Allerton Park Bird Club Podcast (Evan Smith & Nate Beccue)

Nate & Evan are glad to be back in the studio! 

In this episode they preview what is to come in 2024. 

Every episode they will be discussing possible names for birds.

They share their travels for 2023 and plans for 2024. 

Join in as they prepare for the best year in birding podcast to come. 

This week with sit down with Colin Dobson to discuss birds, birdings and his new book Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois

An avid Illinois birder, Colin has seen over 385 species of birds over the past decade in IL. He has earned 6 Illinois Big Years. Colin recently authored a book about hotspots and birds in Illinois, Field Guide to Hotspots and Birds in Illinois and also co-authored a book about birding in Illinois, A Guide to Finding Birds Along the Illinois River Flyway. He is an experienced bird photographer and has a rare gift for spotting and identifying birds. He recently graduated from the University of Illinois and is now a Master’s Student at Arkansas State University.

Colin has gained significant experience in the past few years by leading other birders on trips to spots throughout Illinois and traveling all over the United States. Those who have participated would unanimously agree that Colin has the knowledge, preparation, and personality to make any trip an engaging and pleasurable experience.

Colin is now offering to share his unique skills and knowledge with others through private guided group and or individual tours to help others see and enjoy all the birds Illinois and beyond has to offer!

We begin the show discussing birds we are seeing and long eared owls. We also throw out ID tips and new name possibilities for the Baird's Sandpiper.

Colin can talk for hours about birds, but we focus today on his record breaking Big Days in 2023 and his new book. We also talk about upcoming tours he will be leading with his birding company Scissortail Adventures.

Colins new book can be found here:
https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Hotspots-Birds-Illinois-ebook/dp/B0C8DHMMWB

Information on the tours Colin will be leading can be found here:
http://www.scissortailadventures.com/

Today Evan and Nate sit down a go birding with Andrew Farnsworth. Andrew Farnsworth is currently a Senior Research Associate in the Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Andrew began birding at age 5 and quickly developed his long-standing fascinations with bird migration. His current research efforts advance the use and application of rapidly expanding technologies to study bird movements across scales including weather surveillance radar, audio and video recording and monitoring tools, citizen science datasets, and machine learning techniques. Andrew received his BS in Natural Resources from Cornell, MS in Zoology from Clemson University, and PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. He lives in New York, NY with his wife Patricia and two daughters Aja and Elle.

We  begin by discussing birds we are seeing as well as highlights from the Piatt County CBC.

In our attempt to help out the AOC, we throw out new names for Swainson's Warbler.

A majority of this show is spent discussing BirdCast. Andrew has been with BirdCast since the beginning. We discuss its origins, functionality, accuracy and future. Additionally we chat about citizen science datasets, dangers, and responsibility.

https://birdcast.info/

Nate and Evan sit down with Sparky Stensaas, founder and director of Friends of Sax Zim Bog, to talk about the upcoming Tiny Bird Art Auction.

The auction starts Thursday, January 25th and ends Sunday, January 28th.

The auction can be found at https://saxzim.org/events/2023-tiny-bird-art/

Thank you for supporting the Friends of Sax Zim Bog

This week we discuss the dickcissel, eastern meadowlark, cedar waxwing, grasshopper sparrow, downey woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, and pileated woodpecker. 

Nate and Evan hike into the Upper Sangamon River Land & Water Reserve to discuss the birds that can currently be found in this habitat. The birds discussed include the Prairie Warbler, Bell's Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole and Willow Flycatcher. 

Nate & Evan discuss the Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, Oven Bird, Great Horned Owl, and Wood Thrush. Additionally they talk about what got them interested in birding as well as their "spark" bird. This episode was recorded live in the evening from the North End of Allerton Park. 

Nate & Evan travel to White Oak Park in Bloomington, Illinois to track down the Black Bellied Whistling duck, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Least Bittern. They also discuss the recent release of the Duck Stamp, Great Egret, Belted Kingfisher and Northern Rough-winged Swallow. During recording they have a 3 year old special guest drop by to discuss chocolate milk and Evan forgets to turn his phone off.

Evan & Nate are joined by Greg Neise in outside of the Sunken Gardens in Allerton Park. Greg Neise is Web Master for the ABA, helps manage social media, sits in on the ABA Podcast on occasion, and of course, is a fanatical birder. In today's episode we touch on how Covid-19 has impacted birding in Chicago, Greg's new Backyard Birding essay, a BIG DAY, what small birding clubs can do in conjunction with the ABA to encourage birders, how social media has affected birding, and Greg's "smoking hawk."

Nate & Evan head over to the Illinois Raptor Center outside of Decatur, Illinois to talk birding with Jacques Nuzzo. During this episode they discuss Jacques trip to Sanibel Island, Florida, current ongoings at the Illinois Raptor Center, Screech Owls, Barn Owls, a couple really great dad joke zingers from Evan, and Ospreys. 

Nate & Evan are joined today by Dr. Ken Otter from the University of Northern British Columbia. Dr. Otter is a professor of biology whose recent article on the changing vocalizations of the White-throated Sparrow has taken the birding world by storm. Additionally we discuss some of his other research regarding mountain chickadees along the urban/rural gradient, effectiveness of high vis collars in stopping predation of birds by domestic cats, and Great Tits. 

This week Nate & Evan sit down with Allerton Park Natural Areas Manager Alex Lourash. We spending time discussing birds, what the role of Natural Area Manager does, managing the creek cams for Allerton Park Bird Club, and most importantly the possibility of marriage in Alex's future. 

This episode was recorded live from Allerton Park, so sit back, relax, and enjoy listening to Alex's Barry White(esque) voice. 

Nate & Evan travel to Scovill Zoo in Decatur, Illinois to talk with Amanda Huy and her role at Scovill Zoo. We discuss Caspian Terns, Yellow-Legs, and Lesser Sandpipers. We talk about the AZA's role in playing matchmaking of animals, some of the challenges in taking care of birds in enclosures, and for the first 15 minutes were harassed by a Howler monkey in the background. Additionally, we struggled with recording outdoors in the socially distant Covid world and battled the wind. 

Give it a listen and enjoy some laughs, Tinder talk, birds, and monkeys! 

Nate & Evan podcast live from the Diversified Farm at Allerton Park today. As a common nesting spot for Barn Swallow, Evan provides ID tips for the Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough Winged Swallow, and Bank Swallow. All of these swallows can be found at the same time on a power line. 

Nate provides helpful hints on how to remove a hummingbird from your garage. I will give you spoiler alert, it is not with chop sticks. 

We spend most of the episode answering questions from viewers. We have had some really great questions including:

1. Why do birds tweet?
2. Can birds from different species talk to each other?
3. Why is the Red Headed Woodpecker the "mascot" of the club"
4. How do you become a member?

We also give a teaser on Nate and & Evan's upcoming birding trip to an Illinois mecca of birding.

Listen, enjoy, and happy birding! 

This week Nate and Evan catch up on the last two weeks of birding. Life has been pretty hectic and crazy for the both of them at the end of summer but are glad to be back behind the microphone.

Evan discusses his recent failed birding trip to the Emiquon Nature Refuge. It was a bust to say the least. They also discuss fish crow ID tips. Nate talks about the hummingbird oasis he is creating in Piatt county. 

Happy listening and happy birding. 

Another week of birding with Evan and Nate leads to another round of misadventures. This week's adventure leads Evan and Nate to the Mac McGee waterfowl area on Lake Shelbyville...TWICE! During those times Evan forgets all of his recording equipment, a romantic tryst forms in the woods, and there was an Indiana Jones like encounter with a huge snake. 

Both Evan and Nate then tackle Clinton lake chasing Little Blue Herons. Here they encounter men in camouflage while bushwacking through the brush. While Evan is fleeing the camouflaged men and dogs, he attempts a shortcut through a cornfield with standing corn. 

Will Evan make it out alive? Tune in to find out.

Happy listening and happy birding. 

Nate and Evan head over to Decatur, Illinois to sit down and speak with Dr. Travis Wilcoxen from Millikin University. Travis discusses the bird feeder research he has been involved in over the years. This research includes some of the positives and negatives of using bird feeders. Travis also discusses some of current Nuthatch research that is being conducted.

During the episode they also discuss ID tips for the Black & White and Tennessee warbler and the redstart. While birding this week Evan had ID difficulties with a Swainson's Thrush versus a Grey-Cheek thrush so ID tip for those species were identified as well. As the fall migration begins, this is an excellent time to get out and go birding. 

Happy listening and happy birding.

Nate and Evan travel to Friends Creek Conservation Area to go birding during the fall migration. Nestled between Cisco and Argenta, this gem of a park offers uncrowded trails, open meadows and a terrific campground. Plus, there was some great birding. During the 1.5 mile hike Evan and Nate tallied over 30 species of birds, including the Blackpoll Warbler, a lifer for Evan. 

In addition to discussing the morning birding trip, Nate talks about his involvement in Operation Western Wood Pewee, a high stakes, winner take all birding adventure in Champaign. 

Nate and Evan also discuss some of their more awkward moments in birding. Did Nate really stumble across his father-in-law nude sunbathing on a remote beach in Florida? Did the lady really call the cops on Evan when he pulled up behind her in the remote country? Is Nate really the creepy dude hiding in the bushes taking pictures of girls swimming????

You'll have to listen to find out.

Happy listening and Happy birding! 

Do you remember when everyone on Facebook and Instagram were taking pictures in a field of sunflowers? We do and we wanted to know more! So Nate and Evan tracked down Dr. Ken Dallmeir with Prairie Melody Seeds to talk about his organic sunflower fields. Prairie Melody is located in Cerro Gordo, Illinois and offers organic bird seed and gluten free chicken feed, among other things, to the public.  They have also partnered up with the show to have a fundraiser for the Allerton Park Bird Club. 

Additionally, they cover the usual bird stuff and sightings from the week. Some of the birds discussed are Philadelphia Vireo, Black-Throated-Green-Headed-Blue Warbler (or whatever it is called), and Carolina Wren. 

In a surprising event, Evan admits that he is wrong not once, not twice, but three times during the show. Tune in for the monumental occassion.

Happy listening and Happy birding! 

What is a Flopperty Dingle Hopper you ask? The more formal name would be a SPUH. What is a SPUH you ask? You are going to have to listen to the show to find out. 

Evan also surprises Nate with a quiz about birding lingo. Everything from a CMF, to the Patagonia Picnic Table Effect.

They also spend time discussing some of the birds of the week and information on their bird seed fundraiser through Prairie Melody Seeds.

Happy Listening and Happy Birding! 

Evan and Nate head to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus to interview young birder Colin Dobson. Colin is a sophmore at the UofI, avid birder, author, and meteorologist for the birding community. He is wise beyond his 19 years and an amazing advocate for the birding community.

We begin by discussing the Kinglet slam, which is the Ruby Crowned Kinglet (RCKI) and Golden Crowned Kinglet (GCKI), with ID tips. Nate disagrees it should be called a "slam" since a grand slam in baseball is 4 runs, but this makes it official.

Colin talks about how he got interested in birding, and how Covid but an end to his Big Year attempt. If you are not familiar with this term, go back one episode. He also discusses the book he authored about birding the Illinois River corridor. Finally he talks about how weather impacts birds and birding.

We think you will enjoy this delightful interview as much as we enjoyed interviewing him.

Happy listening and Happy birding.

It's time to clean out the inventory for the first annual STICKER GIVEAWAY!!! Have you always wanted your very own Allerton Park Bird Cub sticker FOR FREE? Listen to this episode to figure out how to be in the exclusive ABC sticker club.

What is the Pull of Zugunruhe? Is it a strange disease? Could it be a monster that lives under your bed? Is it the new political party taking over the internets?

The Pull of Zugunruhe is the German scientific name for the migratory restlessness that birds experience. We discuss the Pull of Zugunruhe and how it came about. Additionally, we talk about the Pull of Zugunruhe in humans. Do humans experience a migratory calling similar to birds? Listen to find out.

ID tips for birds this week include the Winter Wren, Pine Siskin, Red-tailed Hawk and Northern Harrier Hawk. We also touch on the upcoming arrival of the Northern Saw-Whet owl.

Happy listening and happy birding!

Evan & Nate

Nate and Evan go twitching to find a Sabine's Gull at Clinton Lake SRA in Clinton, Illinois. Along with fellow birders Colin Dobson (who has been on the show before), Andy and Aerin they locate the Sabine's Gull and other species.

During the episode, Nate and Evan discuss the birds they found and some ID tips. Keep in mind that neither of them are advanced birders, but recreational. We are not experts in shore birds, but are trying. 

Some of the birds found and discussed were the Sabine's Gull, Franklin's Gull, Wilson's Snipe, and Dunlin. 

Part of birding is the enjoyment of identifying a tough species. While out in the field, the crack team of birders came across a bird that was difficult to ID. Evan and Nate discuss the process that goes into identification. Mainly, not trying to ID what the bird is, but what the bird ISN'T. Once you have ruled out the other species, it makes the identification easier.

Happy Listening and Happy Birding! 

This week Nate & Evan sit down to chat with local birder Aerin Tedesco. Aerin originally hails from the Great Lakes region (Buffalo area/Chicago), but recently moved to Central Illinois. 

What an amazing week for birds in Illinois! Aerin reached her 300th bird on her Illinois list this year. We discussed chasing Magnificent Frigate birds, Little Gulls,  and Scoters.

However, the hightlight of the show will be Aerin playing her wonderful music for us. Aerin is an instructor for the Old Town School of Folk Music. She wrote and composed a spooky Halloween song about a Northern Shrike for the show, and also plays her song about Peregrine Falcon in Chicago. 

We also discuss the documentary Monty & Rose. Monty & Rose is a documentary about the Piping Plovers that have nested at Montrose Beach for the past two years and Aerin composed a song for the film. Information about the documentary can be found at https://www.montyandrose.net/

Hopefully everyone enjoys this episode and music as much as we did. 

Happy listening and happy birding! 

Today, Nate & Evan sit down with Bryan Reiley, and avian ecologist from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bryan sits down to discuss his research that involves CRP and CREP land in Illinois. His fascinating research involves counting the species at the sites, then using the samples to estimate population density within a given area. Give this episode a listen to learn more about this research that was conducted, and is still being conducted, throughout Illinois. 

Additionally they discuss the Evening Grosbeaks (EVGR) that visited a bird club listener's feeder. Nate and Evan raced over last Saturday to find the first recorded EVGR in Piatt County. 

We still have stickers! 

Happy Birding and Happy Listening! 

Today, Nate and Evan have the privilege of sitting down with Tyler Hoar. Tyler is a freelance biologist and ecologist who recently took the reins of the Winter Finch Forecast. What an incredible first year to do the finch forecast! 

Tyler discusses his methodology for developing the forecast. We begin by talking about the the overall factors contributing to the finch migration this year. What ecological factors are driving the finches south? Then we get into specific species. What can we expect from the Pine Siskin, Purple Finch, Red-Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Common & Hoary Redpoll, Pine Grosbeak, and Evening Grosbeak. 

Tyler shares some incredible tips with us about the specific trees to target when looking for these species. But mostly, he shares what we can expect in the coming months.

While winters can be tough and arduous, this episode will give you hope for the months to come! 

Happy listening and Happy birding! 

Today, Evan and Nate sit down with Matt Young, President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (FiRN), to talk finches.

They begin by discussing birds they are currently seeing. This week Evan went twitching to find a Gyrfalcon and stumbled across a Great Black Backed Gull in Central Illinois. Nate went looking for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker and Roadrunners in Arkansas, but struck out on both.

In our discussion, Matt gives us a brief overview of FiRN, its mission statement, and what the future holds for FiRN.  We talk Grosbeaks, Crossbills, Lawrence Goldfinches, and Redpolls. Matt provides great insight on the different types of these birds.  Specifically, he explains which types we may be seeing in Illinois.

Our last topic involved Common versus Hoary Redpolls. A previous guest, Colin Dobson, recently ran across what he thought was a Hoary Redpoll in East Central Illinois. Matt provides some excellent ID tips, scientific data, and his own experience after looking at "more Redpolls that any human should."

Matt's finch knowledge absolutely blew us away and we think you too will have to listen to the episode twice to digest everything he throws at you.

Happy listening and Happy Birding!


Matt's Biography

Matt has been observing and enjoying nature since a very young age. He’s lived in Central New York the past 22 years and it was during this time when he really started studying everything from birds to orchids, and bogs and fens. Matt received his B.S. in Water Resources with a minor in Meteorology from SUNY-Oneonta and his M.S. in Ornithology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry/Syracuse University in 2003. Matt did his masters research on avian diversity in restored wetlands of central New York at the Great Swamp Conservancy. He was a Regional Editor of the Kingbird for 10 years, the state ornithological journal in New York, was an Adjunct Professor in Environmental Studies at SUNY-Cortland, and currently teaches an Intro to Birding class for Cornell University and is the Board Chair at The Wetland Trust.

He worked at the Cornell Lab across 15+ years where he did extensive field work for the Lab’s Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers atlas projects, and was project lead on the Lab’s first Finch Irruptive Bird Survey for Bird Source in 1999. He was the Collections Management Leader/Audio Engineer at the Macaulay Library ~12 years where he edited sounds for several Merlin packs around the world in addition to being the lead audio engineer on guides, the Songs of the Warblers of North America, Audubon Society Voices of Hawaii’s Birds, and the Cornell Lab’s Guides to Bird Sounds, the North America Master and Essential Sets. He’s been a tour guide leader for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours, written finch species accounts for breeding bird atlases and Birds of the World, has published several papers about the Red Crossbill vocal complex, and is the President and Founder of the Finch Research Network (FiRN)

Today's guest may be one of the last people to ever hear the call of an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in the wild. We sit down with Dr. Bernard Master for our holiday special. 

Nate and Evan start by discussing birds they are seeing. On a recent trip, Evan encountered some swans a swimming. ID tips for the Tundra, Trumpeter and Mute swan we covered. Additionally birds like the Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch were covered.

Our main discussion centered around Bernie discussing his adventures in birding. He told of the time he heard the Ivory Billed Woodpecker. Talked about birding in Vietnam. He even has a Vireo named after him.

We think you will thoroughly enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed interviewing him.

Happy listening and Happy Birding! 

Biography

Master's passion for birding started when he was four years old, at the encouragement of his father Gilbert with whom he'd accompany on bird walks. His family's vacation home in North Wildwood, New Jersey was near Cape May Bird Observatory, a birding mecca and in the path of the largest fall migration in the eastern North America. Master graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on June 11, 1966 and began his medical career.

In 1968, Master was drafted into the Vietnam War where he served one year as a battalion surgeon in an Army combat unit and one year as post-surgeon for the U.S. Army's Military Intelligence School. Following discharge, Master spent the next 35 years as a primary care physician in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio.

During his medical years, Master often watched birds at Green Lawn Cemetery, a popular birding spot in Columbus, Ohio, He became a founding board member of the Ohio Ornithological Society in 2004. 

In 1994, Bernard Master bid for and won the right to assign the scientific name for a new species of vireo (Passeriformes: Vireonidae) from the Western Andes of Colombia. He named the species Vireo masteri.

Master's contributions to world bird conservation were later honored by the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (aka Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld), who helped found the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Today, Nate and Evan sit down with Sara Johnson, Vice President of the Champaign County Audubon Society (CCAS) and Janet Jokela, acting regional Dean of the Illinois School of Medicine, volunteer, and current board member of the CCAS.

This episode is dedicated to the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). We sit down, via zoom, and discuss CCAS. How did Sara and Janet get involved in birding and the CCAS? What is the Christmas Bird Count, and what does it mean to each of them? How can a person get involved in their local bird count?

History of the Christmas Bird Count

Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas "Side Hunt." They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a "Christmas Bird Census" that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America. Those original 27 Christmas Bird Counters tallied around 90 species on all the counts combined. 

Each November, birders interesting in participating in the CBC can sign up and join in through the Audubon website. From December 14 through January 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent's bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

LINKS

http://www.champaigncountyaudubon.org/

https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count

Nate and Evan were both really excited for this interview. This week, they sit down via zoom to chat with Denver Holt, founder of the Owl Research Institute.

This week Evan spotted a Rough-Legged Hawk in Piatt County and Denver gives some fabulous tips for ID'ing these birds. As year round residents in Montana, Denver sees these birds often.

Denver begins by telling us how he got interested in birds and specifically owls. This interest pushed him to found the Owl Research Institute. In discussing the Owl Research Institute, he tells us about the Snowy Owl Study that began in 1982. What has he discovered about the relationship between lemmings and Snowy Owls? What are his thoughts on climate change during long term climate projects?

Denver also discusses his Long-Eared Owl Study, in which he has banded 2000+ birds and also his Northern Saw-Whet Owl study.

AND....Denver gives us an update on the Snowy Owl population this year and what we can expect here in the lower 48.

Happy Listening and Happy Birding!

Denver Holt Bio

Denver Holt is a wildlife researcher and graduate of the University of Montana. He is founder and president of the Owl Research Institute, a nonprofit organization located in Charlo, Montana. A dedicated field researcher in North and Central America, Holt believes that long-term field studies are the primary means to understanding trends in natural history. In 2000, he was named Montana's “Wildlife Biologist of the Year“ by the Wildlife Society of North America.

Since 1978, Holt’s focus has been researching owls and their ecology. He has published more than 80 papers and technical documents, including three species accounts for the Birds of North America project. He was also team leader for the Strigidae Family owl species accounts for The Handbook of the Birds of the World, volume 5, covering 189 species of the world’s owls. In collaboration with elementary school teachers, he has co-authored two children’s science books on owls: Owls Whoo Are They, and Snowy Owls. In 2006, he was a chapter author on owls for the book, Arctic Wings, highlighting the birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska. The forward was written by former United States President, Jimmy Carter. The book has won the prestigious National Outdoor Book Award for Design and Artistic Merit.

When not researching owls, Holt is actively involved in ecotourism as a natural history tour guide and co-owner of Wild Planet Nature Tours (www.wildplanetnaturetours.com). He also guides private natural history tours, and is a part-time trip leader for Victor Emanuel Nature Tour Company (www.ventbird.com), the largest nature tour company in the world. To learn more about Holt and his efforts in wildlife research, education, and conservation, visit www.owlinstitute.org.

Today, Nate and Evan reach out to Davin Lopez and Anne Lacy to talk Whoopers (Whooping Cranes). They probably don't use that term in the field, but Evan thought it was seemed appropriate so he went with it.

Both Davin and Anne are involved with the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes (WHCR)  into the wild. In 1941 there were only 21 WHCR left in the entire world. Today there are about 850 Whooping Cranes in the world. Davin & Anne run us through how the situation got so dire in the 1900's.

They also discuss in length the process of reintroducing Whooping Cranes into the wild. How do they introduce captive bred chicks into a native population. Then how is migration facilitated with these new birds and how do each of their organizations help.

Whooping Cranes are extremely rare and we were grateful to get a chance to learn more about these endangered birds.

Happy listening and Happy birding.

Davin Lopez

Davin Lopez has been with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) since 2005. In 2011, he joined the WDNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation (formerly Endangered Resources) where some of his main duties are to serve as the state Whooping Crane reintroduction coordinator and state lead for the Kirtland’s Warbler conservation project. Previously he was in the WDNR’s Chronic Wasting Disease program where he started as a field technician and eventually took over as the statewide coordinator. He has previously worked at Colorado State University as a lab technician in a malaria research lab and as a zookeeper at the Denver and Pueblo Zoos. Davin was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, has bachelors’ degrees in biology and anthropology from New Mexico State University, and did his master’s degree work in population ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Anne Lacy

Anne grew up in Madison, leaving to attend college in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She received a B.A. in Psychology (1991) and returned to get a B.S. in Biology (1994). After working various jobs while taking graduate level Geographic Information Systems courses at the University of South Carolina, Anne was accepted to the graduate program in Biology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After finishing coursework in Duluth in 2000, Anne accepted an internship at ICF, while also finishing her thesis. 

After completion of her M.S., Anne accepted a full-time position at ICF as a research associate in the Field Ecology Department (now the North America Program), working on an ongoing long-term study of sandhill cranes. She began working with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership in 2009 to study the ecology of the newly reintroduced Whooping Cranes in Wisconsin.

Useful links

https://www.savingcranes.org/

https://whoopermap.savingcranes.org/

It's that time of year when rarities start showing up to odd areas and people lose their minds. It's during these times that birders and photographers make poor choices that often have negative consequences. The negative consequences affect the bird, the birders around them, and the birding community. So today Nate and Evan sit down with Greg Neise, member of the American Birding Association Recording Standards and Ethics committee to talk about ethics and birding. 

First we discuss some rarities that have been showing up in the United States. Recently there have been reports of a Great Kiskadee, Smew, Little Stint, and Whooping Swan. Many of these vagrants have been questioned as being escapees that are not actually wild birds. What provenance is used to determine whether these are wild birds out on a journey?

What is the living document that the ABA calls the "Code of Birding Ethics?" If this document isn't enforceable, how as birders can we follow these rules? What prompts changes to this document? 

All of these questions are answered and more while being entertain with unethical stories from the field.

Happy listening and Happy birding

Biography

Greg Neise developed his interests in birds, photography and conservation as a youngster growing up in Chicago, across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo. At the age of 13, he worked alongside Dr. William S. Beecher, then Director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and a pioneering ornithologist, and learned to photograph wildlife, an interest that developed into a career supplying images for magazines, newspapers, institutions and books, including National Geographic (print, web and television), Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Globe, Nature, Lincoln Park Zoo, Miami Zoo, Jacksonville Zoo, The Field Museum and a host of others. He has served as President of the Rainforest Conservation Fund, a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the world’s tropical rainforests. Greg is Web Master for the ABA, helps manage social media, sits in on the ABA Podcast on occasion, and of course, is a fanatical birder.

Useful Links

https://www.aba.org/aba-code-of-birding-ethics/

Nate and Evan sit down and chat with Chicago native Nathan Goldberg and discuss his recent record breaking 2020 Illinois Big Year. Also, Evan serenades Nathan with a bird love song that he wrote.

First, Nate gives us a rundown on the recent Piatt County Christmas Bird Count, tally, and the Eurasian Tree Sparrow that was seen, including ID tips. Nathan talks about some of the birds his team recently saw on his Cook County Big Day competition with Isoo O'brien.

What goes into planning a Big Year? What are some of the strategies? What are some of the highs and lows? How many birds did you end up seeing?

Nathan Goldberg answers these and many more in our discussion. In addition, Nathan shares some of his other birding trips outside of Illinois for 2020.

Sit back and enjoy this terrific discussion with the new Illinois Big Year record holder.

Happy listening and Happy Birding.

Biography

Nathan Goldberg has been a serious birder and list-keeper for over a decade. Born and raised in Chicago, he has explored the Lower 48 states extensively, is a guide for Red Hill Birding, and works for an association management company that helps run non-profits.

This week, Evan and Nate get a call from our birder in the field, Zak Sutton. In this short 5 minute exercise in birding, Zak describes the habitat, characteristics, general impression, size and shape of the bird. He takes questions about the bird and Nate and Evan try to figure out what bird Zak is looking at. 

Can Evan or Nate figure out the identity of the bird? Can you?

Happy Listening and Happy Birding! 

We know what you are thinking. What is a bird hunting group doing on a podcast about BIRDS?!?

Well, Nate and Evan sit down with Jared Wiklund, public relations specialist with Pheasants Forever to answer that question.

What is Pheasants forever? Some people may have the idea that it is just a bunch of rednecks with guns out shooting birds to the brink of extinction. This is far from the truth. Pheasants Forever's mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.

Jared talks about the mission of Pheasants Forever and how it impacts songbirds. Additionally he gives great insight into how biologists interact with local chapter to help landowners develop their land. We also talk about the process of land acquisition and turning it into public lands.

Habitat loss and destruction poses a major threat to the survival of species. As cities expand, farming gets bigger, the habitat birds, and all animals, calls home shrinks.

If you are opposed to hunting, please keep an open mind while listening today. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever provide habitat for all birds that would otherwise not exist. 

Happy Listening and Happy Birding.

Zak joins Evan and Nate to see if he can stump the dynamic duo in their quest to identify birds. Will Evan & Nate go 0-2? Will you, the listener, be able to figure out what bird Zak is watching? Play along in the birding exercise. 

Happy listening and happy birding.

Nate and Evan are joined again today by the founder of Finch Research Network, Matthew Young. Thanks to Matt's contractual agreement with the finches, we had a spectacular year in the lower 48 states viewing all sorts of finches. 

Today Matt begins by giving us an update on the winter finches. Did anything happen that wasn't expected? Did anything not happen that was expected? He also explains the extent of the the irruptive year. 

While these birds are not seen in Illinois, Matt talks about the work FiRN is doing with the Rosy Finches. These "birds of the cloudland" are a near threatened species and the outlook does not look good for them. As climate change causes birds to move higher up mountains, they are outcompeting the Rosy Finches. Additionally mountains  eventually stop going up, and where is there to go from there? Matt explains how we can get involved and what we can do.

Finally, Matt gives us a look at the return flight of the finches. All of those glorious birds that headed south this fall will be heading north this spring. What should we expect and when?

We always enjoy talking with the finch master and learning from his wealth of knowledge. 

Happy birding and happy listening

Useful Links

https://finchnetwork.org/ - Information about FiRN

https://finchnetwork.org/blog

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/summer-2019/as-rockies-melt-rare-nesting-bird-will-have - Audubon article about Carl Brown

Nate and Evan are joined by Zak Sutton again trying to stump the dynamic duo. Play along and see if you can ID the bird Zak is describing by the field marks. 

Happy Listening and Happy Birding

Today, Nate and Evan sit down with Sparky Stensaas, founder and director of Friends of Sax Zim Bog. Located outside of Duluth Minnesota, Sax Zim Bog is a dream destination for winter birders from all over the world. It just so happens that Evan & Nate are heading there next week to chase some lifers.

They begin by talking about birds they are currently seeing in the respective areas. Sparky also gives some ID tips on the ravens, which are the predominant corvid species found in the bog this time of year. He also gives us an owl update for the week.

We get to know Sparky, his history of birding, and the spark bird he saw when he was 13. What is the significance of the bog to birding? Why did Sparky found this conservation and preservation group to protect the bog? How does birding and tourism impact the local residents during the winter? What advice does he have for people wanting to travel to the bog?

Sparky addresses all of these questions and more during the show. He additionally gives information about the "virtual field trips" and webinars that Friends of Sax Zim are putting out currently.

We hope you find this as fun and informative as we have. If you are looking for inspiration to take your first birding trip, this may be the one for you...or may not.

Be on the lookout for Part 2, when we record live from Minnesota about the highs and lows of the trip.

Happy listening and happy birding.

Useful links

https://saxzim.org/

https://www.youtube.com/c/SparkyStensaas

This week, Evan and Nate sit down and recap their 4 day birding trip to Sax Zim Bog in Minnesota. Evan & Nate met fellow birders and bird club members Aerin Tedesco and Scott Judd for the adventure of a lifetime. 

What lifers did they see? What were some of the birding highs...and lows of the trip. One of the lows was the temperature, which was -33 on Sunday morning.  

Did Evan manage to get stuck again like he does on every trip? 

Hopefully you will enjoy this open discussion about the trip and feel inspired to head out to do some birding of your own. 

Happy listening and Happy birding! 

Today, Nate and Evan have the honor of sitting down with former Piatt County resident and long time friend, Dr. Vince Slabe.  While they have many great memories from high school and college, during their adult lives they have all had found birds to be a common area of interest.

Dr.  Slabe has done extensive research studying lead toxicity in raptors, specifically Golden Eagles. As residents of Illinois, we often confuse immature Bald Eagles with Golden Eagles, which pass through occasionally. Vince gives us some ID tips on how to tell a Golden Eagle from Bald Eagle.

How does lead get into raptors? What are the levels of toxicity that are measured? What can we do to protect these raptors from the dangers of lead?

Dr. Slabe has also began a program distributing lead free ammunition to hunters in regions of Wyoming where Golden Eagles are present.

Happy Listening and Happy Birding

Bio

Vince is originally from central Illinois and graduated with a BS and MS from the University of Illinois. Shortly after, he travelled west and quickly developed a strong interest in bird research. Vince worked on multiple avian research and monitoring projects in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming before completing a PhD at West Virginia University in Forest Resources Science. Vince’s dissertation focused on lead poisoning of bald and golden eagles on a nationwide scale.

At CSG, Vince’s research focuses on lead abatement strategies for bald eagles in the Atlantic Flyway and on identifying pre-breeding hotspots for golden eagles in Denali National Park. Vince is a member of the Raptor Research Foundation, the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, and volunteers for Raptor View Research Institute and Craighead Beringia South.

Vince, his wife Mosey, and two kids, Frances and Sonny live in Bozeman, MT. When not working, Vince enjoys spending time with his family, floating the river, birding, cross-country skiing, biking and listening to Chicago Cubs baseball.

Useful Links

https://huntersforeagleconservation.org/

Today, Evan and Nate are joined by Dr. Given Harper from Illinois Wesleyan University to discuss his current research on Red-tailed Hawks (RTHA). We first caught wind of Given when Piatt County residents began calling us telling us that a person is trapping Red-tailed Hawks in our area. We immediately knew we had to find out who this was.  After a series of fortunate events and family members, we were able to track down Given for this interview.

We being by discussing some of his research on lead toxicity in raptors. What is the significance and what can be done to solve this problem?

How does a person capture a RTHA? They are not only huge raptors but they also have sharp beaks and pointy talons. Once they are captured how do you determine where they are from? What are the implications of the migratory movements of RTHAs? With climate change are less raptors moving south? 

All of these questions and more will be answered by Dr. Given Harper. He additionally gives us some sage advice for birders with wives.

Happy listening and Happy Birding! 

Today Nate & Evan go birding with David Yeany,  Avian Ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). David has been studying winter movements  of Evening Grosbeaks in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) for the past few years. We discuss the 5 major questions in his study.

1. why do evening grosbeaks keep returning to this area? 
2. Do they have true site fidelity? 
3. Where do these irruptive populations return to nest? 
4. How far and wide do they roam throughout the regional landscape during winter? 
5. What can we learn about the timing of their movements? 

Additionally we get to know exactly how David is tracking these migrants through North America using the MOTUS and nanotags. 

In this amazing irruptive year for Evening Grosbeaks, we think you will really enjoy the insight David provides on this beautiful species of birds.

BIO

David Yeany II serves as Avian Ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). David joined WPC in 2011 and has 16 years of professional experience in conservation biology, conducting ornithological studies throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. His current work includes avian ecology and monitoring, wildlife-habitat relationship studies, mapping important habitats for rare species, spatial analysis in GIS, and conservation projects for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), particularly birds. Some of his projects included shale gas impacts assessments on forest interior birds, bird habitat relationships in the PA Wilds region, statewide high elevation peatland bird surveys and monitoring, statewide grassland bird SGCN surveys, co-founding the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, and collaborating on tracking studies of wintering evening grosbeaks and breeding Swainson’s thrush using nanotag technology and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. David represents the Natural Heritage Program on the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS) Ornithological Technical Committee. He also has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Ornithological Society since 2012, and during fall 2019, David was elected to the PSO Board of Directors. In 2020, he was elected to a three-year term on the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee (PORC). 

Prior to joining WPC, David was the Important Bird Areas Coordinator for Audubon Maryland-DC, where he helped identify critical bird habitats, developed conservation strategies for IBAs, and conducted monitoring for at-risk bird populations. In Maryland, his projects included extensive marsh bird surveys in coastal areas of the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula, wintering waterfowl research, forest restoration bird monitoring, and targeted surveys of rare bird species. He has past experience working in the Wildlife Division at Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center in Annville, PA and for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, District 8 (Clarion) conducting wildlife and habitat inventory and research. 

David holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology from Frostburg State University and Bachelors of Science in Biology from Messiah College. David grew up in Forest County and currently lives with his wife, Colleen, and toddler son, Drake, in Allegheny County. 

Useful Links

https://waterlandlife.org/webinars/ - Evening Grosbeak Webinar

https://waterlandlife.org/buygrosbeakshirts/ - EVGR shirts

https://finchnetwork.org/wintering-evening-grosbeak-movements - EVGR article

Today Evan & Nate go birding with Nikki Wayment from HawkWatch International.

We begin by discussing birds we have both seen this week including the snow bunting Nate saw and the long eared owl that Evan saw.

What is HawkWatch international? The mission of HawkWatch International is to conserve our environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. Nikki provides some great insight into what the organization does across not only the US but the world.

One aspect the organization maintains are the 7 HawkWatch stations across the western US.  Nikki gives information about is migration network and how to get involved.

Additionally we discuss the ongoing studies they are doing on the American Kestrel and Forest Owls.

We hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation as much as we did. If you are interested in getting involved, please follow the link at the bottom.

Bio

Nikki received a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University. Her nonprofit experience comes from her tenure at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Ga, where she served as Curator of Science and Education. She also previously worked as the Education and Outreach Director at HawkWatch International. She loves to share her passion for birds of prey and the natural world in general.  She lives in Utah with her family and loves exploring the outdoors.

Useful Links

https://hawkwatch.org/

Today Nate and Evan go birding with Isoo O'Brien.

We finally get a chance to sit down with Isoo O'Brien, an Evanston, Illinois native who recently set the Cook County Big Year record. If that wasn't impressive enough, Isoo is a high school senior. 2020 was not a normal year. Most people will probably never forget it. It was especially memorable for Isoo.

In this episode, Isoo tells us about his big year. How did he plan for it? What were some of the high points of the year? What were some of the low points? All of a sudden, COVID hits and we are under a stay at home order. How did that affect his birding and also his mental aspect? Many times the mental aspect of a Big Year is overlooked, chasing not only birds but a number. Isoo tells us about these struggles.

If you have ever thought about doing a Big Year, or have done a Big Day/Year in the past, maybe you can relate to some of the joys and struggles that Isoo experienced.

Happy Birding and Happy listening

BIO

Isoo O'Brien is an Evanston native and a senior at Evanston Township High School. An avid birder since age 9, Isoo is a volunteer field trip leader for local clubs across the Chicago area. He currently holds the Cook County big year record at 288 species.

Today, Evan & Nate go birding with Erik Bruhnke

Like most birders, Evan and Nate often times discuss what it would be like to not have professional jobs and be able to spend all of our time birding. We wanted to sit down with someone that has taken their passion for birding and made it his career.

We first crossed path with Erik at the Sax Zim Bog trip when he was explaining ID tips for the Hoary Redpoll. His knowledge of birds and bird songs was impressive, to say the least.

Erik sits down with us today to tell us about the life of a bird tour leader. What does it take to become a bird tour leader? Where are the amazing places you get to travel to do your job? What are some of the challenges?

If you have ever thought about taking your birding from a hobby to a career, or are just interested in hearing about the life of a bird tour leader, give this episode a listen.

BIO

Erik Bruhnke has loved birds since he was a child looking at chickadees. He graduated from Northland College in Ashland, WI with a Natural Resources degree in 2008 and taught field ornithology at Northland College for three semesters. For several years after graduating, his springs and summers were spent conducting bird surveys through northern forests, vast prairies, and western mountains. He worked as an interpreter for six fall seasons at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, Minnesota; counted migrating raptors at the Corpus Christi HawkWatch in Texas in 2015; and was the 2016, 2017, and 2018 hawk counter at the Cape May Hawkwatch in New Jersey. Last fall he worked at the Cape May Hawkwatch as an interpreter, connecting people with the spectacle of migration and raptor identification. Erik’s wildlife photography has won national awards, and his writings have been featured among birding magazines. Erik is a birding tour guide for Victor Emanuel Nature Tours as well as his own business, Naturally Avian. In addition to birding Erik spends his time cooking, baking, and hiking.

Useful Links

www.ventbird.com

www.naturallyavian.com

Nate and Evan head back to the studio for the beginning of season 2 with a spring recap. Life has been busy for them lately, but they are happy to talk birds.

Over the winter Nate played a very elaborate and lengthy prank on Evan. He goes over the harrowing details of this plot.

Evan talks about his trip to Florida and all the amazing birds he saw. 

Then they finish up with talking birds in Illinois. 

Looking forward to another great season of the Allerton Park Bird Club.

Today Nate and Evan sit down with Aerin Tedesco to talk everything BIG (in Evan's Monster Truck announcer voice).

It's the beginning of migration, so we discuss early migrants at the top of the show. What are we seeing currently.

First we discuss Aerin's county big year. Recently Aerin smashed the Champaign County big year record. Not only smashed it, but crushed it in 5 months. We sit down with her and talk about that adventure and see where she is at now. We also take bets on where she will be by the end of 2021.

The second part of the BIG episode, is talking about the Big Sit. The Big Sit is a competition benefiting the Illinois Ornithological society where teams of 5 sit in a 20 foot circle to count as many species of birds as they can. Aerin gives us information how to enter a team and if you can't participate, please feel free to donate.

USEFUL LINKS

If you want to donate to The Spotting Owlympians click here
https://pages.donately.com/illinoisornithologicalsociety/fundraiser/the-spotting-owlympians?fbclid=IwAR3P8Ej8yvcX_dSwaTsDJMVblSpbvVtB6Q5CHg-hEnsrxenAHuuF8sQkdeQ

If you want to enter a team, click here

http://www.illinoisbirds.org/

Nate and Evan sit down with Annette Prince this week to discuss the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM) and also the newly passed Bird Safe Buildings Act.

Annette Prince has been involved with CBCM since 2003 and the director since 2005. She guides us through the history and mission of this great group. What does a normal morning look like walking around the downtown area searching for injured or deceased birds? What causes these birds to get drawn into the Chicago area during migration? What happens to the birds? Has a bird ever taken an Uber or Public Transit???

We also discuss the newly passed Bird Safe Buildings Act. What buildings will that affect in Illinois and what changes will need to be made? Does that mean we will have to change all the windows in our house?

We really enjoyed sitting down with Annette and learning about the CBCM organization and how they helped to make Illinois a a safer place for birds.

BIO

Annette Prince has worked on local and national conservation projects as well as wildlife education and rehabilitation programs over the last thirty years. She joined the grass-roots project - Chicago Bird Collision Monitors - eighteen years ago and became its director in 2005 helping to advance its mission to rescue, educate and advocate for the protection of birds impacted by the dangers they face in urban areas. Annette has served on the board of the Chicago Audubon Society for seventeen years.  She heads the Bird Friendly Chicago initiative to promote bird-friendly building design in Chicago.

Annette is an avid bird watcher who has traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and Central America to enjoy birds and their natural habitats.

Useful Links

www.birdmonitors.net

https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoBirdCollisionMonitors/

Migration, Migration, Migration! 

Today Evan and Nate sit down with the Winter Finch Forecaster Tyler Hoar to discuss what birds might be visiting us this winter from the North.

First, Evan discusses the results of the recent Illinois Big Sit competition. Who knew that a birding competition could be filled with so much friendly competition, rivalry, and a dramatic finish! 

If you remember last year, Tyler gave us an amazing forecast of an irruption year and absolutely nailed it. We have Evening Grosbeaks, Redpolls, and Crossbills all winter here in Illinois. 

Today, Tyler discusses first his methodology that went into this year's forecast. He then explains some of the environmental factors that are affecting the birds migration. Finally he talks finches.

Which finches, if any might make it to Illinois? Could this be a year of the echo flight? 

While the winters may be long, this episode might give you hope of what is to come! 

Today, Evan and Nate go birding with Tyler Funk & Bob Dolgan.

Birding patches, or hot spots, often have a specific area that has a name. Montrose has the Magic Hedge. Champaign/Urbana has the Magic Bridge. Out here in rural Illinois we have the Magic Stump.

What is the magic stump? Is it actually magical? Do bird magically appear? Well, kind of.....

Today with sit down with discoverer/founder/head wizard Tyler Funk to discuss the Magic Stump. Where is it located? What species of birds have been seen there? How is the relationship with the landowner?

We are joined by Bob Dolgan to discuss his upcoming feature film about the Magic Stump. You may be familiar with some of Bob's other films about the Chicago Piping Plovers, Monty and Rose. Bob discusses some of his vision for The Magic Stump and its impact as a story. 

Also, we are having out annual fundraiser with Prairie Melody Bird Seed, so a portion of all seed bought from them using our link will help go to support The Allerton Park Birdclub.

Happy listening and Happy Birding

USEFUL LINKS

Prairie Melody Bird Seed fundraiser - https://www.prairiemelodybirdseed.com/fundraising

Magic Stump Trailer - https://vimeo.com/648362113

This Week In Birding - https://www.twibchicago.com/

Monty & Rose Documentary - https://www.montyandrose.net/

Magic Stump Location (approximate) - https://goo.gl/maps/XXq6xHGBT38YZDCn7