Dispatches from the Forest

All spiders are arachnids, but not all arachnids are spiders.  Learn more about a couple of these non-spider arachnids - what makes them similar?  What sets them apart?  What makes them really, really, cool?  Well, I'll tell ya'!   Become a Patron and support the Podcast!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Send an email or donate via PayPal:  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Merch store!  G...

Do wolves decimate deer populations or is the survival of deer fawns just low no matter what?  And meet the Solifuge aka Camel Spider, Sun Spider or Wind Scorpion - spoiler alert:  not a spider and also not a scorpion, so what is it?  Find out on this Dirt Dispatch!   Become a patron!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Email me or donate via PayPal:  dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Check o...

By listener request I'm talking about those dumpster diving little bandits: raccoons!  Do they really wash their hands or their food?  Find out the answer to this question and more!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patron!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Send your suggestions, questions or comments or make a donation via PayPal!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Merch store!  Get your...

Pelican update, pronghorn babies and a long-tailed weasel!  Hear what I've been up to and what I've been seeing here at Dispatches HQ!   Become a patron:  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Donate via PayPal or email me!  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Check out the merch store!  Cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest

Coyotes are one of the largest predators most of us are likely to encounter.  They're also one of the most misunderstood animals around.  Join me as I deconstruct the myths and misconceptions about coyotes.   Support the Podcast by becoming a Patron:  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Send me an email or donate via PayPal:  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Get Dispatches from the Forest Mer...

Pelicans, Pronghorn and the prodigious Miller moths.  Check out the happenings here at Dispatches HQ!   Support the podcast by becoming a Patron!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Get some sweet merch at the Merch Store!  Cafepress.com/shop/dispatchesfromtheforest   Send me an email or donate via PayPal:  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com    

This episode is a little shorter than normal since it was a busy week here at Dispatches HQ, but I want to introduce you to two birds who could win awards with their acting abilities: the Killdeer and the American Avocet.  And it just so happens that I've seen both recently!  Tune in to find out more about how these bold little birds employ their inner thespian to protect their nests!   Check out...

Pelican update, more coyotes, moth season and a thorn pig sighting!  Tune in to see what I've been up to!   Patreon:  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   PayPay/email address:  dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Merch store!  cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

This year we're witnessing an event that hasn't happened since 1803 - when Thomas Jefferson was president.  The dual emergence of a 13 year species of cicada and a 17 year species of cicada.  So in honor of that we're revisiting cicadas - and learning some cool new things about them!  We're also revisiting cicada killer wasps and cicada zombie butt fungus!     Support the podcast by becoming a pat...

Pelican update, coyotes out during the daytime, a possible crow's nest and becoming a Certified Interpretive Guide.     Become patron to support the Podcast! (C'mon, it's as low as $5 a month!) Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest   PayPal a donation or send me a message (reach out, let me know you care!): dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Get some sweet Dispatches from the Forest Merch!  (You kn...

Learn about some snakes native to Wyoming: The Prairie Rattlesnake, the Midget Faded Rattlesnake and Bull Snake - and why misinformation and not reading closely are more dangerous than venomous snakes.   Got comments?  Questions?  Suggestions? PayPal donations? Send them to me at Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Want to support the podcast with a monthly donation?  Check out our Patreon page: ...

In this dispatch I'll give you a Pelican update, share "who" I heard the other day and tell you what I learned about Turkey Vultures in the state of Wyoming.  Tune in and give it a listen, then: 1.  Consider becoming a patron:  patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest 2.  Send a message or make a donation via PayPal:  Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com 3.  Get some merch!  Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromth...

We hear a lot about air pollution and water pollution, but what about light pollution?  I mean, it's not real pollution right?   It's just an inconvenience for stargazers.  Actually light pollution can have some very real impacts on plants, insects, animals, human health and even water quality.  Learn more about why the night should be dark on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast...

Welcome to Dirt Dispatch #1!  These are designed to be short and informal - a place for me to talk about what nature-related shenanigans I've been up to, what I've been seeing, my opinions on various topics, updates on things I've talked about before - basically things that might not fit into an episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast.  It will also give you a glimpse behind the scenes....

A wonderful bird is the Pelican, Its bill can hold more than his belican It can take in its beak Enough food for a week But damned if I know how the helican!   Lean more about American White Pelican and Brown Pelicans in this episode!   Email/PayPal address: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Merch!  Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Red-winged Blackbirds and Meadowlarks are both very vocal, both migratory in my area, and both members of the Icteridae family.  In this episode we'll learn more about these heralds of Spring!   Check out our Patreon page: patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Also our merch store:  cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Send an email, donate via PayPal:  dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Spring is here!  (At least in the Northern Hemisphere).  A time celebrated by many cultures as a time of rebirth and renewal.  Rabbits are often a symbol of spring, given their propensity for....reproducing.  Learn more about the members of the order Lagomorpha - Rabbits, hares, and Pika.   Check out our Patreon page:  Patreon.com/dispatchestheforest   PayPal/Email address:  dispatchesfromthefores...

There are 15 species of crane worldwide, but only 2 are native to North America: The Sandhill Crane and the Whooping Crane.  The Sandhill Crane's spring migration staging is considered to be one of the top wildlife spectacles in the world.  Whooping Cranes were once nearly extinct - with fewer than 28 individuals left in the wild.  Learn more about these remarkable birds and the fight to keep them...

Magpies are one of the smartest animals on the planet - they make tools, play and hold "funerals" for their dead.  Learn more about this amazing member of the Corvid family in this episode! Become a patron!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Check out our Merch store!  cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Email/PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Several stories hit the news recently that relate - either directly or indirectly - to things I've talked about in the last few episodes of this podcast.  I'll update you on stories relating to wolverines, wolves and other efforts to reintroduce native species in their historic range.   Paypal/Email address:  DispatchesFromTheForest@gmail.com   Patreon:  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Merch...

Lemmings are another small, artic tundra dwelling mammal - and they have a very interesting relationship with Snowy Owls.  Learn more about both - and how Walt Disney shamefully contributed to lemming myths - in this episode!   Become a patron!  Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Visit our merch store!  Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Sent us an email or donate via PayPal: dispatchesfro...

Last episode I told you about a "Golden Mole" which, as it turns out, is not actually a mole.  So what IS a mole?  And what's the difference between a Mole and Vole?  And what's a shrew and can it be tamed?  All these questions will be answered in this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast!   Check out our Patreon Page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest   Merch Store:  cafepress.com/...

We finish off 2023 by looking at some of the notable news from the past year, including new species discovered, old species re-discovered and species re-introduced into the wild.  We've got insects, spiders, monotremes, a snake named Harrison Ford and more!  Check it out!   Email/PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Patreon: Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest   Merch Store: cafepress.com/d...

Today I'm talking about more mustelids!  You've probably heard of a wolverine - whether it's the superhero or the University of Michigan mascot - but what do you really know about wolverines?  Probably not much (I know I didn't!) so join me to learn more about the mighty wolverine and his little cousin the fisher.   Send a message or donate via PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com   Check out...

"Wild Horses" aka Mustangs in America are a surprisingly complex and controversial issue.  Ride along as we explore the history of horses in North America and venture into the controversy surrounding one of the iconic animals of the American West - the Mustang. Then check out our Patreon and become a patron!  Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest Or make a donation via Paypal or send us a message: ...