It's back! We've called upon guests from across Canada to help answer your birdiest questions! 

Do the Northern Lights impact migratory birds? How do Surf Scoters digest whole clams? What does the "cheeseburger" song of the chickadee really mean? We answer these questions, and many more! 

A special thanks everyone who sent in questions, and to our experts guests who have so wonderfully helped to answer them!

If you loved this episode, please consider donating to Birds Canada to support the show and bird conservation in Canada. And continue learning with some of the other episodes we talked about:

• Episodes: Did a chickadee steal my hotdog? Experts answer your questions.
• Exploring Bird Sounds with Dan Mennill
• The Wake-up Call: Chimney Swift
• The Superhero Senses - of birds! featuring Andrew Iwaniuk

If you want to spend more time enjoying birds this winter, join Project FeederWatch!

Dan Mennill is a Professor of Ornithology at the University of Windsor. He studies acoustic communication in wild animals, especially the songs of birds. He has helped pioneer many new recording and playback technologies for field research. He has published more than 180 papers, and supervised over 40 graduate students. 

Nelsy Niño is a a Colombian biologist and anthropologist, and a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Windsor. Her research focuses on bio- and eco-acoustics, as well as sound in general, sharing knowledge in the field with local communities.

Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. Andrew studies how and why brain anatomy varies within and across species, focusing primarily on birds. He recently published the book, Bird Brains and Behaviour: A Synthesis with MIT Press.

Tyler Hoar has been leading the Winter Finch Forecast since 2020. He has studied and worked with many species, including shorebirds, raptors, parrots, and passerines. His work has taken him from the high Canadian Arctic south to the deserts of Arizona and the rainforests of the Caribbean. 

Doug Tozer is the Director of Waterbirds and Wetlands with Birds Canada. His academic and professional career has focused on developing workable conservation solutions for birds, and raising awareness of the importance of these animals; through programs such as the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, and Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program.

Jody Allair is an avid birder and naturalist who enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world. He is the Director of Communications at Birds Canada and has written numerous articles on birds, birding and connecting with nature. You can find him on BlueSky and Instagram at @JodyAllair.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. 

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Canada's largest city attracts a surprising diversity of bird species - and peeping at them from along the shores of Lake Ontario: countless birders. 

Among these birders, you'll find Jean Iron, Mark Peck and Nancy Barrett - three of Toronto's well known faces in the birding community. They share their favourite birding stories, explain the science behind why Toronto is a hotspot for birds, and relish in the community and friendships they've made through birding. Plus we hear about their new book, and give away a few copies!

Donate to Birds Canada for your chance to win a copy of Toronto's Birds: 100+ species photographed in the GTA . Go to birdscanada.org/donate and mention the podcast in the comment field. 

When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers, Birds and Beans donates to this podcast - thank you for supporting us, and our migratory birds! 

We mentioned lots of volunteer opportunities in this episode:

• Project FeederWatch (runs all winter, from Nov 1-April 30)
• Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb 13-16, 2026)
• Christmas Bird Count (Dec 14-Jan 5) 
• Hawk Watch (look for groups near you, they're all over Canada)
• Toronto Whimbrel Watch
• Toronto Ornithological Club and Ontario Field Ornithologists  

Mark Peck was the Collections Specialist in Ornithology at the Royal Ontario Museum for 41 years until his retirement in 2024. He is the author of Bird Eggs: A Young Naturalist’s Guide, is Vice-President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists, who awarded him the Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2024, and is a longtime member of the Toronto Ornithological Club. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Nancy Barrett worked as a medical transcriptionist for 31 years at a community hospital. She belongs to several bird and nature organizations, including as a member of the board at THE TOC (Toronto Ornithological Club), OFO (Ontario Field Ornithologists), and is the VP at the Friends of Sam Smith Park.

Jean Iron was President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists for nine years and editor of its newsletter for fourteen; she received its Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2016. She is an Honorary Member of the Toronto Ornithological Club, and has authored many articles about birds, illustrated with her own photos, and leads tours for birding clubs and at birding festivals. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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Discover the unique ways that birds understand the world through their senses! Some birds have bendy beaks, some swivel their eyes, and others sense magnetic fields. Andrew Iwaniuk is an expert on bird brains, and he helps us explore specialized bird senses and how their brains work! 

Send us your bird questions! We'll answer them in our end of year episode. 

• Email podcast@birdscanada.org
• Send Birds Canada a message on Instagram, Facebook or Bluesky
•  Or leave us a voicemail at 519-586-3531, extension 128 

Big thanks to Birds and Beans for supporting the podcast! When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers, Birds and Beans donates to this podcast. Thanks! 

Get a copy of Andrew's book, Bird Brains and Behavior: A Synthesis

Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. Andrew studies how and why brain anatomy varies within and across species, focusing primarily on birds. His lab houses the world’s largest bird brain collection and he has published over 100 scientific articles, contributed to National Geographic magazine and Earthsounds documentary series, and recently published the book, Bird Brains and Behaviour: A Synthesis with MIT Press.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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In the spirit of spooky season, we bring you an eerie episode filled with spine-tingling bird facts. We debate the most haunting bird sounds, learn about blood sucking birds, corvid funerals, toxic species, and more. Plus you'll get some inspiration for a bird-themed Halloween costume! 

Natasha has shared some links with additional facts:

• Crow funerals with Kaeli Swift 
• Vampire Finches from BBC Earth
• The relationship between Oxpeckers and Rhinos

Natasha Barlow grew up near Point Pelee National Park in southern Ontario, and didn't fully appreciate the area until she had already moved away. Thankfully, she realized the error in her ways, and after completing her masters assessing the efficacy of restoration and conservation strategies on protecting sagebrush songbirds, she now coordinates various field-based research projects, runs citizen science programs, and advocates for change for aerial insectivores in Ontario as a Projects Biologist with Birds Canada. 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

Sound credits:

Northern Potoo: Peter Boesman (xeno-canto)
Barred Owl: Gerrit Vyn and Benjamin Clock 
Great Spotted Kiwi: David Boyle (xeno-canto)
Common Loon: Steven R. Pantle
Capuchinbird: Felipe Arantes (xeno-canto)
Wilsons Snipe: Wil Hershberger

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Think you know blackbirds? This episode will change the way you see them. Andrea Gress and co-host Jody Allair discuss the underrated beauty and behaviour of blackbirds with experts Peter Burke and Alvaro Jaramillo. They highlight the diverse species within the Icteridae family, including Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadowlarks, and Orioles. They explore population trends, cultural perceptions, and the challenges of tracking species like the Rusty Blackbird. You won't want to miss the incredible stories from the pair who literally wrote the book on blackbirds!


Help migratory birds simply by drinking Bird-friendly Certified Coffee. When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers, Birds and Beans donates to this podcast. Thanks! 

Peter Burke: Peter is a Senior Ecologist with GEI Consultants Canada, living in Kearney Ontario, near Algonquin Park. He is involved with overseeing forestry and restoration joint ventures to improve landscape health and function across Ontario’s landscape. He serves on the Steering Committee for the conservation of Kirtland's Warbler and helps to guide recovery of the Canadian breeding population of that species. He also is an illustrator, with his work can be seen in field guides such as National Geographic's Birds of North America, Birds of Peru, Birds of northern Central America, and Birds of Cuba. He also contributed to a field guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Park and surroundings.

Alvaro Jaramillo: Alvaro has been a birder just a tad less than Peter, starting at 11 years old in Toronto. His local patch was “The Spit,” now Thommy Thompson Park. He studied Ecology and Evolution, first at Guelph University, then University of Toronto where he researched Argentine cowbirds for his MSc. After a short stint in Vancouver, he moved to California where he lived for decades, operating Alvaro’s Adventures an international birding tour company, and pelagic birding operator. He recently moved back to Ontario, to wonderful Prince Edward County. Peter and Alvaro worked together on the Birds of Chile,  and New World Blackbirds: The Icterids. Alvaro also wrote the ABA Field Guide to California. And he is one of the co-hosts of the Life List Birding Podcast.

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Migration is one of the most remarkable phenomena in the animal kingdom. What if the human body made the same trip?

Athletes Timm Döbert and Leanna Carriere join us to discuss their up-coming expedition, “Wings of Survival”, where they’ll bike from Alaska to Patagonia, following the route of the Whimbrel. This duo is using athletics to draw attention to nature and conservation. They tell us about their recent ride across Canada’s grasslands, how they’ve been linking Key Biodiversity Areas, and how they see birds as an essential part of the story. 

Learn more about the ride at wingsofsurvival.com or support through their GoFundMe.

Timm Döbert holds a PhD in Global Change Ecology from the University of Western Australia. He studies the human footprint on natural ecosystems, motivated by a drive to safeguard wild spaces and wildlife. Timm is an member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Commission on Education and Communication, and the World Commission on Protected Areas. He holds fellowships in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Scientific Exploration Society and the World Explorers Collective. He is an Explorers Club member, an ambassador for the Athlete Media Group and Wilderness International, and a Global Sustainable Sport partner.

Leanna Carriere is an endurance athlete, personal trainer and entrepreneur. For nearly a decade, she competed internationally in women’s pole vault and is recognised as Canada’s first female decathlete. She has completed several Ironman events, the Mt. Everest Marathon and the Patagonman Xtreme triathlon. She is the co-founder of Edmonton-based chocolate company 7 Summits Snacks. As a motivational speaker, she advocates for the deep connection between human and planetary health. She loves exploring the outdoors with her 6-year-old daughter Adalynn.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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Black Swifts are also playfully known as Cloud Swifts, a suitable nickname for one of Canada's most impressive and mysterious birds. Join us above the clouds with researcher and mountain enthusiast, Rémi Torrenta, as he shares Black Swift season updates. He describes meeting Black Swifts at the top of a mountain, shares mind boggling facts about the species, and uplifting stories from a successful season of nest monitoring.

For an immersive episode on Black Swift research listen to The Wake-up Call: Black Swift, or watch Of Waterfalls and Wings – Surveying for the Mysterious Black Swift.

Help migratory birds simply by drinking Bird-friendly Certified Coffee. When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans donates to this podcast. Thanks! 

Rémi Torrenta has always had a passion for wildlife and birds. He obtained a MSc in Ecology in the south of France, and then a PhD at Université de Moncton, NB. After 8 years of work experience with forest birds in eastern Canada, he has been the BC Projects Coordinator for Birds Canada since 2021. Remi delivers Citizen Science programs, as well as various Species at Risk research and monitoring projects, and outreach and education programs in western Canada.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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The Chestnut-collared Longspur is an icon of the Prairies – an aerial acrobatist, singing and dancing in the sky. Jody Allair shares his love for this longspur, helping us understand why this charming species should be on everyone’s life list.  As he describes his road trip to seek out the Chestnut-collared Longspur earlier this spring, Jody offers helpful advice on how to find a rare bird – this advice can be applied anywhere, to find any species. And with all Wake-up Call episodes, we’ll also learn about threats and challenges, and how you can help the Chestnut-collared Longspur. 

We touched very briefly on how purchasing grass-fed beef can help grassland species. For more depth on this topic, listen to our episode Grasslands, Birds and Beef. 

If you live in the Prairies, try seeking out local organizations that are doing work to help grasslands, such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Nature Saskatchewan. 

In Saskatchewan you can report Chestnut-collared Longspur sightings to 1-800-667-HOOT or outreach@naturesask.ca

When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans donates to this podcast, plus you support bird-friendly coffee farms which provide essential habitat, simply by drinking a cup of coffee. 

Jody Allair is an avid birder and naturalist who enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world. He is the Director of Communications at Birds Canada and has written numerous articles on birds, birding and connecting with nature. You can find him on Bluesky and Instagram at @JodyAllair.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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Taking good photos of birds isn't just about the gear - knowing bird behaviours and habitats is equally as important. 

Professional wildlife photographer, Liron Gertsman, joins us to offer helpful pointers for folks looking to take their bird photography to the next level. He also shares the stories behind some of his most iconic photos, important notes on how to practice ethical bird photography, and tips for following a similar career path in combining photography with a love of birds.  

Donate today to get your copy of the 2026 Birds Canada Calendar! Visit birdscanada.org/warblerspodcast and click Donate. 

Any donation helps support bird conservation in Canada. 

Additional links:

See Liron's photography, join one of his tours, or buy prints here: linktr.ee/liron_gertsman 

Ethical Owl Photography tips from Birds Canada

Ethical Field Practices from the North American Nature Photography Association 

Liron Gertsman is an award-winning naturalist and professional wildlife photographer whose work has appeared in Canadian Geographic, Audubon, Sierra Magazine, The Smithsonian Institution, London’s Natural History Museum, and more. Liron combines his photographic artistry with his biology background from the University of British Columbia to create eye-catching images and unique photography workshops around his home in western Canada and worldwide.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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Join us on a road trip to Skookumchuck Prairie to seek out the Long-billed Curlew. Our editor Kris Cu takes the reigns, leading us through the grassy valleys of Southeastern British Columbia. Kris is joined by David Bradley of Birds Canada, and Dianne Cooper, the caretaker of the Skookumchuck Prairie Key Biodiversity Area. Through their eyes, we learn about the Long-billed Curlew - threats, challenges, conservation efforts - while also learning more about KBAs and how they offer essential habitat for species at risk. 

When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans donates to this podcast, plus you support bird-friendly coffee farms which provide essential habitat, simply by drinking a cup of coffee. 

Learn more:

The Long-billed Curlew Project

KBA Canada

The migratory shorebird study

David Bradley is the Conservation Scientist & Director for Birds Canada in British Columbia. He completed his Ph.D in New Zealand on the ecology and conservation of an endangered endemic bird, the North Island Kokako. His postdoc, at the Birds Canada head office in Ontario and the University of Guelph, focused on migration and breeding phenology in Tree Swallows.  He is currently involved in an invasive mammalian predator study in Haida Gwaii, and a Long-billed Curlew migration tracking study in the Kootenay Mountains.

Dianne Cooper has been the volunteer caretaker for Skookumchuck Prairie KBA for 8 years. She is very involved in the local birding community, being the eBird editor for the region and a compiler for the Christmas Bird Count. 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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While working with Piping Plovers in June of 2022, Andrea Gress and the rest of the plover team, observed a same-sex pairing between two well known plovers. It was a first for the species. 

But was it really? 

In today's episode, Andrea shares a brief history of how queerness in nature was viewed by the scientific community, and how these perspectives have evolved. To explore this further, we also re-share an episode originally aired in 2022: Piping Plovers - A Love Story. 

As promised, here are some additional resources to explore: 

Watch: 

Animal Pride: Nature's Coming Our Story, the Nature of Things

Listen: 

A Field Guide to Gay Animals by Canadaland

The Seagulls by Radiolab

Read:

Same-sex partnerships in birds: a review of the current literature and a call for more data by Gillies and Siddiqi-Davies 2025

Same-sex sexual behaviour among mammals is widely observed, yet seldomly reported: Evidence from an online expert survey by Anderson et al 2024

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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Discover the fascinating world of the White-throated Sparrow: birds with two colour morphs, a unique mating system, and songs that spread like the latest Taylor Swift release. Professors Ken Otter and Scott Ramsay reveal the surprising complexity behind these seemingly ordinary birds.

When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans donates to this podcast, plus you support bird-friendly coffee farms which provide essential habitat, simply by drinking a cup of coffee. 

Scott Ramsay is a Biology professor at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON, where he has been studying White-throated Sparrows since 2001. Since joining the faculty at Laurier, his research has included studies of the White-throated Sparrow populations in Algonquin Park, and Prince George BC in collaboration with Ken Otter.

Ken Otter is a professor at the University of Northern British Columbia. Ken and his team were behind much of the song research for White-throated Sparrows. His primary interest is in how forest birds respond to anthropogenic disturbance.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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In this episode we get answers to some of our biggest questions about bird songs, calls, and non-vocal sounds. Learn how thrushes make that haunting flute-like sound, listen to the duetting phenomenon of tropical songbirds, and explore how some birds learn their songs while others don’t. Dive into the complex world of avian communication – and so much more!

Help the iconic Wood Thrush and so many more migratory birds by drinking Bird-friendly Certified Coffee. When you order from birdsandbeans.ca/warblers Birds and Beans donates to this podcast. 

Dan Mennill is a Professor of Ornithology at the University of Windsor. He studies acoustic communication in wild animals, especially the songs of birds. He has helped pioneer many new recording and playback technologies for field research. He has published more than 180 papers in scientific journals and supervised more than 40 graduate students. 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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The birds are back! From raptors doing trust falls, to grebes running across water - birds are displaying their finest selves all across Canada!

In this episode, Kyle Horner breaks down the common, the weird, and the obscure bird behaviours that you should be looking for this spring. We also get interesting insights into the "mess" that is the Canada Goose. And Kyle shares what he considers the best birds to look for at this time of year, whether you're in Halifax, Kelowna, or somewhere in between!

Want more info on how to help birds? Visit Your Guide to Helping Canada's Birds. 

Birds and Beans will donate to this podcast when you use the code "warblers" at checkout. Thanks for your support!

Kyle Horner was gifted the love of birdlife and storytelling from his father. From a young age he was obsessed with talking about nature to others (whether or not they wanted to hear it), and his career has been spent doing just that. Kyle has worked in environmental education and science communication for parks, zoos, botanical gardens, outreach programs, non-profits, and the University of Guelph. As the NatureCounts Engagement Coordinator, he is excited to find the stories in the data and share the incredible potential of this fascinating project.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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The Breeding Bird Atlas is the ultimate province-wide bird survey. In this episode, Atlas coordinators from Newfoundland, Ontario, and Saskatchewan share how and why Atlassing is a key part of bird conservation. We hear their biggest challenges, favourite stories from the field, and why you should be a part of it all. From boast worthy birds, to blackflies - the Breeding Bird Atlas is a project driven by a love for birds and for Canada's most far to reach places.

It's not too late to join an Atlas!

• Newfoundland: nf.birdatlas.ca
• Ontario: birdsontario.org

Pull out the camping pot, boil some water, and brew some bird-friendly coffee! Birds and Beans will donate to this podcast when you use the code "warblers" at checkout.

Catherine Dale had an early career job studying Tree Swallows which sparked her love for birds, animal behaviour, and spending time in the field. She began working with Birds Canada in 2019 as the Coordinator of the Newfoundland Breeding Bird Atlas, and has spent the past six years learning about the amazing province she now calls home. She also coordinates the NL Nocturnal Owl Survey and the newly launched Short-eared Owl Survey.

Kaelyn Bumelis spent her undergraduate summers studying aerial insectivores, which inspired her to pursue a Master of Science in Biology at Western University, where she focused on niche segregation among sympatric Barn, Cliff, and Tree swallows. Today, Kaelyn serves as the Project Manager for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas, a role that allows her to blend her love of birding and conservation with her enthusiasm for connecting and exchanging knowledge with others. 

LeeAnn Latremouille is originally from Montreal, but fell in love with the prairies and has called Saskatoon home for the last 10 years. In addition to coordinating the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas, she also runs the Saskatchewan Nocturnal Owl Survey, delivers the MarshWatch educational program, and has recently taken on a role with our Grassland Bird Conservation Team as the coordinator for the Integrated Monitoring of Bird Conservation Regions effort in Prairie Canada.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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By size, shape and style, you might mistake this owl for a cuddly toy, but it's actually a deadly predator. In today's episode we chat about the Northern Saw-whet Owl - their adaptations, how to identify them by sound, how banding operations are helping to track their populations, and how you could get involved!

Happy Superb Owl day! #superbowl

Protect habitat while sipping on a cup of bird-friendly coffee! Birds and Beans will even donate to this podcast when you use the code "warblers" at checkout.

Join the Nocturnal Owl Survey, or keep an eye out for owl banding at a banding station near you. Follow Long Point Bird Observatory on FB or IG @longpointbirds    

Kyle Cameron got hooked on birds from a young age and turned it into a career! He currently works as the Ontario Projects Biologist for Birds Canada, where he provides contributions to numerous projects including education programming, the Motus wildlife tracking system, and the Long Point Bird Observatory.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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As a special treat we've rounded up some of your most curious bird related questions and answered them in this episode (or tried to!).

Why do some birds have red eyes? Can owls hybridize? Can birds smell? And of course, we'll try to solve the hotdog mystery. 

Help us keep doing what we do best by donating today. Or another great way to help...
Order some bird-friendly coffee for your cozy holiday season, and when you use the code "warblers", Birds and Beans will donate to this podcast. 

Check out Winter is better with Project FeederWatch for more information about bird feeding, or How do birds survive the extremes of winter?! for some mind blowing winter bird facts!

Some of you asked where to find ornithology jobs. We recommend checking the Birds Canada site if you'd like to work with us!  Or check out Work Cabin for jobs in the larger conservation community. 

Others asked for audio and birdsong resources for North America. Try:

• Merlin Bird ID: field guide app with sounds
• Sibley Birds: field guide app with sounds
• Larkwire: quiz app to learn bird sounds
• xeno-canto: online database of sounds

Lindsay Lalach is currently working towards her Masters of Science in Biology at Simon Fraser University, her research is focused on the winter movement and foraging ecology of Brandt's Cormorants in the Salish Sea.

David Toews is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Penn State University. He did his undergrad at Acadia University in NS, and MSc and PhD at UBC. He also serves as the “population genetics expert” for the Birds Specialist Subcommittee of COSEWIC. He has studied avian evolution since 2005, and has been focused on speciation and hybridization in warblers. 

Doug Tozer is the Director of Waterbirds and Wetlands with Birds Canada. His academic and professional career has focused on developing workable conservation solutions for birds, and raising awareness of the importance of these animals; through programs such as the Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, Canadian Lakes Loon Survey, and Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Program.

Jody Allair is an avid birder and naturalist who enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world. He is the Director of Communications at Birds Canada and has written numerous articles on birds, birding and connecting with nature. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram at @JodyAllair.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds

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Some call them goatsuckers, others may think of them as dragons in the night sky...but we know them lovingly as the Eastern Whip-poor-will.

We're joined by three researchers who are exploring the habitats, food sources, and migratory ranges of the Eastern Whip-poor-will.  We learn all kinds of spooky facts about this elusive species, and gain insights into their threats and challenges. Plus we get to take a behind the scenes look at how research is done for this species at risk.

Help us keep doing what we do best by donating today. Thank you! 

Natasha shared many great ways to help the Eastern Whip-poor-will and aerial insectivores, here are some of our favorites: 

• Canadian Nightjar Survey
• Global Nightjar Network
• Breeding Bird Survey
• Breeding Bird Atlas
• Bird Gardens

And if you'd like to keep learning, check out the State of Canada's Birds, get some quick facts, or dive into some research that was mentioned in the episode! 

Help birds and bugs today by ordering some bird-friendly coffee. When you use the code 'warblers' at check out, Birds and Beans makes a donation to this podcast. 

Victoria Pepe is a first-year master’s student at the University of Waterloo, working under the supervision of Dr. Liam McGuire. She is researching the home range dynamics and nest site selection of Eastern Whip-poor-wills. Victoria hopes to help bridge the knowledge gaps for this species with her research, helping to inform landowners on how they can help support Whip-poor-will populations and entice this iconic bird to use their properties. 

Lauren Weeks is completing her master's in the McGuire Lab at the University of Waterloo. Her main topics of interest are avian migration and diet composition. Passionate about the outdoors, Lauren loves hiking while looking for cool birds and bugs. She hopes her research will contribute to conservation efforts to support species at risk. 

Natasha Barlow grew up near Point Pelee National Park in southern Ontario, and didn't fully appreciate the area until she had already moved away. Thankfully, she realized the error in her ways, and after completing her masters assessing the efficacy of restoration and conservation strategies on protecting sagebrush songbirds, she now coordinates various field-based research projects, runs citizen science programs, and advocates for change for aerial insectivores in Ontario as a Projects Biologist with Birds Canada. 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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As we get deeper into the fall months, we're joined by Olivia Carvalho to chat about an underappreciated pastime... winter birding!

With Olivia coordinating Project FeederWatch in Canada, she has great insights on how to help birds through the coldest months, winter adaptations, birds you might expect to see at your feeder, and more!

What birds are at your feeder? Let us know by joining Project FeederWatch!
Remember, you don't need to have a feeder to be part of the fun!

Stay warm this winter with a cup of Bird Friendly coffee from Birds and Beans. Use the code "Warblers" to support this podcast. Grab a bag today!  

Olivia Carvalho is the Community Engagement Specialist for Birds Canada. She oversees the coordination of Project FeederWatch, Great Backyard Bird Count, and Gardening for Birds in Canada. Her role connects her with thousands of birders (and birds!) across the country, and she believes birding is for everyone.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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How are Canada's birds doing? Recently released, The State of Canada's Birds brings us valuable insights into the health of our favourite species. Some have recovered wonderfully, like waterfowl and birds of prey, yet others are struggling and need urgent attention.

Catherine Jardine of Birds Canada and Marie-Anne Hudson with Environment and Climate Change Canada join us - after spending 4 years of their lives digging into this data - to share the biggest news on Canada's birds.

Explore the report and share what you learn. Together, we can have a positive impact on Canada's birds. 

Marie-Anne Hudson has a BSc from McGill University in Applied Zoology and a PhD from McGill University in Wildlife Biology, which she got while also working as an environmental consultant and bird bander. With over a decade of experience, in 2023 she became the Unit Head of the Science Coordination and Reporting Unit with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Catherine Jardine is the Associate Director of Data Science and Technology at Birds Canada. Her work focuses on supporting hundreds of research and monitoring projects investigating the ecology, distribution and population dynamics of all bird species through two main platforms; NatureCounts (naturecounts.ca) and the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (motus.org).

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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An incredible migratory phenomenon occurs along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. Thankfully, the Tadoussac Bird Observatory is located in just the right place to observe and study this mass movement of warblers and other songbirds.

Alexandre Terrigeol joins us during peak migration to share more about this phenomenon and about the other work occurring at the bird observatory, including bird banding research, educational workshops, and an annual birding festival!

Learn more about the Tadoussac Bird Observatory (or Observatoire d'oiseaux de Tadoussac). Support bird observatories through the Birds Canada Birdathon.

Pick up a bag of Bird Friendly coffee from Birds and Beans; supporting everyone from the boreal birds in this episode, to the coffee farmers themselves. Use the code "Warblers" to support this podcast!

Alexandre Terrigeol is a biologist and director of the Tadoussac Bird Observatory. A relative newcomer to the world of ornithology, he uses both his work and his free time to share his passion for biodiversity, particularly birds. As much as possible, he wants to contribute to research through participatory science tools, photography and sound recordings.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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With their heads buried in a carcass, vultures may seem like gross, unwanted creatures. But we have to disagree! Vultures have fascinating adaptations that make them essential parts of a healthy ecosystem. John Kinghorn joins us from South Africa to share his unabashed love for vultures, help us understand why their populations are plummeting, and what we can do to help.   

Learn more about the many projects BirdLife South Africa is leading and collaborating on to help vultures. And celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day on September 7th by sharing this podcast!

This was a listener suggested episode. Leave us reviews, comments on social media, or send an email with your episode suggestions! 

Bird-friendly certified coffee is an easy way to support habitat conservation (and this podcast!). Birds and Beans will donate 10% of proceeds to Birds Canada when you check out with the code "Warblers", or use this link.

John Kinghorn undertook a southern African Birding Big Year at age 19, and became the sixth person to record more than 800 bird species in the region in one calendar year, also setting a record for the youngest person achieve this milestone. His deep-rooted passion for conservation shines through in everything that he does. With a career spanning 11 years as a professional specialist bird guide, John acquired an LLB [law] degree and completed his articles of clerkship as a Candidate Attorney. John is currently spearheading BirdLife South Africa’s world renown Community Bird Guide Programme, empowering communities, and continuing to enhance South Africa’s status as leaders in avitourism through key stakeholder engagement.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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Grassland ecosystems and birds are increasingly under threat as agricultural operations expand to meet growing food demands. Yet, agriculture itself can be the solution!

Through personal anecdotes and a deep appreciation for the unique wildlife of the Canadian prairies, Ian Cook highlights the importance of grasslands and the need to find collaborative approaches that support farmers and producers, as well as the birds we all love.

Learn more about the Bird-friendliness Index here.

It takes a team. Ian wanted to shout out to the following groups for supporting this work: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Manitoba Habitat Conservancy, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation, South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc., Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Fish and Wildlife Development Fund.

Another way to support habitat protection is by drinking Bird Friendly coffee! Purchase through this link, or type "Warblers" into the coupon code box, and Birds and Beans will donate 10% of the purchase price to Birds Canada. Thank you!

Ian Cook is the Grassland Conservation Manager at Birds Canada. Ian grew up on a mixed farm in western Manitoba, developing a deep connection with the natural world, which inspired him to pursue a career that bridges agriculture and conservation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba and is a Professional Agrologist and Certified Crop Advisor. Through his work, Ian strives to find mutually beneficial solutions for wildlife, the environment, farmers, ranchers, and society at large, and create working landscapes full of birdsong and bursting with life. 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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"Quick, three beers!" Jody Allair joins us to propose that the Olive-sided Flycatcher is one of Canada's best boreal birds. Will you agree?

While they do breed in the boreal forest, the cosmopolitan Olive-sided Flycatcher can be seen right across Canada during migration. Join us to learn more about their charming song and hunting habits, so that you can spot this bird the next time it perches on a tree top near you. And as usual, learn how you can help this threatened species and others like it.

Pick up your very own Olive-sided Flycatcher t-shirt here. All proceeds support bird conservation in Canada. Yay, merch!!

And continue to learn more about Birds Canada's 2024 Avian Ambassador.

Pick up some Bird Friendly coffee to support habitat protection! Purchase through this link, or type "Warblers" into the coupon code box, and Birds and Beans will donate 10% of the purchase price to Birds Canada. Thank you!

Jody Allair is an avid birder and naturalist who enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for the natural world. He is the Director of Community Engagement at Birds Canada and has written numerous articles on birds, birding and connecting with nature. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram at @JodyAllair.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.  

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This bonus episode is all about getting to know swifts and swallows, those speedy aerial acrobats that make summer skies so lively.

Rielle Hoeg joins us to help shed some light on these two groups of birds. You'll get pointers on how to tell them apart, and which species are present across Canada. We also learn about their population status and a cool new project in Atlantic Canada aiming to protect Bank Swallow habitats.

Learn more about how you can help Aerial Insectivores across Canada. And check out this incredible story about Chimney Swifts...in a barn. 

Rielle Hoeg grew up in rural Nova Scotia, playing in the woods and developing an appreciation for all the wonderful critters, plants and fungi around her. During her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Acadia University, she had opportunities to work with shorebirds, aerial insectivores, and her spark bird: the Leach’s Storm-petrel! At Birds Canada, Rielle splits her time amongst Chimney Swifts, Piping Plovers, shorebirds, and Leach’s Storm-petrels, and is grateful to work with so many passionate, inspiring people (colleagues and volunteers alike!). 

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada. 

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