MPR News with Angela Davis

Guide to summer birdwatching: What to look and listen for

bird with shades of brown and yellow sits on a branch amongst leafy trees
A cedar waxwing perches on a tree branch on a summer day.
Photo courtesy of Sharon Stiteler

Summer is a great time for birdwatching. With longer days and warmer weather, it's the perfect season to step outside and see what’s fluttering in your neighborhood, park, or along the shoreline.

And whether you’re a seasoned “birder” or a curious newcomer, birdwatching is an increasingly popular way to connect with nature.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” about summer birdwatching — what to look for, where to go, and why this season is more active than you might think.

a women poses for a portrait
Sharon Stiteler, an avid bird watcher also known as "the Birdchick," poses for a portrait in the Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul on Thursday, July 3.
Nikhil Kumaran | MPR News

Guest:

Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” fell in love with birds at age seven when someone gave her a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. She’s now an avid bird watcher and author of several books, including “North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures.” 

For more information about birding, Sharon recommends allaboutbirds.org. A good resource for younger birders is mybirdclub.org.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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