Hear the North Shore: birding by ear with Ann Russ

While most birders head out into nature with the goal of spotting birds, North Shore resident and former birding instructor Ann Russ takes a different approach. Russ encourages bird enthusiasts to learn to identify birds by the unique sounds they make. This includes songs, calls, wing beats, and, in some cases, drumming.

Russ told WTIP that her interest in birding goes back to college, when, while dating a biologist, she spent time in the woods observing nature. She said the interest was furthered when she took a birding class in the 1980s, where she met her husband. The couple continued birding, and until she retired earlier this year, Russ also taught a “birding by ear” class at North House Folk School.

“I think there’s a lot of value in just knowing the songs, because then it doesn’t matter where you are. You don’t have to have your binoculars to enjoy this,” Russ said. “You can be in the garden, you can be taking a walk, you can be you can just step out of your car in downtown Grand Marais and you hear something, and you’re birding.”

Russ suggests that those interested in learning the songs and sounds of birds begin with those in their own back yard. She said that some of the local birds have distinctive calls, like the white throated sparrow, which sings “Oh-sweet-Canada-Canada-Canada.” She said others have rhythmic calls, like “whitchity-whitchity-whitchity” song of the common yellowthroat. She also said that listening for the difference in drumming patterns of woodpeckers, or the wingbeats of birds like ravens can alert birders to who they might be sharing the woods with.

For those just starting to interest themselves in birds, Russ said that either bringing a friend with bird identification knowledge, or using an identification app can be helpful. Most of all, however, she said to focus on finding the singer, rather than on technology.

“The best way to learn a bird is to be curious to hear something and just go out there and see if you can find it. You know, those moments are going to stick with you the rest of your life,” Russ said.

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Ann Russ about birding by ear. Audio of that interview is below.

Kirsten Wisniewski October 6, 2025