Beloved by Bird Watcher’s Digest readers for more than 30 years, artist, author, naturalist, and songbird rehabilitator Julie Zickefoose is Dawn Hewitt’s guest on this episode of Out There With the Birds. What sparked Julie’s interest in birds and nature as a child? How did she initially connect with Bird Watcher’s Digest? What has she been up to during the pandemic? What is she working on now? Tune in and find out! Posted Fri, Jul 16 2021.

Nestled in the southeastern corner of Virginia, Virginia Beach is a premier destination for birding and assorted outdoor adventures. Host Kelly Ball chats with Kelli Norman, director of tourism & sales at Visit Virginia Beach, about the three types of beaches—Chesapeake Bay; Atlantic Ocean; and Sandbridge—that make this a unique and birdy locale. Then Brandon Holland, secretary of Virginia Beach’s Audubon chapter, breaks down the area’s target bird species and shares his pick for the ideal time to bird Virginia Beach. Brandon encourages anybody who might like a birdy beach break during winter to consider attending the Winter Wildlife Festival, scheduled for January 28-30, 2022. To help visitors plan a trip packed with year-round outdoor adventure opportunities, check out Virginia Beach’s Get Outdoors Pass. This mobile-exclusive passport is a collection of curated attractions, tour operators, rentals, and more, offering deals and discounts to redeem during your visit. This episode is sponsored by Visit Virginia Beach.

Grab the Kleenex: This is the final episode that TBL host Bill Thompson, III, recorded before succumbing to pancreatic cancer on March 25, 2019. Bill interviews Mark S. Garland, a naturalist who has been sharing his enthusiasm for nature for over 40 years. He is also the 2019 recipient of the Paul Bartsch Award for Distinguished Contributions to Natural History. Bird Watcher’s Digest subscribers will recognize him as the author of “Birders Question Mark,” a Q&A column that has featured in the magazine since 2015. Mark reveals what sparked his interest in nature and birds early in life, and how it evolved throughout his lifetime. He ends with advice for aspiring naturalists: Be persistent, follow your heart, and in the end, it will all work out! Posted Thu, Aug 29 2019.

Black vultures are not known for their beauty, poise, manners, or hygiene. They should, however, be world famous for their brains. Columnist Julie Zickefoose regales readers with two stories of bird watchers who have had remarkable encounters with black vulture "families." Featured in the July/August issue of Bird Watcher's Digest. Posted Wed, 23 Jun 2021.