Laura Erickson's For the Birds

Ginormous Bird Migration Day 07.10.2026 6:41 ↓

Laura reminisces about the largest migration day she ever witnessed.

The Cutest Queue of All 06.10.2026 8:16 ↓

In a world of chaos and randomness, chickadees create order and fairness.

September! 29.09.2026 6:19 ↓

September is securely in first place (in an 8-way tie), as Laura's favorite month. What makes it so special?

About that banded female bird... 23.09.2026 6:57 ↓

Laura got a lot of information about that banded female Pileated Woodpecker visiting her yard this week, along with photos!

When Humor Doesn't Land 21.09.2026 4:06 ↓

Some things are no laughing matter. A reader of Laura Erickson's blog, which serves as a transcript to this radio program/podcast, took legitimate offense at the post titled, "Detaining Migrants Here in Duluth."

Surprising Discovery about My Female Banded Pileated Woodpecker 18.09.2026 5:41 ↓

The band on the Pileated Woodpecker who just showed up in Laura's yard is at least 15 or 20 years old, but that doesn't mean the woodpecker is!

Detaining Migrants in Duluth--Avian Version 17.09.2026 6:20 ↓

The licensed government agents detaining avian migrants deal with them much more kindly than do those detaining human beings. (This one may make some listeners angry.)

Texas, Part 2: Whooping Cranes and More! 16.09.2026 4:44 ↓

Russ wanted to make absolutely certain that Laura saw Whooping Cranes on their trip to Texas. Sure enough!

Discovering Texas with Russ 15.09.2026 7:23 ↓

Laura went on her first planned birding trip, the itinerary including the best birding hotspots of the area, in 1978,

Turning my universe right-side up. 10.09.2026 6:55 ↓

Childhood dreams sometimes do come true.

Piping Plovers nesting at Wisconsin Point! 09.09.2026 6:42 ↓

This summer, for the first time in almost half a century, a pair of Piping Plovers nested along Wisconsin Point in Superior. This was both parents' first nesting attempt and the nest failed, but this proves the value of recent habitat improvement at the Wisconsin Point Bird Sanctuary. The photo is of these nesting birds, taken by Mikayla Erickson of the St. Louis River Alliance.

Botflies 04.09.2026 7:57 ↓

True botflies don't bother birds in Canada or the northern states, but that doesn't mean Laura hasn't been thinking about them lately.

Blowflies and other external parasites 03.09.2026 4:53 ↓

Why should you clean out your bird house after the baby birds leave?

Savoring and Wondering 31.08.2026 7:53 ↓

Taking time to savor a wild creature can be very rewarding.

Neighborly Exchanges 27.08.2026 6:31 ↓

My daughter lives next door to one of my good birding friends, so we let each other know about good birds.

Feeding peanuts and corn safely. 26.08.2026 7:15 ↓

A great many birds love peanuts and corn, but there are several very important caveats about offering it to them.

When does autumn begin? 21.08.2026 7:16 ↓

There are many different ways to pinpoint the end of summer and the start of autumn.

Forget Forgetfulness, Part 2: Blue Jays Just Wanna Have Fun 19.08.2026 3:45 ↓

Squirrels hoard food supplies. Blue Jays hoard food AND toys.

Forget Forgetfulness, Part 1--Symbiosis between Blue Jays and oaks. 18.08.2026 5:55 ↓

Laura talks about the relationship between Blue Jays and oaks

Peabody Street Happenings 10.08.2026 6:40 ↓

Lots of comings and goings on Peabody Street.

Hope for the Future 05.08.2026 5:43 ↓

Hunter Biden’s splendid blog is filled with hope, redemption, and even some birds. (NON-political.)

Bird Life on Islands 31.07.2026 7:07 ↓

Why do oceanic islands have so many species we don't see anywhere else? And why does the geologic history of an island make a difference in how many and what species live there?

A future trip jogs memories of a past trip 28.07.2026 6:47 ↓

Laura and Russ are headed to the Galápagos Islands next year. The tour leader, Alvaro Jamarillo, is someone Laura met almost 20 years ago on a different tour.

Monarchs as Bird Food 27.07.2026 7:25 ↓

Monarch caterpillars and butterflies are supposed to be toxic, but birds haven't always gotten that memo. (The blog post accompanying this program has a LOT of cool photos and videos, especially of the monarch's life cycle.)

Air Quality, Part 2 21.07.2026 7:07 ↓

Even as Laura is as furious as she is terrified of the horrible conditions in Duluth right now, she's finding beauty.