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.”

Resources

Ryan Goldberg’s website: https://ryangoldberg.net/

Aimee Lusty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimee.lusty/

Bird Vocalizations

King Eider male call https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/31729201

King Eider calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/137307

Common Yellowthroat https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/245666251

Peregrine Falcon https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/81384371 

European Starling https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/151901161

Eurasian Owl https://xeno-canto.org/1077911

Red-tailed Hawk juvenile calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/175635401

Piping Plover song https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/64002271

Northern Shoveler female calls https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/43124

About the podcast

Your 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. 

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