In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally converse with Sara Morris, the Executive Director of Shoals Marine Lab and President of the American Ornithological Society.

Sara shares her 'Spark Bird' story about how a family Christmas tradition and a borrowed bird field guide ignited her passion for birding and ornithology at age seven. The discussion explores the impact of mentorship on her career, her birding adventures, and fostering a welcoming birding community.

The episode also explores the link between birding and ornithology, the significance of field guides, and the necessity for ongoing bird conservation efforts.

🌊 Shoals Marine Lab – A leading institution for hands-on marine science education and research. Learn more here.

📖 Scott Weidensaul’s Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding– Dive into the history of birding with this fascinating book: Read more.

🧭 Explore with eBird – Track your bird sightings and contribute to global bird research with eBird.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:48 Meet Sara Morris: A Passionate Ornithologist

01:31 Sara's Spark Bird Story

04:36 The Importance of Mentorship in Birding

06:39 Birding Community and Inclusivity

17:48 Ornithology vs. Birding: A Symbiotic Relationship

26:03 The Future of Bird Conservation

36:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections

38:21 Conclusion and Credits

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally interview Kayla Fisk, a lifelong birder and artist from central New York. Kayla shares her Spark Bird story, recalling how a unique encounter with a Chuck-will's-widow during her childhood ignited her deeper fascination with birds and birding communities.

Kayla discusses her deep-rooted passion for birding, her 15 years of volunteering at a wildlife rehab center, and her involvement with the local Audubon Center. She reflects on the transformative power of that rare bird sighting in her youth, which drew bird watchers from various states to her parent's driveway. The conversation dives into how her art is inspired by birds, the mindfulness it brings, and the process of integrating birding into her artistic practice. Additionally, Kayla shares insights on bird conservation, rehabilitation, and the growing trend of eco-friendly practices among birding enthusiasts.

Resources & Links from This Episode

📸 Follow Kayla on Instagram – See her latest birding adventures at @kaylafiskbirds.

🌐 Visit Kayla’s Website – Explore her work, projects, and photography at kaylafisk.com.

🪶 Discover the Cornell Lab of Ornithology – Learn more about birds, research, and conservation at birds.cornell.edu.

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:55 Meet Kayla Fisk: Lifelong Birder and Artist

02:09 Kayla's Spark Bird Story

04:40 The Impact of Birding Community

08:23 Art and Birding: A Creative Connection

10:57 The Benefits of Birding and Nature

13:22 Kayla's Artistic Process

18:31 Birding Adventures and Conservation

25:24 Final Thoughts and Reflections

25:54 Credits

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Arthur Pearson, CEO of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI). Arthur shares his spark bird story, recounting how a Kingfisher ignited his passion for birding.

The conversation dives into the history and mission of RTPI, the revolutionary impact of field guides by Roger Tory Peterson, and the importance of naming in connecting with nature. Arthur discusses RTPI's efforts to honor Peterson's legacy through art and conservation, and the institute's role in fostering the next generation of nature advocates.

Highlighting the upcoming celebrations for the 70th anniversary of 'Wild America,' the episode underscores the ongoing impact of community science initiatives like the Spark Bird Project in inspiring hope and environmental stewardship.

🎨 Experience Aaron’s Mural at RTPI – See his stunning artwork in the RTPI flythrough video Watch here.

📖 Discover the Legacy of James Fisher – Learn more about the renowned naturalist and ornithologist on his Wikipedia page.

🎬 Explore The Big Year – A fun and inspiring film about birdwatching adventures. Check it out on IMDb.

🌿 Visit RTPI – Dive into conservation, education, and art at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

🎙️ Tune Into The Field Guides Podcast – Explore nature and wildlife science with The Field Guides Podcast.

🪶 Western New York Young Birders Club (WNYYBC) – Learn more about WNYYBC on the RTPI website and visit their official site: WNYYBC Website.

🐦 Chautauqua Warren Birding Association – The birding group Arthur gave a shout-out to! Connect with their community and events here.

🌍 American Birding Association (ABA) – Explore birding resources, events, and conservation efforts with the ABA here.

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Arthur Pearson's Spark Bird Story

03:19 The Role of Field Guides in Birding

05:06 Roger Tory Peterson's Legacy and RTPI

09:20 The Mythical Spark Bird Story of Roger Tory Peterson

15:45 The Impact of Field Guides and Wild America

25:57 Hope and Conservation Efforts

28:26 Visiting the Roger Tory Peterson Institute

33:02 The Spark Bird Project Collaboration

38:11 Conclusion and Acknowledgements