Program Archive
Choose the links below for video recordings of Southern Maryland Audubon programs
What Birds are Saying: Understanding Bird Language
Saving Maryland’s ‘Ghost Owl’
Learn about the latest research and conservation efforts to help the Barn Owl—one of the most vulnerable species of birds in Maryland. (Live program May 1, 2024)
Wild Sex: How Nature Does It
Nature is WILD and sometimes competition is fierce. Kerry Wixted, amphibian and reptile and invasive species program manger for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies describes how different plants and animals procreate in odd, interesting, and sometimes deadly ways. Due to website technical difficulties please go to YouTube or Google and search “Wild Sex How Nature Does It” to view the program. (Live program April 3, 2024)
Proposed Southern MD Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge
Learn how you can support the proposed Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge which will protect the habitats of birds, fish and other wildlife across five counties in southern Maryland. A public comment period is open until April 22, 2024. You can submit your comments here: FW5southernmarylandplan@fws.gov.
Safe Skies: How to Prevent Bird Collisions with Windows
An estimated 1 billion birds die every year in window collisions. Dr. Mark Southerland, director of Safe Skies Maryland, provides solutions for how you can stop bird collisions with your home windows, as well as how you can get involved in community efforts to equip public buildings with bird-safe windows. (Live program March 6, 2024)
Think Like A Raven
Dr. John Marzluff, one of the nation’s leading Raven experts, discusses his fascinating research on these charismatic birds and provides insight on why we are seeing more of them in Maryland.
(Live program Feb. 7, 2024.)
Tiger Salamander Restoration in Maryland
The tiger salamander—which can grow up to a foot long— has been disappearing from the Delmarva wetlands in recent decades. Kevin Stohlgren, regional Heritage Program biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, describes the innovative Maryland programs that are helping salamanders survive and thrive. (Live program Dec. 6, 2023) Photo by Yianni Laskaris/iNaturalist.
Winter Warblers
Warblers are some of the most illusive—but most rewarding—birds to spot. Dr. Cody Kent, assistant professor of Quantitative Vertebrate Biology at Frostburg State University shows us the science behind the survival of these tiny birds and also explains why so many of them end up in the bellies of Tiger Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. (Live program Nov. 1, 2023) (Black-and-white Warbler by Dean Newman)
Gardening for Birds
Erin Reed Miller, Bird-Friendly Communities Coordinator at Patterson Park Audubon Center in Baltimore, provides step-by-step instructions for turning a yard, patio or hell strip into an oasis for birds and wildlife with native plants. (Live program Sept. 6, 2023)
Trouble on the Half Shell
Kerry Wixted explores the world of Maryland turtles, what’s behind their decline and how you can help these amazing creatures thrive in the wild. Wixted is Amphibian & Reptile and Invasive Species Program Manager for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies and is one of Maryland’s most popular speakers on all things nature. (Live program May 3, 2023)
Mysteries and Marvels of Bird Migration
Chris Eberly, one of Maryland’s leading authorities on bird migration, explores the migratory Olympians of the bird world and demonstrates how advanced technology is helping scientists unravel the mysteries of their global travels. (Live Program April 5, 2023)
The Amazing Bird Insect Food Web
Dr. Ashley Kennedy, entomologist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, reveals fascinating discoveries in researching the connection between birds and insects using 15,000 photographs of birds carrying insects to feed their young. The photos are extraordinary, entertaining and educational!
Youth Takeover Night at Southern Maryland Audubon
Meet some of our star youth birders. Learn about their amazing conservation projects, internships and artwork. Discover how the newest generation of birders are changing birding and bird conservation. (Live program held Feb. 1, 2023)
Marshes for Tomorrow: Saving Md’s Salt Marshes & their Birds
David Curson, director of Maryland bird conservation for Audubon Mid-Atlantic, shows innovative new efforts to restore Maryland’s sinking salt marshes and save the vulnerable Saltmarsh Sparrow, which needs this unique habitat to survive. (Live program held Jan. 4, 2023.)
Behind the Scenes in Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photographer and conservationist Dean Newman tells of his behind-the-scenes quest for the perfect bird or wildlife shot–like this amazing Bald Eagle. (Live program held Dec. 7, 2022.)
Birding and Beyond in Cuba
Birding author and conservationist Paul Baicich takes you on virtual tour of the fascinating birds of Cuba with tips on where to bird on the island. (Live program held Nov. 2, 2022.)
On the Trail of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
Entomologist Kenton Sumpter, Maryland Department of Agriculture, shares how scientists are tracking this invasive menace and what you should do if you find them on your trees or agricultural crops. (Live program held Oct. 5, 2022.)
Winter Sowing: How to Grow Your Own Natives for Birds & Beauty
Molly Moore, president of Southern Maryland Audubon and Charles County Master Gardener, guides you through a low-cost, easy way to sow native plants in winter. (Live program held Sept. 7, 2022.)
What’s Up with Maryland Plants?
Chris Frye, chief botanist at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, highlights his research and recovery projects for the state’s rare plants. (Live program held March 2, 2022.)
Local Wildlife: River Otters
Karen McDonald, an environmental educator at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland, shares her research findings on River Otters of the Chesapeake Bay. (Live program held February 2, 2022.)
Alaska! Birds, Mammals & Vast Vistas
David Moulton, a SMAS field trip leader and coordinator, describes his 18-day birding “trip of a lifetime” in the Last Frontier. (Live program held January 5, 2022.)
Birds and Cold Weather Adaptation
Dr. Sahas Barve, an evolutionary ecologist and Peter Buck Fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, discusses his research on Himalayan birds and what he has learned about how they have adapted to frigid conditions. (Live program held December 1, 2021.)
Let’s Talk Turkey
Bob Long from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources describes the biology, reintroduction, and population trends of Wild Turkeys in our state. (Live program held November 3, 2021.)
Why Diversity Matters: Gender Biases and the Study of Female Bird Song
Dr. Kevin Omland, Professor Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, leads a discussion about the long neglected study of female bird song. Now that researchers of diverse backgrounds participate, this prejudice is changing and studies are indicating female song is much more common than previously thought. (Live program held October 6, 2021.)
USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey
Wildlife biologist Dave Ziolkowski explains how the North American Breeding Bird Survey collects data and reveals some of the survey’s findings about bird population trends. (Live program held September 1, 2021.)
Native Plants for Butterflies and Birds
Dr. Christopher Puttock, executive director and CEO of Chesapeake Natives Inc. (in Upper Marlboro, Maryland), discusses the native plants you can use to host local butterflies and moths. (Live program held May 5, 2021.)
Help Document Breeding Birds in Maryland!
Please report your sightings of birds courting, building nests, or feeding fledglings for the Maryland/DC Breeding Bird Atlas, a five-year research project that relies on community scientists! Project Coordinator Gabriel Foley explains how to start and how to focus efforts in year two, 2021. (Live program held April 7, 2021.)
Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird
Katie Fallon discusses the life and times of the noble Turkey Vulture, including its feeding, nesting, and roosting habits, migratory behaviors, and common misconceptions. Fallon is the author of Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird (2020, 2017) and Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird (2011). She is a founder of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. (Live program held March 3, 2021.)
The Secret Life of Northern Cardinals
Dr. Jodie Jawor talks about the ecology and behavior of the charistmatic Northern Cardinal, drawing on her many years of studying them. She earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Dayton and has worked with Northern Cardinals at various locations across the eastern United States. (Live program held February 3, 2021.)
Restoring Common Terns & Black Skimmers in Maryland
Dr. David Curson leads a discussion about Common Terns and Black Skimmers, two species endangered in the state of Maryland. He describes a new project that provides artificial nesting sites for these beach-nesting seabirds. Since 2004 David Curson has worked as Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Maryland-DC. (Live program held January 6, 2021.)
Ghana: Birds, Butterflies & Mammals
Dr. Gwen Brewer and George Jett discuss their fascinating safari to Ghana, West Africa. Gwen manages the science program for rare species at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and George is an avid nature photographer, formerly of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Live program held December 2, 2020.)
Climate Change in Autumn: Fruit Availability and Migrant Birds
Dr. Amanda Gallinat studies plants, birds, and their interactions. She discusses her research on climate change and invasive plants. How do they affect fruit availability for migratory birds in autumn? (Live program held November 4, 2020.)
Farmland Raptor Program and Pest Control
Ornithologist Chris Eberly (of Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership) describes the birds of prey we can help by building nest boxes and reducing pesticide use on our farmlands. In turn, Barn Owls, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, and Short-eared Owls can all help control pests. He also talks about another species that needs our support—the Chimney Swift. (Live program held October 7, 2020.)
Mystical Monarchs: Migration & Conservation of the Monarch Butterfly
Naturalist, gardener, and longtime Monarch enthusiast Mike Callahan describes the lifecycle and 2,000-mile migration of this amazing butterfly. Monarch populations have seriously declined, but you can help! Learn how. (Live program held September 24, 2020.)
Awesome Possumz!
Karen Brace, an expert on the Virginia Opossum, introduces the only marsupial in the USA & Canada. Special guest star is her ambassador possum, Stuart! (Live program held September 2, 2020.)