Season 4 opens with Dexter and Jason celebrating their return to the Bird Joy Podcast and reconnecting with the Bird Nerd community. They reflect on how much they missed recording together, hearing from listeners, and sharing the energy of building a birding community.

The hosts catch up on fall birding highlights, from the simple joy of being back in the field to meaningful milestones like Dexter’s book launch [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/dexter-patterson/birds-of-the-great-lakes/9781643263816/]. Dexter shares how powerful it was to hear readers’ stories—especially those inspired to slow down, notice birds, and bird with their families.

Fall migration and “weird duck season” take center stage with standout sightings including Harlequin Ducks, scoters, loons, tundra swans, and more. Jason and Dexter also reflect on fall outings with the In Color Birding Club, emphasizing the joy and purpose found in community-led birding.

The conversation shifts to winter birding, backyard activity after snowfall, and simple tips for staying warm and patient in cold weather. They also preview the Christmas Bird Count, sharing why it remains one of their favorite community birding traditions.

The episode closes with reflections on first-time birders, hopes for Season 4, and gratitude for the Bird Nerd community, ending with excitement for the season ahead!



BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/]

In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Welcome to Season 4

Season 3 of the Bird Joy Podcast comes to a powerful close with hosts Dexter and Jason revisiting the highlights, laughter, and love that made this season unforgettable. From deep conversations on legacy and identity to global birding adventures, this episode is a celebration of nature, joy, and the people who make the outdoors a more inclusive space. Plus, a sneak peek of what’s coming in Season 4!

💬 Final Words from Your Hosts:

“Birding has changed our lives, and the folks we met this season are proof that birds can connect us all.” – Dexter Patterson

“We started this podcast to spread joy and share our stories—and it’s clear the community is only growing stronger.” – Jason Hall

📣 Stay Connected: @thebirdjoypod on Instagram 

✅ Please subscribe, share, and leave a review wherever you listen to the podcast. It helps us grow and reach a wider audience.  

📩 Got a guest or story idea? Send it our way on socials!

🫶🏾 Never stop spreading Bird Joy wherever you fly. Season 4 drops late Fall! Let’s Go! 

BIPOC Birding Club [https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]

In Color Birding Club [https://incolorbirding.org/]

Season 3 Finale

In this powerful season finale of Bird Joy, Dexter and Jason sit down with their brother and longtime collaborator, Christopher Kilgour, a transformative leader in the outdoor community. Chris is the founder of Color in the Outdoors, steward of Piece of Mind Acres, and co-founder of the Underground Hiking Collective.

From growing up near Tenney Park with ducks and his mom to becoming a fierce advocate for equity and healing in nature, Chris shares his journey with vulnerability, wisdom, and joy. He discusses building outdoor programs that welcome everyone, launching CITO, mentoring the next generation, and being featured in Dudley Edmondson's "People the Planet Needs Now."

This episode is full of heart, laughter, and hard-earned insights about what it truly means to belong in the Outdoors.

Connect with Chris Kilgour: 

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjkilgour

Connect with Color in the Outdoors:

🌈 Website: Color in the Outdoors  [https://www.colorintheoutdoors.com/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLmXRtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3WD1khiDvwd7yf0EvS-ta8ZUlRlejxndHEvdVhtgSE0DJX5EkjDoPN7yuTP_aem_8WXHjYbHOp3Ge82M4lXdwg]

📸 Instagram: @colorintheoutdoors [https://www.instagram.com/colorintheoutdoors?igsh=eGhveWp4bjU2NjVp]

Subscribe & Follow Us:

📲 Apple | Spotify | Google | Stitcher – Bird Joy Podcast

Instagram: @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod?igsh=MWx3bzFtYTI3eWZqZQ==]

💬 Shout-outs

🐦 BIPOC Birding Club [https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]

🎨 In Color Birding Club
[https://incolorbirding.org/]https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod?igsh=MWx3bzFtYTI3eWZqZQ==

Color in the Outdoors: A Heartfelt Conversation with Christopher Kilgour

In this globe-spanning episode, we sit down with legendary birder George Armistead. This man has guided trips on all seven continents and made it his mission to craft wild and meaningful birding adventures. We discuss the roots of his passion, the power of group travel, the behind-the-scenes magic of The Life List podcast, and how birding culture is evolving globally. 

Whether you’re a backyard birder or a global chaser, this episode will leave you ready to pack your bins and hit the trail.

Guest Links

 * 🐦 Hillstar Nature [https://hillstarnature.com/] – Explore guided birding adventures across the globe
 * 🎧 The Life List: A Birding Podcast [https://lifelistpodcast.com/] – Smart, funny, and deeply birdy conversations
 * 📚 Better Birding [https://www.amazon.com/Better-Birding-Tools-Concepts-Field/dp/0691129665] & ABA Field Guide to Birds of Pennsylvania [https://www.amazon.com/American-Birding-Association-Field-Pennsylvania/dp/1935622528] – By George Armistead

Birding Club Shout-outs

BIPOC Birding Club [https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]

In Color Birding Club
[https://incolorbirding.org/]

The World is Your Flyway: A Conversation with George Armistead

In this episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, hosts Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall sit down with Dr. Miyoko Chu, Senior Director of Communications at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dr. Chu is a powerhouse at the intersection of science, storytelling, and technology, known for her pioneering work on the Merlin Bird ID app and her beautiful, bird-inspired books.

We explore her journey into ornithology, the global success of Merlin, and the exciting future of bird conservation—powered by data, digital tools, and deeper inclusion. From spark birds to AI innovations, this episode is packed with inspiration for birders of every level.

Links & Resources:

🔗 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

[https://www.birds.cornell.edu/]

📲 Download Merlin Bird ID

[https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/]

📖 Songbird Journeys [https://www.abebooks.com/9780802714688/Songbird-Journeys-Four-Seasons-Lives-0802714684/plp] | Birdscapes [https://www.abebooks.com/9780811864282/Birdscapes-Pop-Up-Celebration-Bird-Songs-0811864286/plp] | America’s Favorite Birds

[https://www.abebooks.com/9781943645411/AMERICAS-FAVORITE-BIRDS-Cornell-Lab-1943645418/plp]

In Color Birding Club

[https://incolorbirding.org/]BIPOC Birding Club
[https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]

👍 Follow, subscribe, and share the Bird Joy Podcast

🐦 Spread the joy—tag us in your favorite birding moments

📬 Email us your bird questions and shoutouts

Birds, Merlin, and the Future of Conservation with Dr. Miyoko Chu

In this joyful and thought-provoking episode, Dexter and Jason sit down with Danielle Belleny, a wildlife biologist, birder, storyteller, and co-founder of Black Birders Week. Danielle is known for her ability to blend ecology, joy, and cultural reflection, and she encourages us to see nature in often-overlooked places, particularly cemeteries.

Her celebrated works include *This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds* and *A Junior Birder’s Handbook*, and she is also behind the growing #CemeteryBirdersClub movement. Danielle’s efforts are expanding how people connect with birds, life, and even death.

Episode Resources:

 * This Is a Book for People Who Love Birds [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/danielle-belleny/this-is-a-book-for-people-who-love-birds/9780762475971/?lens=running-press]
 * A Junior Birder’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to Birdwatching [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/danielle-belleny/the-junior-birders-handbook/9780762480784/]

Connect with Danielle:

Stay connected with Danielle’s latest projects, writing, and birding adventures:

Instagram: @bellzisbirding
[https://www.instagram.com/bellzisbirding?igsh=N25wY2kxaXUzeDh4]#CemeteryBirdersClub

Website: https://dbelleny.carrd.co/



The Bird Joy Podcast is hosted by Dexter Patterson [https://www.instagram.com/wiscobirder] and Jason Hall [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdingbeardsman]

Connect with the Pod:

Instagram: Bird Joy Podcast  [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod/]



Birding Club Websites:

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/]

In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]



Nature, Cemeteries, and Bird Joy: A Conversation with Danielle Belleny

In this episode, Dexter and Jason are joined by Nicole Jackson, environmental educator, urban birder, nature photographer, and co-organizer of Black Birders Week. Nicole shares her journey into environmental education, the healing power of nature, and her passion for making outdoor spaces more inclusive. From grassroots work in Ohio to national initiatives like Let’s Go Outside! with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder that nature belongs to everyone.

The conversation explores her community-based projects, creative work on an upcoming documentary, and wraps with a fun rapid-fire round that offers a glimpse into what brings her Bird Joy.

Highlights:

 * How Nicole’s love of nature began in Cleveland
 * Healing from trauma through nature 
 * The evolution of Black Birders Week and Black in National Parks Week
 * Making environmental education accessible through Let’s Go Outside!
 * Her upcoming youth-focused birding documentary
 * Favorite birds, memories, and books from the rapid-fire Q&A

Resources & Links:

 * Nicole Jackson [https://www.instagram.com/blkngrnbeauty/] – Instagram 
 * Let’s Go Outside! – Cornell Lab of Ornithology [https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/product/lets-go-outside-how-to-connect-kids-with-birds-and-nature/]
 * Black Birders Week – BlackAFinSTEM [https://www.blackafinstem.com/]
 * Black in National Parks Week [https://blkinnationalparks.com/] – #BlackInNationalParksWeek
 * BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/]
 * In Color Birding Club [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

Thank you for listening!
Subscribe, rate, and review the Bird Joy Podcast. Follow us on social media for new episodes and bonus content.

Nature, Healing, and Finding Joy Through Community and Education with Nicole Jackson

In this special on-the-road episode, Dexter and Jason visit the Soaring Eagles of Chase STEMM Academy [https://chasestemmacademy.tps.org/] in Toledo, Ohio, for an inspiring conversation with 6th and 7th-grade student ambassadors. Just steps from Manhattan Marsh, these young scholars are exploring nature, STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine), and their big dreams. Shout-out to Vonda Hogle for helping bring this recording to life! Another big shoutout to the folks at The Biggest Week in Birding [https://www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com/] for connecting us with this incredible school. 

Episode Highlights

 1. Welcome – Dexter & Jason share their journeys in science, birding, and the power of outdoor learning.
 2. Birding at the Marsh – Students reflect on nature sightings and the magic of having a marsh next to their school.
 3. STEMM Spotlights – Student ambassadors talk favorite subjects, proud projects, and future careers in STEMM fields.
 4. Flip the Mic – Students ask the hosts about birding, STEMM careers, and staying curious.
 5. Final Takeaways – A call to keep exploring—in the classroom, in nature, and beyond.

Key Themes

 * Nature as a living classroom
 * Birding as a gateway to science
 * Empowering the next generation of STEMM leaders
 * Joy, curiosity, and connection in education

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget: keep asking questions, keep exploring, and keep spreading that Bird Joy. Let’s go!

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin [https://www.bipocbirdingclub.org/]

In Color Birding [https://www.incolorbirding.org/]

On-Site with the Soaring Eagles: STEMM, Marshes & Bird Joy in Toledo

In this inspiring episode of the Bird Joy Podcast, hosts Dexter and Jason sit down with renowned photographer, author, filmmaker, and speaker Dudley Edmondson. With a career spanning over 30 years, Dudley has captured nature's wild beauty and redefined who belongs in those wild spaces. From the Arctic Circle to inner-city green spaces, Dudley's work weaves together storytelling, healing, and representation in the outdoors.

He shares insights from his groundbreaking book Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places and his latest project, People the Planet Needs Now, which features 25 BIPOC scientists and activists shaping the future of climate justice. Tune in for a moving conversation on legacy, leadership, and the joy of birds and wild places.

Resources & Mentions:

 * 📚 Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places by Dudley Edmondson [https://dudleyedmondson.com/books/]
 * 📖 People the Planet Needs Now [https://dudleyedmondson.com/books/]
 * 🎥 PBS: America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston [https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=America%20Outdoors%20with%20Baratunde%20Thurston%20Dudley%20edmondson%0A%0A%0A&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8d709ca2,vid:2qwB8laSlac,st:0]
 * 🖼️ Minnesota Marine Art Museum – Northern Waters [https://mmam.org/dudleyedmondson]

Connect with Dudley Edmondson:

 * Website: www.dudleyedmondson.com [http://www.dudleyedmondson.com/]
 * Instagram: @dudleyedmondson [https://www.instagram.com/dudleyedmondson]

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin: bipocbirdingclub.org [https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]
In Color Birding Club: incolorbirding.org [https://incolorbirding.org/]

Nature, Healing, and Representation with Dudley Edmondson

We’re celebrating Black Birders Week with a very special guest: Corina Newsome — wildlife biologist, conservation scientist, and one of the original co-organizers of the first Black Birders Week in 2020. In this inspiring episode, Corina joins Dexter and Jason to talk about her journey from zookeeper to passionate advocate for environmental justice, and how she’s helping reshape who feels welcome in the outdoors.

Corina reflects on the moment she fell in love with wildlife, the movement-building behind Black Birders Week (founded by Black AF in STEM [https://www.blackafinstem.com/]), and how becoming a mother is deepening her connection to nature. This episode is full of heart, humor, and real talk—from favorite birding snacks and awe-filled moments to the ongoing work of creating inclusive spaces in science and nature. It’s a celebration of joy, justice, and unapologetic presence in wild places.

💚 Follow Corina Newsome

Instagram: @hood_naturalist [https://www.instagram.com/hood_naturalist]
LinkedIn: Corina Newsome [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corina-n-466432a8/]
Website: www.corinanewsome.com [https://www.corinanewsome.com/]

🌍 Learn More & Get Involved

BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin: bipocbirdingclub.org [https://bipocbirdingclub.org/]
In Color Birding Club: incolorbirding.org [https://incolorbirding.org/]

🎧 Subscribe to Bird Joy wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @thebirdjoypod [https://www.instagram.com/thebirdjoypod] for more episodes celebrating birds, community, and belonging.

Joy, Justice & Birding with Corina Newsome

Welcome to the Bird Joy Podcast – where birding meets community, curiosity, and connection! Hosted by Dexter "The Wisco Birder" Patterson and Jason "The Birding Beardsman" Hall, this is your go-to show for all things birds, nature, and the joy they bring.

Whether you're a beginner birder, a backyard birdwatcher, or a seasoned avian enthusiast, Bird Joy is your destination to explore the beauty of birds, the importance of conservation, and the power of inclusive outdoor spaces.

What to Expect:

 * Birding tips for beginners and pros alike
 * Inspiring stories from birders, naturalists, and STEM professionals
 * Deep dives into urban birding, green spaces, and conservation efforts
 * Honest conversations about equity, access, and inclusivity in nature
 * Updates on birding trends, tech, and tools

Each episode celebrates how birds connect us to nature, to science, and one another. With expert guests, heartfelt stories, and a shared love for our feathered friends, Bird Joy is more than a podcast—it's a movement.

Discover the magic of birding. Build community. Find your flock.

Subscribe to the Bird Joy Podcast today—because everyone deserves a little more joy, and a few more birds, in their life.

The Bird Joy Podcast

Dexter Patterson's Show

Welcome to the Bird Joy Podcast hosted by Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall. 

Dexter Patterson

Shows