Crow Patrol Podcast

EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, we explored John’s background as a local journalist, his work as a policy [...]

In this episode, we explored Sylvia’s background with plants, animal behavior, ornithology, and her path to becoming a field biologist, and then a full-time professor at Central Connecticut State University. We talked about her interest in birds, their vocalizations, and then about her study of and thoughts about Crow Roosts in the extended Hartford area.

In this episode we explored John’s academic background with birds; his leadership roles with major ornithological groups; and his latest book, The Petersen Reference Guide to Bird Behavior.

In this episode we explored how Christian became interested in birds; how he developed a specific interest in New Caledonian Crows; other tropical birds; Crows using tools for foraging; the new research station; reflections on time as a Grass Fellow at Radcliffe College; his visit to the Crow Roost in Lawrence, MA; using telemetry devices; his leadership for the International Bio-Logging Society; his new research paper, and more!

Interview with Brian Harrington. Episode Summary: Brian shared details about his background, his time on staff at Manomet, his involvement in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN), creating the International Shorebird Survey, details about the recent article in Bird Observer on counting and estimating, techniques for estimating large flocks, and the importance of practicing estimating techniques.

In this episode, we heard about Prof. Marzluff’s research and academic work during the pandemic. He also shared news on the launch of his new citizen scientist app for young people. We discussed the many facets of a winter crow roost: how large they can be, staging and flying to the overnight roost, Crow family social dynamics, roosts as information centers, the deafening vocalizations around an overnight roost, and then approached to counting crows in a roost!

In this episode, we explored how Prof. Clark first became involved with birds, her academic work and doctorate at the University of Chicago, her teaching and research at Binghamton University, her extensive research and field work with American and Fish Crows, and her approach to counting Crows around an overnight winter roost.

Our first guest on the new Crow Patrol podcast is Wayne Petersen, Director of Important Bird Areas (IBA) for Mass Audubon. Listen to Wayne describe his experiences with Crows over his lifetime, and his impressions from the Winter Crow Roost in Lawrence, MA. Wayne wrote an excellent article, titled, "Licorice in the Sky" for Mass Audubon about this overnight Crow roost phenomenon...