Chirp Chat
Episodes
Chirp Chat: Discover winter ducks in Wisconsin
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Lake Michigan’s shoreline is a great place for duck-watching in the winter. Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Greater Scaup are species y...
Chirp Chat: Wisconsin researchers strap tiny backpacks to birds to study their behavior
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is an international collaborative research network that uses small radio transmitters to track bird movement. The t...
Chirp Chat: Calling all Swifties! Chimney Swifts are in Wisconsin!
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fall migration is here, and among the birds migrating to warmer climates from Wisconsin are Chimney Swifts. The small, fast-flying birds are known for...
Chirp Chat: The story behind Bird City Wisconsin signs
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know Milwaukee is a city for the birds? Bird City is a conservation program that brings folks together to create healthier communities for bir...
Chirp Chat: This Wisconsin band blends ‘birding and music’ in new album ‘Lifer’
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Grych, the lead singer, producer and songwriter for the indie rock band, says the new album combines his love for birding and music, while also ...
Chirp Chat: All about Wisconsin’s state bird, the American Robin
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The American Robin is one of the most common birds in North America. You’ve probably seen one in your backyard or been woken up by one before sunris...
Chirp Chat: Exploring what birds can teach us about ourselves through art
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artist-in-Residence Hattie Grimm is the creator of the Charles Allis Art Museum’s new art exhibit called “BIRD BODY”. The exhibit features 20 wo...
Chirp Chat: The dazzling colors of warbler season in Wisconsin
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Warblers are small songbirds that are among the most celebrated by birders for their flashy colors and sweet songs. But most warblers only spend a few...
Chirp Chat: How do birds build nests in Wisconsin? With twigs, mud, spiderweb and more
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring is in the air — which means nest-making season is upon us! For this month’s Chirp Chat, Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez spoke with Holly Walz...
Chirp Chat: How to meet other birders in Wisconsin
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joining a local birding club or meeting other people at birding events can bring you a sense of belonging and teach you things you didn’t know. No m...
Chirp Chat: How to help birds survive Wisconsin’s winter
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this month’s Chirp Chat, Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez spoke with Toby Seegert, the Regional Conservation Specialist for the Zoological Society ...
Chirp Chat: How to participate in Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count in Wisconsin
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrate birds this holiday season through the National Audubon Society’s 125th annual Christmas Bird Count. For this episode of Chirp Chat, Milwau...
Chirp Chat: It’s owl season in Southeast Wisconsin. Here’s how to spot them
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You can go on an owl prowl to spot some of these nocturnal predators. Owl prowls are nighttime hikes in the woods where you listen for the calls of ow...
Chirp Chat: How you can protect migrating birds from flying into windows
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Window collisions are a leading cause of bird deaths, causing up to 3.5 billion bird deaths in the U.S. each year. They're even more common in the fal...
Chirp Chat: Young campers learn about the beauty and science of bird banding
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this summer, Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez spent the day with scientists and Urban Ecology Center campers to learn about bird banding, a way o...
Chirp Chat: Caring for Wisconsin's beloved cranes
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The International Crane Foundation, based in Baraboo, works around the world to save cranes and the ecosystems they depend on. Lake Effect producer Xc...
'Chirp Chat': Wisconsinites share the birds that sparked their interest in birding
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Think back to a time in your life when you saw a bird that piqued your interest and made you want to learn more about birds. That’s your spark bird!...
Chirp Chat: A closer look at Wisconsin’s fascinating birds of prey
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s peak birding season in Wisconsin, and if you look high in the sky, you’ll likely see some raptors soaring. Raptors like hawks, owls and vultu...
Chirp Chat: Exploring the wonder of spring migration in Wisconsin
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been outside lately, chances are you've heard Robins, Finches and Red-winged blackbirds singing out to let you know it’s the start of spri...
Chirp Chat: Why some Wisconsin birds are getting new names
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The American Ornithological Society promised last November to rename all birds with English names, along with any other bird names deemed offensive an...
Chirp Chat: A beginner’s guide on how to start birding in Milwaukee
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the sun shining a little more lately, you may have noticed more birds chirping — making it a great time to head outdoors and explore our feathe...