Looking back on 2011 _ the launch of Bird Calls
Well, it’s the second-to-last day of 2011. The most significant bird happening for me this year was, of course, launching Bird Calls Radio. It was March of 2011 when the first Bird Calls program aired on WSTC/WNLK in southern Connecticut. Milan Bull of Connecticut Audubon was my first guest as we discussed the newly released 2011 Connecticut State of the Birds.
I had no prior radio experience, I just thought it would be fun to talk about birds for an hour every week. I also thought it would be a good complement to my weekly birdwatching column in The Hour newspaper, which I have written for more than 12 years now. Jeez, time flies.
After a few weeks of “flying solo” with the show (doing the show itself, selling advertising and lining up guests) Mardi Dickinson offered her media/advertising services. Mardi did (and continues to do so) an outstanding job of helping me line up guests. I don’t want to start naming them because I’ll forget or overlook someone. Check out the “show archives” button on the top of this page and see who we’ve had on. Go ahead and listen to the archive, too, of course. Thanks Mardi for all your hard work. I can’t wait to see what happens in 2012.
Also as 2011 progressed and Bird Calls picked up momentum, Cox Radio pulled the rug out from underneath us (and all its other radio show hosts) by selling the station to WSHU, an NPR programming station. Not wanting to let the momentum fade, we quickly found a new home at 1490AM WGCH, based in Greenwich. Since then, we picked up where we left off with great guests and new features.
Bird Calls has proven to be quite costly for us. Times are tough all over and finding sponsors and advertisers has been difficult. We truly appreciate those who have helped out (either as sponsors or guests). Of course, any new sponsors, advertisers or supporters are welcome (and needed) for the show’s continued success. (Click on the “advertising” button above and contact Mardi.)
A special thanks to Joe and Pat Warren of Wild Birds Unlimited in Darien and Bedford Hills, N.Y. Without their support and sponsorship the show would never have gotten off the ground, let alone survive until the end of 2011. Joe is a regular guest on the show and, even though he can, he rarely talks about his store or pitches his products. He’d rather talk about birds and raise awareness of backyard feeding. Good people, those Warrens.
Finally, a big thanks to all who listen to the shows. Again, I don’t have previous radio experience and I know I’ve far from perfected my “radio voice” and haven’t learned to stop saying “um” and “ah” before every sentence, but it’s been fun. Jill, a former producer at WNLK, was a big help in improving my radio presense _ although I admit I have a long way to go. Thanks again everyone for listening in 2011. Please continue to listen and support Bird Calls in 2012. It was be another fantastic year!
What better way to start the new year than with a top-notch guest in the birding world. Jeffrey A. Gordon, president of the American Birding Association, will be the guest tomorrow (New Year’s Day). Yes, there’s a brand new Bird Calls on New Year’s Day. Be sure to tune in from 1 to 2 p.m. every Sunday at 1490 WGCH or “listen live” above.