The Spark Bird Podcast

In this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally meet with Christina Baal, a birder and artist whose story began not with a sighting, but with the quest to find a 'dandelion-colored' Yellow Warbler.  That golden spark launched a lifetime of birding and the dreams she’s been chasing ever since. Inspired by Ken Kaufman’s memoir, she set herself the goal of painting 10,000 birds, saying, "Ken Kaufman can do it. So can I." Today, Christina blends art and birding in joyful, unexpected ways. Left: Christina’s stunning painting of an Osprey in flight. Right: A snapshot from Christina's bird-inspired wedding, featuring her in-laws dressed as Trogons. Resources & Links from This Episode 🖌️ Visit Christina’s Website to learn more about her art and birding adventures. 🎨 Check out Christina’s Art to see her whimsical paintings and bird illustrations. 💌 Support Christina on Patreon and gain access to her bird trading cards and exclusive artwork. 📚 Read Kenn Kaufman's Memoir Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder, the book that inspired Christina’s birding journey.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by Mike Sacopulos, an attorney and publisher of Bird Watcher's Digest (BWD) Magazine. Mike shares how birding brought him comfort during a challenging period of his childhood, carrying him through big life transitions and eventually leading him to BWD. They also discuss the magazine’s global artwork, the letters that remind Mike of its lasting impact, and how birding with BWD creates connections across generations of readers and birders alike.   Resources & Links from This Episode 🌿 Learn more about Bird Watcher’s Digest and subscribe at the BWD website. 📘 Connect with the BWD birding community on the BWD Facebook page. 🎁 Give the gift of birding! Surprise someone with a BWD subscription here. 🦆 Explore conservation efforts with Ducks Unlimited. ℹ️ Read more about their mission on the Ducks Unlimited About page.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

On this week’s episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally meet with celebrated naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman, whose fascination with birds began in early childhood and never faded. Inspired by richly illustrated wildlife books, Kenn developed a passion for the natural world that took him hitchhiking across North America as a teenager. He shares stories from the road, his work writing and illustrating about nature, and why community is such a vital part of birding. Resources & Links from This Episode 🌎 Check out the Kaufman Field Guides website for more resources and inspiration to fuel your next outdoor adventure. 📖 Get to know Kenn Kaufman and the journey that’s made him one of the most beloved voices in the birding world. 🚗 Take a ride through Kenn’s teenage adventures in his memoir Kingbird Highway, a must-read for any nature enthusiast. 📚 Explore the Kaufman Field Guides series to sharpen your skills and see the world through fresh eyes. 🎨 Follow Kenn on Instagram for stunning art and a closer look at his creative process.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Laura Marris, Visiting Assistant Professor in the English department at the University at Buffalo. Laura shares how birding with her dad as a child shaped the way she sees the world. And we discuss her book The Age of Loneliness, reflecting on the decline in bird abundance, the role of community science, and what it means to truly notice the living world around us. This conversation is about more than birdwatching; it’s about presence, memory, and the quiet ways nature holds us through change. *During the episode, Jenn mentioned a word she couldn’t recall at the time, it’s the Romanian word “dor,” which captures a deep sense of longing or missing something you love.* Resources & Links from This Episode 📖 Learn more about Laura’s upcoming book The Age of Loneliness from Graywolf Press. 📚 Order your copy on Bookshop or listen to the audiobook on Libro.fm. 🌐 Visit lauramarris.com or follow @lauramarris for more of Laura’s work. 🦉 Watch Norman Smith’s The Snowy Owls of Logan Airport. 🌱 Learn about the Silo City remediation project. 🕊️ Get involved with Cornell Lab’s Community Science projects. 🌳 Explore the work of the WNY Land Conservancy 🔬 Read the Science article on the loss of bird abundance. 📖 Check out the children’s classic Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this week's episode, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Michael Lombardo, the creator of the McGolrick Bird Club in North Brooklyn. Michael shares his journey from a career in the tech industry to becoming a passionate birder and community leader. Michael discusses the creation and growth of the McGoldrick Bird Club, highlighting the importance of weekly bird walks, community engagement, and the power of noticing the natural world around us. Explore more from Michael Lombardo and the McGolrick Bird Club 📸 Follow @mcgolrickbirdclub on Instagram for bird walk updates and moments of wonder from North Brooklyn. 🌐 Visit birding.website for resources, events, and reflections from the McGolrick Bird Club community. 📝 Subscribe to the McGolrick Bird Club Substack for thoughtful essays on birding, awareness, and slowing down in a fast-moving world.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally speak with Chris Allieri, founder and executive director of NYC Plover Project, which he launched in 2021 after recognizing a gap in conservation efforts right in his own city. During the height of the pandemic, when New York City’s plover nesting grounds were especially vulnerable, Chris stepped up, not just to protect the birds, but to build a stronger culture of conservation in the city. His story is one of grassroots action, intergenerational learning, and a call to all of us to take part in protecting what’s wild and at risk right in our own backyards. Photo Credit: Benjamin Forbes   Resources & Links from This Episode 🌐 Visit nycploverproject.org to learn about the mission, meet the volunteers, and find out how to get involved. 📸 Follow @nycploverproject on Instagram for updates from the beaches and behind-the-scenes conservation work. 🕊️ Log your bird sightings on eBird, a powerful tool for community science and bird tracking. 📱 Download Merlin Bird ID to help identify birds by sight or sound while you’re out exploring the world. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome musician Nandi Rose of Half Waif. Nandi shares her Spark Bird story, recounting how a flash of color spotted in Costa Rica opened the door to a quieter, deeper noticing back home in the Upper Hudson Valley. For Nandi, it’s less about sight and more about sound, and bird song has become her guide. Even without binoculars, there’s a sense of recognition in the songs. A feeling of being spoken to, of returning to something familiar and sacred. Her music, like her birding, is shaped by this listening, drawing inspiration from moments of hearing the flute of a Wood Thrush or catching a glimpse of an Indigo Bunting in flight. (Photo by: Logan White) ✨ Explore more from Nandi Rose: 🌐 Visit halfwaif.com to dive into her music, visuals, and creative world. 📝 Read her Substack, Ordinary Talk, where she writes beautifully about creativity, nature, and the quiet moments in between. 🎧 Listen to Half Waif on Spotify and wherever you stream music. Her songs echo the landscape she so often birds in. To listen in, start here.   Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this special crossover episode, The Spark Bird Podcast's Jenn Lodi-Smith teams up with Bill Michalek of The Field Guides Podcast for a walk through Buffalo’s historic Forest Lawn Cemetery. As they explore the grounds, Jenn and Bill reflect on their spark birds, discuss bird migration and conservation. The episode also features Spark Bird stories from a variety of voices from the Feminist Bird Club of Buffalo in Forest Lawn Cemetery, showcasing the power of community in birding. Resources & Links from This Episode 🔗 Listen to more nature adventures with Bill and Steve on The Field Guides Podcast YouTube channel. 🌼 Plan your next birding experience at the Allegany Nature Pilgrimage. 🌳 Learn more about Buffalo’s historic parks and Forest Lawn with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. 🚫🐱 Lights Out! Cats In! is a campaign focused on bird-safe practices like keeping cats indoors and turning off lights at night during migration. Check it out here. 📖 Want a deeper dive into bird-safe, compassionate cat management strategies? Read this piece in Conservation Biology here. 🦜 Meet the Western New York Young Birder Club, uplifting the voices and skills of young birders across the region. 📍 Seen a bird strike a window? Report it on dBird to help researchers make cities safer for birds. 🌍 Visualize global data on bird-window collisions with the Global Bird Collision Mapper.  🧭 Explore how the birding community is becoming more inclusive and accessible at Birdability Show notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Lyanda Lynn Haupt, a writer known for exploring the connections between people and the natural world. The conversation follows Haupt’s path into bird watching, beginning in her childhood in the Pacific Northwest and shaped by her parents’ casual interest in birds. She recalls memorable encounters with species like the Northern Spotted Owl and how those moments influenced her work. Lyanda Lynn Haupt also talks about her experience living with a Starling, named Carmen, which inspired her book Mozart’s Starling. (Photo credit: Tom Furtwangler) Resources & Links from This Episode 🗓️ Join Lyanda Lynn Haupt for a special talk hosted by the Western New York Land Conservancy on June 4 more info & RSVP here 🌐 Learn more about Lyanda Lynn Haupt and her work at her website: lyandalynnhaupt.com  📸 Follow her on Instagram for nature moments, bird musings, and writing life: @lyandahaupt 📚 Explore all of her books in one place: Books Lyanda Lynn Haupt's books mentioned in this episode, in order of appearance: 🐦 Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness 📖 Find it on Amazon 🎼 Mozart’s Starling- Inspired by her time living with a starling 🐤 Find it on Amazon 🌱 Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit. A beautiful reflection on how nature, science, and spirit connect in our everyday lives. 🛒 Order or learn more on her home page here. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Aaron Haiman about his lifelong passion for birding, sparked by a childhood experience with a White-Tailed Kite.  Aaron shares his unique journey from becoming a young birder to his current role at the Wildlife Conservation Board in California. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship in birding, the barriers young birders face, and the joy of contributing to bird conservation. We’re excited to share all the ways you can follow and connect with Aaron, the voice behind A Birding Naturalist. Explore his world of birds, nature, and thoughtful storytelling here: 📘 Check out Aaron’s book, Birds of the California Delta. A beautifully illustrated guide that showcases the birdlife of California’s Delta region. Perfect for birders, naturalists, and the bird-curious alike. 🎥 Watch Aaron’s videos at @ABirdingNaturalist for birding adventures, tips, and nature stories. ✏️ Read his reflections and posts on his blog: ABirdingNaturalist 📸 Follow for stunning bird photography and behind-the-scenes looks: @abirdingnaturalist 🌐 Join Aaron’s conversations at abirdingnaturalist.bsky.social. 🧵 Catch his latest thoughts and updates: threads.com/@abirdingnaturalist. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally interview Dr. George Divoky, an ornithologist with a Ph.D. in Zoology. He shares his Spark Bird story, recounting how a sighting of a Slate-colored Junco in his childhood ignited his passion for birding. He discusses his research on Black Guillemot and the challenges posed by climate change. Dr. Divoky also shares his personal experiences of solitude and connection with nature during his fieldwork in remote locations.  (Photo Credit Joe McNally) Resources & Links from This Episode ❄️ Friends of Cooper Island – Learn more about Dr. George Divoky's decades of research on Arctic seabirds and climate change: https://cooperisland.org Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Marcia OBara, a retired registered nurse and avid birder. Marcia shares her inspiring journey of birding in all 50 states and recounts her Spark Bird moment in 1984 that ignited her passion for birding. Despite living with a severe lung disease, Marcia continues to lead accessible birding trips for the Tucson Audubon Society and other organizations. She discusses how the practice has evolved from field guides to apps, and why accessibility in birding matters now more than ever. A photo by Freya McGregor. Taken in Tuscaloosa AL. Pictured are Freya, Marcia and Patrick Oaks (Freya’s husband) Resources & Links from This Episode 🕊️ Tucson Bird Alliance – Learn more about Marcia's work with this organization and their commitment to accessible birding in Arizona: Visit Website ♿ Access Birding – A fantastic resource focused on making birding accessible for all: Explore Access Birding 🗺️ Birdability Map – Discover birding locations with accessibility features near you: View the Map 📚 Birds of the World – An extensive online resource from the Cornell Lab for bird research and identification: Explore Here 🛫 WINGS Birding Tours – Join expert-led birding tours around the world: Learn More 🌍 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) – A global birding travel company offering inclusive and educational nature experiences: Visit VENT 🐦 Merlin Bird ID – Identify birds by photo, sound, or description with this powerful app from the Cornell Lab: Download Merlin 📱 eBird Mobile – Log your bird sightings and contribute to global bird science: Get the App Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Pam Lowell, a social worker, watercolor artist, and author. Pam shares her Spark Bird story, describing how sightings of a Quetzal and an Osprey ignited her passion for birding and transformed her life. Pam highlights her volunteer work with Mass Audubon, her book My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet, and the importance of environmental advocacy. Resources & Links from This Episode Pam Lowell’s Work & Socials: 📖 My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet – Read more here  🌍 Pam Lowell’s Website – Visit here 📸 Follow Pam on Instagram – @palwrites Wild America & RTPI Book Discussion: 📅 Join RTPI for an exciting discussion of Wild America and the books it inspired, led by RTPI Scholar-in-Residence Jenn Lodi-Smith. This four-part program is part of RTPI’s exhibition, Art that Matters to the Planet: Wild America, celebrating the 70th anniversary of this environmental classic. 🔗 Learn more & register here Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome artist and healthcare professional Tina Mullen. Tina shares her Spark Bird story about how the Sandhill Crane ignited her passion for birds. She discusses her work in the Arts and Medicine program at the University of Florida and the importance of integrating creativity into healthcare settings to promote health and well-being. The conversation explores Tina's art projects, including her series on bird species decline inspired by a poignant letter to Roger Tory Peterson. Resources & Links from This Episode Tina Mullen & Her Work 🎨 Explore Tina Mullen’s art: Tina Mullen’s Website 📸 Follow Tina on Instagram: @teenmullen 🎭 Learn about the Center for Arts in Medicine at UF: UF Center for Arts in Medicine 🖼️ See Tina’s exhibition Bellwether: The Art of Tina Mullen at RTPI: RTPI Exhibition Conservation & Environmental Writing 🌙 Lights Out! Cats In! – Protect birds by learning about this initiative: Learn More 📖 Return to Wild America by Scott Weidensaul: Explore the Book 🦜 Ten Birds That Changed the World by Stephen Moss: Get the Book 🌱 The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Find the Book Poetry & Journalism 📰 Harry Stevens (The Washington Post): Read More 📝 Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves by J. Drew Lanham: Hub City Press | Read the Poem ✍️ Ada Limón’s Poetry: Poetry Foundation Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome naturalist and author John Muir Laws, also known as Jack. They dive into Jack's Spark Bird story, discussing how a childhood birding experience with his father ignited his lifelong passion for birds and nature. Jack shares insights on how journaling can enhance observation and attention, his transition from environmental education to creating field guides, and inciting the international nature journaling movement. Resources & Links from This Episode 🎨 John Muir Laws’ Website – Explore his art, field guides, and educational resources: Visit here. 📚 The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada – A must-have guide for nature lovers: Get it here. 🔍 Updated Version: The Laws Field Guide to Sierra Birds – A fresh take on birding in the Sierra Nevada: Check it out. 🌎 Wild Wonder Foundation – A nonprofit inspiring curiosity and connection to nature through art: Discover more. 📱 Get eBird Mobile – Record your bird sightings and contribute to science with eBird Mobile. 🌿 Audubon Canyon Ranch – Dedicated to protecting nature through research and education: Learn more. 📖 Golden Guides – Classic, easy-to-use nature guides: Browse the collection. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Scott Weidensaul, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of over 30 books on natural history. Scott shares his lifelong passion for Raptors, recounting his influential visit to Hawk Mountain and his extensive work in bird migration research.  He discusses the significance of technology in modern birding and conservation, highlighting initiatives like Project SNOWstorm and the Northeast Motus Collaboration. The episode also explores the historical impact of Roger Tory Peterson on the birding community and the enduring legacy of Hog Island Audubon Camp. Resources & Links from This Episode 🧭 Discover Project SNOWstorm & The Northeast Motus Collaboration– Learn how researchers are tracking snowy owls and other migratory birds in real time! 🔎 Explore Scott Weidensaul’s Work – Check out his latest projects, books, and conservation efforts at Scott Weidensaul’s website. 🪶 Dive into the History of Birding – Read Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding, Scott Weidensaul’s fascinating look at the evolution of birdwatching. 🏕️ Experience Hog Island Audubon Camp – A legendary destination for birders, conservationists, and nature lovers. 🐦 Cornell Lab’s Merlin – Identify birds with ease using the Merlin Bird ID app. 📱 Get eBird Mobile – Record your bird sightings and contribute to science with eBird Mobile. 🌿 Western New York Young Birder Club – Join a community of passionate young birders at WNY Young Birder Club. 🌙 Lights Out! Cats In! – Support bird conservation efforts by learning more about this important initiative here. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Cat Fribley, Executive Director at Birdability. Cat shares her Spark Bird story, recounting how a college friend's introduction to birding provided emotional balance during a hard period of her life. She discusses Birdability's mission to make birding accessible for people with disabilities and health challenges. Cat also shares Birdability's various programs, including the Birdability Map and the new Blind Birders Birdathon, highlighting the organization's achievements in democratizing birding for all. Resources & Links from This Episode 🗺️ Explore the Birdability Map – Discover birding locations with accessibility information near you: View the map. 🌿 Birdability Captains Conservation Corps – Learn about the initiative Cat mentions and how it supports inclusive birding: Read more here. 🦜 Learn More About Birdability – Advocating for accessible and inclusive birding for all: Visit Birdability.org. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Sara Morris, the Executive Director of Shoals Marine Lab and President of the American Ornithological Society. Sara shares her Spark Bird story of how a family Christmas tradition and a borrowed bird field guide ignited her passion for birding and ornithology at age seven. They also discuss the link between birding and ornithology, the significance of field guides, and the necessity for ongoing bird conservation efforts. Resources & Links from This Episode 🌊 Shoals Marine Lab – A leading institution for hands-on marine science education and research. Learn more here. 📖 Scott Weidensaul’s Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding– Dive into the history of birding with this fascinating book: Read more. 🧭 Explore with eBird – Track your bird sightings and contribute to global bird research with eBird. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally interview Kayla Fisk, a lifelong birder and artist from central New York. Kayla shares her Spark Bird story, recalling how a unique encounter with a Chuck-will's-widow during her childhood ignited her deeper fascination with birds and birding communities. Kayla also discusses how her art is inspired by birds, the mindfulness it brings, and the process of integrating birding into her artistic practice.  Resources & Links from This Episode 📸 Follow Kayla on Instagram – See her latest birding adventures at @kaylafiskbirds. 🌐 Visit Kayla’s Website – Explore her work, projects, and photography at kaylafisk.com. 🪶 Discover the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Learn more about birds, research, and conservation at birds.cornell.edu. Show notes by Kayla Gajewski  

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Arthur Pearson, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI). Arthur shares his spark bird story, recounting how a Kingfisher ignited his passion for birding. They discuss the history and mission of RTPI, the revolutionary impact of field guides by Roger Tory Peterson, and the importance of naming in connecting with nature. Arthur discusses RTPI's efforts to honor Peterson's legacy through art and conservation, and the institute's role in fostering the next generation of nature advocates.  Resources & Links from This Episode 🎨 Experience Aaron’s Mural at RTPI – See his stunning artwork in the RTPI flythrough video Watch here. 📖 Discover the Legacy of James Fisher – Learn more about the renowned naturalist and ornithologist on his Wikipedia page. 🎬 Explore The Big Year – A fun and inspiring film about birdwatching adventures. Check it out on IMDb. 🌿 Visit RTPI – Dive into conservation, education, and art at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. 🎙️ Tune Into The Field Guides Podcast – Explore nature and wildlife science with The Field Guides Podcast. 🪶 Western New York Young Birders Club (WNYYBC) – Learn more about WNYYBC on the RTPI website and visit their official site: WNYYBC Website. 🐦 Chautauqua Warren Birding Association – The birding group Arthur gave a shout-out to! Connect with their community and events here. 🌍 American Birding Association (ABA) – Explore birding resources, events, and conservation efforts with the ABA here. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski