Laura Erickson's For the Birds

In retrospect: The BP Oil Spill, Part 2 12.11.2024 6:55 ↓

Laura talks about the extremely low-tech and ineffective way BP tried to protect beaches and islands after the spill, and the even worse way they approached cleanup. There are many photos and a video on the accompanying blog post at (https://lauraerickson.substack.com/p/getting-away-with-murder-part-2)

Look to the Chickadees 11.11.2024 5:10 ↓

As Laura faces her 73rd birthday in what feels like a hopeless time, she looks to chickadees. (This program was reworked from the "For the Birds" program from October 12, 2010.)

In retrospect: The BP Oil Spill, Part 1 05.11.2024 5:22 ↓

The BP oil spill was when Laura learned just how much power a corporation has over individuals; well-meaning and well-respected organizations and institutions; and our government.

Standing up to them 29.10.2024 6:21 ↓

Billionaires and corporations have too much power over us, birds, and the environment we need and share.

You're not getting older, you're getting better--oh, wait--you ARE getting older 25.10.2024 5:11 ↓

Birding may keep us young, but not literally.

Transmission Lines, Part 2 23.10.2024 5:28 ↓

Clean energy should be making us less, not more, reliant on huge transmission lines.

Transmission Lines 22.10.2024 5:29 ↓

Power transmission lines can be very harmful for birds and human beings.

Going to a Scientific Meeting in 2024 18.10.2024 5:45 ↓

Laura recently returned from the American Ornithological Society's annual meeting. Some things have changed, and some remain the same.

Going to Scientific Meetings in Past Decades 17.10.2024 5:50 ↓

Laura's has attended a few professional ornithological meetings through the years.

Emergency Responders: Blue Jay Style 26.09.2024 6:24 ↓

Blue Jays help protect each other from Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Mistakes R Us 25.09.2024 6:25 ↓

More cases of errors and mistaken identity, and one case of vindication

Oops! Correcting the record 24.09.2024 5:23 ↓

When Laura makes a mistake, she appreciates people who let her know about it, but notes that there are good ways and bad ways of doing so.

Stokes Guide to Finches: Hawaiian Honeycreepers 20.09.2024 4:32 ↓

Laura talked to Lillian Stokes and Matt Young about their decision to include the finches of Hawaii (called the Hawaiian Honeycreepers) in their new book.

Stokes Guide to Finches: Evening Grosbeaks 19.09.2024 5:13 ↓

Matt Young is doing important work with his Finch Research Network to help one of Laura's favorite birds of all, the Evening Grosbeak. He and Lillian Stokes talked about this splendid bird and their new book.

Stokes Guide to Finches: Goldfinches 18.09.2024 4:08 ↓

When Laura talked with Lillian Stokes and Matt Young about their new book, *The Stokes Guide to Finches,* they talked about one of our most widespread, common finches, the American Goldfinch.

For the Finches: How Lillian Stokes and Matt Young connected thanks to Red Crossbills 17.09.2024 5:40 ↓

Laura spent time talking with Lillian Stokes and Matt Young about their new book, *The Stokes Guide to Finches*. Today they explain how they met and decided to produce this book.

Book Review: The Stokes Guide to Finches 16.09.2024 6:05 ↓

On September 17, Little Brown will be releasing a great new book, *The Stokes Guide to Finches.* Laura explains why she likes it.

American Golden-Plover 10.09.2024 5:51 ↓

A plucky little survivor. Except when it isn't.

Blue Jay migration 06.09.2024 4:45 ↓

The mystery of Blue Jay migration, and the irony of human nature.

Birdbaths! 04.09.2024 5:45 ↓

On Labor Day, Laura had a most unexpected visitor at her birdbath.

Nighthawks! 29.08.2024 5:17 ↓

Duluth birders, and even many non-birders, have been enjoying a huge nighthawk migration this week.

Peabody Street Update: The Good News and the Bad News 28.08.2024 5:17 ↓

There's a lot happening on Peabody Street these days.

Hummingbirds! 27.08.2024 4:56 ↓

Are this year's numbers normal?

Joan Brigham at 100! 20.08.2024 7:27 ↓

Laura and Russ drove to Michigan this weekend to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of the most important people in Laura's birding life.

Crafting Invincible Environmental Protections, Part 5B: Why Vilify Rachel Carson? 16.08.2024 6:00 ↓

The many forces funded by anti-environmental think tanks and the chemical industry are still vilifying Rachel Carson, accusing her of being responsible for the deaths of millions of children. Why are they so persistent?