Julie Simpson
Choose the links below for video recordings of Southern Maryland Audubon Society programs.
David Curson, director of Maryland bird conservation for Audubon Mid-Atlantic, shows innovative new efforts to restore Maryland’s sinking salt marshes and save the vulnerable Saltmarsh Sparrow, which needs this unique habitat to survive. (Live program held Jan. 4, 2023.)
Wildlife photographer and conservationist Dean Newman tells of his behind-the-scenes quest for the perfect bird or wildlife shot–like this amazing Bald Eagle. (Live program held Dec. 7, 2022.)
Birding author and conservationist Paul Baicich takes you on virtual tour of the fascinating birds of Cuba with tips on where to bird on the island. (Live program held Nov. 2, 2022.)
Entomologist Kenton Sumpter, Maryland Department of Agriculture, shares how scientists are tracking this invasive menace and what you should do if you find them on your trees or agricultural crops. (Live program held Oct. 5, 2022.)
Molly Moore, president of Southern Maryland Audubon and Charles County Master Gardener, guides you through a low-cost, easy way to sow native plants in winter. (Live program held Sept. 7, 2022.)
Chris Frye, chief botanist at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, highlights his research and recovery projects for the state’s rare plants. (Live program held March 2, 2022.)
Karen McDonald, an environmental educator at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland, shares her research findings on River Otters of the Chesapeake Bay. (Live program held February 2, 2022.)
David Moulton, a SMAS field trip leader and coordinator, describes his 18-day birding “trip of a lifetime” in the Last Frontier. (Live program held January 5, 2022.)
Dr. Sahas Barve, an evolutionary ecologist and Peter Buck Fellow at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, discusses his research on Himalayan birds and what he has learned about how they have adapted to frigid conditions. (Live program held December 1, 2021.)
Bob Long from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources describes the biology, reintroduction, and population trends of Wild Turkeys in our state. (Live program held November 3, 2021.)
Dr. Kevin Omland, Professor Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, leads a discussion about the long neglected study of female bird song. Now that researchers of diverse backgrounds participate, this prejudice is changing and studies are indicating female song is much more common than previously thought. (Live program held October 6, 2021.)
Wildlife biologist Dave Ziolkowski explains how the North American Breeding Bird Survey collects data and reveals some of the survey’s findings about bird population trends. (Live program held September 1, 2021.)
Dr. Christopher Puttock, executive director and CEO of Chesapeake Natives Inc. (in Upper Marlboro, Maryland), discusses the native plants you can use to host local butterflies and moths. (Live program held May 5, 2021.)
Please report your sightings of birds courting, building nests, or feeding fledglings for the Maryland/DC Breeding Bird Atlas, a five-year research project that relies on community scientists! Project Coordinator Gabriel Foley explains how to start and how to focus efforts in year two, 2021. (Live program held April 7, 2021.)
Katie Fallon discusses the life and times of the noble Turkey Vulture, including its feeding, nesting, and roosting habits, migratory behaviors, and common misconceptions. Fallon is the author of Vulture: The Private Life of an Unloved Bird (2020, 2017) and Cerulean Blues: A Personal Search for a Vanishing Songbird (2011). She is a founder of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia. (Live program held March 3, 2021.)
Dr. Jodie Jawor talks about the ecology and behavior of the charistmatic Northern Cardinal, drawing on her many years of studying them. She earned her Ph.D. in biology from the University of Dayton and has worked with Northern Cardinals at various locations across the eastern United States. (Live program held February 3, 2021.)
Dr. David Curson leads a discussion about Common Terns and Black Skimmers, two species endangered in the state of Maryland. He describes a new project that provides artificial nesting sites for these beach-nesting seabirds. Since 2004 David Curson has worked as Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Maryland-DC. (Live program held January 6, 2021.)
Dr. Gwen Brewer and George Jett discuss their fascinating safari to Ghana, West Africa. Gwen manages the science program for rare species at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and George is an avid nature photographer, formerly of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Live program held December 2, 2020.)
Dr. Amanda Gallinat studies plants, birds, and their interactions. She discusses her research on climate change and invasive plants. How do they affect fruit availability for migratory birds in autumn? (Live program held November 4, 2020.)
Ornithologist Chris Eberly (of Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership) describes the birds of prey we can help by building nest boxes and reducing pesticide use on our farmlands. In turn, Barn Owls, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers, and Short-eared Owls can all help control pests. He also talks about another species that needs our support—the Chimney Swift. (Live program held October 7, 2020.)
Naturalist, gardener, and longtime Monarch enthusiast Mike Callahan describes the lifecycle and 2,000-mile migration of this amazing butterfly. Monarch populations have seriously declined, but you can help! Learn how. (Live program held September 24, 2020.)
Karen Brace, an expert on the Virginia Opossum, introduces the only marsupial in the USA & Canada. Special guest star is her ambassador possum, Stuart! (Live program held September 2, 2020.)