Hobbies when you become middle-aged are fascinating. They come on strong and suddenly without warning. It’s like we all spun a wheel, landed on something like genealogy, quilting, or gardening and that became our entire personality. (We actually made a video about this.) At this point in my middle-aged journey, I landed on birds. I am in my birding era.
If you had told 20-year-old me that one day I’d defend a bird feeder from a gang of aggressive squirrels, I would’ve died laughing. But that day is now. I am all in on birds. I love watching them, identifying them, feeding them… and now, I care so much that I am plotting against furry little seed thieves who treat our backyard like a Shoney’s buffet.
Level Up Your Birding Game
Penn feels differently about squirrels, since they are the unofficial mascot of ADHD. He thinks when they eat with their little hands they look like they are trying to be people. But these little guys are relentless. They even chewed through my plastic birdfeeder! This week on the Laugh Lines podcast, we spoke to Dr. Lauryn Benedict, a professor and researcher who’s basically a rockstar in the birding world. She gave me birding tips on how to level up my game and how to outsmart a squirrel.
We learned that spicy bird seed won’t hurt birds (they can’t taste it) but will deter squirrels. Penn on the other hand, was very concerned about the squirrels getting squirrel-arrhea. Yes, that is now a word at our house. Dr. Lauren also explained that some birds literally say their own names in their calls, which makes them easier to identify. For example:
Chickadees say “chick-a-dee-dee-dee”
Whip-poor-wills call “whip-poor-will”
And the yellow warbler sounds like it’s singing “sweet, sweet, sweet, I’m so sweet”
She said this is a great trick birders use—translating bird calls into human words or phrases—because it helps your brain remember the sound more easily.
Come For A Good Laugh
The podcast episode this week covered so much more than just birding tips. It was a chaotic and hilarious discussion about things that are making us laugh right now—including fart walks and not caring anymore. We chat with the hilarious Mairlyn Smith, who’s gone viral for pioneering the “fart walk” – a post-dinner stroll that’s good for your gut, your marriage, and yes, your feminism. Plus, Penn shares what’s been cracking him up lately—from Japanese game shows to rants from our daughter about the NBA playoff format. (And yes, his love for Tom Cruise running is still going strong.)
So if you’re craving a good laugh or if you’re also in your birding era and want some good tips, watch or listen below!
