One of the things I appreciate the most about the internet is that it allows me to connect and learn from people that I probably would have never met without it. For example, I now have a morning yoga practice because of several online yoga teachers, and my vegan cooking skills have skyrocketed as a result of Instagram. The same can also be said about my knowledge of the natural world.
I have watched videos about tracking animals on YouTube, I have explored scientific journals on the identification of mushrooms, and I have learned more than I would have every thought possible about trees, sewer rats, and science communication by listening to Ologies with Alie Ward. The extent of information out on the web is immense and sometimes overwhelming. As a result, I thought I would share a few of my recent favorite finds.
Today we are talking about birds. Specifically, I want to focus on birding podcasts and videos. If you want information on bird identification, I would suggest AllAboutBirds.org from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or Audubon’s Bird Guide. Both of these resources have a ton of information and articles. But for this post, I want focus on those resources you can listen to while running errands, or watch as you are cooking dinner.
Since April 2020, the National Audubon Society has been holding monthly Facebook live events call I Saw A Bird.
“Each month, Audubon’s senior producer of visual storytelling Christine Lin and senior director of bird-friendly communities John Rowden (previously: chief network officer David Ringer) will welcome celebrities and guests to offer a fresh look at the world of birds and birdwatching. Episodes will air the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm ET as a Facebook Live on Audubon’s Facebook page.” (I Saw A Bird)
Last month they talked about live bird cams, baby owls, and Wisdom, a 70 year old Albatross who just hatched a chick. This is fascinating stuff.
Kristi Dranginis is the the founder of Bird Mentor. Her online platform has course about bird language and bird song. I have found her YouTube channel particularly helpful. The tagline for her channel is “Advanced Skills for Beginning Birders”. I love that.
“Bird Mentor is a resource for live and online birding courses helping birders worldwide develop mastery & awaken deep nature connection as they learn about birds. Students are immersed in the principles of instinctive birding, bird song for beginners, and my innovative model for advanced bird identification.” (Bird Mentor: YouTube)
Check out her Tips for Learning Bird Song series. They give you a great overview of her teaching style.
Finally, I found this last show through Instagram. Ray Brown’s Talking Birds is webpage and radio show about birds and conservation. Ray Brown is a veteran broadcaster with over 30 years in radio. In 2015, he began talking about birds on NPR’s Weekend Edition and since expanded his birding radio presence.
“Talkin’ Birds is a live and interactive radio show about wild birds and the beauty of nature—attracting birds to your backyard, feeding them, and learning more about them. We feature expert guests, news stories and updates from the world of birds and conservation, and contests for prizes like bird feeders and other bird-related items each week.” (Talking Birds)
The last show I listened to had Kenn Kaufman on talking about Spring Migration. Kenn is the author of Kaufman Field Guides, a Field Editor for Audubon Magazine, and a regular columnist for BirdWatching and Birds and Blooms. This was a fascinating interview.
Do you have a favorite birding podcast or social media personality? Please let me know.
Naturalist Weekly 
Mark Avery! https://thebeyonder.co.uk/2020/09/01/marks-ultimate-birdsong-guide/
Hi Andrew! Thank you for the suggestion. I will go check it out.
Thank you for all of the bird links. I may want to check some of these out. I actually gave you a pingback in my latest post, because I saw some birds, perched on wood in a lake, that I couldn’t identify. I did try doing some online research but didn’t end up on the Audubon website which, of course, would be a good idea. 😛 🙂
Hi Susan. ILet me know what you think of the links! I’ll have to go check your post out. I missed the pingback notification. I really like the Audubon site for research and have found that the iBird Pro app is also really good. iBird is an app you have to pay for, but it has been worth it.
Thanks for that iBird tip also. 🙂
All About Birds is my favorite! I donate annually to them and I really appreciate that they don’t spam my email with constant pleas for more, more, more. I wish more organizations would be more thoughtful of their donors.
That is good to know! Less spam the better.
I totally get it all – I used to work with nature all the time. I truly miss it . . . but, up here on Lake Superior, I see more than I ever saw in Minneapolis. I feed the birds that are migrating up here on the porch railing. A Downy Woodpecker took a hit on a glass window yesterday – it was stunned, not injured. I held it in my hands for about 20 minutes. When it started to squirm I laid it down and within about 12 minutes he was back on the railing eating like a pig. Love it.
Hi Deb, Thank you for your comment and what a wonderful story of connection with the Downy. Thank you sharing.
Reblogged this on Love & Love Alone.