and Say's Phoebe. My hope is that these Just About The Birds episodes increase understanding, appreciation, and conservation. We can all help to conserve these amazing avian species! Thank you for all that you do to support them!  Please consider following this link to SUPPORT THE SHOW! It is much appreciated! 

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In this episode, I had a fun conversation with Derek Sallmann from Wisconsin. We chatted about Great Tit in Wisconsin, recent birding trips to California and the boundary waters in Minnesota, guiding, listing, and his great music. Derek and his brother Ryan will be at BIRDING FESTIVAL OF THE SOUTH October 8-10.

Check out THE BIRDING GAME (use code BADGERLAND for 40% off if you get the paid version). LISTEN TO DEREK'S MUSIC ON SPOTIFY. WATCH DEREK GUIDE AT THE RGV BIRDING FESTIVAL. Here is a video of the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō SINGING FOR THE LAST TIME.

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Levi and I spent a nice several hours birding in The Crosstimbers. The Crosstimbers region of Oklahoma is an ecological transition zone running north to south through the center of the state. It forms a natural border where the moist eastern deciduous forests meet the dry western Great Plains prairies. Some of the best birds of the day were Yellow Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, White-eyed Vireo, Least Flycatcher, and Summer Tanager. Checkout our OUR eBIRD CHECKLIST. Please consider following this link to SUPPORT THE SHOW! It is much appreciated!

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In this episode I chatted with Virginia Radford about our March trip to NM and AZ, last summer's trip to Idaho, a book we are both currently reading (SLOW BIRDING BY JOAN E. STRASSMANN), some favorite birds to observe, and some of the ways we enjoy slow bird watching. Thank you, Virginia! Please consider following this link to SUPPORT THE SHOW! It is much appreciated! 

Invocation audio: Swainson's Warblers at Smithgall Woods, Georgia.

Benediction audio: Lesser and Greater Prairie-Chickens at Hays, Kansas.

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In this episode, I had a very fun conversation with Jeanette Jaskula in Indiana. We chatted about her background and love for birds, Indiana's ecoregions, places she loves to explore in Indiana, the evolution of her love for moths, and some great moth natural history stories.

Visit this KANKAKEE SANDS NATURE PRESERVE link. Jeanette is the president of FRIENDS OF SANDS, a volunteer group that supports The Nature Conservancy and the other conservation groups in the Kankakee Sands ecoregion. And here is the observation of STEPHENSIA MAJOR, not seen since it was first described in 1907!

Thank you Jeanette! 

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Invocation audio: Swainson's Warblers at Smithgall Woods, Georgia.

Benediction audio: Kentucky Warblers at Bixhoma Lake, Oklahoma.

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In this episode I had a great conversation with Alexis and Jake Thompson from Patagonia, Arizona! We chatted about the evolution of their love for birds, how they met, the Paton Center for the Hummingbirds, Arizona Birding Guides, and what they each do to work toward the conservation of the birds they both love so much. Thank you both for all you do! Please follow the links to learn more!

TUCSON BIRD ALLIANCE

PATON CENTER FOR THE HUMMINGBIRDS

SOUTHEAST ARIZONA BIRDING FESTIVAL

ARIZONA BIRDING GUIDES

HUMMINGBIRD CONSERVATION NETWORKS

ARIZONA BIRDING GUIDES FEEDERS - HOTSPOT

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Lucas McGraw was born and raised in Wooster, OH until around 2009 when his mom joined the Army and he moved around the country as a military brat. He has lived in many states and ultimately ended up in Tulsa where he attended ORU. He met his wife, Pat, at ORU and married her to 2023. They still live locally with their dog, and he is pursuing a Counseling Psychology Master's degree at OSU. 

In his free time, Lucas runs a podcast/company that hosts trivia called Knowledge Quest Trivia. I would call it a trivia variety show. There are many formats on that show and they are entering season 4, debuting on Aug. 6th! Find KNOWLEDGE QUEST TRIVIA on all podcast platforms and follow KNOWLEDGE QUEST TRIVIA ON INSTAGRAM.

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In this episode I had a great conversation with Kim Score from Silver City, New Mexico. We chatted about the amazing diversity of birds in her New Mexico backyard, how she fell in love with birds and nature, bird point counts, guiding, and so much more! Visit BIRDING PAL (BIRDWATCHING IN NM). Find KIM SCORE ON ORNIVERSE and learn about Kim's guiding at NATURAL SELECTION TOURS.

Kim's Email: [email protected]

Invocation audio: Swainson's Warblers at Smithgall Woods, Georgia.

Benediction audio: Greater and Lesser Prairie-Chickens at Smoky Ranch, Kansas.

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In this episode, I had a great conversation with Dr. Doug Tallamy. We chatted about birds on his property in PA, the vital role of native plants, keystone plant species, moths, Homegrown National Park, and a lot more! Visit HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK to register your property! Learn all about Dr. Doug Tallamy and order his books at DOUG TALLAMY'S HUB. And be sure to find the BEST NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR ZIP CODE. Thank you for listening and thank you Doug!

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