The Warblers by Birds Canada

Episoder

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  Tracking Semipalmated Sandpipers at the Bay of Fundy 04.08.2026 41min

  The Bay of Fundy is one of Canada's best kept birding secrets. Following the ebb and flow of the tides are tens of thousands of Semipalmated Sandpipers - and just off the coast, the rocky islands are alive with nesting terns, razorbills, puffins and more! Lucas Berrigan and Avery Nagy-MacArthur join us to explain why this region is so magical for Semipalmated Sandpipers, and how the Motus Wildlife Tracking System has been essential in understanding how and why birds move through the are...
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  The Wake-up Call: Evening Grosbeak 06.07.2026 22min

  The Warblers go birding! Join Andrea Gress and Jody Allair as they search for the Evening Grosbeak. While searching the woods, they chat about how to use eBird to find a specific species, discuss nerdy fun facts about Evening Grosbeaks, and encounter a variety of forest loving birds - from Western Tanagers to Pacific Wrens. Jody also shares why Birds Canada picked the Evening Grosbeak as the 2026 Avian Ambassador - what makes this species worthy of some extra love. Read Jody's blog on E...
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  Do field guides still matter? The latest guide to the birds of Alberta 01.06.2026 32min

  With apps like Merlin and eBird, do field guides even matter anymore? David Scott and Gavin McKinnon share why they developed a brand new book: A Field Guide to the Birds of Alberta. Backed by their love of birds, this episode is full of birding adventure stories from the boreal forest to the Rockies to the prairies, along with interesting insights about writing a field guide - a massive undertaking that is still worth the effort. Get a copy of A Field Guide to the Birds of Alberta, so...
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  The Wake-up Call: Louisiana Waterthrush and Acadian Flycatcher 04.05.2026 39min

  The Louisiana Waterthrush or "Eastern Forest Dipper" exudes quiet and calm, much like the forests it's found in. Meanwhile, the Acadian Flycatcher screams "PIZZA" as it bursts from a branch to snag a bite (of insect!). Both birds are charming in their own ways, but both face a worrying threat: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive species that has made it's way into Canada. We hear from researchers Brendan Boyd and Samreen Munim, who spend their summers deep in the forests with these bird...
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  The Secrets of Bird Nests with Mark Peck 07.04.2026 49min

  Bird nests literally come in all shapes and sizes: burrowed into a sand bank, tucked into grass, underground, high up, stretchy, sturdy, flimsy. Even the chicks are radically different, with some leaping out of trees at a day old, and others clinging to the nest for weeks. Each species has their own unique nesting strategy - Mark Peck helps us explore how and why they work. He also shares tips on how to observe the breeding birds around us! Join Project NestWatch here. Grab a cup of Bir...
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  Kinglets: flashy crests and stretchy nests 17.03.2026 26min

  Overlooked and underappreciated - kinglets are one of Canada’s toughest little birds! Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are both fascinating and unique in their own ways. One stays with us all winter long, which is impressive for a bird smaller than a chickadee. And the other lays up to 12 eggs in a stretchy nest! Join us for an exploration of both species: identification tips, bird songs, and fun facts. We're always keen to hear from you! Email the podcast with your episode idea...
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  Birds and Cats 02.03.2026 54min

  With close to 9 million domestic cats in Canada, and a third of them regularly roaming outdoors, we know that birds are heavily impacted by cats. In fact, cats are considered the number one threat to birds in Canada. Our guests, Julia Kilgour and Jonathan Chu, help us explore this fascinating and complex issue. From the science – predation numbers, the most vulnerable bird species, and how we study cats outdoors – to the complex emotions and human behaviours that impact conservation strategi...
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  Marsh Bird Madness 17.02.2026 39min

  Some of Canada's weirdest and most wonderful birds can be found in marshes! But which ones have the marshiest adaptations?...is it the Thunder Pumper? Gwendolyn Clark helps us explore the fascinating lives of the American Bittern, Sora, and Nelson's Sparrow. From extra long toes, to crossed-eyes, and some of the strangest sounds birds can make - we are excited for you to meet these species. Plus, learn about Marsh Watch and the Marsh Monitoring Program; two ways to help marsh birds and their...
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  Shorebird Conservation in James Bay, "Just you and the birds" 03.02.2026 28min

  James Bay is an essential stopover site for thousands of migrating shorebirds - Hudsonian and Marbled Godwits, Whimbrels, Red Knots, and more. But this once reliable habitat is threatened. Back in August, Cléa Frapin of Birds Canada, headed to a shorebird camp in James Bay to see it for herself. She spoke with Indigenous Elders, wildlife biologists and locals, to better understand the threats that Canada's North is facing, and why we must all tune into this issue and work together - for...
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  Do birds have feelings? Experts answer your questions 15.12.2025 56min

  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 supp...
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  Toronto: a city of Blue Jays and Birders 01.12.2025 25min

  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...
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  Superhero Senses - of birds! 03.11.2025 53min

  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.orgSend Birds Canada a message on Instagram, Facebook or Bluesky Or leave us a voicemail at 51...
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  Trick or Tweet: Ghostly sounds, murders, and bloodsucking birds 20.10.2025 31min

  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 EarthThe relationship between Oxpeckers and RhinosNatasha Barlow grew up near Point Pelee ...
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  Exploring Blackbirds with Experts Peter Burke and Alvaro Jaramillo 06.10.2025 51min

  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 s...
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  Biking for Birds: athletics to inspire bird conservation 17.09.2025 27min

  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, an...
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  Up in the clouds with Black Swifts 02.09.2025 33min

  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-u...
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  The Wake-up Call: Chestnut-collared Longspur 05.08.2025 35min

  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’...
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  Bird Photography: tips and tricks from Liron Gertsman 22.07.2025 29min

  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....
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  The Wake-up Call: Long-billed Curlew 07.07.2025 25min

  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 hab...
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  Revisiting Chewie the Piping Plover, and Queerness in Nature 25.06.2025 11min

  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 ...