Out There With the Birds

The guys talk about the many ways birds are symbolic for humans. From the U.S. national symbol (the bald eagle) to a fight over the Oregon state bird, to wise owls, canaries in coal mines, beer labels, and bird tattoos, the guys cover topics like a sleeve of tatts covers your arm. Then Ben goes to a waterpark and we're waiting to see if he survived.

Ben & Bill talk about the connections between birding and music, and how music lovers are good at birding by ear; famous birders; the new book Good Birders STILL Don’t Wear White; and how cowbirds learn their own song. Bill’s “The Song in My Head” recommendation is Aimee Mann’s new album, Mental Illness.

The boys continue their discussion from the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine, chatting about seeing Atlantic puffins and other coastal birds and how birding gives you a sense of place. They also talk about two notes sent in by listeners, one about the musical suggestions from Bill and the other a nature soundscape recorded by a listener in Finland. The episode closes with Bill's latest new music recommendation: an artist known as Delicate Steve.

Bill and Ben discuss the weird spring migration of 2017, and Ben interviews two bird migration experts: Greg Neise of the American Birding Association, and Dr. David LaPuma of Cape May Bird Observatory. Many birders agree that 2017's spring migration was abnormal and slow. Was it caused by weather? Climate Change? Population declines? Listen to find out.

The boys recorded this one sitting on the back porch at Opossum Creek Retreat in Fayetteville, West Virginia, following the fabulous New River Birding & Nature Festival. This episode features an interview with Debbie Sturdivant Jordan of Holbrook Travel, one of our podcast sponsors. The fellows talk about learning bird songs, being in birding guide mode, and a great book, The Warbler Guide.

Recorded live during the first international Reader Rendezvous for Bird Watcher's Digest in southern Portugal. The guys talk about birding in this ancient land, and the wonderful food, wine, landscapes, culture, people, and, oh yeah, birds they've encountered. They also talk about upcoming spring birding events and the famous osprey cam on Hog Island, Maine.

The guys share pro tips for traveling birders, especially for optics and carry-on luggage. They also discuss the often hilariously wrong use of bird sounds on TV and in the movies.

Bill and Ben talk about the importance of birding mentors, including the late, great Chan Robbins, who banded Wisdom the albatross in 1956. They talk about opportunities for young birders, and how Bill's daughter, Phoebe, recently added a new species to the home farm bird list.

Ben and Bill yak about birding Big Days, The Big Sit!, tips for a successful Big Sit!, musicality in birds, spring bird song, and the Rock & Roll Rendezvous. Plus Bill has another music recommendation.

Bill and Ben discuss a mind-numbing array of topics including taking care of backyard birds, signs of spring, the NFL's concussion protocol, roadrunner vs. hummingbird, and how birding is good for mental health.

Bill and Ben enjoy and in-person chat from a hotel balcony overlooking the beach in Tybee Island, Georgia. Topics range from beach-nesting birds and rarities to skimmer bills and rusty blackbirds. Bill also offers some new music suggestions.

The fellas recorded this episode while sitting in a rental car in the rain in fabulous birding habitat along the St. John's River near Titusville, Florida. They talk about birding in Florida, limpkin bills, limpkin calls, seeing both bitterns, travel must-haves, and more.

Bill and Ben recorded this episode live from Las Vegas while attending the SHOT Show. They discuss the gear affinity between birding and hunting, the inclusion of eBird in the new Subaru, winter birding, the ethics of owling, Project SNOWstorm, and the Ameircan Birding Expo. With this episode we welcome Kowa Sport Optics as a podcast sponsor!

Bill and Ben recorded this episode live from Las Vegas while attending the SHOT Show. They discuss the gear affinity between birding and hunting, the inclusion of eBird in the new Subaru, winter birding, the ethics of owling, Project SNOWstorm, and the Ameircan Birding Expo. With this episode we welcome Kowa Sport Optics as a podcast sponsor!

Ben and Bill romp through a variety of topics from Duck Stamps to birding events, and from young rock star birders to Ben’s regular reference to scatology.