Plants and Habitat for Migrating Birds

A lifelong birder who doesn't go anywhere without his binoculars, Tod Winston grew to love birds as a child in rural Pennsylvania, in the company of his nature-loving father. He particularly enjoys bringing new people to the joy of birds and helping birders of all levels improve their ability to "bird by ear": a fan of foreign languages and music, Tod is constantly working to improve his own understanding of the musical language of birds. He is a proponent of "slow birding"—pausing to appreciate the mysterious activity and beauty of even the most common species—and also enjoys focusing on flowers, trees, and related issues of evolution and ecology. Tod first connected with the conservation work of NYC Bird Alliance (formerly known as NYC Audubon) in 2007, and currently serves there in the role of Urban Biodiversity Specialist and Birding Guide, conducting bird survey research and teaching the organization's Beginning Birding course and Birding by Ear spring walk series, among other programs. Tod also teaches undergraduate ornithology at the School of Visual Arts and works as a native plant identification consultant for National Audubon.