Host Suzy speaks with Sandra Morocho (Birdwatchers of Quijos Valley, Ecuador) and Michaela Leeb (Swarovski-Optik).
Sandra lives in the cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. In 2014 she won a pair of binoculars in the Digiscoper of the Year competition run by Swarovski-Optik.
Using the binoculars stoked Sandra’s enthusiasm for sharing views of the local birds with her friends. From there, Sandra’s engagement with the wider community led to an initiative with local leaders to promote eco-tourism alongside conservation efforts in the cloud forest in the Quijos Valley.
Michaela tells us of the part Swarovski-Optik plays in supporting conservation efforts around the world.
We also hear how Sandra and Michaela would spend a fantasy birding day.
Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2024
Links
The 12 podcasts that presented live shows at Global BirdFair - take a listen!
Find out more about Birdwatchers of the Quijos Valley on Facebook
Or email them at quijosvalley.birdwatching@hotmail.com
Find out more about sustainability projects at Swarovski Optik
Your bird stories
Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website
The Casual Birder Bird Club
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The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month.
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Sometimes we feature guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community.
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If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us.
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Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
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My thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net
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