bird conservation

First-time guest and recent DU Canada postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Sarah Gutowsky, joins Dr. Mike Brasher for a trip around the world studying birds, leading polar expeditions, and an immersive life in science and conservation. Having visited some of Earth’s most remote and inaccessible locations, including Midway Atoll in the North Pacific, Wrangel Island in the Chukchi Sea, the Kuril Islands and the Sea of Okhotsk, Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the South Atlantic, Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, and the New Zealand sub-Antarctic Islands, Sarah brings a view of the wonder and expansiveness of our planet that few possess. What advice does she have for others seeking a similar career, what was it like to meet “Wisdom,” the oldest known wild bird on Earth, was being seasick for 2 consecutive weeks worth the payoff, and what did we learn from her recent research on common eiders and harlequin ducks? See for yourself why we’ve dubbed Sarah our “ornithological badass.”

www.ducks.org/DUPodcast

Hawaii is home to many endemic birds, including the I'iwi. In this episode you will learn a bit about this little honeycreeper and the threats it is facing.

On this week's EcoNews Report, Humboldt's preeminent bird nerd, Ken Burton, drops by the show to discuss the bird buzz.

The Christmas Bird Count is coming up. This bird count is very important to understanding long-term trends in bird populations and identifying species that require conservation attention. If you would like to help our local Redwood Region Audubon Society with this year's count, please visit their website.

Local birders are atwitter because of a new visitor to the area: a purple gallinule! This striking bird boasts a purple, blue and turquoise plumage with long yellow toes. Often found in tropical settings, this is a first time visitor to our area who somehow got far afield from its Florida breeding grounds.

Bird names are changing! Out are bird's named after someone—no more Stellar's jay or Anna's hummingbird—in are more descriptive names to be determined. And you can help. Our Redwood Region Audubon Society is looking for suggestions for the birds that call our area home. Give them a hand!

Judy Pollock, the founding president of the Bird Conservation Network, says the Chicago area is crucial to birds, and has a grassroots conservation movement that supports many nature preserves. With a team of more than 200 volunteers, the Bird Conservation Network conducted 22 years of surveys to better understand the birds nesting in the Chicago metro area. The surveys showed some troubling declines but also showed signs that diverse habitats in the area are helping keep birds around.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. 

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Noah Gomes is an educator and researcher with a life-long love of birds and a passion for Hawaiian culture and language. His research into Native Hawaiian names for birds has shed light on the long-standing connections between people and birds on the islands. Noah helped reconnect the name ʻAlawī to the bird otherwise known as the Hawaiian Creeper. By exploring the links between humans and wildlife, Noah says we can find better ways to live alongside these birds, many of which are at risk of extinction.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. 

Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. 

BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

There have been three species reintroductions of birds of prey in Ireland since the early 2000s. Ricky and Niall discuss the advantages and challenges of this method of bird conservation.

Ricky chats to Dr Allan Mee on the specifics of the Golden Eagle Trusts work to establish a viable breeding White-tailed Eagle population in Ireland after an absence of hundreds of years. 

Bird of the week focuses on the charismatic Red Kite. 

In Your Nature is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly

A little episode about the Steller's Sea eagles biology and life history.

The California condor population was at one point at only 22 individuals, but the determination of several individuals and agencies has led to it being brought back from the brink of extinction. As of 2020 there are more than 500 individuals in the world.

In Your Nature returns with its first episode (of 6) planned for this summer season. This week we are chatting about Swifts, a bird species that has captivated the imagination of many and it's clear that hosts Ricky Whelan and Niall Hatch are also smitten with this charismatic urbanite. 

The chat explores the Swifts unique ecology, the threats they face and some solutions to these the problems are offered. 

Species of the week is the humble House Sparrow.
 
 This podcast is made in partnership with Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and the Heritage Council

This podcast is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly

A new series in the World of Birds Podcast! Each episode shares the story of a conservation of a species. This episode features the Whooping Crane and how it went from only 20 individuals in the 1940's to almost 800 individuals now.



Bird songs Copyright Macaulay Library

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You asked, "how can I help birds?" We said, "HELL YES LET'S HELP SOME BIRDS."

Turns out, there are some very, very simple things you can do to help birds everywhere have a better chance of surviving. From your daily cup of coffee to just appreciating the birds near you, we cover eight easy things you can do every day for your feathered friends.

Want to go the extra mile? We know you do. That's why we also discuss eight MORE things you can do to really level-up your love of birds. COME AT US, BRO.

Share how you help birds by reaching out to us at hellobirdshit@gmail.com or following along on Instagram (@birdshitpodcast). We'd love to hear from you!


BIRD SHIT WE DISCUSSED

USEFUL RESOURCES
Sign up for The Skimm if you’re into sassy millennial takes on world events.

EASY WAYS TO HELP BIRDS

• Help a bird that hits a window: this is Laura Erickson’s advice on what to do!
• Feather-friendly tape helps birds avoid window collisions.
• Bird feeder recommendations to feed your feathered friends.
• Drink Smithsonian-approved, bird-friendly coffee!
• Keep your kitties inside (or get a dope catio).
• Educate or work with feral cat organizations in your community.
• Drive slowly so birds can react to you.
• Appreciate the birds you see around you every day!

BIGGER WAYS TO HELP BIRDS

• Join the Audubon Society (or a local Audubon chapter near you)
• Go on walks with a local birding group.
• Add native plants to your yard (here’s how to do that)
• Volunteer for a bird rehabilitation organization near you.
• Participate in habitat restoration or natural area clean-ups! Literally, like, any new habitat helps.
• Count some birds on Global Big Day! (Psst: the “fall edition," called October Big Day, is on October 19, 2019!)
• Track the birds you see on eBird.
• Support legislation that benefits birds: your vote COUNTS!

DONATE TO THESE RAD ORGANIZATIONS:

• Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Bird Conservation Alliance
• Hawk Mountain 
• Native Songbird Care and Conservation Group