Fans of the hit TV drama "The Pitt" enjoy watching a dedicated team of medical professionals come together to save lives. At the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, that same level of expert, specialized care is happening every day, but for an entirely different type of patient.

Yet, while this vital work happens around the clock, how often do hectic humans feel too busy to notice the nature teeming outside their window? The staff at the center is working tirelessly to remind us that our health and the health of our wild neighbors are very closely interconnected.

This week on The Dragon Tree Podcast, we talked with Jennifer Riley, Hospital Director, and Jessica Andersen, Rehabilitation Director, to explore the high-stakes world of wildlife medicine. We discussed the regular rehabilitation of animals in their ER, with patients ranging from box turtles to hurt skunks to mourning doves in need of care.

When we kicked off the Dragon Tree Podcast over a year ago, we were so excited to have the inimitable Sadie Dingfelder as our very first guest. A prolific science writer and journalist, Sadie’s work has appeared in The Washington Post, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and many other top-tier publications. Her humorous style has drawn in readers from across the globe.

When we last talked, Sadie was getting ready to embark on her very first book tour to discuss her fascinating and hilarious book, Do I Know You? which explores the world of neurodiversity through her own unique lens. Her funny yet eye-opening account was featured on NPR and ABC news (among other networks), and continues to receive rave reviews here and internationally.

While she mulls her next project, we invited Sadie back to talk about navigating the book tour world. We also discussed how author communication has shifted from physical bookstore podiums to the ubiquitous world of digital marketing, and how writers like Sadie have found creative ways to adapt.

You can find "Do I Know You?" for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Know-You-Faceblind-Reporters-Imagination/dp/0316545147

If you’ve ever looked at a hawk and thought, "Well, that looks a lot like a flying velociraptor," you’re not alone. This week on The Dragon Tree Podcast, host Chris Hobson welcomes back naturalist Gene Groshon to shift the focus from songbirds to the heavy hitters of the sky: raptors. 🦅

In our first interview with Gene, who is a naturalist with the Natural Resources Division of the Calvert County Government Department of Parks & Recreation in Maryland, we did a deep dive into how his team tracks songbirds to understand their breeding, feeding, and migration patterns.

It’s a massive, continent-wide data effort called Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) program, where naturalists from different states connect to share findings in order to track and protect our bird populations. 💻📊

While MAPS mostly focuses on the "little guys," this episode is all about the raptors—and how tracking these vital birds of prey is an entirely different ballgame.

Why Winter is Raptor Season ❄️

When observing birds, you may see hawks or falcons on power lines, especially in colder months. That's because it’s all about the food. In the winter, insects hibernate so mammals are less active, motivating raptors to become even more "food-focused." Winter is thus the perfect time for researchers to lure raptors and check their health as well as their "license plates" (the nine-digit numbers on their bands). In fact, some of raptors have become creatures of habit.

Gene has recaptured birds within 500 feet of where he banded them years prior! And if you're within driving distance of Calvert County, Maryland, he welcomes all to sign up and join him, so you can watch him and the process in action.

The Art of the "Hair Umbrella" Trap ☂️

Banding a raptor is a very targeted art. Gene explains his use of the Bal-Chatri trap (roughly translated from Hindi to "hair umbrella"), a clever, weighted cage that repeatedly uses a live mouse as bait (who still remains safe inside)! Tiny monofilament loops are used to humanely catch the bird’s talons as it lands. Once caught, Gene's team keeps the raptors calm while they analyze and band the birds. An oversized "can" serves as a swaddle or "falcon's hood" for relaxing and handling any kind of hawk. 🥫 How You Can Help 🤝 Raptors are vital "checks and balances" for our ecosystem, but they unfortunately face many environmental threats, such as:

• Bioaccumulation: Pesticides moving up and into the food chain.
• Rodenticides: Raptors are directly harmed when they ingest mice or other prey that have been previously poisoned.
• Habitat Loss: Clearing and Converting Forests for Human Use.
• Collisions with Vehicles and Buildings: Gene suggests using external stickers or paint pens on house and office windows to break up reflections that raptors often mistake for open air.

So, are you ready to see these "modern dinosaurs" in action? Listen to our full episode. To connect with Gene and his team, check out the following resources: http://www.calvertcountymd.gov/1190/N... http://www.calvertparks.org/ Find us on BlueSky, Threads (@dragontreecomms), Instagram (@dragontreecomms), and Twitter/X (@DragonTreeComms).

Our team at Dragon Tree always likes to celebrate those who are doing good in the world. 🌎 Here's wishing you a week of positive posts, crystal clear communication, and an enRAPTORed audience. 🦅