Laura Erickson's For the Birds

Much of Laura’s life was shaped thanks to a single class she took in college.

How are Blue Jays helping people with social distancing? A word from Jim Baker of Baker’s Blue Jay Barn (Up the Shore a Ways) and the California Ravens, too.

Del Stubbs and Celine Thouin of Pinewood, Minnesota, share a fascinating story, with photos on Laura’s blog, about a swarm of bees, and Laura brings us up to date on spring migration.

The value of living things cannot be measured in dollars.

Laura talks about how chickadees are brightening the days of many people during these hard times, and KAXE listener Polly Edington shared her exciting up-close and personal encounters with her backyard chickadees.

How do we fill the hours when we’re stuck at home? Laura is trying to appeal to the better angels of her nature.

People are not following social distancing rules right now, putting all of us at risk

Laura’s been looking at wildlife in her own backyard, and hearing about what others are seeing.

On Monday, Laura had a fun birding experience just a couple of blocks from home.

Laura and Dr. Peter Crosson have tips for social distancing when getting out birding.

Hunkering down during a pandemic, nature can still provide balm for our soul.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new regulation requiring that in the future, every Federal Duck Stamp depict an element of hunting rather than allowing art depicting wild ducks in natural habitat. Laura says, “Just say no!” Why?

(This program must air by March 16, 2020.)

Marge Gibson of the Raptor Education Group, Inc. in Antigo, Wisconsin, has been dealing with some heartbreaking situations lately.

Both the Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs have TIP lines if you have any information on the shooting of native/protected wildlife. You can remain anonymous, though providing your name can be helpful in the successful prosecution of offenders.

Minnesota Turn in Poachers (TIP): 800-652-9093.
Wisconsin DNR Hotline 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367.

Laura started birdwatching, and birding, 45 years ago today.

Laura saw a Boreal Owl in the Bog last week, calling to mind the most special Boreal Owl of all.

Laura’s back birding at pretty much full speed thanks to cardiac rehab.

Laura can’t end a series of programs about starlings without mentioning Mozart.

Laura received a fascinating email from Timothy Flannery, who is just as fascinated with starlings as Laura is.

Thirty years ago, Laura and her family had a pet starling named Mortimer. How did that come about, and why is she suddenly thinking about him again?

One of Laura’s listeners, named Beth, was recently in the hospital for a ruptured appendix, leading Laura to think about bird digestion.

KAXE listener Phil Shore told Laura about the pleasure that his mother Marie, staying in a nursing facility near St. Louis, gets from looking out at birds.

Bemidji listener Jack Shelton shared an interesting experience with a Great-tailed Grackle in Nicaragua.

Laura and Russ found one superb owl this Sunday, and also found themselves in the same scenario as a character in the movie Airplane!

The Great Gray Owl Laura talked about last week came to a tragic end.

Laura uses her computer’s screen saver folder to conjure photos at random that remind her of everything she loves.

Laura spent time yesterday, up close and personal, with a magnificent owl that found itself in urban Duluth.

Laura spent a bit of time with a Northern Shrike at the bog Sunday.

Laura was thrilled to see her twelfth owl species in St. Louis County this weekend. But then… the Barn Owl died.

Laura is sitting around counting minutes and watching chickadees.

Do we as individuals need to mitigate the damage we do?