Dec 22, 2020
Matt Felperin, Roving Naturalist
“Being outside is really important for our mental and physical health. Birding is a great way to get out and see something new. I really love getting into the stories of how I find some of these crazy rare birds or unusual birds because it's really about the adventure. And because birds fly, you never know what you're going to get.” – Matt Felperin
Today’s episode comes with a warning - you may get hooked. Birding has recently surged in popularity as people crave safe engagement with nature. Matt Felperin, Nova Park’s Roving Naturalist, describes the adventure in birding, including exploring habitats, discovering new species, chasing rarities and simply finding joy and respite in birds. Matt also discusses an increasing diversity in the hobby, conservation, community science, and how to get started identifying the birds in your backyard. And yes, we also talk about Virginia’s very rare (and super adorable) avian celebrity from Greenland that has everyone in a frenzy.
Links Mentioned:
NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NOVAParksNaturalist
Roving Naturalist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.roving.naturalist/
Matt Felperin Photography Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Matt_felperin_photography
Matt Felperin Photography: https://mfelperinphoto.wixsite.com/home
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks): https://www.novaparks.com/
Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows
Friends of Huntley Meadows Park: http://friendsofhuntleymeadows.org/
eBird: https://ebird.org/home
American Birding Association: https://www.aba.org/
Woodcock adult and chicks walking: https://shorturl.at/H3789
Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count
Gravely Point Park: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/gravelly-point.htm
George Washington National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gwj
Monongahela National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mnf/home
Reddish Knob: https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/reddish-knob
Audubon Bird Guide App: https://www.audubon.org/app
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home
Merlin Bird App: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
Nikon Pro Staff 3 Binoculars: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/binoculars/index.page
Plant Nova Natives: https://www.plantnovanatives.org/
Audubon At Home: https://www.audubonva.org/audubon-at-home
Audubon Chapters in Virginia: https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you
Northern Virginia Bird Club: http://nvabc.org
Virginia Society of Ornithology: https://www.virginiabirds.org
IDEA Birders of MD and DC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IDEABirdersMDDC
Upton Hill Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/upton-hill-regional-park
Lets Go Birding Together (LGBT): https://www.audubon.org/news/lets-go-birding-together
Black Birders Week: https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors
Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship Fund: www.marylandbirds.org
Potomac Overlook Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park
Algonkian Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park
Bull Run Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-regional-park
Pohick Bay Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park
Bird Species Mentioned:
Osprey, Prothonotary Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Sora, Clapper Rail, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Snowy Owl, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, House Finch, Blackburnian Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Golden Eagle, White-throated Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler Northern Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, American Coot
All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/
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