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PODCAST

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds

"For the Birds" began airing on KUMD in Duluth, MN, in May, 1986, and is the longest continually-running radio program about birds in the U.S. Hundreds more episodes are available for free at http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/.

science & medicine natural sciences

All Episodes

6:36

Harris's Hawk and the Movie "Hamnet"

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/07

Agnes's bird in the movie and book, *Hamnet* is specified to be a falcon--a kestrel. But the falcon was portrayed in the movie by a completely unrelated bird from an entirely different continent--a Harris's Hawk. Laura didn't mind this at all--indeed, there were excellent reasons for using this "incorrect" species. Laura is in Colorado right now--this was recorded in her hotel room. She doesn't know if there will be more new programs this week--after today this is going to be one intense birding

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6:50

For the Birds Retrospective, Part 3: Things start to...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/03

Most "For the Birds" programs have been pretty straightforward, but Laura's occasionally done some silly programs.

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5:01

For the Birds Retrospective Part 2-Radio?!

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/02

Laura never imagined doing anything on the radio, until a cataclysmic event made her rush in to fill a vacuum.

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6:49

For the Birds Retrospective: Part 1, seeking my niche...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/01

As "For the Birds" approaches its 40th anniversary next month, Laura's thinking back on what made her start this radio show in the first place. The family portrait photo was taken within a month or two of my starting "For the Birds."(No April Fools Day program this year--Laura couldn't find anything fun in the news.)

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1:40

OLDIE: Jim Baker's Jaybelline Eye Cosmetics

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

Another oldie from 20 or 30 years ago, an ad for a new line of products available at Baker's Blue Jay Barn. (Jim Baker voiced by John Keenan.)

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2:25

OLDIE: Testimonials about Earth Angel Bird...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

Earth Angel hears from two satisfied customers, "Lars," whose Earth Angel Bird Identification Binoculars saved his life, and Juliet Montague, who settled an argument with her husband thanks to these amazing optics. For one month, I launched an hour-long program, "Wake Robin," with interviews, music, silly ads, and lots of fun stuff about birds. But I couldn't get anyone at KUMD interested in helping with production. Tim Winker, "the VOICE of the North Woods" and one of KUMD's most creative

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1:47

OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Blend: Not Just for Blue Jays...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

Jim Baker discovers the wonder of chickadees!

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0:57

OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Video Games

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

This was from a December sometime in the 90s.

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1:11

OLDIE: Turn Around

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

The California Ravens sang this oldie sometime around 2000. Katherine Erickson on piano.

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1:25

OLDIE: Jim Baker's Oil of Ojay

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

I'm not sure when this first aired--probably around 2000--but I am adding it now because I'm posting several funny programs in time for April Fool's Day.

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2:00

OLDIE: Where, Oh Where

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

When this oldie got stuck in my head with new lyrics, I wanted to record it, but my normal accompanist plays piano and this needed a different sound. KUMD was in the basement of UMD's music department, and one day I mustered the courage to ask a professor I often saw in the hall if he had any kids who could do the musical background. They were Darin Bergsven, Nate Perbix, and John Sommerfeld, and were very fun to record in the studio—I’d never done that before! Of course, there was no way in heck

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1:54

OLDIE: Jim Baker's Blue Jay Board Games

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/29

A commercial for Jim Baker's new assortment of board games to keep your Blue Jays entertained.

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4:16

The Brown Creeper Who Went to School

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/25

One of Laura's most memorable experiences happened when she was teaching in Madison, Wisconsin, and a Brown Creeper spent time in her classroom. (This was reworked from April 21, 2020.)

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7:08

Brown Creepers

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/24

One of Laura's favorite early spring migrants should be turning up any day now. (Much of the content is redone from April 17, 2020)

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6:51

The costs of AI and the "Cloud"

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/20

If we can't find out how much energy and water are consumed by various AI and large database programs, how can we make good decisions about using them?

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5:46

The costs of AI and the "Cloud" (Revised and updated)

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/20

If we can't find out how much energy and water are consumed by various AI and large database programs, how can we make good decisions about using them? IMPORTANT: I've Updated this program based on new information. This is the new, accurate version.

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7:20

Our Growing Reliance on Big Data

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/18

A great many things we do, including listening to this radio program or podcast, involve Big Data.

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6:03

Of Baseball, Curling, and Boreal Owls

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/17

There must be a connection, right?

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7:29

The Green Green Grass of Golf

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/11

Laura used to be more wowed by the beauty of golf courses than by real wilderness.

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6:03

The Green Green Grass of Home

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/03/10

What looks beautiful and natural to untrained eyes can have a very dark side.

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459 results

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