Allerton Park Bird Club Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Nate and Evan sit down with Sparky Stensaas, founder and director of Friends of Sax Zim Bog, to talk about the upcoming Tiny Bird Art Auction.

The auction starts Thursday, January 25th and ends Sunday, January 28th.

The auction can be found at https://saxzim.org/events/2023-tiny-bird-art/

Thank you for supporting the Friends of Sax Zim Bog

Today Evan and Nate sit down a go birding with Andrew Farnsworth. Andrew Farnsworth is currently a Senior Research Associate in the Center for Avian Population Studies at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Andrew began birding at age 5 and quickly developed his long-standing fascinations with bird migration. His current research efforts advance the use and application of rapidly expanding technologies to study bird movements across scales including weather surveillance radar, audio and video recording and monitoring tools, citizen science datasets, and machine learning techniques. Andrew received his BS in Natural Resources from Cornell, MS in Zoology from Clemson University, and PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Cornell University. He lives in New York, NY with his wife Patricia and two daughters Aja and Elle.

We  begin by discussing birds we are seeing as well as highlights from the Piatt County CBC.

In our attempt to help out the AOC, we throw out new names for Swainson's Warbler.

A majority of this show is spent discussing BirdCast. Andrew has been with BirdCast since the beginning. We discuss its origins, functionality, accuracy and future. Additionally we chat about citizen science datasets, dangers, and responsibility.

https://birdcast.info/

Today Nate and Evan go birding with Isoo O'Brien.

We finally get a chance to sit down with Isoo O'Brien, an Evanston, Illinois native who recently set the Cook County Big Year record. If that wasn't impressive enough, Isoo is a high school senior. 2020 was not a normal year. Most people will probably never forget it. It was especially memorable for Isoo.

In this episode, Isoo tells us about his big year. How did he plan for it? What were some of the high points of the year? What were some of the low points? All of a sudden, COVID hits and we are under a stay at home order. How did that affect his birding and also his mental aspect? Many times the mental aspect of a Big Year is overlooked, chasing not only birds but a number. Isoo tells us about these struggles.

If you have ever thought about doing a Big Year, or have done a Big Day/Year in the past, maybe you can relate to some of the joys and struggles that Isoo experienced.

Happy Birding and Happy listening

BIO

Isoo O'Brien is an Evanston native and a senior at Evanston Township High School. An avid birder since age 9, Isoo is a volunteer field trip leader for local clubs across the Chicago area. He currently holds the Cook County big year record at 288 species.

Today Evan & Nate go birding with Nikki Wayment from HawkWatch International.

We begin by discussing birds we have both seen this week including the snow bunting Nate saw and the long eared owl that Evan saw.

What is HawkWatch international? The mission of HawkWatch International is to conserve our environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. Nikki provides some great insight into what the organization does across not only the US but the world.

One aspect the organization maintains are the 7 HawkWatch stations across the western US.  Nikki gives information about is migration network and how to get involved.

Additionally we discuss the ongoing studies they are doing on the American Kestrel and Forest Owls.

We hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation as much as we did. If you are interested in getting involved, please follow the link at the bottom.

Bio

Nikki received a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State University. Her nonprofit experience comes from her tenure at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Ga, where she served as Curator of Science and Education. She also previously worked as the Education and Outreach Director at HawkWatch International. She loves to share her passion for birds of prey and the natural world in general.  She lives in Utah with her family and loves exploring the outdoors.

Useful Links

https://hawkwatch.org/

Today Nate & Evan go birding with David Yeany,  Avian Ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). David has been studying winter movements  of Evening Grosbeaks in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) for the past few years. We discuss the 5 major questions in his study.

1. why do evening grosbeaks keep returning to this area? 
2. Do they have true site fidelity? 
3. Where do these irruptive populations return to nest? 
4. How far and wide do they roam throughout the regional landscape during winter? 
5. What can we learn about the timing of their movements? 

Additionally we get to know exactly how David is tracking these migrants through North America using the MOTUS and nanotags. 

In this amazing irruptive year for Evening Grosbeaks, we think you will really enjoy the insight David provides on this beautiful species of birds.

BIO

David Yeany II serves as Avian Ecologist for the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) at the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). David joined WPC in 2011 and has 16 years of professional experience in conservation biology, conducting ornithological studies throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. His current work includes avian ecology and monitoring, wildlife-habitat relationship studies, mapping important habitats for rare species, spatial analysis in GIS, and conservation projects for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), particularly birds. Some of his projects included shale gas impacts assessments on forest interior birds, bird habitat relationships in the PA Wilds region, statewide high elevation peatland bird surveys and monitoring, statewide grassland bird SGCN surveys, co-founding the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, and collaborating on tracking studies of wintering evening grosbeaks and breeding Swainson’s thrush using nanotag technology and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System. David represents the Natural Heritage Program on the Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS) Ornithological Technical Committee. He also has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Ornithological Society since 2012, and during fall 2019, David was elected to the PSO Board of Directors. In 2020, he was elected to a three-year term on the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee (PORC). 

Prior to joining WPC, David was the Important Bird Areas Coordinator for Audubon Maryland-DC, where he helped identify critical bird habitats, developed conservation strategies for IBAs, and conducted monitoring for at-risk bird populations. In Maryland, his projects included extensive marsh bird surveys in coastal areas of the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva Peninsula, wintering waterfowl research, forest restoration bird monitoring, and targeted surveys of rare bird species. He has past experience working in the Wildlife Division at Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center in Annville, PA and for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, District 8 (Clarion) conducting wildlife and habitat inventory and research. 

David holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Ecology and Conservation Biology from Frostburg State University and Bachelors of Science in Biology from Messiah College. David grew up in Forest County and currently lives with his wife, Colleen, and toddler son, Drake, in Allegheny County. 

Useful Links

https://waterlandlife.org/webinars/ - Evening Grosbeak Webinar

https://waterlandlife.org/buygrosbeakshirts/ - EVGR shirts

https://finchnetwork.org/wintering-evening-grosbeak-movements - EVGR article

Today, Evan and Nate are joined by Dr. Given Harper from Illinois Wesleyan University to discuss his current research on Red-tailed Hawks (RTHA). We first caught wind of Given when Piatt County residents began calling us telling us that a person is trapping Red-tailed Hawks in our area. We immediately knew we had to find out who this was.  After a series of fortunate events and family members, we were able to track down Given for this interview.

We being by discussing some of his research on lead toxicity in raptors. What is the significance and what can be done to solve this problem?

How does a person capture a RTHA? They are not only huge raptors but they also have sharp beaks and pointy talons. Once they are captured how do you determine where they are from? What are the implications of the migratory movements of RTHAs? With climate change are less raptors moving south? 

All of these questions and more will be answered by Dr. Given Harper. He additionally gives us some sage advice for birders with wives.

Happy listening and Happy Birding! 

Today, Nate and Evan have the honor of sitting down with former Piatt County resident and long time friend, Dr. Vince Slabe.  While they have many great memories from high school and college, during their adult lives they have all had found birds to be a common area of interest.

Dr.  Slabe has done extensive research studying lead toxicity in raptors, specifically Golden Eagles. As residents of Illinois, we often confuse immature Bald Eagles with Golden Eagles, which pass through occasionally. Vince gives us some ID tips on how to tell a Golden Eagle from Bald Eagle.

How does lead get into raptors? What are the levels of toxicity that are measured? What can we do to protect these raptors from the dangers of lead?

Dr. Slabe has also began a program distributing lead free ammunition to hunters in regions of Wyoming where Golden Eagles are present.

Happy Listening and Happy Birding

Bio

Vince is originally from central Illinois and graduated with a BS and MS from the University of Illinois. Shortly after, he travelled west and quickly developed a strong interest in bird research. Vince worked on multiple avian research and monitoring projects in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming before completing a PhD at West Virginia University in Forest Resources Science. Vince’s dissertation focused on lead poisoning of bald and golden eagles on a nationwide scale.

At CSG, Vince’s research focuses on lead abatement strategies for bald eagles in the Atlantic Flyway and on identifying pre-breeding hotspots for golden eagles in Denali National Park. Vince is a member of the Raptor Research Foundation, the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, and volunteers for Raptor View Research Institute and Craighead Beringia South.

Vince, his wife Mosey, and two kids, Frances and Sonny live in Bozeman, MT. When not working, Vince enjoys spending time with his family, floating the river, birding, cross-country skiing, biking and listening to Chicago Cubs baseball.

Useful Links

https://huntersforeagleconservation.org/

This week, Evan and Nate sit down and recap their 4 day birding trip to Sax Zim Bog in Minnesota. Evan & Nate met fellow birders and bird club members Aerin Tedesco and Scott Judd for the adventure of a lifetime. 

What lifers did they see? What were some of the birding highs...and lows of the trip. One of the lows was the temperature, which was -33 on Sunday morning.  

Did Evan manage to get stuck again like he does on every trip? 

Hopefully you will enjoy this open discussion about the trip and feel inspired to head out to do some birding of your own. 

Happy listening and Happy birding! 

Today, Nate and Evan sit down with Sparky Stensaas, founder and director of Friends of Sax Zim Bog. Located outside of Duluth Minnesota, Sax Zim Bog is a dream destination for winter birders from all over the world. It just so happens that Evan & Nate are heading there next week to chase some lifers.

They begin by talking about birds they are currently seeing in the respective areas. Sparky also gives some ID tips on the ravens, which are the predominant corvid species found in the bog this time of year. He also gives us an owl update for the week.

We get to know Sparky, his history of birding, and the spark bird he saw when he was 13. What is the significance of the bog to birding? Why did Sparky found this conservation and preservation group to protect the bog? How does birding and tourism impact the local residents during the winter? What advice does he have for people wanting to travel to the bog?

Sparky addresses all of these questions and more during the show. He additionally gives information about the "virtual field trips" and webinars that Friends of Sax Zim are putting out currently.

We hope you find this as fun and informative as we have. If you are looking for inspiration to take your first birding trip, this may be the one for you...or may not.

Be on the lookout for Part 2, when we record live from Minnesota about the highs and lows of the trip.

Happy listening and happy birding.

Useful links

https://saxzim.org/

https://www.youtube.com/c/SparkyStensaas

Nate and Evan are joined by Zak Sutton again trying to stump the dynamic duo. Play along and see if you can ID the bird Zak is describing by the field marks. 

Happy Listening and Happy Birding