This is Love Prairie Warbler
Oct 2, 2024
Drew Lanham, a Professor of wildlife ecology and author, shares his extraordinary journey from a childhood filled with bird obsession in South Carolina to a career in ornithology. He recounts crafting makeshift binoculars and how the call of a Prairie Warbler redirected his life from engineering. Drew highlights the importance of representation in birding, discusses experiences with racism in the field, and emphasizes the emotional connection between birding, history, and personal loss. His unique perspective brings a heartfelt depth to the world of birds and conservation.
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Childhood Field Experiments
- Drew Lanham as a child would lie still in fields and 'play dead' to watch vultures come close.
- He made homemade binoculars and wings, showing how curiosity drove early, playful learning about birds.
Risky Attempts To Fly
- Drew repeatedly tried to imitate birds, cutting cardboard wings and making parachutes to feel like flight.
- He once broke his collarbone during an attempt but framed it as a worthwhile 'broken wing bone.'
A Prairie Warbler Changed Everything
- Hearing a prairie warbler stopped Drew during a visit home and changed his trajectory away from engineering.
- That small bird's song ignited his courage to reject others' expectations and pursue birds and conservation.
