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“Thank you for bringing science and community together in a joyful radio show.”
— Colleen, East Walpole, Massachusetts
On our latest show (#991 June 23): Avian Audio Postcards from Texas and Massachusetts; a colorful eider that summers, and winters, in Alaska; and we learn about keeping our drinking water safe.
Hear it here.
Birding to recover
Suffering from career confusion, alcoholism, and drug abuse, Dorian Anderson resigned his research position at Massachusetts General Hospital, bought a bicycle, and -- with no cycling experience -- pedaled it 18,000 miles around the United States in search of 600 bird species. This is the memoir of that remarkable trip. Ray spoke with Dorian on our episode #989 (June 9). (6/10)
By 2032, almost anything you buy in Minnesota will come in recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging
Environmental groups and Twin Cities leaders say requiring that packaging be recyclable is key to reducing the growing amount of waste. (6/4)
These national parks are hosting astronomy festivals in 2024
Get outside, ditch the light pollution and marvel at the cosmos on these protected public lands. In addition to helping birds migrate safely, turning our lights out makes such festivals possible. (6/6)
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Nope, not a rock. These two photos of an Eastern Whip-poor-will were sent to us by Talkin' Birds Ambassadors Mike and Judy Timko. The first (resting? plotting to take over the world?) is by Mike, and the second (yawning? saying "Cheese!" for the camera?) is by Judy. These were taken at Plum Island, on the North Shore of Massachusetts. (6/4)
Creating a throw-away culture: How companies ingrained plastics in modern life
Just for a minute, think about how much of the plastic you use today will end up as trash. Drink bottles? Grocery bags? Food wrappers? If you live in the United States, it’ll probably add up to about a pound of stuff — just today. (6/11)
24-hour World Series of Birding tests and delights college students
'You are just running on caffeine and snack food,' says James Kellam, an ornithologist and an associate professor of biology and environmental science at Saint Vincent’s Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing. (6/13)
Cuckoos deceive other birds into raising their young & their tactics enhance biodiversity
By examining the evolutionary arms race between cuckoos and the birds they exploit, this study found that each species of bronze-cuckoo has evolved to closely resemble the chicks of their host birds. In this way, it successfully deceives the host parents into accepting the cuckoo chicks. (6/3)
Live Allen's Hummingbird Nest Cam
Never a dull moment! Olive the Allen’s Hummingbird lives in a residential backyard in Oceanside, California. She is estimated to be about 3-4 years old. her chicks recently hatched, so she’s busy all day finding food for them. (6/5)
Our sponsors and partners:
Bird vocalizations provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Website photography by Shawn Carey/Migration Productions.