*We are reposting this episode to uplift a new movie created by Audubon about the Snowy Plover. Just like the Red Phalarope in this episode of our podcast the Snowy Plover relies on saline lakes for survival. Shoreline Sentinels of Great Salt Lake is a 17-minute film about Snowy Plovers—small shorebirds that nest throughout the busy recreation season on the shores of Great Salt Lake—and the Audubon and Tracy Aviary staff and volunteers working to help them. Like beach-nesting birds everywhere, Snowy Plovers face disturbance from recreators, dogs, and development. Listen to this episode to find out about why saline lakes are important, then watch the fantastic Shoreline Sentinels of Salt Lake to learn more about the Snowy Plover. (link below)

Summary: Saline Lakes? Is that a real thing? Yes it is and they are an extremely important and endangered habitat that many species of birds depend on. Join Kiersten as she takes you on a journey with the Wilson’s Phalarope.

Show Notes:

Shoreline Sentinels of Salt Lake: Watch it here

“Must Add Water”, by Andy McGlashen. Audubon Magazine, Spring 2024

National Audubon website: https://www.audubon.org/

Latest news about saline lakes: https://www.audubon.org/news/innovative-program-supporting-protection-irreplaceable-saline-lakes

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Summary: University campuses across Texas, and the United States, can start their own Audubon Campus Chapters bringing people together through birding. Not yet a birder? You can still join a chapter to find out more. Join Kiersten and special guest Chloe from Audubon Texas to discover how you can join or start a campus chapter.

Show Notes:

Audubon on Campus: https://www.audubon.org/near-you/campus

Create your own Campus Chapter: https://www.audubon.org/establish-campus-chapter-or-affiliate

Audubon Texas: https://www.audubon.org/texas

National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Visit with the Black-crested Titmouse as Michaela and Kiersten take you on a journey through the Rio Grande Valley with this interesting Texas resident.

Show Notes:

Black-crested Titmouse audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/

National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: The Great Leadtree is a monster of a tree found in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Kiersten and Michaela are taking you down south for a fun-fact filled episode about this Texas native.

Show Notes:

Sabal Palm Sanctuary - https://www.sabalpalmsanctuary.org/

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: We usually study birds to understand their behavior and habitat needs, but what if birds could help us study topics such as weather patterns, deep sea currents, and trash dispersal in cities? Join Kiersten to find out how birds are doing just that!

Show Notes:

“Help Wanted” by Ashely Stimpson, Audubon Magazine, Spring 2025

Internet of Animals: https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-earth-exchange-nex/new-missions-support/internet-of-animals/

“Great Frigatebirds Wearing Backpacks Map the Atmosphere.” AGU December 2023, https://news.agu.org/press-release/great-frigatebirds-wearing-backacks-map-the-atmosphere

Cormorant Oceanography Project: https://www.osudashcams.com/

National Audubon: https://www.audubon.org/

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Snow on the Prairie wildflowers love the heat of summer and bloom in fall, but why are they called Snow on the Prairie and where can I find them? Join Kiersten and Julie to find out more about this unusual and interesting native Texas plant.

Show Notes:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – https://www.wildfower.org

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Wilson’s Warbler is a warbler that breaks all the warbler rules! Join Kiersten and Julie as they talk about this migratory bird that passes through Texas via the Central Flyway during fall migration.

Show Notes:

DNA Studies: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/capturing-migration-in-a-strand-of-dna-feathers-reveal-a-birds-origins/

Wilson’s Warbler audio provided by Lang Elliot Music of Nature: https://musicofnature.com/audubon-bird-songs/

National Audubon’s Migration Explorer: https://explorer.audubon.org/home

IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/

To find Bird Friendly Coffee: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/bird-friendly

We also sell Birds and Beans Bird Friendly Coffee in our Nature Store: https://dogwoodcanyonaudubon.myshopify.com/search?q=bird+friendly+coffee&_pos=2&_psq=coffee&_psid=6cf06f3ca&_ss=e

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://www.audubon.org/dogwood-canyon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org

Summary: Coastal shorebirds need our help this holiday season and every season. Join Kiersten and special guest, Tim Forrester, from Audubon Texas Coastal Team to find out how we can protect the floofs!

Show Notes:

Audubon Texas:https://www.audubon.org/texas

Share the Shore: https://www.audubon.org/texas/projects/share-shore-protecting-beach-nesting-birds-texas

Island Rookery Protection: https://www.audubon.org/texas/projects/texas-rookery-island-protection-and-stewardship

To Volunteer with the Coastal Team: https://www.audubon.org/texas/about-us/contact

Audubon Action Center: https://www.audubon.org/takeaction

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center https://dogwood.audubon.org/

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Dogwood.Canyon.Audubon

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center TikTok: @dogwood_canyon

If you have a question or comment you can email us at: dcac@audubon.org