Beakuency welcomes Pat Walsh, the owner of Swamp Angel Antiques in downtown Catskill. The store gives us a glimpse into life in the Catskills over the past century. Swamp Angel Antiques is located in the Day & Holt building, which was built in 1818 and home to the Walsh family business since 1912. Today, the space is filled with charming vintage hand tools, collectibles, and duck decoys.

Ducks have been a part of Pat’s life since his childhood days at his family’s hunting camp. The natural beauty of these birds is on full display in the form of decoys at his store, and Pat shares the history and stories behind them. He also tells us how the environment and regulations surrounding waterfowl and hunters have changed over time, and the role hunters have played in conservation efforts.

Swamp Angel Antiques
349 Main St, Catskill, NY 12414(518) 943-2650

Hosted by Mayuko Fujino, "Beakuency" invites the local community to be inspired by the joy, beauty, and wisdom bird enthusiasts find in the nature of our neighborhoods. Every episode features an interview with local bird people, plus a freeform mix of sound made by birds and humans inspired by birds.

Read the interview transcripts and see more photos at beakuency.substack.com.