Owls are back in the news in New York City. This time, two Barn Owls on the Upper West Side. In honor of the city's owls, famous and incognito, we're rerunning "Christine Mott Advocates for Free Birds."

New Yorkers who bird know that a common way to experience birds in the city is seasonal, and in his new book, Bird City, Ryan Goldberg captures the lives of resident and migratory birds across all five boroughs of the city. Ryan shines a light on New Yorkers who come out rain, shine, and snow to witness, protect, and advocate for the birds. He also teaches us about the city’s natural history and how its geography shaped and continues to shape the fauna and flora we share this mostly archipelagic city with. (The Bronx is the exception; it's the only borough attached to the mainland.)The start of each of the four sections, a nod to the four seasons, is beautifully illustrated by Aimee Lusty. Here’s what Goldberg had to say about Aimee: “She captured the drama and wildness of the city and its bird life in her illustrations, and I loved how the urban context was always there in her illustrations, like the rides of Coney Island in the background of winter's sea ducks at Breezy Point or Manhattan's illuminated skyscrapers behind warblers migrating through the Tribute in Light beams.”ResourcesRyan Goldberg’s website: https://ryangoldberg.net/Aimee Lusty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimee.lusty/Bird VocalizationsKing Eider male call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/31729201King Eider calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/137307Common Yellowthroat https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/245666251Peregrine Falcon https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/81384371 European Starling https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/151901161Eurasian Owl https://xeno-canto.org/1077911Red-tailed Hawk juvenile calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/175635401Piping Plover song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/64002271Northern Shoveler female calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/43124About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans on Lenapehoking, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkSubscribe, follow, like, or leave a comment. It costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here.

The American Robin, Turdus migratorius, is a common migratory bird found throughout much of the United States; however, the population in Chicago appears to be decreasing. Is this trend specific to Chicago, or are Robins experiencing declines in other cities across the U.S? Wildlife biologist Emily Williams returns to the podcast to discuss migration patterns and the possible factors contributing to the decline of the American Robin population.ResourcesLearn more about Emily Williams’ American Robin research at https://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2020/scientists-are-unraveling-american-robins.Dr. Karina Sanchez’s LabSmithsonian Nestwatch projectBird VocalizationsRobins - alarm call (NY) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/170498741 Robins - song (NY) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/151051571Robins - call (NY) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/213807211Robins - call (juvenile) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/167221021About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans on Lenapehoking, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkSubscribe, follow, like, or leave a comment. It costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here.

What can birding in a different city tell us about ourselves and the culture of perceiving nature in our community? We check in with Loyan Beausoleil about her recent trip to Japan where she observed Warbling White-eye and plentiful Brown-eared Bulbul among blooming cherry trees, listened to the song of the Japanese Bush Warbler who eluded her on Izu Island, and spotted Falcated Ducks when she least expected them, exploring the moat outside the Imperial Palace.Read Loyan's report on Avian Species Richness and Activity at the Naval Cemetery Landscape.Bird VocalizationsChimney Swift calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/107413American Kestrel calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/226931021Warbling White-eye song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/6059Brown-eared Bulbul calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/170597841Japanese Bush Warbler song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/214569401Eurasian Sparrowhawk calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/387888231 (Germany)Cooper’s Hawk calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/231229541Sharp-shinned Hawk calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/4153Green-winged Teal https:/ /macaulaylibrary.org/asset/230140701Falcated Duck calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/601476851Eurasian Sparrowhawk calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/62269311 (Kyrgyzstan)About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans on Lenapehoking, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkSubscribe, follow, like, or leave a comment. It costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here.

Alejandro Vinueza, a wildlife biologist and current youth programs manager, has birds in his wild city of New York. He has watched Ruby-throated Hummingbirds nectaring in Fort Tryon Park, heard Red-tailed Hawks screeching on-the-wing while playing basketball at Cabrini Park, and observed Great-horned Owls on Staten Island. Alejandro describes himself as a bird nerd trying to “grow the flock” among his friends and community. He has a unique voice in science communication. His informative videos about bird behavior are always entertaining, never didactic. You’ll laugh while you learn! We highly recommend watching them @wingin_it_with_al (Instagram) and @winginitwithal (TikTok)Bird VocalizationsBlack-throated Blue Warbler https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/120458Northern Cardinal duet https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/54675American Robin https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/148704811Scarlet Tanager https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/31258871Red-tailed Hawk https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/241076151Blue Jay https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/226854181American Woodcock https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/221633191About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans on Lenapehoking, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkSubscribe, follow, like, leave a comment. It costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here.

Indigo Goodson-Fields is a writer, poet, birder. We begin our conversation with Indigo’s essay, “Black Woman's Guide to Loving through Birds” (read it!), and end with her memory of seeing her first Northern Flicker in the Native Flora Garden at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She recalls the sun illuminating the yellow shafts of the bird in flight from the ground. In between Indigo talks about her literary inspirations and the essential role of birding in her life which happens to be the title of her upcoming anthology titled Essential Birding. More information about Indigo Goodson-Fieldshttps://linktr.ee/indigoindaflow“Black Woman's Guide to Loving through Birds”Bird VocalizationsWhite-throated Sparrow https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/136579Northern Flicker https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/263782231About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans on Lenapehoking, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkSubscribe, follow, like, leave a comment. It costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here.

Dudley Edmondson’s writing and photography spotlight Black, Indigenous, and People of Color on the frontlines of conservation. Edmondson is a role model for People the Planet Needs Now, which is also the title of his latest book. He lives the talk by managing his yard as bird habitat. We talk about his favorite birds, influencing his neighbors, and what is was like to be in the room where the America's Great Outdoors Initiative was signed.More information about Dudley Edmondsonhttps://dudleyedmondson.com/Bird VocalizationsGolden Eagle call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/164698Peregrine Falcon call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/136378Tennessee Warbler song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/136170American Goldfinch song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/230747651Cerulean Warbler song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/147601691Rough-legged Hawk call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/137553Sharp-shinned Hawk call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/4153About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkIt costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here. We also appreciate follows, likes, and reviews.

Are you ready for it…a new way to court and find love? In 2020, Wenfei Tong released her book, Bird Love, which dives into the fascinating world of avian mating and parenting strategies, was published. Fast forward to 2022 when Bryony Angell picks up Tong’s book for the second time. What happens next is the topic of this podcast. You’ll hear about Tong’s inspiration for writing Bird Love, Angell’s successful attempt at pair bonding (with a human), and more.More information about our guestsBryony Angell’s writing: https://www.bryonyangell.com/portfolio-bryony-angellWenfei Tong’s books including Bird Love: https://www.wenfeitong.com/work/booksBird VocalizationsCrimson Sunbird https://xeno-canto.org/483932Osprey https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/106651Herring Gull (call)  https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/186415451Black-capped Chickadee (song) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/94959121About the podcastYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkIt costs $100 to produce each episode. Donate here. We also appreciate follows, likes, and reviews.

This month we talk with Christine Mott about her new book Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight, and the rights of animals. Mott was raised in New York City but wrote the book from Southern California. She was the Chair of the Animal Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. CONTENT NOTICE: This episode contains descriptions of violence towards people and animals in a discussion about animal welfare legislation.More InformationLearn more about Free Bird at Lantern Publishing. Bird VocalizationsAmerican Robin (songs) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/148704811https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/151051571Pigeon (song) https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/44449551House Sparrow (song) ​​https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/138707321Snowy Owl (calls)https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy_Owl/sounds https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/138288About UsYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkLike and review this episode. Subscribe to the podcast. Or, make a financial donation.

Birds of a feather flock together, and more. Dr. Joan Strassmann studies cooperation and conflict within and between species, mostly social amoebas. In her latest book, The Social Lives of Birds, Strassmann trains her lens on the sociality of birds. The book is a riveting set of profiles of the how and why birds band together to breed, nest, and raise their young. The opportunity to hear from Strassmann directly was even more compelling.More InformationLearn more about The Social Lives of Birds at Penguin Random House. Curious about social amoebas? Explore Dr. Strassmann’s research lab at Washington University in St. Louis.Bird VocalizationsNorthern Flicker https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/30597061Sociable Weaver https://xeno-canto.org/793359Taiwan Yuhina https://xeno-canto.org/976799Northern Gannet https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/133317Superb Fairywren https://xeno-canto.org/935812About UsYour Bird Story is an initiative of Local Nature Lab. The podcast is hosted by Georgia Silvera Seamans, and produced by Pod to the People. Support Our WorkLike and review this episode. Subscribe to the podcast. Or, make a financial donation.