Dispatches from the Forest

We hear a lot about air pollution and water pollution, but what about light pollution? I mean, it's not real pollution right? It's just an inconvenience for stargazers. Actually light pollution can have some very real impacts on plants, insects, animals, human health and even water quality. Learn more about why the night should be dark on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Questions? Comments? Suggestions? PayPal donation? All of these can go to: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Patreon Page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch! Get yer Merch! Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Welcome to Dirt Dispatch #1! These are designed to be short and informal - a place for me to talk about what nature-related shenanigans I've been up to, what I've been seeing, my opinions on various topics, updates on things I've talked about before - basically things that might not fit into an episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast. It will also give you a glimpse behind the scenes. In this first episode I'll tell you a little bit about Western Thatching Ants, update you on "my" Pelicans, and tell you about how I've been educating a random stranger on the internet about wolves and deer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (I'm also educating him on the importance of citing your data but I don't think he's appreciating the free education I'm providing.) Email/PayPal address: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

A wonderful bird is the Pelican, Its bill can hold more than his belican It can take in its beak Enough food for a week But damned if I know how the helican! Lean more about American White Pelican and Brown Pelicans in this episode! Email/PayPal address: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch! Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Red-winged Blackbirds and Meadowlarks are both very vocal, both migratory in my area, and both members of the Icteridae family. In this episode we'll learn more about these heralds of Spring! Check out our Patreon page: patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Also our merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Send an email, donate via PayPal: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Spring is here! (At least in the Northern Hemisphere). A time celebrated by many cultures as a time of rebirth and renewal. Rabbits are often a symbol of spring, given their propensity for....reproducing. Learn more about the members of the order Lagomorpha - Rabbits, hares, and Pika. Check out our Patreon page: Patreon.com/dispatchestheforest PayPal/Email address: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

There are 15 species of crane worldwide, but only 2 are native to North America: The Sandhill Crane and the Whooping Crane. The Sandhill Crane's spring migration staging is considered to be one of the top wildlife spectacles in the world. Whooping Cranes were once nearly extinct - with fewer than 28 individuals left in the wild. Learn more about these remarkable birds and the fight to keep them from going extinct in this episode! Email/Paypal address: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch store: Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Magpies are one of the smartest animals on the planet - they make tools, play and hold "funerals" for their dead. Learn more about this amazing member of the Corvid family in this episode! Become a patron! Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Check out our Merch store! cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Email/PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Several stories hit the news recently that relate - either directly or indirectly - to things I've talked about in the last few episodes of this podcast. I'll update you on stories relating to wolverines, wolves and other efforts to reintroduce native species in their historic range. Paypal/Email address: DispatchesFromTheForest@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch store: Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Lemmings are another small, artic tundra dwelling mammal - and they have a very interesting relationship with Snowy Owls. Learn more about both - and how Walt Disney shamefully contributed to lemming myths - in this episode! Become a patron! Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Visit our merch store! Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Sent us an email or donate via PayPal: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Last episode I told you about a "Golden Mole" which, as it turns out, is not actually a mole. So what IS a mole? And what's the difference between a Mole and Vole? And what's a shrew and can it be tamed? All these questions will be answered in this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Check out our Patreon Page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch Store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Email/PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com #Dispatchesfromtheforest #NatureNerd #Moles #Nature #Wildlife #Voles #Shrews #NatureLover

We finish off 2023 by looking at some of the notable news from the past year, including new species discovered, old species re-discovered and species re-introduced into the wild. We've got insects, spiders, monotremes, a snake named Harrison Ford and more! Check it out! Email/PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest Merch Store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

Today I'm talking about more mustelids! You've probably heard of a wolverine - whether it's the superhero or the University of Michigan mascot - but what do you really know about wolverines? Probably not much (I know I didn't!) so join me to learn more about the mighty wolverine and his little cousin the fisher. Send a message or donate via PayPal: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Check out our Patreon page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Dispatches from the Forest Merchandise makes great Christmas presents! Check out our merch store at cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest

"Wild Horses" aka Mustangs in America are a surprisingly complex and controversial issue. Ride along as we explore the history of horses in North America and venture into the controversy surrounding one of the iconic animals of the American West - the Mustang. Then check out our Patreon and become a patron! Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest Or make a donation via Paypal or send us a message: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com And then head over to the Merch store for some Dispatches from the Forest merchandise! Cafepress.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest

Timberdoodle, Labrador Twister, Bogsucker, Hokumpoke and Fiddle Squeak are just a few of the nicknames for a gamebird whose real name is the American Woodcock. They aren't flashy, but Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks would be proud. Learn more on this episode! Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch Store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest PayPal/Email: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Common loons are anything but common - unless you count their drab winter plumage, but HEY - who among us DOESN'T look a bit drab in the winter? Discounting their winter look, they are amazing birds - divers who carry their chicks on their backs and whose calls are among my list of "Top 10 sounds of Wilderness". Learn all about the common loon on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest PayPal/email address: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Follow Dispatches from the Forest on Instagram, FaceBook, TikTok and YouTube!

Otters are arguably some of the cutest members of the Mustelid, or Weasel, family. Learn about North America's two native otter species: Sea otters and River otters on this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Check out our Patreon! Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Check out our Merch Store! Cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Send us an email or PayPal a donation! Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

In our continuing celebration of hitting 10k downloads I give you some of the best from 2022! Turtle Rabbits, Thorn Pigs, Iron Snails, Foxes, Mantis Shrimp and much more! If you've already heard those episodes hopefully this will remind you of some cool stuff - and if you haven't listened to those episodes hopefully it will inspire you to go back and learn more! Next episode will be all about Otters so make sure to leave a "like" and Subscribe or Follow so you don't miss it! Check out our Patreon: Patreon.com/DispatchesfromtheForest PayPal/Email: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Merch store: cafepress.com/DispatchesfromtheForest

In celebration of passing 10,000 downloads we're going back to the beginning and recapping the first 12 episodes. Hear some of my favorite facts from those episodes. If you listened to those already, I'll bet I can make you go "oh yeah - I forgot about that!" at least once. If you didn't listen to those, hopefully it will make you want to! Either way - thank YOU for listening and helping me reach that 10k milestone! Check out our Patreon page: Patreon.com/Dispatchesfromtheforest Visit our merchstore: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Email/Paypal address: Dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Also follow Dispatches from the Forest on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube!

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is one of my favorite places - and someday will be the permanent home of Dispatches from the Forest World Headquarters. Learn more about this region that was once described as a "sterile region on the shores of Lake Superior destined by soil and climate to remain forever a wilderness." (Please note: this episode was recorded outside so enjoy the background commentary of my local bluejays!) Patreon: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Merch Store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest PayPay/Email: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com

Inspired by being back in prairie dog country we're taking a look at some animals that tend to live in close proximity to them, and in some cases, depend on them for their very survival. Learn about the decorating prowess of burrowing owls, how Shep the ranch dog helped save black footed ferrets from extinction and the amazing partnership that badgers are known to form with another predator. All this and more in this episode of the Dispatches from the Forest Podcast! Check out our patreon page: Patreon.com/dispatchesfromtheforest Paypay/email address: dispatchesfromtheforest@gmail.com Merch store: cafepress.com/dispatchesfromtheforest