The Bird Joy Podcast

In this episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, Dexter and Jason are joined by Tarik Shahzad, a Chicago-based birder who made history in 2024 by recording 294 bird species in Cook County, setting a new county record during what’s now known as the Tarik Big Year.

Tarik shares how growing up in Chicago as a birder of Pakistani and Bosnian descent shaped his relationship with nature, identity, and belonging in outdoor spaces. The conversation explores what makes Chicago birding so special from neighborhood green spaces to the unpredictable magic of Lake Michigan and how birding has transformed the wa...

Today on the Bird Joy Podcast, we welcome Jody Allair—an avid birder, naturalist, and communicator who has been living a full-on bird life for decades and still brings curiosity, joy, and humanity to everything he does. Jody began birding and banding as a teen at Long Point Bird Observatory and now serves as Director of Communications at Birds Canada, where he leads media efforts, co-edits BirdWatch Canada magazine, produces the Warblers Podcast, and helps coordinate eBird Canada.

In this episode, we explore Jody’s origin story and how early banding experiences shaped his conservation ethic. We talk...

In this episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall sit down with photographer Angela Ledyard for a robust conversation about creativity, presence, and belonging in nature.

Angela shares how photography became a lifelong relationship rooted in curiosity and care, beginning with watching her grandparents document everyday life in Cleveland. She reflects on learning the craft across film, studio work, photojournalism, wildlife photography, and her perspective as an FAA-certified drone pilot. Throughout the episode, Angela speaks candidly about showing up as a Black woman in outdoor spaces, finding calm and awareness through wildlife photography...

Season 4 opens with Dexter and Jason celebrating their return to the Bird Joy Podcast and reconnecting with the Bird Nerd community. They reflect on how much they missed recording together, hearing from listeners, and sharing the energy of building a birding community.

The hosts catch up on fall birding highlights, from the simple joy of being back in the field to meaningful milestones like Dexter’s book launch. Dexter shares how powerful it was to hear readers’ stories—especially those inspired to slow down, notice birds, and bird with their families.

Fall migration and “weird duck sea...

Season 3 of the Bird Joy Podcast comes to a powerful close with hosts Dexter and Jason revisiting the highlights, laughter, and love that made this season unforgettable. From deep conversations on legacy and identity to global birding adventures, this episode is a celebration of nature, joy, and the people who make the outdoors a more inclusive space. Plus, a sneak peek of what’s coming in Season 4!

💬 Final Words from Your Hosts:

“Birding has changed our lives, and the folks we met this season are proof that birds can connect us all.” – Dexter Patterson

“We start...

In this powerful season finale of Bird Joy, Dexter and Jason sit down with their brother and longtime collaborator, Christopher Kilgour, a transformative leader in the outdoor community. Chris is the founder of Color in the Outdoors, steward of Piece of Mind Acres, and co-founder of the Underground Hiking Collective.

From growing up near Tenney Park with ducks and his mom to becoming a fierce advocate for equity and healing in nature, Chris shares his journey with vulnerability, wisdom, and joy. He discusses building outdoor programs that welcome everyone, launching CITO, mentoring the next generation, and being...

In this globe-spanning episode, we sit down with legendary birder George Armistead. This man has guided trips on all seven continents and made it his mission to craft wild and meaningful birding adventures. We discuss the roots of his passion, the power of group travel, the behind-the-scenes magic of The Life List podcast, and how birding culture is evolving globally. 

Whether you’re a backyard birder or a global chaser, this episode will leave you ready to pack your bins and hit the trail.

Guest Links

In this episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, hosts Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall sit down with Dr. Miyoko Chu, Senior Director of Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dr. Chu is a powerhouse at the intersection of science, storytelling, and technology, known for her pioneering work on the Merlin Bird ID app and her beautiful, bird-inspired books.

We explore her journey into ornithology, the global success of Merlin, and the exciting future of bird conservation—powered by data, digital tools, and deeper inclusion. From spark birds to AI innovations, this episode is packed with inspiration fo...

In this joyful and thought-provoking episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with Danielle Belleny, a wildlife biologist, birder, storyteller, and co-founder of Black Birders Week. Danielle is known for her ability to blend ecology, joy, and cultural reflection, and she encourages us to see nature in often-overlooked places, particularly cemeteries.

Her celebrated works include *This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds* and *A Junior Birder’s Handbook*, and she is also behind the growing #CemeteryBirdersClub movement. Danielle’s efforts are expanding how people connect with birds, life, and even death.

Episode Resources:

In this episode, Dexter and Jason are joined by Nicole Jackson, environmental educator, urban birder, nature photographer, and co-organizer of Black Birders Week. Nicole shares her journey into environmental education, the healing power of nature, and her passion for making outdoor spaces more inclusive. From grassroots work in Ohio to national initiatives like Let’s Go Outside! with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder that nature belongs to everyone.

The conversation explores her community-based projects, creative work on an upcoming documentary, and wraps with a fun rapid-fire round that offers a glimpse into...

In this special on-the-road episode, Dexter and Jason visit the Soaring Eagles of Chase STEMM Academy in Toledo, Ohio, for an inspiring conversation with 6th and 7th-grade student ambassadors. Just steps from Manhattan Marsh, these young scholars are exploring nature, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine), and their big dreams. Shout-out to Vonda Hogle for helping bring this recording to life! Another big shoutout to the folks at The Biggest Week in Birding for connecting us with this incredible school. 

Episode Highlights

In this inspiring episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, hosts Dexter and Jason sit down with renowned photographer, author, filmmaker, and speaker Dudley Edmondson. With a career spanning over 30 years, Dudley has captured nature's wild beauty and redefined who belongs in those wild spaces. From the Arctic Circle to inner-city green spaces, Dudley's work weaves together storytelling, healing, and representation in the outdoors.

He shares insights from his groundbreaking book Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places and his latest project, People the Planet Needs Now, which features 25 BIPOC scientists and activists shaping the future of climate...

Duration: 00:54:12

We’re celebrating Black Birders Week with a very special guest: Corina Newsome — wildlife biologist, conservation scientist, and one of the original co-organizers of the first Black Birders Week in 2020. In this inspiring episode, Corina joins Dexter and Jason to talk about her journey from zookeeper to passionate advocate for environmental justice, and how she’s helping reshape who feels welcome in the outdoors.

Corina reflects on the moment she fell in love with wildlife, the movement-building behind Black Birders Week (founded by Black AF in STEM), and how becoming a mother is deepening her connection to nature...

In this episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with Kojo Baidoo — a 23-year-old birder, Princeton graduate, and self-proclaimed vulture enthusiast — to explore how one young conservationist is flipping the script on one of the most misunderstood birds in the skies.

Kojo shares how his birding journey began in Maryland and took flight during his time studying Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Princeton. He opens up about his experiences navigating the birding world as a young Black birder, the mentors who shaped him, and how he’s using social media to educate and inspire. From viral reels to fieldwork with T...

In this inspiring episode of The Bird Joy Podcast, Jason and Dexter sit down with Shane Alden Edwards, better known online as The Wild Dryad. A self-taught illustrator and botanist, Shane has captured the hearts of over half a million nature lovers through his vibrant educational content centered on plants, ecology, and outdoor learning.

From early creative roots in aquaponics and drawing, to leading community workshops in partnership with The Conservation Foundation and The Field Museum of Natural History, Shane shares how art and education can work together to nurture a deeper relationship with the natural world.<...

The second episode of The Bird Joy Podcast features hosts Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall in conversation with their "dream guest," Dr. J. Drew Lanham, a distinguished wildlife ecologist, professor, poet, and author. The episode delves into Dr. Lanham's deep connections to nature, starting with his childhood on The Home Place and the influence of his grandmother.

The discussion explores themes of land, identity, and belonging for Black individuals in landscapes with a history of slavery, referencing Dr. Lanham's book The Home Place. It also discusses the realities of "Birding While Black," including the experience of being...

We're back! In the Season 3 premiere of Bird Joy, your favorite birding buddies reunite to catch up, share what’s new, and get pumped for the peak of spring migration. From exciting bird sightings to major personal milestones—including Dexter’s new book and In Color Birding Club’s website launch—this episode sets the tone for an inspiring and vibrant new season.

In This Episode:

Season 2 of the Bird Joy Podcast was an unforgettable journey! This season, we celebrated diverse voices and explored themes like birding, mentorship, science communication, healing, community, and breaking barriers in STEAM fields. From pioneers like Emmy-award winner and best-selling author Christian Cooper to next-generation leaders like Isaiah Scott, our guests inspired us with their passion and wisdom.

Dexter reflects on the personal growth and healing sparked by powerful conversations with guests like Tammah Watts and Melissa Hafting. At the same time, Jason hilariously compares a male Northern Cardinal to Adele (yes, that happened!).

As we...

In the final guest appearance of Season 2, Dexter and Jason sit down with British Columbia's own Melissa Hafting to explore how birding can provide profound healing and hope. Melissa reflects on her experiences as a Black woman birding in British Columbia and discusses her remarkable new book, Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds. She shares how her parents nurtured her love for birds early on and how that foundational support motivates her to mentor the next generation of birders in her community and beyond through the BC Young Birders Program she founded in 2014.

In this uplifting episode, Dexter and Jason are joined by Alex Troutman, known as the “Best Smile in Birding,” to explore the many ways to find joy in the great outdoors. Whether it’s birding, fishing, hunting, or camping, Alex inspires us to live life with a wildlife mirror, reflecting the beauty of the natural world.

Alex shares his incredible research journey highlights, including studying Karner Blue Butterflies in Wisconsin, sea turtles in Texas, and bats in Malaysia.

The conversation includes Bird Joy Podcast shoutouts to Hunters of Color, Black Duck Revival, and the homie Mahdi...

Dexter and Jason welcome Calvin Feagans, an environmental scientist, educator, and talented nature photographer, to the Bird Joy Podcast this week! Calvin shares how his passion for urban ecology and biodiversity drives his creative work, from the educational EnviroBytes to urban ecology report cards. He also discusses the challenges and joys of turning data into storytelling tools, mapping bird migration patterns, and reclaiming old industrial spaces for conservation efforts.

Throughout the conversation, the homies touch on themes like environmental stewardship, advocating for nature in urban spaces, and navigating the highs and lows of social media advocacy (including...

Get comfortable. Take a seat. Gather around friends for a warm and meaningful conversation with the famed author, mindful birder, licensed marriage and family therapist, California Audubon board member, and accessible birding advocate Tammah Watts! In this episode we discuss her approaches to birding as it pertains to her own healing and connection with our community, including incredible encounters with Red-shouldered Hawks and Mourning Doves to aid in the healing. We cover some experiences we’ve all had in nature, some with each other. We look into her book, “Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Bird...

The vibe is SOOOO right this week with our homie Indigo Goodson-Fields. Indigo comes to hang with us from Brooklyn, NYC, where she is a birder, poet, bird guide, writer, educator, and bird model (with Bird Collective). We spend some time talking about how she curates her community in ways that enrich her own mental health as well as the community around her. This includes leading “Birding, Poetry, and Power” outings through Field Meridians as well as those more quiet and reflecting moments in Prospect Park or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. We break down what it means to find your...

We have some excellence for ya’ll on this episode! Our two guests today are Dr. Murry Burgess and Lauren D. Pharr, the founders of Field Inclusive Inc. In this episode, we get into the need for an organization like Field Inclusive when it comes to helping marginalized field researchers, including those who are out in our forests, swamps, ponds, oceans, and deserts studying birds! This covers everything from field training to safety training and even equitable financial compensation. You can learn more about this in the upcoming Field Inclusive Week 2025.

Additionally, we cover some of the re...

It’s finally here! The long-awaited Gull Joy episode. This week, Dexter and Jason converse with one of North America's most well-known gull experts, Amar Ayyash. We sit down with Amar and discuss how he went from making French fry-infused eye contact with gulls as a kid to being the author of a sensational new gull text, “The Gull Guide: North America.” We dive into how to find joy in the pursuit of gulling. This includes visiting Cape May to see an Ivory Gull, hanging in landfills, and enjoying a nice Gull Frolic every winter. Amar makes it clear that g...

On this week's episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with two fun and amazing folks, Luis Gles and Mariah Hryniewich of Woodstars Nature Tours. Mariah and Luis speak to us from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas about manning the Florida Keys Hawkwatch and experiencing the greatest Peregrine Falcon migrations on record. The Hawkwatch also boasts incredible numbers of Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, Bahama Swallows, and tons of warbler flight. If that extreme heat, humidity, and mosquitoes weren’t enough, Luis and Mariah now spend the spring and summer months in the Bering Sea on St. Paul Island, AK, le...

Dexter and Jason sit down with Jordan Rowley on this week's episode. Jordan is a PhD student at Utah State University, where he focuses on the social science surrounding birders and birdwatchers. It’s like birding… but of people! The research is fascinating as it breaks down some of the demographics of birders and where they fall on different social scales. We research and discuss why things would break down that way. Dexter and Jason get a crash course on multi-species justice. We also discuss adventures and misadventures surrounding McGillivray's Warblers and Mountain Bluebirds. We get into the fantastic YouT...

Extraordinary episode ahead! This week, we speak with Isaiah “Ike” Scott, a senior at Cornell University, specifically focusing on studying ornithology at the Cornell Lab or Ornithology. Ike talks to us about what it’s like to study birds and how we followed this particular path in his education, including his teaching under Dr. Irby Lovett. Ike is also a bird artist and can express some beautiful aspects of his birding. Check it out at Ikes Bird Art. We touch on what it’s like to be a student birder seeing his first Golden Eagle and how those experiences play a r...

Join Dexter and Jason on this fantastic episode where we welcome our FIRST-ever guest on the podcast! In this episode, we are so excited to chat with best-selling author Christian Cooper about all things birding and bird joy! We cover experiences from his books, “Better Living Through Birding, Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World.”, and his amazing Emmy-winning TV show, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper. How does Christian find his “bird joy”? How does he feel about the movement of many new Black and brown birders in the community to create new space? We get into all thin...

We are back!!! It’s been too long homies. We have missed you!

On this episode, Jason and Dexter get back in the saddle and catch up on what’s been going on in the bird world. This includes visiting the International Crane Foundation with the homies to see birds like the endangered Whooping Crane and the incredibly beautiful Blue Crane. It also included doing some conservation work with Bird Safe Philly and advocating for bird safe windows/glass. Most notably however is the discussion on how homies in Philly and Madison got to witness this seasons SWIF...

Wow. We started in “Fake Spring” and took you through birding etiquette, safety, diversity/inclusion, and budgeting. We are here in mid-summer, excited to celebrate the bird joy we created and shared! We look forward to continuing that and bringing you new and fresh voices from around the birding world. We are all “nerding out” through our bird joy, and it’s so beautiful. Sometimes, we focus so much on the technical aspects of birding that we miss sharing the joy involved in the process. Although Dexter and Jason love talking birds and bird joy, they only provide two perspectiv...

Join Dexter and Jason in this jam-packed episode, where they emphasize the crucial role of planning in ensuring a safe and enjoyable birding trip. The homies delve into the basics of safety, including the essential steps to plan your visit to a birding area.

Are you aware of what you need to safely get there, bird, and safely get home to those folks who love you the most? This includes making sure you have things like food and water if you need it for a longer trip, accessible and safe parking or public transport; clothes are safe...

What is conservation in birding? How can you contribute to bird conservation locally? Join Dexter and Jason as they explore how to find bird joy while contributing to conservation. You don’t need to be a tenured PhD in Ornithology to contribute to conservation locally. There are several local opportunities to participate, such as those offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Seek and join the conversations in your local municipalities, counties, and communities. Those likely lead to laws that impact habitat and access to green space.  It’s a good way to stay engaged. Other initiatives like...

This episode is dedicated to all of our listeners and supporters. Dexter and Jason recap an amazing spring, including Black Birders Week 2024! They get in and out of our amazing bird moments, which include finding a Blackburnian warbler in Central Park with Indigo-Goodson Fields and Emmy winner Christian Cooper. This included a trip to Queens to find Piping Plovers with the NYC Plover Project, culminating in a Black Excellence in Birding Gala! Dexter describes what it was like to bird in Madison with the founder of Black in NPS Week, Ms. Nicole Jackson! They cover key moments like Dexter's...

Join Dexter and Jason as they delve into the mental health benefits of birding. Even when you have to wake up at 4 am to see Greater Prairie Chickens in freezing cold weather, there is still an immense health benefit. Those moments when you can commune with and observe nature provide joy, anxiety reduction, stress reduction, happiness, and perspective. Sometimes we forget that birding presents challenges through adventure and pursuit of birds. The payoff for finally seeing the bird is a rush of endorphins. Additionally, the journey to the bird is just as valuable as seeing the bird.

...

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Bird Joy Podcast. This week, Dexter and Jason delve into birding as a family, sharing insights, tips, and heartwarming stories on how birding can bring families closer together and foster a love for nature.

The episode kicks off with tips for parents on introducing children to birding. It focuses on age-appropriate bird identification techniques and engaging activities that make birding fun for kids (like learning the pneumonic for the Eastern Towhee or finding non-birding joys of the space). It also highlights family-friendly activities like nature walks and DIY bird feeder projects, which...

In this week's unique episode of The Bird Joy Podcast, Dexter and Jason, both avid birdwatchers and budget-conscious individuals, delve into the world of birdwatching on a budget. They share their tips on budget-friendly birding equipment, including affordable binoculars, field guides, and bird feeders. The hosts also provide creative DIY projects, such as homemade bird feeders and baths. They highlight the benefits of shopping at second-hand stores or online marketplaces for discounted equipment.

Dexter and Jason also discuss free or low-cost birding activities and events. They share information about local birding clubs and groups that offer free...

In this week’s episode, join Dexter and Jason as they discuss some key birding ethics that one needs to know and consider when finding bird joy. Everything from dogs and pets off leash while trying to experience Eastern Meadowlarks to the use of lasers to help folks get on birds, the attempt (and sometimes failure) to see birds like the Eastern Towhee, and the controversial practice of playing bird calls to lure birds in (why would you do this for Short-eared Owls?). Key attention is given to how we treat each other as an extension of our birding ac...

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they dive into why having a diverse birding community is essential. They discuss some of their experiences and growth since the inaugural Black Birders Week, like finding a connection to Dr. Drew Lanham's book, “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature.” This episode is about our journey and passion to create a more diverse birding community and why that should mirror the diversity we see in birds like the cool Ruff. We also spotlight some fantastic birding groups, like the Special Bird Service, Chicago BIPOC...

In this week's episode, join Dexter and Jason as they cover the ins and outs of how to get started in your own birding journey. The guys cover building community in your local patch, choosing the right pair of binoculars for you, the most helpful bird guide and identification tools for your area, and most importantly, how to find that #BirdJoy in the process. Join them as they share in the joys of building a diverse birding community by accepting folks as they are.  Are you excited to get started on your own celestial birding experiences? Don’t miss fun...

Chill with Dexter and Jason as they talk about the anticipation of Spring migration and why birding is an incredibly rewarding activity. They get into those formative and continuing birding experiences with a Tufted Titmouse sparkbird, various owls that sometimes sell you lollipops, and a single Red-Flanked Bluetail in New Jersey.  They discuss how community and “Bird Nerd” euphoria are created through birding, for example, chillin' with some blinged-out (banded) Common Grackles. This episode is about why YOU deserve to be outside looking at birds, like the perfect American Woodcock. 

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instag...

In this episode, Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall welcome our fellow bird nerds into a space to celebrate Bird Joy. We cover displaying Red-winged Blackbirds, taunting Northern Mockingbirds, and even a lost Yellow-billed Loon in Las Vegas. This episode is all about vibing with nature and the restlessness that comes with Spring fever. Join us as we create space for new birders through the equitable, diverse, safe, meaningful, ethical, inclusive, and joyful pursuit of our fluffy homies.

Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypd and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

BIPOC...