# sports & recreation (audio feeds) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover sports & recreation. Page: Feed: --- ## [When does autumn begin?](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13864/when-does-autumn-begin/) _2026-08-21 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ There are many different ways to pinpoint the end of summer and the start of autumn. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Seasonal_Transitions.mp3) ## [Forget Forgetfulness, Part 2: Blue Jays Just Wanna Have Fun](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13863/forget-forgetfulness-part-2-blue-jays-just-wanna-have-fun/) _2026-08-19 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Squirrels hoard food supplies. Blue Jays hoard food AND toys. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Blue_Jaya__and_Acorns_Part_2.mp3) ## [Forget Forgetfulness, Part 1--Symbiosis between Blue Jays and oaks.](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13862/forget-forgetfulness-part-1-symbiosis-between-blue-jays-and-oaks/) _2026-08-18 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura talks about the relationship between Blue Jays and oaks [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Blue_Jays_and_Acorns_Part_1.mp3) ## [Peabody Street Happenings](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13861/peabody-street-happenings/) _2026-08-10 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Lots of comings and goings on Peabody Street. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Whats_Happening_on_Peabody_Street.mp3) ## [Hope for the Future](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13860/hope-for-the-future/) _2026-08-05 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Hunter Biden’s splendid blog is filled with hope, redemption, and even some birds. (NON-political.) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Hope_for_the_Future.mp3) ## [Bird Life on Islands](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13859/bird-life-on-islands/) _2026-07-31 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Why do oceanic islands have so many species we don't see anywhere else? And why does the geologic history of an island make a difference in how many and what species live there? [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Bird_Life_on_Islands.mp3) ## [A future trip jogs memories of a past trip](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13858/a-future-trip-jogs-memories-of-a-past-trip/) _2026-07-28 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura and Russ are headed to the Galápagos Islands next year. The tour leader, Alvaro Jamarillo, is someone Laura met almost 20 years ago on a different tour. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/A_Trip_Down_or_up_Memory_Lane.mp3) ## [Monarchs as Bird Food](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13857/monarchs-as-bird-food/) _2026-07-27 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Monarch caterpillars and butterflies are supposed to be toxic, but birds haven't always gotten that memo. (The blog post accompanying this program has a LOT of cool photos and videos, especially of the monarch's life cycle.) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Monarchs_as_Bird_Food.mp3) ## [Air Quality, Part 2](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13856/air-quality-part-2/) _2026-07-21 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Even as Laura is as furious as she is terrified of the horrible conditions in Duluth right now, she's finding beauty. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Air_Quality_Part_2.mp3) ## [Air quality, Part 1](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13855/air-quality-part-1/) _2026-07-20 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ This past week, the Air Quality Index in Duluth reached at least 1134 even as the temperature on Laura's front porch exceeded 100ºF. This situation is terrifying. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Air_Quality_Part_1.mp3) ## [Fast, secure international transfers (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/2ChfrIJbfira) _2026-07-20 · **Sponsored**_ Bank transfer, cash pickup, mobile wallet — low fees and real-time tracking ## [Canada Jay: What's in a Name?](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13854/canada-jay-whats-in-a-name/) _2026-07-16 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura talks about an exceptionally friendly bird and why it's hard for her to remember its name. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Canada_Jay__Whats_in_a_name_.mp3) ## [Blue Jays: Family Ties, Part 2](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13852/blue-jays-family-ties-part-2/) _2026-07-10 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ The summer of 1991, Laura and her children raised four baby Blue Jays, embedding the little things deeply in Laura's heart. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Blue_Jay_Family_Ties_Part_2.mp3) ## [To Sin by Silence](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13851/to-sin-by-silence/) _2026-07-05 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ On our nation's birthday, Laura is thinking about our right to free speech and our obligation to exercise it. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/To_Sin_by_Silence.mp3) ## [Moving Forward, and Now Backward, on the Lead Issue](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13850/moving-forward-and-now-backward-on-the-lead-issue/) _2026-07-03 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Two different California governors, a Republican and a Democrat, did their best to protect California Condors from the scourge of lead ammo. The Obama and Biden administrations did their best to at least protect wildlife on some national wildlife refuges, but in both cases, the Trump administration reversed their actions. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Moving_Forward_and_Now_Backwards_on_Lead_Policies.mp3) ## [How Lead in Ammo and Tackle Harm Wildlife](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13849/how-lead-in-ammo-and-tackle-harm-wildlife/) _2026-07-02 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Wildlife suffer much more than humans do from the lead hunters and anglers use. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Lead_Ammo_and_Tackle_Hurt_Wildlife.mp3) ## [How Lead in Hunters' Ammo Harms Humans](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13848/how-lead-in-hunters-ammo-harms-humans/) _2026-07-01 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ The lead in the shot and bullets fired at shooting ranges and by hunters harms human beings. Laura explains how. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Lead_Ammo_Hurts_People.mp3) ## [Lead in Human History](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13847/lead-in-human-history/) _2026-06-30 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Within days of the start taking office in his first administration, Donald Trump rescinded an Obama administration rule outlawing lead ammo and tackle on all national wildlife refuges. The Biden administration created a new rule outlawing the use of lead by hunters and anglers in just 8 national wildlife refuges, but now the Trump administration is reversing that. This week Laura discusses the… [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Lead_in_Human_History.mp3) ## [Blue Jays--Family Ties, Part 1](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13846/blue-jays-family-ties-part-1/) _2026-06-23 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Blue Jays have figured prominently in Laura's family life for many decades. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Blue_Jay_Family_Ties_Part_1.mp3) ## [Ludwig Part 3](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13845/ludwig-part-3/) _2026-06-18 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Ludwig the Blue Jay taught Laura a lot of important lessons. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Ludwig_Part_3.mp3) ## [Ludwig the Blue Jay, Part 2](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13844/ludwig-the-blue-jay-part-2/) _2026-06-17 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Ludwig, the baby Blue Jay Laura took care of in 1979, taught her all kinds of interesting things. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Ludwig_Part_2.mp3) ## [AI Summaries & Audio Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/TKuGB73flbN0) _2026-06-17 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to concise audio briefings for the latest stories. ## [Ludwig the Blue Jay, Part 1](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13843/ludwig-the-blue-jay-part-1/) _2026-06-16 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ The Blue Jay is among Laura's top three favorite birds, in large part because of one individual bird. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Ludwig_the_Blue_Jay_Part_1.mp3) ## [My Top Ten Favorite Birds](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13842/my-top-ten-favorite-birds/) _2026-06-09 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura does not have a favorite child, but she does have a favorite bird--the one who feels like part of her immediate family. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/My_Favorite_Bird.mp3) ## [Not a very warm welcome](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13841/not-a-very-warm-welcome/) _2026-06-05 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ A cold spring can be hard on birds. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Not_a_Very_Warm_Welcome.mp3) ## [You CAN Go Home Again](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13840/you-can-go-home-again/) _2026-05-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura revisited one of her most beloved places on the planet two weeks ago, and had a lovely time. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/You_CAN_Go_Home_Again.mp3) ## [Down to the Wire (Time Sensitive)](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13839/down-to-the-wire-time-sensitive/) _2026-05-26 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Duluthians have only 5 days left to sign two petitions to protect a beautiful, beloved park in Duluth. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Down_to_the_Wire.mp3) ## [Whip-poor-will](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13838/whip-poor-will/) _2026-05-21 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ When Laura was in Ohio earlier this month, she saw roosting whip-poor-wills for the first time in half a century. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Whip-poor-will.mp3) ## [NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 2: Democracy dies in darkness](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13837/ndas-and-our-culture-of-secrecy-part-2-democracy-dies-in-darkness/) _2026-05-13 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Democratic values, and our lives, are damaged when politicians, developers, and corporations keep secrets regarding critical details about projects that will harm communities or give away public lands. I apologize for the poor sound quality--I recorded this in my hotel room in Chicago and mixed it on my laptop. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/NDAs_and_Our_Culture_of_Secrecy_Part_2__Democracy_dies_in_darkness.mp3) ## [NDAs and Our Culture of Secrecy, Part 1: Not All Secrets Are Bad.](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13836/ndas-and-our-culture-of-secrecy-part-1-not-all-secrets-are-bad/) _2026-05-05 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura never used to be suspicious about secrets because one that she kept as a small child was so very important to her. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/NDAs_and_Our_Culture_of_Secrecy_Part_1__Not_All_Secrets_Are_Bad..mp3) ## [An Essay by My Inspirational Mentor](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13834/an-essay-by-my-inspirational-mentor/) _2026-04-27 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura shares an essay written this month by the Michigan State professor who changed her life. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/An_Essay_by_Robert_Hinkle_My_Inspirational_Mentor.mp3) ## ["Anything Can Happen" Day](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13833/anything-can-happen-day/) _2026-04-24 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Birding is wonderful both for its predictability and its unpredictable moments. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Anything_Can_Happen_1.mp3) ## [Follow Releases, Get Reminders (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/MBlMaua0dkrK) _2026-04-24 · **Sponsored**_ Follow a genre or a name and receive reminders on release day — free. ## [Thank You, Horned Larks](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13830/thank-you-horned-larks/) _2026-04-21 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ One of Laura's most magical experiences in Colorado came about because she tried, and failed, to get pictures of a little flock of Horned Larks. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Horned_Lark_Miracle.mp3) ## [The Colors of Everyday Life](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13828/the-colors-of-everyday-life/) _2026-04-16 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura just got home from a trip to Colorado and got to thinking about \*The Wizard of Oz\*. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Colorado_in_Living_Color.mp3) ## [Harris's Hawk and the Movie "Hamnet"](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13827/harriss-hawk-and-the-movie-hamnet/) _2026-04-07 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Agnes's bird in the movie and book, \*Hamnet\* is specified to be a falcon--a kestrel. But the falcon was portrayed in the movie by a completely unrelated bird from an entirely different continent--a Harris's Hawk. Laura didn't mind this at all--indeed, there were excellent reasons for using this "incorrect" species. Laura is in Colorado right now--this was recorded in her hotel room. She doesn't… [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Harriss_Hawk_and_the_Movie_Hamnet.mp3) ## [For the Birds Retrospective, Part 3: Things start to get silly.](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13826/for-the-birds-retrospective-part-3-things-start-to-get-silly/) _2026-04-03 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Most "For the Birds" programs have been pretty straightforward, but Laura's occasionally done some silly programs. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/For_the_Birds_Retrospective_Part_3-Silly_programs.mp3) ## [For the Birds Retrospective Part 2-Radio?!](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13825/for-the-birds-retrospective-part-2-radio/) _2026-04-02 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura never imagined doing anything on the radio, until a cataclysmic event made her rush in to fill a vacuum. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/_For_the_Birds__Retrospective_Part_2--Radio_.mp3) ## [For the Birds Retrospective: Part 1, seeking my niche in the Duluth birding community](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13824/for-the-birds-retrospective-part-1-seeking-my-niche-in-the-duluth-birding-community/) _2026-04-01 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ As "For the Birds" approaches its 40th anniversary next month, Laura's thinking back on what made her start this radio show in the first place. The family portrait photo was taken within a month or two of my starting "For the Birds." (No April Fools Day program this year--Laura couldn't find anything fun in the news.) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/For_the_Birds_Retrospective_Part_1-Finding_My_Niche_in_Duluth.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Jim Baker's Oil of Ojay](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13816/oldie-jim-bakers-oil-of-ojay/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ I'm not sure when this first aired--probably around 2000--but I am adding it now because I'm posting several funny programs in time for April Fool's Day. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/OilofOjay.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Jim Baker's Blue Jay Board Games](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13817/oldie-jim-bakers-blue-jay-board-games/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ A commercial for Jim Baker's new assortment of board games to keep your Blue Jays entertained. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/BakersBlueJayBoardGames.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Turn Around](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13818/oldie-turn-around/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ The California Ravens sang this oldie sometime around 2000. Katherine Erickson on piano. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/TurnAround.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Jim Baker's Jaybelline Eye Cosmetics](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13819/oldie-jim-bakers-jaybelline-eye-cosmetics/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Another oldie from 20 or 30 years ago, an ad for a new line of products available at Baker's Blue Jay Barn. (Jim Baker voiced by John Keenan.) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/JaybellineEyeCosmetics.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Where, Oh Where](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13820/oldie-where-oh-where/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ When this oldie got stuck in my head with new lyrics, I wanted to record it, but my normal accompanist plays piano and this needed a different sound. KUMD was in the basement of UMD's music department, and one day I mustered the courage to ask a professor I often saw in the hall if he had any kids who could do the musical background. They were Darin Bergsven, Nate Perbix, and John Sommerfeld, and… [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/WhereOhWhere.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Testimonials about Earth Angel Bird Identification Binoculars](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13821/oldie-testimonials-about-earth-angel-bird-identification-binoculars/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Earth Angel hears from two satisfied customers, "Lars," whose Earth Angel Bird Identification Binoculars saved his life, and Juliet Montague, who settled an argument with her husband thanks to these amazing optics. For one month, I launched an hour-long program, "Wake Robin," with interviews, music, silly ads, and lots of fun stuff about birds. But I couldn't get anyone at KUMD interested in… [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/EarthAngelBIrdIdentificationBinoculars.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Video Games](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13822/oldie-bakers-blue-jay-video-games/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ This was from a December sometime in the 90s. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/BakersBlueJayVideoGames.mp3) ## [OLDIE: Baker's Blue Jay Blend: Not Just for Blue Jays Anymore](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13823/oldie-bakers-blue-jay-blend-not-just-for-blue-jays-anymore/) _2026-03-29 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Jim Baker discovers the wonder of chickadees! [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/NotJustforBlueJaysAnymore.mp3) ## [The Brown Creeper Who Went to School](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13815/the-brown-creeper-who-went-to-school/) _2026-03-25 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ One of Laura's most memorable experiences happened when she was teaching in Madison, Wisconsin, and a Brown Creeper spent time in her classroom. (This was reworked from April 21, 2020.) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/A_Brown_Creeper_Goes_to_School_0U7yx75.mp3) ## [Brown Creepers](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13814/brown-creepers/) _2026-03-24 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ One of Laura's favorite early spring migrants should be turning up any day now. (Much of the content is redone from April 17, 2020) [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Brown_Creeper.mp3) ## [The costs of AI and the "Cloud" (Revised and updated)](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13813/the-costs-of-ai-and-the-cloud-revised-and-updated/) _2026-03-20 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ If we can't find out how much energy and water are consumed by various AI and large database programs, how can we make good decisions about using them? IMPORTANT: I've Updated this program based on new information. This is the new, accurate version. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Popular_Uses_of_AI_in_Nature--Revised.mp3) ## [Our Growing Reliance on Big Data](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13812/our-growing-reliance-on-big-data/) _2026-03-18 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ A great many things we do, including listening to this radio program or podcast, involve Big Data. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/Big_Data_in_Our_Everyday_Lives.mp3) ## [Of Baseball, Curling, and Boreal Owls](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13811/of-baseball-curling-and-boreal-owls/) _2026-03-17 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ There must be a connection, right? [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/The_Baseball_Curling_and_Boreal_Owl_Connection.mp3) ## [The Green Green Grass of Golf](http://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/program/13810/the-green-green-grass-of-golf/) _2026-03-11 · Laura Erickson's For the Birds_ Laura used to be more wowed by the beauty of golf courses than by real wilderness. [Listen](http://media.lauraerickson.com/radio/The_Green_Green_Grass_of_Golf.mp3)