The Field Guides show

The Field Guides

Summary: Nature nerds rejoice! The Field Guides is a monthly podcast that will bring you out on the trail, focusing on the science of our North American wildlife.

Podcasts:

 Ep. 18 - Sap! Nature's Junk Food | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:57:32

During this episode, Steve talks about EVERY SINGLE extant non-human animal that drinks xylem or phloem sap. Join the guys as they explore the paradox of phloem sap, the barriers to eating it, how squirrels tap maple trees, hemipterans (true bugs), yellow-bellied sapsuckers, and much, much more. This episode stands alone, but we highly recommend listening to episode 17, "The Sappiest Podcast Ever..." either before or after this one. Either way, we hope you enjoy the episode!

 Ep. 17 - The Sappiest Podcast Ever... | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:56:08

Ep. 17 - The Sappiest Podcast Ever...

 Bonus 02 - Bark! (feat. In Defense of Plants & Midwest Explorer) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:41:08

Our 2nd bonus episode has arrived! This episode, Steve is joined by Matt from ‘In Defense of Plants’ & Sara from ‘Midwest Explorer’ for a hike at Hunter’s Creek Park. They talk about tree bark, bird poop, and American Sycamore Trees. Steve also ventures into Buffalo, NY to see the oldest American Sycamore in the world… allegedly (but probably not). Enjoy!

 Ep. 16 - (Dont?) Feed The Birds, Nerds! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:35:20

This episode, Bill and Steve discuss whether or not we should be feeding birds. Do filled bird feeders stop birds from migrating? Do bird feeds help birds survive the winter? Do bird feeds spread disease throughout bird populations? All this and more - enjoy!

 Bonus 01 - The Christmas Bird Count | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:39:41

For this bonus episode, Bill, Steve, Chris, and Dave participate in the Christmas Bird Count. They count birds, talk about the history and findings of the count, and tell their own birding stories. Enjoy!

 Ep. 15 - The Subnivean Zone - A Winter UNDER-land | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:49:59

Winter is often perceived as a time of dormancy and inactivity, but underneath the snow, in the subnivean zone, a complex and fascinating world of plant and animal interactions exists. Weasels hunt through snow-roofed tunnels, rodents graze on grasses, bark, and seeds, and occasionally the taloned feet of an owl punch through the roof, searching for a meal. In this episode, Steve and Bill pull back the snowy curtain, sharing recent research into what’s happening in the subnivean zone and the impacts of climate change on this intriguing and unseen winter world. This episode was recorded in the Shale Creek section of Chestnut Ridge Park, located in Orchard Park, NY.

 Ep. 14 - Vases and Candles and Spikes! Oh My! | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:20:34

Ep. 14 - Vases and Candles and Spikes! Oh My!

 Ep. 13 - What the Flock is a Murmuration of Starlings? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:19:43

What the flock is up with murmurations? And what's the difference between a swarm, a herd, a school, and a flock? In this first of a two-part episode, Bill and Steve explore the world of collective behavior, and take a specific look at murmurations of the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). This species gathers in large flocks (sometimes numbering into the tens of thousands!) that dive and swoop across the sky, creating beautiful, shifting forms that delight, amaze, and mystify. Researchers from numerous fields study these formations, and this month, the Field Guides share the latest research into this stunning natural phenomenon.

 Ep. 12 - Pokeweed Every Day | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:31:32

Ep. 12 - Pokeweed Every Day

 Ep. 11 - Spruce Grouse in the House | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:37:30

Have you ever heard of a Fool's Hen? It’s just one of the many nicknames of the Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis), a bird of extremes and paradoxical behaviors. It often allows people to come within just a few feet before taking flight (hence the “fool” part of its nickname), but it can also be notoriously difficult to find. In addition, this species is adapted to survive on food that few other animals eat. Join Steve and Bill (and their friend, Rich) as they head into the wilds of Ontario Canada to search for this elusive critter, share the fascinating stories of its natural history, and shed light on some recent Spruce Grouse research. This episode was recorded in March of 2016 in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

 Ep. 10 - Witch Hazel: An Explosive Late Bloomer | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:32:56

Exploding seed pods?!? Flowers in the winter?! Many species have evolved unusual strategies for reproduction, and this month’s target species is no exception. Witch Hazel (Hamemelis virginiana) is a small tree of the eastern forest understory that is easy to miss. It’s small and unassuming, but closer inspection reveals an array of fascinating adaptations that make it unique among our woodland species. Join Steve and Bill as they hunt for this wonder of the woods and share what they learned about it. This episode, they are joined by friend and author Gerry Rising, who recently published Birds and Bird Watching-100 Brief Essays. This month’s episode was recorded at the Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve & Environmental Education Center in Depew, NY.

 Ep. 09 - Two Guys and a Calcareous Outcropping | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:36:48

Have you ever heard of Valcour Island? Bill and Steve heard tantalizing rumors about it and journeyed to Lake Champlain to check it out. Champlain borders both New York and Vermont, and one of its largest islands is Valcour, home to a number of rare plants and the largest Great Blue Heron rookery in New York. Bill and Steve camped out on this special place, exploring, botanizing, and demonstrating why The Field Guides are the slowest hikers on the planet. Come along for the ride and find out all the fascinating finds we discovered.

 Ep. 08 - Meat Schmeat, or Bill & Steve Commit Marketing Suicide: The Vegan Episode | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:58:37

Ok, Field Guides listeners - *Bill and Steve crack their knuckles* - this one's a touchy subject for some people, but it's an important one. Just how much DO our food choices impact the environment? There's ample rhetoric on both sides, but what does the research say? In this Steve and Bill will tell you what they discovered while delving into the topic, all while trying their best not to get too preachy. (Also, they'll fill you in on what they thought of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). This episode was recorded in the Letchworth Woods area of the University at Buffalo's north campus in western NY.

 Ep. 07 - Stalking the Redback Salamander | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:45:34

This episode takes place at the Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve in Wales, NY. The preserve is owned and managed by the Western NY Land Conservancy.

 Ep. 06 - Staghorn Sumac | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:45:01

Episode 6 of The Field Guides is here! SPOILER ALERT!!! This episode Bill and Steve talk about Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina).

Comments

Login or signup comment.