Wondering what you can do to help birds? Drink (the right) coffee! Specifically, bird-friendly certified coffee. Bird-Friendly coffee is great for birds and people, yet many bird lovers haven’t made the switch. Kirstin Hill from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre joins us to talk about why it’s important to buy bird-friendly CERTIFIED coffee. Spoiler Alert! Canadians drink copious amounts of coffee and by switching to a certified alternative we can have a massive impact on the birds we see fl...
Dec 10, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
When it comes to coffee and birds there’s a surprising amount we can learn. Many of our beloved migrant birds spend their winters in southern climes. In coffee plantations in fact. Shade-grown, organic, fair-trade, and bird-friendly coffee – what’s up with all the certifications? What difference does it make if my coffee is certified bird-friendly? Dr. Ana Gonzalez grew up among the coffee plantations of Colombia and is now living in Canada. Ana tells us about her work and the important role cof...
Dec 07, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Should we feed birds? When and why? These are some of the questions we explore with Kerrie Wilcox, Birds Canada’s bird feeding expert. With decades of experience leading Project FeederWatch, Kerrie explains the value of observing the birds in your yard and what the data tells us about bird population trends. And what watching ‘our’ birds contributes to our own well-being. We’ll also talk to experts to answer some of the amazing questions listeners submitted. Together, we learn why some birds cha...
Nov 23, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Dr. Sarah Gutowsky shares her recent findings on the migratory route of Sabine’s Gulls. This incredible species migrates 15,000 km from the high Arctic to Perú, and makes a brief but essential stopover along the coast of Vancouver Island in the Juan de Fuca Strait. Sarah helps us explore, not only the methodologies and insights from this research but also how she hopes the research may be used to inspire positive conservation actions. Shortly after our talk with Sarah, a shipping disaster occurr...
Nov 08, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 7
There are 58 bird species living in Canadian oceans, 95% of them are in trouble worldwide, furthermore, we don't really understand how 62% of Canadian seabirds are doing due to unknown population trends. In this episode, you will discover the Seabirds you did not know you love, the reasons for their decrease and what you can do to help them with your everyday choices. Dr. Sarah Gutowsky will take us on a discovery journey that starts with the career path of a talented, unconventional, and inspir...
Oct 25, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Knowledge keeper Alan Colley from the Wolf Clan brings us one of the stories of Migizi. This is the Anishinabemowin name for the Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The story was produced and recorded by Shadowland Theatre for the Milliken Mills High School Earth Day Celebration in 2020. Check out the poems, songs and works of arts prepared by students for this Celebration here: https://www.mmhsbirds.com/ - You will love them! Watch Alan telling the story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Oct 14, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Bneshiinyik is how Anishinaabe people know birds. On this episode that marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day, we talk with Joseph Pitawanakwat a young knowledge keeper in search of medicine, names and stories. He talks about how birds are named in Ojibwe and some of the teachings and gifts they share with us. What you will discover in this episode is that language is a key to the knowledge of an organism and how it fulfills its duties and functions on the land. This knowledge brings you to...
Sep 29, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Whether you are testing the Merlin Sound ID app or have mastered the app, got a new recorded, shotgun mic for your phone and have annoyed all your family asking them to be quiet while you record... you might have some burning questions. Like, is sound ID enough to report a bird? Can I get better at recording? What do I do if Merlin gets a bird wrong? In this Minisode, we explore these scenarios and more! Please remember we would love to hear from you, let us know what you think about the podcast...
Sep 09, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 5
It's a dream come true – there's finally an app for identifying bird sounds. In the next episode of The Warblers podcast, we’ll explore the Merlin Bird ID app’s new Sound ID feature and how artificial intelligence is redefining birding. We talk with Drew Weber and Jody Allair and go deep into the implications and opportunities that this technology will bring for birds, and new as well as experienced birders. Drew Weber coordinates the Merlin project at the Cornell Lab, as well as some web develo...
Aug 26, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 5
We talked to Natasha Barlow a couple of weeks ago about Bird Gardens. she provided bonus information to help you attract specific species, birds you might not know you wanted or could attract to your garden. If you haven't had a chance, check out the full episode. Full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1784269/8970575 Please remember we would love to hear from you, let us know what you think about the podcast here or which topics you will love -> podcast@birdscanada.org Natasha Barlow is a ...
Aug 18, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 4
It often feels like we've been engaged in a battle with our lawns; we cut, mow, trim, drown and poison them to achieve that lush poster green look. We believe that yards, birds and landowners will find more happiness with a naturalized space. This paradigm shift will provide an opportunity for enjoyment, reflection and conservation - rather than work and sterile spaces. Many North American bird species are in decline due to habitat loss and degradation, among other global threats. In this episod...
Aug 04, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 4
We speak with Julian Victor, a wildlife Filmmaker from Toronto who has worked on projects for National Geographic, as well as with legendary wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. He was one of the presenters for the first-ever Black Birders Week in 2020 and currently creates nature segments for Breakfast Television, one of Canada’s most popular TV shows. We explore how he got to be a rising wildlife filmmaking star and the risks of presenting pristine images of nature and birds; highli...
Jul 07, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 3
The iconic Canadian snowbird. Find out surprising facts about our beautiful Common Loons ( Gavia immer ) and how they are faring in Canada. We speak with Kathy Jones and Kristin Bianchini to explore the fascinating and fragile world of the Common Loon and the role volunteer scientists play in our understanding of their complex lives. Join the Canadian Lake Loon Survey visiting: www.birdscanada.org/loon More on Loons: https://www.birdscanada.org/fantastic-loons-and-where-to-find-them/ Kathy Jones...
Jul 07, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 2
"Challenging" - learn more about this understatement in the world of Ferruginous Hawk ( Buteo regalis ) research with Janet Ng. In our inaugural episode, we explore many angles of this exciting conservation work from the up and down fortunes of this species to the personal toll on an intrepid researcher. Janet Ng, Ph.D., is a species at risk biologist who has worked on a variety of species and landscapes around Canada. Her work is focused on wildlife-habitat relationships and how human developme...
Jul 07, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 1
