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The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Louisiana Waterthrush Nightingale Blue Grosbeak Bobolink Ovenbird Gray-cheeked Thrush Northern Waterthrush American Pipit Eastern Meadowlark

The final chapter of John Burrough's book, Wake-Robin. Burroughs invites you to become a birder, describing the thrill of seeing the natural world around you through a new lens. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Wood Duck Yellow-rumped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Red-eyed Viero White-eyed Viero Eastern Wood Pewee American Robin Wood Thrush Hermit Thrush Song Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Purple Finch Winter Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Chapter 7 of Wake-Robin, by naturalist John Burroughs. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Eastern Bluebird European Robin Western Bluebird House Wren

The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Wood Thrush Veery Kentucky Warbler Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Northern Water Thrush Yellow-breasted Chat Cardinal Grosbeak Red-headed Woodpecker

The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Blue Grosbeak Black-and-White Warbler Blue-headed Vireo Mourning Warbler Red-tailed Hawk Baltimore Oriole

Beginning Chapter 4 of Wake-Robin, by naturalist John Burroughs. A detailed look at the nesting habits of Red-headed Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers, Pine Siskins, Cedar Waxwings, Robins and  Indigo Buntings. Burroughs marvels at the dirty jobs parent birds must endure to keep their nests clean for their young. Any parent who has changed a dirty diaper can relate. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Cedar Waxwing Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker American Robin Black-capped Chickadee Indigo Bunting Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org.

The second half of the third Chapter, the Adirondacks. Continuing with a timeless bit of bird therapy, Burroughs wakes from a nap in the woods to find himself under scrutiny of the wood birds. Visiting Lake Sanford, fishing in Nate’s Pond and a 12 mile hike to the Lower Ironworks with views of Mount Mercy, Mount Macinyre and Mount Golden, the monarchs of the Adirondacks. Exploring the Upper Ironworks town of Tahawus, and nearby Henderson Lake. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Black-capped Chickadee Cedar Waxwing Ruby-throated Hummingbird Pine Siskin Vesper Sparrow Blackbird Solitary Sandpiper Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org.

The start of chapter three of Wake-Robin by naturalist, John Burroughs. Burroughs and a group of fishing companions depart for the Boreas Reach near Lake Placid, New York. Burroughs demonstrates his skill as a trout fisherman, earning the respect of their guide. Hunting at night on an open lake, the starlight reflected in the center gave the dark timberline at the water’s edge a belt of utter blackness, a portal between the real and the imaginary, the land of shadows  and specters. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Purple Finch Pine Siskin Vesper Sparrow White-throated Sparrow American Robin White-breasted Nuthatch Intro music: Kai Engel  Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org.

This episode concludes the second chapter of Wake-Robin, by John Burroughs. Lounging on a couch of moss in the shady woods, the gentleman rambler and naturalist allows his attention to wander from species to species. He points out the the Ruby-throated Hummingbird and the song of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Scarlet Tanager. He marvels at the Purple Linnet's song and chooses it to be the finest songster of the finches. By a brook, Burroughs finds a cowbird nestling crowding out the resident Canada Warbler hatchlings, and decides to intervene on behalf of the Warblers. Moving on, he details the partridge's drumming. He arrives at a reclaimed road and finds a pair of Mourning Warblers and their cousins, the Chestnut-sided Warbler. Leaving the Barkpeelings, Burroughs finds the Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo mingling in the hemlock, beech and birch. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ruby-throated Hummingbird Hermit Thrush Rose-breasted Grosbeak Scarlet Tanager Purple Finch Canada Warbler Cowbird Ruffed Grouse Common Yellowthroat Mourning Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blue-headed Vireo Black-and-white Warbler Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org.

Nineteenth-century naturalist and essayist, John Burroughs gives a detailed account of the Hermit Thrush’s song. For him, it is the finest sound in nature; the peace and deep solemn joy only the finest souls may know. Commentary about the cowardly Eastern Kingbird. The Wood Pewee’s plainness. Praise for the Ovenbird and the Louisiana Waterthrush. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Hermit Thrush Eastern Wood-Pewee Eastern Kingbird Eastern Phoebe Veery Wood Thrush Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org.

The start of Wake-Robin, chapter 2, In the Hemlocks. Author and gentleman rambler, John Burroughs, begins a guided tour in the hemlocks. Years before, townsfolk, tanners, and lumbermen attempted in vain to tame and exploit the grove. But nature proved uncooperative and the effort abandoned. By his account, the spirit and energy of the wilderness repaired and rejuvenated the injuries and offer refuge to all. We meet the Red-eyed Vireo and hear his contented song. For Burroughs, the Bobolink’s song expresses hilarity; the Sparrow’s, faith; the Bluebird’s, love; the Catbird’s, pride, White-eyed Vireo, self-consciousness; the Hermit Thrush's, spiritual solemnity: the Robin’s, a military tone. In-depth reviews of the Snowbird and Winter Wren’s song and demeanor, the Veery’s mellow expression, the unfortunately named Blackburnian Warbler and the Northern Parula. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo Bobolink Vesper Sparrow Eastern Bluebird Gray Catbird White-eyed Vireo Hermit Thrush American Robin Snow Bunting Winter Wren  Veery Blackburnian Warbler Northern Parula Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org.

Reaching the end of Chapter 1 in John Burroughs's classic nature study, Wake-Robin, the gentleman rambler describes the birds of July, the Scarlet Tanager, compares the Peewee’s hunting prowess and efficiency on the wing to the Chipping Sparrow's, or Socialis's, fumbling pursuit of a month. The marvel and spectacle when the pigeon hawk, now known as a Merlin, unflinchingly chases a goldfinch. Concluding with the late season silence and August’s departures. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Scarlet Tanager Field Sparrow Great Crested Flycatcher Barn Swallow Chipping Sparrow Vesper Swallow American Robin Yellow-billed Cuckoo White-eyed Vireo Bobolink Hermit Thrush Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org.

Naturalist and gentleman rambler John Burroughs was born 183 years ago on April 3, 1837. We’re grateful to carry on his work. Continuing where we left off in episode 3, we pick up in the first chapter of his book Wake-Robin. John Burroughs focuses on the thrushes. He details the grace and ease of the Wood Thrush. The Veery’s simple, descending flute-like tone adds to the twilight symphony. But Burroughs has some terse criticism for the Catbird and its song. But he turns to empathy for a Catbird family, when its nest is terrorized by a black snake and loses a fledgling to its grasp. In the end, Burroughs avenges the Catbird family. Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Wood Thrush Veery Vesper Sparrow Gray Catbird Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors.

Naturalist John Burroughs quotes 'To the Cuckoo’ by William Wordsworth. He considers in detail the White-eyed Vireo’s skilled mimicry in her mid-summer song and how it may rival the mockingbird’s own ability. Burroughs shares observations on how elevation might impact and effect the distribution of species in the Town of Highlands, New York.  And concludes with a comparison of the vocal quality and musicianship between the hermit and the wood thrushes. Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at gutenberg.org or archive.org.

Credits & Links: Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology American Robin  Bluebird Phoebe bird Kingbird Northern Flicker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch Eastern Meadowlark Northern Bobwhite Ruffed Grouse Barn Swallow Greater Prairie Chicken Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Barn Owl Red Rooster Chipping Sparrow Snow Bunting Brown-headed Cowbird Downy Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Song Sparrow Baltimore Oriole Wood Thrush Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at gutenberg.org or archive.org. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. American Robin Eastern Phoebe Eastern Kingbird Northern Flicker Tuffed Titmouse

Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird American Robin Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at archive.org. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors. Winter Wren Eastern Bluebird American Robin

It’s the best time of the year. The parade begins. As Winter retreats Spring leans in. The birds are returning. And so is our show.  Return of the birds is the serialized audiobook podcast of the nature study, Wake Robin, by John Burroughs. It’s the best story about birds I’ve ever read out loud. The podcast combines Burroughs’s anticipation and delight that the birds bring to the changing seasons with field recordings of the bird songs he so accurately describes woven into the narration. First published in 1871, Return of the Birds is a podcast 149 years in the making. Come join the gentleman rambler on the shady trails of the Catskills, the Adirondacks and the fields and farms around the nation’s Capitol.  Return of the Birds is 18-episodes. You can binge the first edition now or enjoy the weekly episodes of this new, second edition as they’re released. 

John Burroughs praises Audubon's life's work, yet questions some of Audubon's assertions about comparisons between the Louisiana Waterthrush's song and the European Nightingale's, the Bobolink's and the Blue Grosbeak's. Burroughs appreciates the volume of Audubon's catalog, and offers two of his own to add to the collection. Click the links below for details about the bird vocalizations used in this episode from the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Louisiana Waterthrush Nightingale Blue Grosbeak Bobolink Ovenbird Gray-cheeked Thrush Northern Waterthrush American Pipit Eastern Meadowlark Intro music: Kai Engel Walking Barefoot on Grass Outro music: The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps: United States National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner) Download Wake-Robin by John Burroughs in e-reader format at or archive.org. The Creative Commons and public domain contains a wealth of images, music and more. The images used in these show notes link back to the contributors.