Matt Felperin, Roving Naturalist


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Dec 22 2020 80 mins   2
“Being outside is really important for our mental and physical health. Birding is a great way to get out and see something new. I really love getting into the stories of how I find some of these crazy rare birds or unusual birds because it's really about the adventure. And because birds fly, you never know what you're going to get.” – Matt Felperin Today’s episode comes with a warning - you may get hooked. Birding has recently surged in popularity as people crave safe engagement with nature. Matt Felperin, Nova Park’s Roving Naturalist, describes the adventure in birding, including exploring habitats, discovering new species, chasing rarities and simply finding joy and respite in birds. Matt also discusses an increasing diversity in the hobby, conservation, community science, and how to get started identifying the birds in your backyard. And yes, we also talk about Virginia’s very rare (and super adorable) avian celebrity from Greenland that has everyone in a frenzy. Links Mentioned: NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NOVAParksNaturalist Roving Naturalist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.roving.naturalist/ Matt Felperin Photography Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Matt_felperin_photography Matt Felperin Photography: https://mfelperinphoto.wixsite.com/home Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks): https://www.novaparks.com/ Huntley Meadows Park, Alexandria: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows Friends of Huntley Meadows Park: http://friendsofhuntleymeadows.org/ eBird: https://ebird.org/home American Birding Association: https://www.aba.org/ Woodcock adult and chicks walking: https://shorturl.at/H3789 Christmas Bird Count: https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count Gravely Point Park: https://www.nps.gov/places/000/gravelly-point.htm George Washington National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/gwj Monongahela National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mnf/home Reddish Knob: https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/reddish-knob Audubon Bird Guide App: https://www.audubon.org/app Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home Merlin Bird App: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ Nikon Pro Staff 3 Binoculars: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/binoculars/index.page Plant Nova Natives: https://www.plantnovanatives.org/ Audubon At Home: https://www.audubonva.org/audubon-at-home Audubon Chapters in Virginia: https://www.audubon.org/about/audubon-near-you Northern Virginia Bird Club: http://nvabc.org Virginia Society of Ornithology: https://www.virginiabirds.org IDEA Birders of MD and DC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IDEABirdersMDDC Upton Hill Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/upton-hill-regional-park Lets Go Birding Together (LGBT): https://www.audubon.org/news/lets-go-birding-together Black Birders Week: https://www.audubon.org/news/black-birders-week-promotes-diversity-and-takes-racism-outdoors Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship Fund: www.marylandbirds.org Potomac Overlook Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park Algonkian Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park Bull Run Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-regional-park Pohick Bay Regional Park: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/pohick-bay-regional-park Bird Species Mentioned: Osprey, Prothonotary Warbler, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Sora, Clapper Rail, Wilson’s Snipe, American Woodcock, Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Snowy Owl, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, House Finch, Blackburnian Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Golden Eagle, White-throated Sparrow, Orange-crowned Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler Northern Bobwhite, Red-headed Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, American Coot All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/