05-07: A Sparrow Back from the Brink with Andrew Walker

The American Birding Podcast

English - February 18, 2021 10:00 - 34 minutes - 39.8 MB - ★★★★★ - 446 ratings
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Previous Episode: 05-06: Birding through Pandemic and Cancer with Rebecca Heisman

Next Episode: 05-08: This Month in Birding - February 2021

One of the most underrated bird stories of the last few years, has been the rapid decline of the resident Florida subspecies of Grasshopper Sparrow. In 2017, that population reached a record low of 75 wild birds, and many thought it would fade into extinction much like Dusky Seaside Sparrow before it. But a working group of biologists and conservationists led by the Fish & wildlife Foundation of Florida have stopped that decline. The foundation's president Andrew Walker joins Nate Swick to talk about how they did it.

Also, congrats to the hummingbird heroes of the polar vortex, and some thoughts on "seen anything good?".

Thanks to Field Guides for sponsoring this episode. Check out their new video series, Out Birding with Field Guides.

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