Bird’s Eye View

In this episode, Jim Kettelkamp shares highlights of his very big 2023 birding year. On family trips, he visited and birded in 23 states by van, boat, and truck. He encountered and identified 477 birds in the US! 

Episode image photo by Jim Kettelkamp in Mount Ranier National Park

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In my friend Amy Prentice's own words: "As someone who loves birds but is not an expert in birding, I decided to explore this topic more by collaborating with a seasoned birder to shed light on this subject." In this episode, Amy interviews me. Thank you Amy!

Please read Amy's article on the topic...
Birding for Beginners | A Discussion with a Seasoned Birder - Toad and Sage Garden

Her website is full of resources...
Toad and Sage Garden

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Happy New Year!!! In this episode my friend Karen Clements Seward talks about her winter Hummingbirds, birding the US, and her efforts in habitat restoration on a property she and her husband purchased in Georgia. She has worked with the state of Georgia and the USDA to improve bird habitat. Thank you Karen!

Virginia Society of Ornithology

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

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Eric Duell is a plant ecologist with broad interests in plant-soil-microbial interactions and the influence of these interactions on individual plant health and performance, as well as plant community structure and function. In this episode, Eric talks about his work in prairie conservation... from soil microbes to plant communities to birds. He explains many key concepts, including the need for healthy soil microbes to ultimately have healthy native bird communities.

Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research
KU Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Group
Eric Duell - Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Prairie Birds 101 | Audubon

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In this episode Jim Kettelkamp shares his thoughts on Iowa conservation challenges, solutions we can all participate in (no matter where we live), and some unique birds in Iowa including Henslow's Sparrow & Greater Prairie-Chicken. Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Please follow the links to these Iowa conservation organizations to see what they are doing!...

Wings 2 Water
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Prairie Network | Prairie Conservation
Bur Oak Land Trust
The Nature Conservancy in Iowa
Iowa Ornithologists' Union
Iowa Audubon

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In this episode, Stephen Falick talks about his birding and current Brewster County big year in Trans-Pecos Texas. We also chat about herping, the snakes of the Trans-Pecos, and rattlesnake roundups. Here are some links for birds, wildlife, and conservation of the Trans-Pecos...

Trans-Pecos Birds Conservation

Brewster, TX, US on eBird

West Texas Wildlife District

Trans-Pecos | Defenders of Wildlife

Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration

Here are some of Stephen's fantastic eBird checklists...

eBird Checklist - 24 Apr 2023 - Fort Peña Colorado - 46 species
eBird Checklist - 24 Apr 2023 - Gage Gardens - 58 species
eBird Checklist - 6 Jan 2023 - Lajitas - 42 species
eBird Checklist - 7 Dec 2022 - Kokernot Municipal Park - 16 species
eBird Checklist - 21 Nov 2022 - Alpine Cemetery - 24 species
eBird Checklist - 27 Feb 2023 - Lajitas - 45 species
eBird Checklist - 27 Apr 2019 - Big Bend Boot Canyon - 31 species
eBird Checklist - 29 Apr 2023 - Big Bend Boot Spring - 33 species
eBird Checklist - 22 Nov 2022 - Alpine Cemetery - 24 species
eBird Checklist - 9 Feb 2023 - Alpine Cemetery - 22 species
eBird Checklist - 26 Apr 2022 - Gage Gardens - 44 species

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In this episode, I chat with Noah Arthur. He is not a lister, but a self-found rarity chaser! We talk about his love for birds, how he finds rare California Warblers and Gulls, and many ID tips. Thanks Noah!

Noah loves people to reach out, send Gull pictures, and ask ID questions! Find him on Facebook...

Facebook: Noah Arthur's Personal Page

Facebook: Noah Arthur - Gulling California

Facebook: Noah Arthur - Bird and Wildlife Artwork

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In this episode, my guest is Stephen Hummel. Stephen is the Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator with the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory. Stephen works with communities, oil and gas companies, parks, governments, and other organizations in far western Texas to adopt better lighting practices and reduce light pollution. Stephen is committee chair for the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest certified Dark Sky Place in the world. In his spare time, Stephen is an award-winning photographer of the night sky and has been featured by National Geographic, NASA, Smithsonian Magazine, and more. Thank you, Stephen, for all you do!

Please follow these links for great learning resources...

McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas

Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve

Dark Sky International | Protecting the night skies

Example of birds affected by artificial light at night outside of the migration period:

Pre-migration artificial light at night advances the spring migration timing

Another good resource on birds and light pollution:

BirdCast - Bird migration forecasts in real-time

Intro audio: Swainson's Warblers and American Crows. Smithgall Woods, Georgia.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)
Exit audio: Kentucky Warblers. Lake Bixhoma, Oklahoma.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)

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In this episode, Alex Eberts talks about the many great birds he's found in Ohio, banding nearly 2,000 birds at Black Swamp Bird Observatory, and his current research on breeding Bell's Vireos. Enjoy!

Black Swamp Bird Observatory Website
BSBO Facebook Page
BWIAB - Biggest Week in American Birding Website
BWIAB Facebook Page

Here are several of Alex's notable eBird checklists from Ohio and Texas...

eBird Checklist - 1 Sep 2023 - Ohio Flamingos!
eBird Checklist - 4 May 2023 - Colima Warbler!
eBird Checklist - 18 Oct 2021 - Ohio Yellow Rail!
eBird Checklist - 23 May 2021 - 173 Whimbrels!
eBird Checklist - 16 Apr 2021 - Rare Ohio Brewer's Blackbird!

Intro audio: Swainson's Warblers and American Crows. Smithgall Woods, Georgia.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)
Exit audio: Kentucky Warblers. Lake Bixhoma, Oklahoma.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)

Thanks for listening! Contact me at [email protected]

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In this episode, Utah-based travel executive Kenzie King Wright shares many tips and tricks for traveling to see those birds! She even shares a few bird stories!

Contact Kenzie if you need travel agent help...

Kenzie's Contact Information

Here are links to safety items Kenzie recommends while traveling...

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm
Door Stop Alarm
Travel Door Lock
Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm
Portable Mini Motion Detector Alarm
EUFY Security by Anker SmartTrack
Apple AirTag
Money Belt For Travel
Buffway Slim Minimalist Front Pocket RFID Blocking
Travel Wallet & Family Passport Holder w/RFID Blocking

Travel insurance recommended by Kenzie...

Travel Insurance - Affordable Plans Starting at $27
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Intro audio: Swainson's Warblers and American Crows. Smithgall Woods, Georgia.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)
Exit audio: Kentucky Warblers. Lake Bixhoma, Oklahoma.
(Audio by Mathew G. Radford)

Contact Mathew at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

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