We talk about some great conservation news; we learn some fascinating phalarope facts; and Mike O'Connor explains the wanderings of the Pine Siskin.
#212: April 26, 2009
Our man John "Gadabout" Galluzzo checks in from the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in New York. Also, a caller makes good use of her field guide in our Mystery Bird Contest, and Mike O'Connor helps—or at least sympathizes with—a listener whose robins are singing at 2 a.m.
#211: April 19, 2009
The late, great Roger Miller helps us introduce our Featured Feathered Friend; we field a couple of calls from Canada; and Mike O'Connor helps a listener solve a cowbird conundrum.
#210: April 12, 2009
Bird migration researcher Tim Spahr describes how he predicted a big fallout of birds last spring and how he might do it again. Our man Mike O'Connor explains the behavior of paint-eating Blue Jays, and we learn how a beautiful diver got its name.
#209: April 5, 2009
David Clapp joins us for some hummingbird talk; Mike O'Connor offers advice for a concerned backyard birder; and "Daddy Longlegs" is today's Mystery Bird.
#208: March 29, 2009
An email quiz leads you to a two-pound bag of Birds and Beans bird-friendly coffee. Also, Mike O'Connor solves a mystery about bees in bird feeders, and we learn about the plain bird with the flashing wings.
#207: March 22, 2009
We try to solve the mystery of a Robin's egg found in February; we give away more Birds and Beans coffee; and we learn some interesting stuff about a misnamed bird.
#206: March 15, 2009
We travel to ancient Troy to learn about a "beautiful swimmer"; our man Mike O'Connor answers a question about birds and salmonella; and you could win a two-pound bag of bird-friendly coffee in our email quiz.
#205: March 8, 2009
We learn about the only true lark that's native to North America; Mike O'Connor opines on the effect of cold weather on the timing of migrating birds; and our resident poet, Doug Chickering, laments "The Year of Perpetual Winter."
#204: March 1, 2009
We learn about a bird that looks like a Viking ship; Mike O'Connor answers a surprising listener question; and we give away six pounds of bird-friendly coffee!
#203: February 22, 2009
Renowned field guide author and naturalist Kenn Kaufman joins us to provide some firsthand observations about the importance of bird-friendly coffee. Also today, we head way out west to learn about a bird from...way back east.
#202: February 15, 2009
We welcome naturalist and author Scott Weidensaul, who explains the virtues of bird-friendly coffee. Also, Mike O'Connor discusses how ultraviolet light may prevent bird window crashes.
#201: February 8, 2009
Biologist Bridget Stutchbury talks about bird-friendly coffee and the Birds and Beans northern tour. Also, Mike O'Connor shatters a myth about birds and Christmas trees, and we learn a great way to tell the difference between a Cooper's Hawk and a Sharpie.
#200: February 1, 2009
Dr. Russell Greenberg of the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center explains why drinking shade-grown coffee is so important. Also today, we learn about an owl that flies like a crow, and we present a Let's Ask Mike segment that we call "Like the Downy of a Thistle."
#199: January 25, 2009
We learn about a beautiful bird whose diet ranges from fish and crustaceans to carrion from polar bear kills. Also today, our Let's Ask Mike segment helps a listener deal with suet-stealing starlings.
#198: January 18, 2009
We learn about a bird that's not as quiet as his name would suggest; and Mike O'Connor answers a question about putting lavender fronds...in your birdbath.
#197: January 11, 2009
Intrepid birder Doug Chickering describes his amazing bird-a-day feat and waxes poetic about his favorite sightings of 2008.
#196: January 4, 2009
The strange legend of the Barnacle Goose, our poem entitled "Shooting Clouds," and in our Let's Ask Mike segment, the score is Barred Owl 1, American Crow 0.
#195: December 28, 2008
We learn about a sea mouse and an evening singer, and get some tips on keeping your tabby away from your troglodytes.
#194: December 21, 2008
We discover how the voyages of Captain Cook led to the naming of a tern; we hear a bird that sounds like a cow; and Mike O'Connor helps a listener who's craving crossbills.