Many people got into birdwatching during the COVID-19 lockdown. For some, it was a way to spend time outdoors in nature. For others, it was simply a way to slow down and notice what was happening outside the window.

And, once people started paying attention to birds, many never stopped.  

Here in Minnesota, summer is a great time to keep an eye out for nests and baby birds. This week also is the start of the fall migration. That’s right, some shorebirds are already starting their flight south.  

MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with Sharon Stiteler, also known as the “Birdchick," about what the birds are up, where to spot them and small things everyone can do to protect them.

Guest: 

• Sharon Stiteler, also known as the “Birdchick," fell in love with birds at age 7 when someone gave her a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. She’s now an avid bird watcher and author of several books, including “North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures,” published this spring. She splits her time between Alaska and Minnesota.