Spark Bird: Murry Burgess and the Painted Bunting

0:00This is BirdNote. Urban ornithologist and children's author, Marie Burgess, has always been interested in wildlife. But studying birds was not part of her plan until a fortuitous scheduling conflict in college. I was forced to take an ornithology class. It was the only thing that fit in my schedule, and I needed one of those allergies to fill out my credit hours. Which is how Marie found herself on a class-field trip to Doffin Island, a beach town on the Gulf Coast of Alabama that's a famous stopover site for migratory birds. Marie was walking through the city. But it was a really hot, really difficult day, and I was just like, oh my goodness, I'm done. And I sat down against a tree, and I was the first person to see the painted bunting across the street. And I was like, oh my goodness, it's so colorful, look at that! The painted bunting was a dazzling male with blue, red, yellow, and green feathers.

1:03And perhaps more amazing than his plumage was everything this sparrow-sized bird had to overcome just to land in front of Marie. Such a long migration trip had to have all of the fuel and the energy to get across the Gulf Coast, had to avoid all the predators, and it was also avoiding the cars on the road as we were right there. That encounter helped Marie realize that she can experience the joy of birds from anywhere. I'm very much a local backyard birder, even if I see some of the same species over and over again. It really gives me the sense of like place and belonging to kind of get familiar with my bird community. Now Marie studies how urban environments impact birds, advocates for safety and inclusivity in the outdoors, and writes children's books that inspire families to enjoy birds together. Her advice for folks interested in birding? Just pick your favorite spot, it doesn't have to be

2:04like super nature-y or super remote. Just wherever you feel comfortable, it's like meeting new friends, like you just kind of start hanging out and the more and more you hang out, the more that relationship starts to build. For bird note, I'm Ariana Rimmel. This is Field Inclusive Week, an annual week of connection, learning, and empowerment for all field biologists and outdoor enthusiasts. This week's virtual events build on a legacy of diversity, inclusion, and field safety. Learn how you can participate at fieldinclusive.org.