Beakuency welcomes Bill Cook, Claverack-native, Professor Emeritus of ornithology, and curator of the Columbia-Greene Community College Natural History Museum. Bill is not only an expert birder himself but also a huge supporter of the local birder community. He has helped others to become better birders and find careers in the environmental field for nearly 50 years. He shares stories of his birding trips, his work as an ornithologist, and his encounter with “The Feather Thief” as a teacher.

On Feb 10th, the public is invited to the Museum’s open house. This rare opportunity to view its ornithological collection is organized by the Alan Devoe Bird Club in Columbia County. Chris Franks, the coordinator from the club, joins the conversation to discuss details of the event, the scientific value of the collection and some oddities in the exhibits.

Also on the show: “Compositions ornithologiques”, a 1996 release by Bernard Fort, a French composer and ornithologist.

Links:

CGCC Natural History Museum

Alan Devoe Bird Club

"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, and “Birds of Wave Farm,” a field recording journal from Wave Farm, in Acra, New York. Hosted by Mayuko Fujino. Playlists and photos for the previous shows: https://beakuency.tumblr.com.