The Field Guides

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.

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100 episodes
Updated June 30

Episodes100

Newest first

Feb 21, 2021 · 47 min
Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 2)
Join the guys for an overview of Snowy Owl ecology.
Feb 11, 2021 · 1 hr
Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 1)
Join the guys for an overview of Snowy Owl ecology.
Nov 15, 2020 · 49 min
Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 2)
Now that Bill’s done droning on about animals, we can finally talk about PLANTS! and CARNIVOROUS plants at that. Steve reviews carnivorous plants in general and then breaks into examples of carnivorous plants that have evolved to eat poop.
Nov 15, 2020 · 45 min
Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 1)
This month, we’re getting down and dirty, delving into the delightful topic of defecation. Specifically, animals that eat poop!
Sep 30, 2020 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 2)
Welcome to part 2 of our field trip to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. In this segment, Bill and Steve take a hike with Twan Leenders, Senior Director of Science & Conservation at the Institute.
Sep 30, 2020 · 42 min
Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 1)
This month, Bill and Steve visit The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY. In part 1, we talk with CEO Arthur Pearson, delving into Roger Tory Peterson’s background and more!
Sep 2, 2020 · 49 min
Ep. 46 - The Piping Plovers of Sandy Island Beach
This month’s episode is all about the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), a small shorebird that is endangered in New York State. Bill and Steve head off to Pulaski, New York to visit Sandy Island Beach State Park where plovers have been breeding since their return in 2016.
Jul 26, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 45 - In Search of A Nice Set of Pipes
The guys go on the hunt for Ghost Pipe (Monotropa uniflora) and discuss its ecology, including parasitism, a red variety of the plant, and how it may induce dreams about crows with Darth Vader heads.
Jul 5, 2020 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep. 44 - Bryozoans & The Western New York Land Conservancy @ The College Lodge
This episode is all about those gross jelly blobs that you might see in marinas (AKA Bryozoans!). Bill and Steve are joined by Jajean Rose-Burney, Deputy Executive Director of the Western New York Land Conservancy (WNYLC).
Jun 2, 2020 · 46 min
Bonus 09 - Finding a Job in the Wild - An Interview with Matt Gaffney
An Interview with Matt Gaffney
May 15, 2020 · 57 min
Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 2) - The Coywolf?
This month, Steve and Bill present part 2 of their episode on coyotes, focusing on the questions, “How big of a threat to livestock are coyotes?” and, “Is the coyote in the east a new species?”
Apr 12, 2020 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 1)
Awooooo! This month, Bill and Steve talk all about coyotes.
Feb 1, 2020 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep. 42 - It's Worth the Wait: Reproductive Delays and the 'Merican Black Bear
Reproductive Delays and the 'Merican Black Bear
Nov 24, 2019 · 59 min
Ep. 41 - The Autumn Episode (Pumpkin Spice-flavored)
Bill and Steve return with an episode focused on the fall. Specifically, they look into why fall is the neglected season when it comes to climate change research.
Jul 31, 2019 · 41 min
Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 2) - How Safe is Bird Banding?
Join Steve and Bill for a deep dive into a question that many bird banders have wondered about over the years: how safe is bird banding?
Jul 31, 2019 · 54 min
Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 1) - All About Bird Banding
In this first part of our bird banding episode, Bill and Steve cover the history, tools, and techniques involved in bird banding.
Jul 1, 2019 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep. 39 - The Alliterative Purple Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous Series #1)
Carnivorous plants are the renegades of the plant world. About 800 known species have gone from primary producers to immobile predators. In this episode, Steve goes on and on and on about everything you want to know about carnivorous plants (and a few things you don’t want to know). You’ll learn what it means to be a carnivorous plant, what it means to be a pitcher plant, and a few interesting things about the Purple Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea. Enjoy!
May 15, 2019 · 53 min
Ep. 38 - Ants in Our Plants
Take a deep dive into the world of myrmecochory!
Apr 4, 2019 · 57 min
Ep. 37 - Bill and Steve Go Timberdoodlin'
Join the guys as they focus on the American Woodcock.
Mar 29, 2019 · 41 min
Ep. 36 - Spring Science Geek Out!
Spring is here, and the guys hit the trail to discuss spring-related science, including how climate change is impacting global plant growth and how it’s changing bird migration. Plus, Bill gives a (sort of) rebuttal to Steve’s unprovoked and vicious attack on Charles Darwin from last episode. Happy Spring!

The Field Guides

Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 2)

Ep. 49 - Whither the Snowy Owl? (Part 1)

Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 2)

Ep. 48 - Eat Sh*t and Live, Bill (Part 1)

Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 2)

Ep. 47 - Field Trip!: Exploring the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (Part 1)

Ep. 46 - The Piping Plovers of Sandy Island Beach

Ep. 45 - In Search of A Nice Set of Pipes

Ep. 44 - Bryozoans & The Western New York Land Conservancy @ The College Lodge

Bonus 09 - Finding a Job in the Wild - An Interview with Matt Gaffney

Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 2) - The Coywolf?

Ep. 43 - The Coyest Dog Around (Part 1)

Ep. 42 - It's Worth the Wait: Reproductive Delays and the 'Merican Black Bear

Ep. 41 - The Autumn Episode (Pumpkin Spice-flavored)

Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 2) - How Safe is Bird Banding?

Ep. 40 - Put a Ring On It (Part 1) - All About Bird Banding

Ep. 39 - The Alliterative Purple Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous Series #1)

Ep. 38 - Ants in Our Plants

Ep. 37 - Bill and Steve Go Timberdoodlin'

Ep. 36 - Spring Science Geek Out!