The Louisiana Waterthrush or "Eastern Forest Dipper" exudes quiet and calm, much like the forests it's found in. Meanwhile, the Acadian Flycatcher screams "PIZZA" as it bursts from a branch to snag a bite (of insect!). Both birds are charming in their own ways, but both face a worrying threat: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, an invasive species that has made it's way into Canada.

We hear from researchers Brendan Boyd and Samreen Munim, who spend their summers deep in the forests with these birds. The joy they get from their work is contagious - this is a delightful episode about a very serious issue.

As a special treat, listeners of The Warblers now get 10% off coffee orders from Birds and Beans with the code 'warblers' at checkout.

Samreen Munim, as the Ontario Forest Birds Program Assistant Coordinator for Birds Canada, works with volunteers, as well as private and public landowners across southern Ontario, to monitor, study, and conserve forest birds. She loves meeting people who are so passionate about forests and forest birds, and greatly enjoys getting to spend so much time outdoors with some of the most at-risk species in Ontario (and some of the best birds out there!).

Brendan Boy, Ph.D, Ontario Forest Birds Program Coordinator with Birds Canada, studied the long term effects of nesting in small forest fragments for Wood Thrushes– where he spent four field seasons living at Long Point, fully immersed in Ontario’s Carolinian region. He’s thrilled to once again be working in this amazingly biodiverse area, and excited to play a key role in the conservation of Ontario’s forest birds.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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Bird nests literally come in all shapes and sizes: burrowed into a sand bank, tucked into grass, underground, high up, stretchy, sturdy, flimsy. Even the chicks are radically different, with some leaping out of trees at a day old, and others clinging to the nest for weeks. Each species has their own unique nesting strategy - Mark Peck helps us explore how and why they work. He also shares tips on how to observe the breeding birds around us!

Join Project NestWatch here.

Grab a cup of Birds and Beans - Bird Friendly coffee that donates to this podcast when you order at: birdsandbeans.ca/warblers

From Madagascar to the Philippines, and even tours closer to home - Birding Ecotours has a dream trip for you! Explore their tours at birdingecotours.com

Mark Peck was the Collections Specialist in Ornithology at the Royal Ontario Museum for 41 years until his retirement in 2024. He is the author of Bird Eggs: A Young Naturalist’s Guide, is Vice-President of the Ontario Field Ornithologists, who awarded him the Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2024, and is a longtime member of the Toronto Ornithological Club.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

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Overlooked and underappreciated - kinglets are one of Canada’s toughest little birds! Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets are both fascinating and unique in their own ways. One stays with us all winter long, which is impressive for a bird smaller than a chickadee. And the other lays up to 12 eggs in a stretchy nest! Join us for an exploration of both species: identification tips, bird songs, and fun facts.

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Kyle Horner was gifted the love of birdlife and storytelling from his father. From a young age he was obsessed with talking about nature to others (whether or not they wanted to hear it), and his career has been spent doing just that. Kyle has worked in environmental education and science communication for parks, zoos, botanical gardens, outreach programs, non-profits, and the University of Guelph. As the NatureCounts Engagement Coordinator, he is excited to find the stories in the data and share the incredible potential of this fascinating project.

Andrea Gress (she/her) secretly thinks Piping Plovers are better than all the other birds...studied Renewable Resource Management at the University of Saskatchewan. She pivoted towards birds, after an internship in South Africa. Upon returning, she worked with Piping Plovers in Saskatchewan, and then as the Ontario Piping Plover Coordinator. Years of sharing her love of plovers with beach goers has turned into a full time communications role with Birds Canada.

Support the show