In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Lyanda Lynn Haupt, a writer known for exploring the connections between people and the natural world. The conversation follows Haupt’s path into bird watching, beginning in her childhood in the Pacific Northwest and shaped by her parents’ casual interest in birds. She recalls memorable encounters with species like the Northern Spotted Owl and how those moments influenced her work.

Lyanda Lynn Haupt also talks about her experience living with a Starling, named Carmen, which inspired her book Mozart’s Starling. The discussion touches on how time in nature supports personal well-being and how storytelling plays a key role in birding. Haupt’s latest book, Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit, is highlighted for its thoughtful blend of science, spirituality, and everyday connection to nature. This episode offers heartfelt stories, reflections on birds, and ideas about how we relate to the natural world.

(Photo credit: Tom Furtwangler)

🗓️ Join Lyanda Lynn Haupt for a special talk hosted by the Western New York Land Conservancy on June 4 – more info & RSVP here

🌐 Learn more about Lyanda Lynn Haupt and her work at her website: lyandalynnhaupt.com

📸 Follow her on Instagram for nature moments, bird musings, and writing life: @lyandahaupt

📚 Explore all of her books in one place: Books

Lyanda Lynn Haupt's books mentioned in this episode, in order of appearance:

🐦 Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness – A thoughtful exploration of how we relate to wildlife in cityscapes. 📖 Find it on Amazon

🎼 Mozart’s Starling – Inspired by her time living with a starling, this book offers surprising insight into language, music, and interspecies connection. 🐤 Find it on Amazon

🌱 Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit – A beautifully woven reflection on how nature, science, and spirit connect in our everyday lives. 🛒 Order or learn more on her home page here.

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Aaron Haiman about his lifelong passion for birding, sparked by a childhood experience with a mounted White-Tailed Kite.

Aaron shares his unique journey from becoming a young birder to his current role at the Wildlife Conservation Board in California. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship in birding, the barriers young birders face, and the joy of contributing to bird conservation.

Aaron also discusses his science communication work through his blog, YouTube channel, and recent book aimed at the 'bird curious' community, along with his ongoing efforts to make birding more inclusive and welcoming.

We’re excited to share all the ways you can follow and connect with Aaron, the voice behind A Birding Naturalist. Explore his world of birds, nature, and thoughtful storytelling here:

📘 Check out Aaron’s book, Birds of the California Delta – A beautifully illustrated guide that showcases the remarkable birdlife of California’s Delta region. Perfect for birders, naturalists, and the bird-curious alike, this book offers insights into the species that call the Delta home and the importance of conserving this vital ecosystem.

🎥 YouTube – Watch Aaron’s videos at @ABirdingNaturalist for birding adventures, tips, and nature stories.

✏️ Blog – Read his reflections and detailed posts on the blog: ABirdingNaturalist

📸 Instagram – Follow for stunning bird photography and behind-the-scenes looks: @abirdingnaturalist

🌐 BlueSky – Join Aaron’s conversations at abirdingnaturalist.bsky.social.

🧵 Threads – Catch his latest thoughts and updates: threads.com/@abirdingnaturalist.

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally interview Dr. George Divoky, an ornithologist with a Ph.D. in Zoology. He shares his Spark Bird story, recounting how a sighting of a Slate-colored Junco in his childhood ignited his passion for birding.

He discusses his extensive research on Black Guillemot and the challenges posed by climate change. Dr. Divoky also shares his personal experiences of solitude and connection with nature during his fieldwork in remote locations.

The episode touches on the emotional impact of climate change on long-term research and the importance of community support for scientific endeavors. Additionally, Dr. Divoky's correspondence with Roger Tory Peterson highlights the ongoing conversation about inclusivity in birding.

❄️ Friends of Cooper Island – Learn more about Dr. George Divoky's decades of research on Arctic seabirds and climate change: https://cooperisland.org

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:49 Meet Dr. George Divoky

01:46 Dr. Divoky's Spark Bird Story

06:12 From High School to a Career in Ornithology

08:16 Discovering the Black Guillemots

11:36 Life and Work in Remote Locations

18:18 Impact of Climate Change on the Colony

26:38 Connecting with the Community and Inclusivity

31:38 Supporting the Friends of Cooper Island

34:33 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

In this episode of the Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Marcia OBara, a retired registered nurse and avid birder. Marcia shares her inspiring journey from Niagara Falls, New York, to Arizona and recounts the spark bird moment in 1984 that ignited her passion for birding.

Despite living with a severe lung disease, Marcia continues to lead accessible birding trips for the Tucson Audubon Society and other organizations. She discusses birding in all 50 states, how the practice has evolved from field guides to apps, and why accessibility in birding matters now more than ever.

A photo by Freya McGregor. Taken in Tuscaloosa AL. Pictured are Freya, Marcia and Patrick Oaks (Freya’s husband)

Resources & Links from This Episode

🕊️ Tucson Bird Alliance – Learn more about Marcia's work with this organization and their commitment to accessible birding in Arizona: Visit Website

♿ Access Birding – A fantastic resource focused on making birding accessible for all: Explore Access Birding

🗺️ Birdability Map – Discover birding locations with accessibility features near you: View the Map

📚 Birds of the World – An extensive online resource from the Cornell Lab for bird research and identification: Explore Here

🛫 WINGS Birding Tours – Join expert-led birding tours around the world: Learn More

🌍 Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) – A global birding travel company offering inclusive and educational nature experiences: Visit VENT

🐦 Merlin Bird ID – Identify birds by photo, sound, or description with this powerful app from the Cornell Lab: Download Merlin

📱 eBird Mobile – Log your bird sightings and contribute to global bird science: Get the App

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction to Marcia OBara

00:58 Marcia's Spark Bird Story

05:02 The Evolution of Birding

13:15 Making Birding Accessible

15:37 Marcia's Birding Adventures

23:14 Southeast Arizona Birding Festival

26:38 Resources and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Pam Lowell, a social worker, watercolor artist, and author. Pam shares her Spark Bird story, describing how sightings of a quetzal and ospreys ignited her passion for birding and transformed her life.

The conversation touches on the mental health benefits of birding, the intersection of art and environmentalism, and the resilience of ospreys. Pam highlights her volunteer work with Mass Audubon, her book My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet and the importance of environmental advocacy. Throughout the episode, the detailed experiences with ospreys are discussed, emphasizing their unique behaviors and the hope they represent for ecological recovery.

Resources & Links from This Episode

Pam Lowell’s Work & Socials:

📖 My Summer with Ospreys: A Therapist's Journey Towards Hope, Community, and Healing Our Planet – Read more here

🌍 Pam Lowell’s Website – Visit here

📸 Follow Pam on Instagram – @palwrites

Wild America & RTPI Book Discussion:

📅 Join RTPI for an exciting discussion of Wild America and the books it inspired, led by RTPI Scholar-in-Residence Jenn Lodi-Smith. This four-part program is part of RTPI’s exhibition, Art that Matters to the Planet: Wild America, celebrating the 70th anniversary of this environmental classic.

🔗 Learn more & register here

Time Stamps

00:00 Welcome to the Spark Bird Podcast

00:48 Introducing Pam Lowell

02:12 Pam's Spark Bird Stories

06:05 Birding and Mental Health

09:02 Art, Writing, and Ospreys

20:13 Environmental Advocacy and Community

24:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Spark Bird podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome artist and healthcare professional Tina Mullen. Tina shares her 'Spark Bird' story about how the Sandhill Crane ignited her passion for birds. She discusses her work in the Arts and Medicine program at the University of Florida and the importance of integrating creativity into healthcare settings to promote health and well-being.

The conversation explores Tina's art projects, including her series on bird species decline inspired by a poignant letter to Roger Torrey Peterson. Tina reflects on the power of community, storytelling, and the arts in fostering a deeper connection to birds and the natural world.

Resources & Links from This Episode

Tina Mullen & Her Work
🎨 Explore Tina Mullen’s art: Tina Mullen’s Website

📸 Follow Tina on Instagram: @teenmullen

🎭 Learn about the Center for Arts in Medicine at UF: UF Center for Arts in Medicine

🖼️ See Tina’s exhibition Bellwether: The Art of Tina Mullen at RTPI: RTPI Exhibition

Conservation & Environmental Writing
🌙 Lights Out! Cats In! – Protect birds by learning about this initiative: Learn More

📖 Return to Wild America by Scott Weidensaul: Explore the Book

🦜 Ten Birds That Changed the World by Stephen Moss: Get the Book

🌱 The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Find the Book

Poetry & Journalism
📰 Harry Stevens (The Washington Post): Read More

📝 Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves by J. Drew Lanham: Hub City Press | Read the Poem

✍️ Ada Limón’s Poetry: Poetry Foundation

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