The American Birding Podcast
08-18: Nature Beyond Birding with Jody Allair & Frank Izaguirre
Description
The podcast episode discusses nature beyond birding, emphasizing the importance of being a naturalist and exploring various aspects of natural history. Rare bird sightings are highlighted, including a blue rock thrush in California and a paratic flycatcher in Texas. The hosts engage in a co-interview format, sharing personal stories and insights about their experiences with birding and natural history.
Insights
Nature Beyond Birding
The podcast episode discusses nature beyond birding, emphasizing the importance of being a naturalist and exploring various aspects of natural history.
Appreciating Other Aspects of Nature
Both speakers highlight the importance of exploring and appreciating various elements of nature beyond just birds, such as encountering unique insects like silkworm moths and expanding one's understanding and appreciation for biodiversity.
Insects and Natural History
Advancements in technology, such as iNaturalist and online bug guides, make it easier for people to identify different species of insects. Learning about different taxonomic groups like orthopterans and cicadas can add layers of excitement to studying natural history.
Encounters with Singing Insects and Rare Wildlife
Late summer is a great time to listen to singing insects like the snowy tree cricket and the bush caddy did. The speaker had a memorable encounter with a huge Katie did in a parking lot, which was the size of a phone. Birders can have significant wildlife encounters beyond just birds, such as witnessing critically endangered species like leatherback sea turtles.
Expanding Interests in Natural History
There is pressure in the natural history community to specialize in specific taxa, like birding, instead of embracing all aspects of nature. Expanding interests to different taxa can lead to a more diverse and fulfilling experience in natural history.
Conservation and Biodiversity
The evolution from the Important Bird Area program to Key Biodiversity Areas reflects a shift towards protecting more than just bird species. Expanding focus to multi-taxa and biodiversity beyond birds can lead to better site protection and habitat conservation.
Impactful Nature Writing
Fred Bodsworth's book 'The Last of the Curlews' had a profound impact on the speaker, leading them to pursue a career in biology and conservation. Bob Bell's book 'Out of the Limelight and Into the Sunlight' highlights how birding helped him cope with Lyme disease, showcasing the therapeutic benefits of birding.
Recommendations and Plans
Recommendations for bird conservation literature include Bob's book, Bridget Stutchbury's 'Silence of the Songbirds,' and Sorin Bondrop Nielsen's 'A Sound Like Water Dripping in Search of the Boreal Owl.' Plans to meet in person for birding trips in Alberta, Pittsburgh, northwest Costa Rica, and Ontario.
Chapters
- Nature Beyond Birding
- Appreciating Other Aspects of Nature
- Insects and Natural History
- Encounters with Singing Insects and Rare Wildlife
- Expanding Interests in Natural History
- Conservation and Biodiversity
- Impactful Nature Writing
- Recommendations and Plans
Nature Beyond Birding
00:00 - 07:48
- The podcast episode discusses nature beyond birding, emphasizing the importance of being a naturalist and exploring various aspects of natural history.
- Rare bird sightings are highlighted, including a blue rock thrush in California and a paratic flycatcher in Texas.
- The hosts engage in a co-interview format, sharing personal stories and insights about their experiences with birding and natural history.
Appreciating Other Aspects of Nature
07:19 - 13:52
- The speaker recalls a significant birding experience involving the sighting of an endangered butterfly and reflects on the balance between focusing on specific birds versus appreciating other aspects of nature.
- Another individual shares their experience of incorporating snake sightings into birding tours, emphasizing the value of showcasing diverse wildlife to participants.
- Both speakers highlight the importance of exploring and appreciating various elements of nature beyond just birds, such as encountering unique insects like silkworm moths and expanding one's understanding and appreciation for biodiversity.
Insects and Natural History
13:34 - 20:37
- The speaker recalls a childhood memory of encountering a large and colorful silkworm moth, sparking an interest in moths and natural history.
- Advancements in technology, such as iNaturalist and online bug guides, make it easier for people to identify different species of insects.
- Learning about different taxonomic groups like orthopterans and cicadas can add layers of excitement to studying natural history.
- Identifying insect species by sound, like orthopterans and cicadas, can be a rewarding challenge that enhances the experience of late summer.
Encounters with Singing Insects and Rare Wildlife
20:08 - 27:10
- Late summer is a great time to listen to singing insects like the snowy tree cricket and the bush caddy did.
- The Terraphila, Northern true Katie did, is a rare and large insect that is hard to see unless knocked down by a storm.
- The speaker had a memorable encounter with a huge Katie did in a parking lot, which was the size of a phone.
- The speaker shared their experience of seeing leatherback sea turtles in Costa Rica, highlighting their rarity and endangered status.
- Observing leatherback sea turtles laying eggs on the beach was described as dramatic and moving, akin to seeing a dinosaur.
- Birders can have significant wildlife encounters beyond just birds, such as witnessing critically endangered species like leatherback sea turtles.
Expanding Interests in Natural History
26:50 - 34:02
- Birdwatchers often have specific target birds they aim to see on trips.
- Travel experiences can be enriched by seeking out rare and unique wildlife beyond just birds.
- There is pressure in the natural history community to specialize in specific taxa, like birding, instead of embracing all aspects of nature.
- Expanding interests to different taxa can lead to a more diverse and fulfilling experience in natural history.
- Specialization in certain disciplines can sometimes lead to missing out on appreciating other aspects of nature.
Conservation and Biodiversity
33:39 - 41:21
- Birds are important indicators of environmental health and monitoring their populations is crucial.
- The evolution from the Important Bird Area program to Key Biodiversity Areas reflects a shift towards protecting more than just bird species.
- Expanding focus to multi-taxa and biodiversity beyond birds can lead to better site protection and habitat conservation.
- There is a conservation motivation to become more well-rounded naturalists by learning about various taxa.
- Canadian nature writing has notable authors like Farley Mowat and Louise de Kiriline Lawrence who have contributed significantly to the genre.
Impactful Nature Writing
41:10 - 48:28
- Fred Bodsworth's book 'The Last of the Curlews' had a profound impact on the speaker, leading them to pursue a career in biology and conservation.
- Trevor Harriet, a nature writer from Saskatchewan, has written impactful books on Grassland Bird Decline in Canada, raising awareness about habitat loss.
- Julia Arrancan's memoir provides a unique perspective on birding by focusing on the early experiences of a beginner birder.
- Bob Bell's book 'Out of the Limelight and Into the Sunlight' highlights how birding helped him cope with Lyme disease, showcasing the therapeutic benefits of birding.
Recommendations and Plans
48:04 - 54:34
- Recommendations for bird conservation literature include Bob's book, Bridget Stutchbury's 'Silence of the Songbirds,' and Sorin Bondrop Nielsen's 'A Sound Like Water Dripping in Search of the Boreal Owl.'
- Discussion on the excitement of searching for boreal owls and sharing natural history observations on ABA social media.
- Plans to meet in person for birding trips in Alberta, Pittsburgh, northwest Costa Rica, and Ontario.