The Field Guides

04/07/2026

If you’re anywhere near Western New York on April 18, you should come hang out with some very good people for a very good cause.

Earth Spirit Educational Services is hosting their 4th Annual “Nature is Art” Auction, an evening full of local art, community, and the kind of nature-loving energy we’re always talking about on the show.

If you’re local, seriously...come. It’s worth it.

If you’re not local…well, we expect a full cross-country pilgrimage. Pack snacks.

Also, in a completely unbiased and not-at-all self-serving note: one of our cohosts (Bill) has apparently taken a strong leadership role at home and voluntold his family to contribute to the auction. His wife created a beautiful pencil sketch portrait of Jane Goodall, and his daughter knitted an octopus named Louie, who we’re told is both emotionally supportive and highly collectible.

So come for the art, stay for the community, and maybe leave with a Jane Goodall portrait or a very distinguished octopus.

April 18. WNY folks, We’d love to see you there.

04/02/2026

Episode 79 is here!
The Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) has wreaked ecological havoc on Guam since its accidental release in the years following WWII, playing a major role in the extinction of endemic bird species and causing trophic cascades that have rewired how the island’s forests function. But how did a population of millions come from just a handful of snakes? And how does this species continue to thrive after eliminating so much of its prey base? A soon-to-be-released study looked into the genome of this invasive species and uncovered some intriguing possibilities. In this episode, the guys welcome their special guest, Dr. Christopher Osborne, to discuss his study and its implications for species management.

The Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis) has wreaked ecological havoc on Guam since its accidental release in the years following WWII, playing a major role in the extinction of endemic bird species and causing trophic cascades that have rewired how the island’s forests function. But how did a pop

03/12/2026

The tortoises are back! 🐢

Last month, fifty giant tortoises walked onto Floreana Island in the Galápagos, the first of their kind to set foot there in 175 years.

In sweltering tropical heat, Galápagos National Park rangers hiked uphill carrying heavy plastic crates, some weighing close to 100 pounds. Inside each one: young hybrid tortoises bred from the genetic line of Floreana’s original tortoise species, which disappeared from the island by 1850.

This is a major milestone in one of the world’s most ambitious ecological restoration projects.

👉 Click the link below to read more:
https://www.yahoo.com/.../giant-creatures-historic-return..

And if you want the full backstory, we covered this project last year on Episode 69: Rewilding Floreana — with Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco. The episode dives into the massive amount of research and preparation that made this tortoise return possible.

🎧 Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ZprOsA4Zs

This release is one piece of a $15 million restoration project that has been in the works for more than a decade.

02/11/2026

The Great Backyard Bird Count is coming up! C'mon...all the cool kids are doing it...

HOW TO DO IT (it's absurdly easy):

1. Pick any 15-minute window between Feb 14-17
2. Sit somewhere you can see birds — window, porch, park bench
3. Count the highest number of each species you see at one time
4. Submit at birdcount. org (free, takes 2 minutes)

WHY FEBRUARY MATTERS MORE THAN SPRING:

February counts reveal which species survived winter — and which didn't. A missing species in February is an early warning. Last year's count detected a 23% decline in Evening Grosbeaks across the Northeast — data that triggered an emergency habitat review within 6 months.

Your 15 minutes on Friday isn't birdwatching. It's surveillance. And the birds need witnesses.

02/01/2026

It’s gator time! It seems like we should’ve already covered this topic, but, nope, this is our first ever episode on the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and we’ve got two ringers to help: Daniel returns (our Field Guide host who moved to Florida last year) and he’s joined by his mentor in all things swamp-related, Chip Campbell. Chip spent twenty years running Okefenokee Adventures, leading interpretive tours in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and his knowledge of alligator natural history and ecology runs deep.

Thanks to our Patrons, this episode is also an on-the-road joint. The guys are deep in the Florida Everglades on a multi-day paddling trip, and they take a break at camp to talk with Chip about all things alligator — with a special focus on separating gator myths from reality.

And, unfortunately for those of you crushing on Steve, this one’s 100% Steve-free.

It’s gator time, folks! It seems like we should’ve already covered this topic, but, nope, this is our first ever episode on the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and we’ve got two ringers to help: Daniel returns (our Field Guide host who moved to Florida last year) and he’s jo...

11/13/2025

"And what is a fish other than a shoe of the ocean?" - Fish Genomics

11/13/2025

You heard it here first! If you find Martin Lawrence and you're wearing ONLY one of "Marty's Masks" you win a free spaghetti dinner

11/10/2025

Check out The Field Guides Podcast & maybe we will take you to IHOP as well

11/08/2025

Steve makes a rare on-camera appearance on the 2 Bubz in a Tub podcast. It’s not our typical content, but we hope you enjoy 3 dads joking around in a hot tub. Hopefully, Bill can experience the hot tub some day.

Episode 14 | feat. The Field Guides | 2 Bubz in a Tub*Thank you to the "2 Bubz in a Tub" fan base :-)*HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!Please like, share, and subscribe - @...

11/02/2025

Episode 77 is here!

Steve and Bill are joined by researcher Dr. Alix Matthews who reveals the stunning secrets of feather mites - the tiny passengers living on the feathers of our everyday birds. Strap in for a fascinating ride!

Bill and Steve dive into a tiny, bustling world - a world that’s hiding on the feathers of the birds we see every day. Joining them is Dr. Alix Matthews, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, and she reveals the strange lives of feat...