Loading...

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

7:27

NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 2: Democracy...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/05/13

Democratic values, and our lives, are damaged when politicians, developers, and corporations keep secrets regarding critical details about projects that will harm communities or give away public lands. I apologize for the poor sound quality--I recorded this in my hotel room in Chicago and mixed it on my laptop.

en-us

5:13

NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 1: Not All...

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/05/05

Laura never used to be suspicious about secrets because one that she kept as a small child was so very important to her.

en-us

6:14

An Essay by My Inspirational Mentor

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/27

Laura shares an essay written this month by the Michigan State professor who changed her life.

en-us

6:35

"Anything Can Happen" Day

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/24

Birding is wonderful both for its predictability and its unpredictable moments.

en-us

6:59

Thank You, Horned Larks

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/21

One of Laura's most magical experiences in Colorado came about because she tried, and failed, to get pictures of a little flock of Horned Larks.

en-us

7:06

The Colors of Everyday Life

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds ·

2026/04/16

Laura just got home from a trip to Colorado and got to thinking about *The Wizard of Oz*.

en-us

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

en-us

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.

en-us

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.

en-us

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.)

en-us

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.)

en-us

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.

en-us

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.

en-us

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.

en-us

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!

en-us

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

en-us

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

en-us

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.

en-us

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.)

en-us

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)

en-us

505 results

Similar Podcasts

Laura Erickson"s For the Birds

Laura Erickson

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Publisher"s Podcast

Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

My Paranormal Reality

Mark Brown