Dispatches from the Forest

Arctic foxes live in one of the harshest environments on the planet - and yet, it doesn't seem to bother them.  How do they manage to survive in the arctic?  Find out on this first episode of 2026!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com...

The last Dirt Dispatch of 2025!  2026 promises to be a year of transition and change but also new opportunities and adventures - at least here at Dispatches from the Forest.  We wish you all the best in the New Year.  Tune in to hear my thoughts - I'll also revisit the Greenland Wildlife Overpass - largest wildlife overpass located just a couple hours south of me!   Support the podcast! Become a p...

Ptarmigan are birds that live in the arctic and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere.  And they are well adapted to life in the cold!  Learn more about the hare-footed arctic bird with the silent "P" in its name: the ptarmigan!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or send me an ema...

Elk tusks and Peapod the pocket squirrel.  I mean really, what more do I have to say to get you to listen to this Dirt Dispatch?   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Venmo, PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest Fo...

Snow leopards are built to live in cold, high altitude environments.  They're also one of the most elusive predators on the planet.  Do they really carry their tail around in their mouths though?  Find out on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via Pa...

Why are the Great horned owls so vocal this time of year and are raccoons really becoming domesticated?  Find out on this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest F...

It's been 4 years since I first talked about wild turkeys - but in honor of American Thanksgiving we're revisiting this delicious upland game bird.  Learn more about the wild cousins of the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving dinners on this episode!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!...

Find out what cool observations I've made recently, the world's largest spider web is discovered (not by me though!) and a couple social media rants!  Tune in and then go outside and get dirty!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merc...

Thanks to Dawn for this listener-requested topic: Siamese Fighting Fish, A.K.A. Bettas.  This ubiquitous pet store fish is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world, and not only is their history with humans interesting, but they are interesting from a wildlife perspective too!  Learn more on this episode!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Don...

There are seasons that are defined by the rising and setting of the sun, and seasons that are defined by which invertebrates are invading my house.  Learn more about Miller Moths, Boxelder bugs and Western conifer seed bugs in this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me! ...

We're capping off Spooky Season by learning about some of the biggest spiders in the world!  No tricks, just treats!   You know what would be a treat?  If you supported the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dis...

I'm not social media savvy, but a video I posted on TikTok and Instagram of a pair of owls being mobbed by crows got really popular!  Yay!  On this Dirt Dispatch I'll address some of the questions and misconceptions that came up in the comments of this and another of my videos.   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd...

We'll continue on the theme of "creepy" animals with a look at the Aye-aye and the Vampire Squid.  How are they creepy?  Well, I guess if you want to know you'll need to come into the darkness to find out....bwahahahahahaha!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromthefore...

My thoughts on being outside in the dark, and what the data says about the impact of wolves on deer populations.  Check it out!   Support the podcast! Become a patron: www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out the merch store: www.cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest Follow Dis...

It's finally "spooky season"!  So let's talk about things that lurk in the dark.  Because we humans are not afraid of the dark, per se, but of the things IN the dark, the things the darkness is concealing. Whippoorwills are one of those things.  And like other things that we hear calling in the dark of night, they’re the subject of many a legend.  Lean more about these legendary birds in this epis...

My stance on the use of A.I. as it relates to the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast, and one of my favorite things ever - the singing of coyotes in response to a unique aspect of living on a military base.  Check it out on this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the podcast!  Become a patron!  www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate using the Cash App and $ForestNerd Donate via PayPal or send an ema...

The largest butterflies in the world are species of Swallowtail butterflies.  Learn more about these big, beautiful members of Lepidoptera on this episode!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patron! www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via PayPal or send me an email!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Donate via the Cash App using $ForestNerd Check out the merch store! www.cafepress.com...

Seldom seen but working hard to help clean up dead stuff, carrion beetles are fascinating insects.  And even among carrion beetles, burying beetles are unique.  Learn all about burying beetles on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Support the podcast by becoming a Patron!  Get the details at www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate using the Cash App and the Cashtag $For...

On this episode I tell you all about the Belted Kingfisher.  A mohawk sporting punk rocker of a bird that lives near calm waters across the U.S. and Canada.  It's a Kerfuffle of Kingfishers!  Check it out!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patron!  Get all the details at www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Send me an email or donate via PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Donate using...

The Double-crested Cormorant is a diving bird that's widespread across North America.  If you've spent any time near water you've probably seen one, but this is your chance to learn more about these fascinating divers! And afterwards you can go outside and get dirty!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patron!  www.patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest Donate using PayPal or send me an email: Dispat...

How does wildlife survive extreme weather and a whole bunch of animal observations on this Dirt Dispatch!   Support the Podcast!  Become a Patron!  www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate using the Cash App and the Cashtag $ForestNerd or Donate using PayPal and my email address: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Follow Dispatches from the Forest on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

When George Perry published the first image of a koala in his 1810 natural history work Arcana, he wrote, “…they have little either in their character or appearance to interest the Naturalist or Philosopher."   But I say that this just proves that ol' George was not a very good Naturalist.  Learn why George was so very wrong on this episode of the Podcast!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patro...

The world's largest wildlife crossing is nearing completion not too far from Dispatches HQ and a couple of really cool insects that I saw this week.  Check it out! Support the podcast by becoming a patron! www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via PayPal or send me an email!  dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Donate using the Cash App and the cashtag $ForestNerd Check out the merch store!...

There are two animals that are called, at least in English, "Pandas" - the Red Panda and the Giant Panda (aka "Panda Bear").  But other than sharing part of their names, they're not closely related.  Learn more about two of the most adorable members of the animal kingdom on this episode! Support the Podcast! Become a patron:  www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Donate via PayPal or email me: D...

There is an abundance of wildflowers in bloom here around Dispatches HQ - learn about some of these plants and how they were traditionally used on this episode of Dirt Dispatches!   Support the podcast! Patreon:  www.patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest PayPal (and my email address!): Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Cash App:  $ForestNerd Merch Store: www.cafepress.com/shop/Dispatchesfromthefores...