Avian Beauty Podcast #21

09/20/19 • 3 min

Thanks for listening to the 21st episode of the Avian Beauty podcast. Today I have some news. I have listened to the feedback I am getting from listeners and the majority of you want a longer show. Those who I polled overwhelmingly want me to bring on guests as well. This involves a lot more planning and logistical consideration as well as longer recording and edit times, so I am going to a once per month schedule. Beginning the second week of October, I'll start publishing one episode per month.

If you have any suggestions for guests, please email me at [email protected].

Additionally, I am going to introduce a news or current events component to the show. I'll discuss how climate and over population have impacted bird populations and bring on specialists who can discuss possible solutions to the problems birds face.

Right now, I'll give you an idea of what I mean by finishing off today's podcast with some items of interest to most bird lovers.

According to Birdwatching Magazine, new research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) shows how the world’s most widely used insecticides could be partly responsible for a dramatic decline in songbird populations.

A new study published in the journal Science is the first experiment to track the effects of pesticides on birds in the wild.

The study found that White-crowned Sparrows that consumed small doses of an insecticide suffered weight loss and delays to their migration–effects that could severely harm the birds’ chances of surviving and reproducing.

According to Aquarian Weekly, a musician named Stephanie Seymour has found a way for bird lovers and music fans to unite. Stephanie is an avid birdwatcher and has brought two unlikely interests together to create the album, "There Are Birds."

It's a solo album all about birds (literally, metaphorically, from their perspective, etc.) There is a link to the album in the show notes at avianbeauty.com.

https://stephanieseymour.bandcamp.com/album/there-are-birds

And finally this piece of news. If you are love birds, you aren't alone.

Bird-watching is a multi-million dollar industry and one of the biggest attractions for ecotourism . The recreational sport associated with bird-watching, called "birding," has one of the largest followings of any leisure activity in the world. According to the U.S. census, 24 million Americans play basketball; 23 million play baseball, and nine million play football. By comparison, the census says that roughly 60 million people consider themselves birdwatchers. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study, in the United States alone, bird watchers contributed about $36 billion to the U.S. economy.

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Avian Beauty. Thanks for listening.

If you have news about birds or birding, or if you have show content ideas, please send me an email at: [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

Be sure to visit avianbeauty.com for more bird inspiration and information and please consider subscribing (for free) to our blog and podcast. I’m Scott Bourne. Happy birding.

If you'd like to show your appreciation for this site, please consider the purchase of prints or gifts featuring Scott's bird art, visit scottbourne.photos for more information.

If you have any suggestions for guests, please email me at [email protected].

Right now, I'll give you an idea of what I mean by finishing off today's podcast with some items of interest to most bird lovers.

A new study published in the journal Science is the first experiment to track the effects of pesticides on birds in the wild.

It's a solo album all about birds (literally, metaphorically, from their perspective, etc.) There is a link to the album in the show notes at avianbeauty.com.

https://stephanieseymour.bandcamp.com/album/there-are-birds

And finally this piece of news. If you are love birds, you aren't alone.

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Avian Beauty. Thanks for listening.

If you have news about birds or birding, or if you have show content ideas, please send me an email at: [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you.

Be sure to visit avianbeauty.com for more bird inspiration and information and please consider subscribing (for free) to our blog and podcast. I’m Scott Bourne. Happy birding.

If you'd like to show your appreciation for this site, please consider the purchase of prints or gifts featuring Scott's bird art, visit scottbourne.photos for more information.

Previous Episode

Avian Beauty Podcast #20

Today's Avian Beauty podcast will be a departure. Instead of talking about a specific bird, I'll be sharing some basic tips on how to enjoy birdwatching, or birding as those of us in the trenches call it.

The first thing you need to do is get yourself a set of binoculars. Don't worry if you can't afford the fancy kind. Just look for something from Celestron if you're on a budget. If you can spare the change, the more you spend, the better your results. My favorite pair come from Olympus and in today's show notes, I've linked to an article I wrote about the Olympus binoculars that will help you select a pair, regardless of your brand preference

https://avianbeauty.com/2019/04/08/olympus-10x42-pro-binocular-first-look/

Next you'll need a good hat, some sun screen and the all important field guide. A field guide is a book that helps you identify birds. While there are plenty of apps for this, I like to encourage beginners to use an actual book they can take anywhere, regardless of access to wifi.

My favorite for beginners is The New Birder's Guide to Birds of North America by Bill Thompson III. He passed away recently and was much loved in the birding world. His book is his legacy and will help anyone interested in the hobby. https://amzn.to/2Ut4GjK

If you do want to use an app on your phone, the free Merlin Bird ID is the best there is. It's from The Cornell Lab and the link to find it is in the show notes http://merlin.allaboutbirds.org

You don't need to go to an exotic place to start birding. Head to the back yard, set up a few feeders, add a simple bird bath, sit down on the porch with your binoculars and field guide and you'll begin to see birds in a new light.

You'll want to build a list of birds you see (called a life list) and you may even want to snap a few photos of the birds that visit your backyard.

Lastly, I'd suggest going to some bird meetups. They are available almost everywhere and you can find other birders by visiting your local Audubon chapter.

Most importantly, have fun. Birding is a great hobby and you'll find yourself relaxing in new ways while getting closer to our feathered friends.

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Avian Beauty. Thanks for listening.

Be sure to visit avianbeauty.com for more bird inspiration and information and please consider subscribing (for free) to our blog and podcast. I’m Scott Bourne. Happy birding.

If you'd like to show your appreciation for this site, please consider the purchase of prints or gifts featuring Scott's bird art, visit scottbourne.photos for more information.