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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 (#1,010 Nov. 3): Listener Audio Postcards from Wisconsin and Belize; a Science Corner report on bird behavior; and Mike O’Connor with a surprising feeder bird stat. Hear it here.
Hummingbird feeding station in Urubamba, Peru
This active webcam is in Atlantic time. You might see Giant Hummingbird, Sparkling Violetear, Black-tailed Trainbearer, White-bellied Woodstar, Shining Sunbeam, White-tufted Sunbeam, Green-and-White Hummingbird, Mountain Velvetbreast, Tyrian Metaltail, Great Sapphirewing, and Bearded Mountaineer. Keep your sound turned up! (10/30)
The growing scourge of plastic pollution: in numbers
Nations could agree in December on a treaty to reduce the amount of plastic leaking into the environment which, if nothing is done, is forecast to triple by 2060. How did we get here? And what are the impacts on the environment and the climate? (10/29)
Petaluma's reusable cup project is ending its successful pilot run
The program began in early August and is set to end next week. Petaluma (California) city officials say it's been hugely successful, and that over 150,000 cups were returned within the first two months alone. (10/22)
Ray in the Talkin’ Birds Garden
Talking, as usual. Not that we listened. We were all too busy getting the actual work done clearning the garden on a recent work day. (10/24)
Project Feederwatch begins
FeederWatch is a November-April survey of birds that visit backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. You don’t even need a feeder! All you need is an area from which you like to watch birds. Plus, the schedule is completely flexible: you can count every week or once all winter, for as much or as little time as you like. (10/31)
The gift of a photo
Naturalist & tour leader David Clapp sent us this spectacular photo of a Steller’s Sea Eagle, for which we’re most grateful. (10/28)
New study upends common belief that birds escape winter to save energy
Scientists have long surmised that birds migrate during winters to save energy. The reasoning has been pretty obvious: far away from the biting cold, birds would need to expend less energy to keep themselves warm. New research has upended that assumption. (10/21)
Nokomis, Florida feeder cam
This charming feeder cam has good enough sound that we were able to hear a Common Grackle chuckling to himself while inspecting the food offerings. The birds seem to hang around for quite a while, too. Bonus: You might see cranes, egrets, and ducks walking around on the grass behind the feeders. (10/23)
Our sponsors and partners:
Bird vocalizations provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Website photography by Shawn Carey/Migration Productions.