Date: 2/16/26 10:44 am From: Gary Martindale <garymartindale6621...> Subject: Re: [MBBIRDS] Todd Newberry
I count myself lucky to have crossed paths with Todd Newberry. Circa 2010
my introduction to Todd was through Watsonville Wetlands Watch docent
training where he taught a Thursday evening class on Birding. It was my
initiation into a journey of learning both the science and the art of
observing our avian friends. One fond memory of Todd happened just over a
year later when my wife and I signed up for a bird walk around
Watsonville's wetlands as part of the Monterey Bay Birding Festival. During
the walk Todd was calling out birds he was hearing along the Struve Slough
trail. I was in awe of his ability to identify birds from their songs and
calls. When I commented on his expertise, he pulled out a Sony Walkman and
proceeded to playback a Song Sparrow song he had produced. He discussed
the intricacies and importance of bird songs and calls. He then played a
slowed down playback of the same Song Sparrow song, to demonstrate the
complexity of the notes and cadence that are unique to that species; each
song and call communicating information that is essential to the survival
of that species. All the while Song Sparrows popped up surrounding us with
these curious sparrows. These were formative experiences under the
thoughtful mentoring of an Ardent Birder.
Thank you Todd Newberry for the lasting legacy that lives on in our
community of ardent birders.
Good birding,
Gary Martindale
On Mon, Feb 16, 2026 at 8:15 AM 'Richard Griffith' via mbbirds <
<mbbirds...> wrote:
