The Bird Joy Podcast

Dexter and Jason welcome Calvin Feagans [https://www.instagram.com/biotainframe/], an environmental scientist, educator, and talented nature photographer, to the Bird Joy Podcast this week! Calvin shares how his passion for urban ecology and biodiversity drives his creative work, from the educational EnviroBytes [https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17878238988187955/] to urban ecology re [https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18016644089632062/]port cards. He also discusses the challenges and joys of turning data into storytelling tools, mapping bird migration patterns, and reclaiming old industrial spaces for conservation efforts. Throughout the conversation, the homies touch on themes like environmental stewardship, advocating for nature in urban spaces, and navigating the highs and lows of social media advocacy (including a few words on those inevitable trolls). They even reflect nostalgically (and humorously) on their shared love-hate relationship with R programming! Get ready for an inspiring, educational, and joy-filled conversation that will leave you seeing urban green spaces—and the role you can play in preserving them—in a new light. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Get comfortable. Take a seat. Gather around friends for a warm and meaningful conversation with the famed author, mindful birder, licensed marriage and family therapist, California Audubon board member, and accessible birding advocate Tammah Watts [https://www.tammahwatts.com/]! In this episode we discuss her approaches to birding as it pertains to her own healing and connection with our community, including incredible encounters with Red-shouldered Hawks [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-shouldered_Hawk] and Mourning Doves [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove] to aid in the healing. We cover some experiences we've all had in nature, some with each other. We look into her book, "Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching [https://www.tammahwatts.com/store]," and even explore some pages together. You will be delighted to participate in a prompt read live by Tammah, where we embody a crane looking at still water for some self-reflection. We also talk about some birding adventures with the SoCal Bird Nerd crew (of which Jason is an honorary member), where they look for Cactus Wrens [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cactus_Wren/id] and Say's Phoebe [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Says_Phoebe]. We also get some great advice from Tammah on how to approach our birding in ways that help us cope with life in a sometimes very challenging world. This is a space we gather to fill up each other's cups with that everlasting Bird Joy! Join us! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

The vibe is SOOOO right this week with our homie Indigo Goodson-Fields [https://www.instagram.com/indigoindaflow/]. Indigo comes to hang with us from Brooklyn, NYC, where she is a birder, poet, bird guide, writer, educator, and bird model (with Bird Collective) [https://www.birdcollective.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=528931908375&tw_campaign=13606308478&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsOq6BhDuARIsAGQ4-ziTgKHQPAjUxjAp-s9gpNvlcb-M_dDBPGO1vdVoquAmAGoakW_ik20aAjYhEALw_wcB]. We spend some time talking about how she curates her community in ways that enrich her own mental health as well as the community around her. This includes leading "Birding, Poetry, and Power" outings through Field Meridians [https://natureschool.fieldmeridians.org/events/birding-poetry-and-power/] as well as those more quiet and reflecting moments in Prospect Park [https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/prospect-park] or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden [https://www.bbg.org/]. We break down what it means to find your space and your community in nature, especially in the most well-known city on the planet. Indigo brings us inside the life of a new mother, navigating the caregiving responsibilities while still trying to find time to fill up one's cup in nature. This can be through the reflections on the intertwined lives of Eastern Bluebird [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Bluebird/overview] and Brown-headed Cowbird [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown-headed_Cowbird] mothers or the arrival of a special Yellow-breasted Chat [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-breasted_Chat/id]in her local patch. Join us this week as we find that unique Bird Joy with Indigo, and give her a follow if you want to get to one of her upcoming outings in 2025! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

We have some excellence for ya'll on this episode! Our two guests today are Dr. Murry Burgess [https://www.mlburgess.org/]and Lauren D. Pharr [https://lpharr.com/], the founders of Field Inclusive Inc. [https://www.fieldinclusive.org/] In this episode, we get into the need for an organization like Field Inclusive when it comes to helping marginalized field researchers, including those who are out in our forests, swamps, ponds, oceans, and deserts studying birds! This covers everything from field training to safety training and even equitable financial compensation. You can learn more about this in the upcoming Field Inclusive Week 2025 [https://www.fieldinclusive.org/field-inclusive-week-2025/]. Additionally, we cover some of the research that has impacted birds across the spectrum. From the key research by Lauren on the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, [https://lpharr.com/rcws/]which was recently delisted [https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2024-10/downlisting-red-cockaded-woodpecker-endangered-threatened] from endangered to threatened by USFWS to the key research by Dr. Burgess on light pollution on the lives of songbirds [https://www.proquest.com/openview/ac7a428d92e5eb8b882980242fbbcceb/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y]. We do not forget to discuss the colorful and magical book Sparrow Loves Birds [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/murry-burgess/sparrow-loves-birds/9780316307222/], authored by Dr. Burgess and illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. We discuss the impetus for the books and why it's such a comprehensive onramp for kids to explore their communities. Join us this week for incredible joy and inspiration with these two heroes of ornithology. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Please share this with a friend and help us spread a little Bird Joy.  BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

It's finally here! The long-awaited Gull Joy episode. This week, Dexter and Jason converse with one of North America's most well-known gull experts, Amar Ayyash [https://www.illinoisbirds.org/amar-ayyash-a-birder-you-should-know/]. We sit down with Amar and discuss how he went from making French fry-infused eye contact with gulls as a kid to being the author of a sensational new gull text, "The Gull Guide: North America [https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691195896/the-gull-guide?srsltid=AfmBOop6iFlkjaK_bcdN_nwIf7r7xhYDG2iCX3TiJGQRpPq7z-8eHiUJ]." We dive into how to find joy in the pursuit of gulling. This includes visiting Cape May to see an Ivory Gull [https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/rarely-seen-ivory-gull-draws-birders-to-cape-may-county/article_7ab0ca68-e29d-11de-8968-001cc4c002e0.html], hanging in landfills [https://www.audubon.org/news/birdist-rule-44-learn-love-landfills-and-sewage-treatment-plants], and enjoying a nice Gull Frolic [https://www.illinoisbirds.org/event/23rd-annual-ios-gull-frolic-2025/] every winter. Amar makes it clear that gulling can be for everyone. He shares his experiences with beginners and advanced birders alike. You can feel the gull joy emanating from every moment of this episode. If you are looking for a fun and inclusive discussion on how to get started, look no further. Be sure to check out the North American Gulls [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14ZXJM1hn3/?mibextid=adzO7l]Facebook page and anythinglarus.com [http://www.anythinglarus.com/] for the community you seek! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

On this week's episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with two fun and amazing folks, Luis Gles and Mariah Hryniewich of Woodstars Nature Tours. Mariah and Luis speak to us from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas about manning the Florida Keys Hawkwatch [https://floridakeyshawkwatch.com/] and experiencing the greatest Peregrine Falcon migrations [https://floridakeyshawkwatch.com/2013/10/26/another-record-peregrine-falcon-count/] on record. The Hawkwatch also boasts incredible numbers of Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites [https://floridakeyshawkwatch.com/2021/08/05/kites-at-last/], Bahama Swallows, and tons of warbler flight. If that extreme heat, humidity, and mosquitoes weren't enough, Luis and Mariah now spend the spring and summer months in the Bering Sea on St. Paul Island [https://ebird.org/hotspot/L261146], AK, leading bird tours and doing surveys. You never know what can show up on the island. This year, they got folks on a Smew and a Garganey, Song Thrush, and Little Bunting [https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14xyyr45f4/?mibextid=adzO7l].  They discuss biting on the island and how it differs from the Hawkwatch. You will hear about more different bird species in this episode than in any other episode. Have those Google fingers ready to explore and enjoy!! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Dexter and Jason sit down with Jordan Rowley on this week's episode. Jordan is a PhD student at Utah State University [https://chass.usu.edu/sociology/directory/graduate-students/jordan-rowley], where he focuses on the social science surrounding birders and birdwatchers. It's like birding… but of people! The research is fascinating as it breaks down some of the demographics of birders and where they fall on different social scales. We research and discuss why things would break down that way. Dexter and Jason get a crash course on multi-species justice. We also discuss adventures and misadventures surrounding McGillivray's Warblers [https://ebird.org/species/macwar] and Mountain Bluebirds [https://ebird.org/species/moublu]. We get into the fantastic YouTube channel Bright Eyed Birding [https://www.youtube.com/@brighteyedbirding] and discuss how it helps create a welcoming and inclusive community. Jordan puts us onto what he sees as the opportunity for a better birding community in his area and has us dreaming about Pink Robins [https://ebird.org/species/pinrob1] and Montezuma Quail [https://ebird.org/species/monqua]! Join us this week as we have a convo with Jordan and spread some of that Bird Joy!! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Extraordinary episode ahead! This week, we speak with Isaiah "Ike" Scott, a senior at Cornell University, specifically focusing on studying ornithology at the Cornell Lab or Ornithology [https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/?utm_source=adgrant&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=merlin&utm_content=merlinbirdguide&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA57G5BhDUARIsACgCYnzY_peayH9AHlsmq0lI5NUqI5WT5yNNvgmmdRzopob6hc_ZFGKQVNgaAvsMEALw_wcB]. Ike talks to us about what it's like to study birds and how we followed this particular path in his education, including his teaching under Dr. Irby Lovett [https://ecologyandevolution.cornell.edu/irby-j-lovette]. Ike is also a bird artist and can express some beautiful aspects of his birding. Check it out at Ikes Bird Art [https://www.instagram.com/ikesbirdart/]. We touch on what it's like to be a student birder seeing his first Golden Eagle and how those experiences play a role in developing as a practical science communicator. It's essential to get more folks from various communities involved in birding. That comes through in Ike's social media, educational pursuits, and advice to other budding Black science communicators! We journey to the future, Snoop Dogg album in hand, and figure out where Ike is going! Join us as we spend some time sharing the always welcome Bird Joy!! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Join Dexter and Jason on this fantastic episode where we welcome our FIRST-ever guest on the podcast! In this episode, we are so excited to chat with best-selling author Christian Cooper about all things birding and bird joy! We cover experiences from his books, "Better Living Through Birding, Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World." [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671722/better-living-through-birding-by-christian-cooper/], and his amazing Emmy-winning TV show, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28102657/]. How does Christian find his "bird joy"? How does he feel about the movement of many new Black and brown birders in the community to create new space? We get into all things the experience of being a birder today, some of our grounding experiences with each other on Little St. Simon's island in Georgia, how we contextualize our own birding journeys, blushing from unsolicited compliments from folks in rainbow unicorn shirts, and even the decision by the AOS to change all eponymous bird names. Christian gave a fantastic talk at the formerly San Diego Audubon (now San Diego Bird Alliance), which covered all 12 points of opposition [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uK1-vFqry0]to #BirdNamesForBirds. We also are so honored to discuss Christian's new book, "The Urban Owls, How Flaco and Friends Made the City Their Home [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/christian-cooper/the-urban-owls/9780316583572/?lens=little-brown-books-for-young-readers]" which releases on Feb 18th. Take a listen and enjoy this special conversation with Christian Cooper! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

We are back!!! It's been too long homies. We have missed you! On this episode, Jason and Dexter get back in the saddle and catch up on what's been going on in the bird world. This includes visiting the International Crane Foundation [https://savingcranes.org/] with the homies to see birds like the endangered Whooping Crane [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Whooping_Crane/overview] and the incredibly beautiful Blue Crane [https://savingcranes.org/learn/species-field-guide/blue-crane/]. It also included doing some conservation work with Bird Safe Philly and advocating for bird safe windows/glass. Most notably however is the discussion on how homies in Philly and Madison got to witness this seasons SWIFTNADO [https://www.instagram.com/greenphilly.news/reel/DAHllh3JOtm/] action! So much joy and wonder watching Chimney Swifts [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chimney_Swift/overview] go "nite-nite" for the evening while preparing to migrate south for the winter. Dexter and Jason wrap up by discussing some upcoming trips with their bird clubs and the migrants they are still looking forward to this fall including Golden Eagles [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden_Eagle/id] and sparrows. They discuss their excitement on the number of guests for next season including a special guest for Episode 2! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Wow. We started in "Fake Spring" and took you through birding etiquette, safety, diversity/inclusion, and budgeting. We are here in mid-summer, excited to celebrate the bird joy we created and shared! We look forward to continuing that and bringing you new and fresh voices from around the birding world. We are all "nerding out" through our bird joy, and it's so beautiful. Sometimes, we focus so much on the technical aspects of birding that we miss sharing the joy involved in the process. Although Dexter and Jason love talking birds and bird joy, they only provide two perspectives. There are so many other voices we'd like to highlight and hear from along this journey. We want to discuss fun things like best bird songs, fall migration (crazy fall warbler ID [https://swibirds.org/blog/2020/9/6/a-beginners-guide-to-fall-warblers])  winter birding (weird duck season [https://myfwc.com/hunting/waterfowl/hunt-guide/duck-id/]), and GULLS! Are there other pathways to bird joy that we have not discussed yet? Our host, Jason, is diving into field journaling and bird sketching. Can we interpret nature like our homie and creator of our podcast representations, Casey Girard [https://www.instagram.com/caseygirard/]? Can we get good at nature photography like our homie Anwar Abdul-Qawi [https://www.instagram.com/_anwaraq/]?  We are taking a break to get the next season going, but we aren't going anywhere! We will continue to share items on our Instagram profile [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod/]. Be good and bird safely! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Join Dexter and Jason in this jam-packed episode, where they emphasize the crucial role of planning in ensuring a safe and enjoyable birding trip. The homies delve into the basics of safety, including the essential steps to plan your visit to a birding area. Are you aware of what you need to safely get there, bird, and safely get home to those folks who love you the most? This includes making sure you have things like food and water if you need it for a longer trip, accessible and safe parking or public transport; clothes are safe and comfortable for the conditions you will be in; sunscreen, gloves, hats, and other items to ensure your physical self is well taken care of. Additionally, the homies dive deep into safety in numbers and ensure that you let folks know where you are going. There are natural (large carnivores [https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/23/us/mountain-lion-attack-death-california/index.html], dangerous plants, venomous reptiles) and human dangers (social or political groups that do not accept those different from them) in some areas, and we must ensure we are aware of those. There are several examples throughout history of folks being harmed in the outdoors simply due to who they are. Feel free to use technology (e.g., Find my iPhone [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648] or other similar apps) [https://support.google.com/maps/answer/7326816?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid] to share your location with others if you can. In a separate episode, they covered birding ethics and inclusive birding. The homies return to some of those themes when it comes to ensuring we are aware of how we impact the safety of others on the trail. For example, how men… or bears… approach women on the trail, ensuring we are not overstepping bounds and only presenting safe and equitable spaces. There is also consideration given to how some of these points of safety may change depending on a disability that someone may be challenged with at any point and how we should consider those when going out in groups. As heavy as this episode is with tips and advice, the homies keep it fun and uplifting at all times. As usual, there are many laughs along the way. There are some lesser talked about topics like common birding injuries and how to take care of yourself during your bird outing [https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/healthy-living/blog/dont-wing-it-stay-safe-when-birdwatching]. In the end, they want you to be safe on the bird trail, no matter who you are. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

What is conservation in birding? How can you contribute to bird conservation locally? Join Dexter and Jason as they explore how to find bird joy while contributing to conservation. You don't need to be a tenured PhD in Ornithology to contribute to conservation locally. There are several local opportunities to participate, such as those offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology [https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/citizen-science-be-part-of-something-bigger/]. Seek and join the conversations in your local municipalities, counties, and communities. Those likely lead to laws that impact habitat and access to green space.  It's a good way to stay engaged. Other initiatives like Homegrown National Park [https://homegrownnationalpark.org/] give you the pathway to contributing habitat for birds, bugs, plants, and other types of wildlife. Whether it's American Kestrel Banding [https://swibirds.org/fff/2022/9/2/2022-american-kestrel-monitoring-banding], Monarch Butterfly plantings [https://monarchjointventure.org/mjvprograms/habitat/planting-and-growing-milkweed], Bluebird Box Monitoring [https://www.thebsp.org/how-to-monitor-your-nestboxes.html], or monitoring the homies coming to your patch feeders [https://feederwatch.org/], there are multitudes of opportunities out there to get involved. Who knows where this might lead you? You could end up learning why Large Billed Terns [https://www.news-press.com/picture-gallery/news/2023/07/06/large-billed-tern-collier-county-attracting-birders-all-over/12212877002/] are showing up in Florida or contributing data to Brown Booby [https://ebird.org/species/brnboo] migration patterns. You may even get lucky enough to count gulls in a trash dump [https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnuobwYKzQG/?igsh=MWNnYTI1MzRrNGFwNA==] one winter. You don't need to do it all. Stay within your means and understand that every little bit matters. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

This episode is dedicated to all of our listeners and supporters. Dexter and Jason recap an amazing spring, including Black Birders Week 2024! They get in and out of our amazing bird moments, which include finding a Blackburnian warbler [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blackburnian_Warbler/overview#] in Central Park with Indigo-Goodson Fields and Emmy winner Christian Cooper [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/christian-cooper-central-park-karen-emmy-b2562866.html]. This included a trip to Queens to find Piping Plovers [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Piping_Plover] with the NYC Plover Project [https://nycploverproject.org/], culminating in a Black Excellence in Birding Gala [https://gridphilly.com/blog-home/2024/06/06/at-philly-gala-for-5th-annual-black-birders-week-flashes-of-progress/]! Dexter describes what it was like to bird in Madison with the founder of Black in NPS Week, Ms. Nicole Jackson! [https://www.npca.org/people/nicole-jackson] They cover key moments like Dexter's amazing spring getting onto his first American Avocets and the long-awaited nemesis bird, the Cerulean Warbler [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/cerulean_warbler]! It is incredibly evident that birding is for EVERYONE in this episode… including babies in diapers! Rounding out with stories of the homies hanging with Golden Eagles [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/golden_eagle] and Peregrine Falcons [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon] from the Hoo's Woods Raptor Center [https://hooswoods.org/]. Heading into Juneteenth, they discuss their week and summer plans. Overall, this episode is meant to BE A CELEBRATION OF THIS COMMUNITY. Thank our listeners for their journey thus far. The community is growing because of you all!! Please continue spreading Bird Joy where you can, and keep listening! Huge shoutout to Black AF In Stem [https://www.blackafinstem.com/] for another great year! #Birding #BirdJoy #TheBirdJoyPod #Joy #Community #Smile #Birds Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Join Dexter and Jason as they delve into the mental health benefits of birding. Even when you have to wake up at 4 am to see Greater Prairie Chickens [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Greater_Prairie-Chicken/overview#] in freezing cold weather, there is still an immense health benefit. Those moments when you can commune with and observe nature provide joy, anxiety reduction [https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ict.2023.29108.jha], stress reduction [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240503135334.htm#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20finds%20people,nature%20exposure%2C%20such%20as%20walks.], happiness [https://theconversation.com/the-joy-of-birdwatching-research-shows-it-can-improve-mental-health-and-foster-a-sense-of-wellbeing-229139#:~:text=A%20study%20published%20in%202024,day%20positively%20impacts%20our%20wellbeing.], and perspective. Sometimes we forget that birding presents challenges through adventure and pursuit of birds. The payoff for finally seeing the bird is a rush of endorphins. Additionally, the journey to the bird is just as valuable as seeing the bird. We are inspired by mindful birders like Tammah Watts (author of Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Birdwatching [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676097/keep-looking-up-by-tammah-watts/]). Do you check your mental state before and after you bird? Did you know that birding can be used to deal with grief [https://www.inquirer.com/life/birding-cornell-heinz-birds-outdoors-nature-wildlife-20230724.html]? Do you ever feel like you've gotten physical exercise [https://tucson.com/lifestyles/birding-youll-see-its-great-exercise/article_2b54d787-a452-5dad-93a0-6c9d8fd871ac.html] while birding? Do you feel better when you help other birders see birds? Humans are social beings, and we built ways of interpreting the world through nature. We evolved within it, so it's not surprising that nature directly connects to our mental health. Our brain was wired to pay attention to it. Watching birds survive also affects how we move forward in life. The struggle to provide for our families isn't limited to humans; birds do the same. It's important to try and connect with that. Like the small but powerful Blackpoll Warbler who travels thousands of miles and blesses us with its song for a few moments on its journey, we can take inspiration from its success. Don't shortchange the community connections and the support systems developed with those friendships. Those connections are also important for maintaining your mental health. This includes the proper use of your social media outlets. Have you adjusted your social media algorithms to show you bird joy and a positive bird community? One day, you never know, you may end up birding with your favorite homies and looking at Roseate Spoonbills! [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/overview] Get out there and find some Bird Joy! Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/]  In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Bird Joy Podcast. This week, Dexter and Jason delve into birding as a family, sharing insights, tips, and heartwarming stories on how birding can bring families closer together and foster a love for nature. The episode kicks off with tips for parents on introducing children to birding. It focuses on age-appropriate bird identification techniques and engaging activities that make birding fun for kids (like learning the pneumonic for the Eastern Towhee [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Towhee/overview] or finding non-birding joys of the space). It also highlights family-friendly activities like nature walks and DIY bird feeder projects, which are both enjoyable and educational. They discuss the significant educational value of birding for children, including developing observation skills, learning about biodiversity, and fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. One fun way to do this is by introducing apps like Merlin [https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/] and Seek [https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app]. It's not just a fun activity; it's a learning journey for your little ones that feels more like Pokémon Go!  [https://pokemongolive.com/] Inclusivity is emphasized, with advice on making birding accessible for all family members, regardless of age or experience. Practical tips for planning family birding outings include recommended spots, essential gear, and safety precautions. Your spouse may see a Schalow's Turaco [https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/schtur1/cur/introduction]before you do, or your mom may spot a Snowy Owl [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Owl/overview]in a parking lot in August!! The hosts highlight the importance of connecting with nature as a family and the benefits of spending quality time outdoors. They also discuss opportunities for families to engage with local birding communities, join family-friendly events, and share their experiences. Join Dexter and Jason as they inspire families to start their birding journeys together. Take advantage of the tips, stories, and resources to make birding a joyful family activity. Happy birding! Listen, Share, Subscribe, Leave a Review, and help us spread a little Bird Joy!  Thanks for listening, homies. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

In this week's unique episode of The Bird Joy Podcast, Dexter and Jason, both avid birdwatchers and budget-conscious individuals, delve into the world of birdwatching on a budget. They share their tips on budget-friendly birding equipment, including affordable binoculars, field guides, and bird feeders. The hosts also provide creative DIY projects, such as homemade bird feeders and baths. They highlight the benefits of shopping at second-hand stores or online marketplaces for discounted equipment. Dexter and Jason also discuss free or low-cost birding activities and events. They share information about local birding clubs and groups that offer free outings and bird walks. Additionally, they suggest visiting public parks, nature reserves, and wildlife refuges that provide free access for birdwatching. The episode explores creative ways to enjoy birding without a hefty price tag. Dexter and Jason emphasize the benefits of backyard birding. Lastly, they encourage listeners to participate in citizen science projects, often requiring minimal or no cost. Remember to subscribe to The Bird Joy Podcast, a platform that celebrates diversity in birdwatching, to stay updated on future episodes. Please leave a rating and review—your feedback helps us improve and reach more bird enthusiasts. Share the podcast with your fellow birders to spread the joy of birdwatching. Follow us on social media @birdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod/] for more birding tips and updates, and join our inclusive community at the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [http://bipocbirdingclub.org/]and In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/] to connect with other bird lovers. We hope you enjoy this episode. Happy birding!

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they discuss some key birding ethics that one needs to know and consider when finding bird joy. Everything from dogs and pets off leash while trying to experience Eastern Meadowlarks [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Meadowlark/overview] to the use of lasers to help folks get on birds, the attempt (and sometimes failure) to see birds like the Eastern Towhee [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_towhee], and the controversial practice of playing bird calls to lure birds in (why would you do this for Short-eared Owls [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/short-eared_owl]?). Key attention is given to how we treat each other as an extension of our birding activity while out on the trail. It is no surprise that the experience of Black and brown folks in the outdoors provides a key nuance to this discussion (as indicated by Drew Lanham's 9 Rules for the Black Birdwatcher [https://orionmagazine.org/article/9-rules-for-the-black-birdwatcher/]). Of course there is also some bird joy, even if it's found in the macabre practices of the "little bitty murderers" the Northern [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_shrike] and Loggerhead [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Loggerhead_Shrike] Shrikes. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they dive into why having a diverse birding community is essential. They discuss some of their experiences and growth since the inaugural Black Birders Week [https://www.blackafinstem.com/black-birders-week-2024], like finding a connection to Dr. Drew Lanham's book, "The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature [https://milkweed.org/book/the-home-place]." This episode is about our journey and passion to create a more diverse birding community and why that should mirror the diversity we see in birds like the cool Ruff [https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/ruff/cur/introduction]. We also spotlight some fantastic birding groups, like the Special Bird Service [https://www.specialbirdservice.com/], Chicago BIPOC Birders [https://chicagobipocbirders.org/], BIPOC Birders of Michigan [https://bipocbirdersofmi.wordpress.com/], The Oxnard Birders Club, [https://www.instagram.com/oxnardbirdersclub?igsh=MWlpc2hhNHg1bmMzcg==] and the Urban Bird Collective [https://urbanbirdcollective.org/]. We look to empower all of us to take action to ensure our communities remain engaged with the natural world (through birding or otherwise). Let's go find that joy together!

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they cover the ins and outs of how to get started in your own birding journey. The guys cover building community in your local patch, choosing the right pair of binoculars [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/six-steps-to-choosing-a-pair-of-binoculars-youll-love/] for you, the most helpful bird guide [https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/whats-the-best-book-or-field-guide-for-bird-identification/] and identification tools for your area, and most importantly, how to find that #BirdJoy in the process. Join them as they share in the joys of building a diverse birding community by accepting folks as they are.  Are you excited to get started on your own celestial birding experiences? Don't miss fun recaps of generating good birding juju and even our favorite ungovernable groundhogs [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weird-news/jimmy-groundhog-bites-sun-prairie-wisconsin-mayors-ear-n298656] LOL. Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd [https://www.instagram.com/THEBIRDJOYPOD] and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/] In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]