In this winter episode of Tale Feathers, host Eva Lark explores the joy of birding in every form, from “yard lists” to big community bird walks, and how paying attention to birds can help us feel more grounded where we live.

Eva is joined by Ted Floyd, renowned birder and Editor of Birding magazine, the award-winning flagship publication of the American Birding Association. Ted is also a prolific writer and educator, with more than 200 articles and scholarly works on birds and nature, and has recently revitalized three new National Geographic bird field guides that were published in 2025.

Together, they talk about the many ways people connect with birds, how journaling and curiosity can shape a life in nature, and why birders are so committed to facts, evidence, and learning. You will also meet one of Boulder County’s most common but often overlooked winter birds, the cackling goose, and learn how to tell it apart from the Canada goose. Plus, Ted shares favorite winter birding spots in and around Boulder County, and ways to join the local birding community.

In this Episode:

• Yard birding, life lists, and why there is no right way to be a birder
• Ted Floyd’s path into birding through journaling, observation, and a childhood love of nature
• How birding builds community and creates connection across backgrounds and experience levels
• Field journaling today, including eBird, iNaturalist, photography, audio recordings, and detailed notes
• Birding with kids, starting early, nurturing curiosity, and seeing the world through their eyes
• Behind the scenes of Ted’s 2025 National Geographic field guides and why a field guide can feel like haiku
• Meet Your Neighbor: Cackling Goose and how to tell it apart from the Canada Goose
• Winter goose flocks in Boulder County, including snow goose, Ross’s goose, greater white fronted goose, brant, and hybrids
• What winter bird sightings can reveal about climate change, habitat shifts, and changing migration patterns
• The power of community science and why documenting birds matters
• Favorite winter birding spots in and near Boulder County, plus local outings and upcoming migration events

Featured Resources:

• Spark Bird Stories: https://www.spark-bird.org/
• Bird species profiles:
• Townsend’s Solitaire - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/townsends_solitaire
• Cackling Goose - https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cackling_Goose/
• Parks & Open Space Event Calendar: https://discover.bouldercounty.gov/
• Lagerman Agricultural Preserve: https://bouldercounty.gov/open-space/parks-and-trails/lagerman/
• eBird: https://ebird.org/
  Ted’s eBird profile: https://ebird.org/profile/MTEyMDgz/world
• iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/
• Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count
• World Migratory Bird Day: https://www.migratorybirdday.org/




Original music, including the theme song and all transitional pieces, was composed and performed by Tim Ostdiek.