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The Spark Bird Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally
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- 1 weeks ago51 min
Bird and Moon with Rosemary Mosco
On this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome celebrated cartoonist, author, and naturalist Rosemary Mosco. Rosemary shares her lifelong connection to birds, from childhood backyard discoveries to building a career that blends science communication, humor and art. Links & Resources from This Episode 🐦 Sign up for Rosemary's "Fight Club" newsletter to follow her work: Fight Club newsletter 📚 Learn more about Rosemary's books, comics, and projects on her website: Rosemary Mosco's official website 🎨 Explore Bird and Moon comics and cartoons: Bird and Moon comics 📸 Follow Rosemary on Instagram for more nature, birds, and humor @rosemarymosco Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
- 3 weeks ago43 min
Tom Ryan's Journey Into Ornithology
In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by Tom Ryan, an ornithologist and former student of Janet's at Canisius High School. Tom shares his journey from a childhood love of ducks to a defining spark bird moment with a chestnut-sided warbler. He shares how birding has become a way to capture memories and moments in his life.
- Apr 10, 202636 min
Being Feather Friendly with Paul Groleau
On this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, we welcome Paul Groleau, President of Feather Friendly Technologies Inc., a company dedicated to reducing bird-window collisions around the world. Paul shares his spark bird story of an unforgettable childhood moment when an owl flew directly toward him while cross-country skiing in Ontario. This episode is a reminder that small actions, especially during migration seasons, can have a major impact in protecting the birds we love. Links & Resources from This Episode 🌐 Learn more about Feather Friendly and their mission to reduce bird collisions Feather Friendly. 🎥 Watch their educational videos and see their products in action on the Feather Friendly YouTube Channel. 🐦 Check out Jenn's guest appearance on the first episode of Bird Banter. 🌙 Explore ways to help birds in your own community with Lights Out! Cats In! 📘 Stay updated with Feather Friendly on Facebook 📸 Follow along for updates on Instagram @featherfriendly 💼 Connect with Feather Friendly on LinkedIn Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
- Mar 27, 202635 min
Beading Birdsong: Art and Activism with Nina Hale
In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Nina Hale, a Minneapolis-based artist and activist who transforms birdsong into hand-beaded bracelets. Nina shares her art and passion for birding, as well as her experience living in Minneapolis during the recent federal immigration surge, which has brought thousands of ICE agents into the city. As communities mobilized in response, Nina became actively involved by joining neighborhood patrols, supporting local networks, and using her art not only to remember the birds that have been lost but to stand with those fighting for justice now. (Pictured above: The Ivory-billed Woodpecker Birdsong Bracelet Nina shared during the episode.) Links & Resources from This Episode 🧵Discover Nina's handcrafted designs and the birds behind the beads at the Birdsong Bracelets website. 📸 See her latest designs on Instagram @birdsongbracelets. 📱Follow Nina's personal Instagram account @helenahandbskt for more birding content and community updates. 📝The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal representation in Minnesota and North Dakota. 💜Stand With Minnesota offers a vetted directory of organizations supporting the people and communities directly impacted. If you're unable to donate, consider sharing these efforts, talking with your community, and staying informed.
- Mar 13, 202636 min
Sharing the Shore with Mel Julien
In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Mel Julien, the Community Engagement Director for the NYC Plover Project. Mel shares how the Piping Plover became her spark bird after rediscovering the beach near her childhood home during the pandemic. What began as a curiosity about shorebird nesting signs soon led her to volunteer with the NYC Plover Project and eventually join the team working to protect these endangered birds on New York City's beaches. Links & Resources from This Episode 📸 Follow Mel's birding and conservation journey on Instagram at @meldjewels and connect with her professional work on LinkedIn. 🏖️ Learn more about the NYC Plover Project, whose mission is to protect endangered Piping Plovers and other beach-nesting birds on New York City's beaches through education, community, and volunteer engagement. 📱 Stay up to date with the NYC Plover Project's work and shorebird updates by following them on social media–Instagram (@nycploverproject), Facebook, X, and Threads. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
- Feb 27, 202638 min
Angela Schumpert on Backyard Birds and Building The Flock
In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Angela Schumpert, also known as The Berd Nird! What began as casual backyard birding turned into a moment that sent her reaching for her first field guide. Drawing on her background in the Air Force and law enforcement investigation, Angela shares how attention to detail, patience and observation naturally translate from her career into the art and joy of building The Flock. Links & Resources from This Episode 🦜 Join Angela's online birding community, The Flock, for meetups, contests, and birding trips! 🌿 Learn more about Angela and explore her resources at her website, The Berd Nird. 📸 Follow Angela's birding adventures and humor on Instagram @the_berd_nird. 🎥 Watch more of her content on TikTok at @berdnird4 ▶️ Subscribe to her YouTube channel, @theberdnird. 👍 Connect with Angela on Facebook. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
- Feb 16, 202640 min
Jamie Cunningham and The Biggest Week in American Birding
In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Jamie Cunningham, Education Director at Black Swamp Bird Observatory and birding and photography guide with Saberwing Nature Tours. Jamie shares how an unexpected Eastern Bluebird at a backyard nest box, followed by a life-changing visit to Magee Marsh during spring migration, sparked a deeper fascination with birds that shaped both her personal and professional life. Links & Resources from This Episode 🌎 Learn more about Jamie's birding and photography travel experiences through Saberwing Nature Tours, where she leads birding and photography tours around the world! 🐦 Explore the work of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory the organization behind The Biggest Week in American Birding, the Ohio Young Birders Club, and year-round education and field programs. Stay connected through their Facebook page Black Swamp Bird Observatory for events and community updates, and follow @bsbobird on Instagram. 🎉 Find festival details, schedules, and registration information for The Biggest Week in American Birding wesbite, and follow them on Instagram @biggestweek and Facebook. 🌱 Discover programs and opportunities for young birders through the Ohio Young Birders Club, including field trips, events, and community resources. Follow the Ohio Young Birders community on Instagram @bsbobird for updates and opportunities. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
- Feb 13, 202638 min
Birds on the Niagara: Corina Newsome on Urban Landscapes and Creating Spaces
In this second special Birds on the Niagara International Birding Festival feature, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Corina Newsome, a conservation scientist at the National Wildlife Federation and the festival's keynote speaker. Corina's work is rooted in advancing urban biodiversity conservation with environmental justice. She challenges the idea that conservation only happens in remote places, reminding us that cities are unique landscapes full of wildlife and wonder waiting to be explored and protected. Links & Resources from This Episode 🐦 Follow Corina on Instagram and explore urban wildlife, birding, and environmental justice through Corina's lens. 💼 Connect with Corina on LinkedIn to learn more about her professional work in conservation science or to ask any questions you may have! 🎤 Attend her keynote address "Loving by Nature" at Birds on the Niagara International Birding Festival! To register and find full details, visit the Birds on the Niagara website events page. 🪶 Register at their website and come birding at the 2026 Birds on the Niagara Festival happening February 12th–16th. Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski
About The Spark Bird Podcast
The Spark Bird Project is an ongoing community science initiative designed to gather, share, and study the stories of people's passion for birds. Research findings go directly back to community partners to inform their efforts towards inclusively sparking and sustaining birders. Learn more and share your story at www.spark-bird.org!
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