Looking at Birds: A Birding Podcast

This is the 2nd and last episode in Texas where I spoke with Katie Christman, an Educational Specialist at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center. She tells us about her experiences with the American Kestrel they have on campus along with her desire to help people have positive experiences out in nature. 

For this episode and the next, the podcast makes a brief stop in Texas. My guest is Rita Lokie, a Texas Master Naturalist who, in her role as an Environmental Educator at the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA), teaches children about birds, invertebrates and plant life. She'll also tell us about the wonderful Scissor-tailed Flycatcher!

My guest is Karen Vandergrift, certified as a Master Naturalist in Arizona and California, she leads bird walks and naturalist talks. Karen tells us about her wonderful introduction to birds outside of the US as well the importance of planting native plants. She also has a few things to share about the Turkey Vulture :)

My guest is Jeff Babson, an all-around naturalist who currently works for the Pima County Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation as the county’s Wildlife Viewing Program Specialist. Jeff talks about the Montezuma Quail and shares his passion for making birding more accessible. He also tells us which birds he'd like to see next: all of them!

My guest is Jennie MacFarland, a Conservation Biologist for the Tucson Audubon Society. She tells us about bird surveys, bird counts and the Lesser Goldfinch. Jennie also helps us to distinguish a wing bar from an epaulette.

This episode, I talk to Marcia OBara, a retired RN who recently pursued a big year. She tells us about what she'd do differently on another Big Year, about her birdability field trips and what a supercilium is. 

This episode I have two guests: Bob and Prudy Bowers. They tell us about their differing paths into birding, share about the Cactus Wren & Crested Caracara while going off on a few tangents identifying some vocal birds that visit us during the podcast.

In this episode, I talk to Ray Deeney. After retiring as an attorney who specialized in mental health issues, Ray now leads and participates in various bird counts, field trips and citizen science projects. Ray talks about telegraph poles in bird guides, growing up with canaries and shares some information on the Burrowing Owl.

In this episode, I talk to Dan Weisz. After a career in public education, he now spends his time outdoors taking pictures, participating in bird counts and handling raptors. Dan talks about how he birds, clears up some misinformation surrounding Great Horned Owls, and shares some of his experiences handling birds of prey. 

In this episode, I talk to Holly Kleindienst, a former Wildland Firefighter, Fire Manager and current leader of birding field trips. Holly tells us about her early encounters with White-tailed Ptarmigan, why she loves eBird and shares a few things about the Greater Roadrunner.