I had a similar experience to Gary’s more than 15 years ago. I joined a hike with Todd at the Arboretum and Todd soon advised us that a song we were hearing belonged to a California Thrasher. We waited quietly until the thrasher appeared and then disappeared back into the shrubbery. Then the moment that I have remembered ever since happened. Todd pulled out his Sony Walkman and played a slowed down version of a California Thrasher’s song that he had recorded in the past. I was astonished by the nuances that we hadn’t been able to hear. What a wonderful teacher he was, ready to enrich the moment we were experiencing. It has become a powerful reminder to me ever since about the power of slowing down and listening. Rest in peace dear Todd!
Barbara Riverwoman
> On Feb 16, 2026, at 10:43 AM, Gary Martindale <garymartindale6621...> wrote:
>
> 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...> <mailto:<mbbirds...>> wrote:
>> We too are saddened to hear of Todd's passing. We have cherished memories of joining him on many birding outings be they to Jetty Road, Moonglow, Waddell Creek, and especially the UCSC Arboretum where we were regulars at his Saturday morning walks. We never tired of his stories even if we had heard them many times. He would always encourage participants to take away one key memory of the walk even if it wasn't of a bird. One memory at the Arboretum stands out: A rising sun shining through the fog backlighting a dew covered spider web. Don't remember what birds we saw that day, but we'll always remember that spider web. We will miss the Ardent Birder. Thanks Todd for all the times we shared together.
>>
>> Rich Griffith and Margaret Perham
>>> On 02/15/2026 2:25 PM PST 'Elizabeth Van Dyke' via mbbirds <mbbirds...> <mailto:<mbbirds...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> If you have not heard yet, Todd Newberry, a legend in the birding and other communities, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026.
>>>
>>> I had the honor of being the Conservation Officer way back when Todd was President of the Santa Cruz Bird Club. He kindly and generously shared his time, knowledge and philosophy with many in the community. As I write this and hear the birdsong in my yard, I thank Todd for opening the doors to understanding each of these voices.
>>>
>>> He was a founding faculty member in biology when UC Santa Cruz opened in 1965.
>>>
>>> If anyone has a Todd story I’m sure others will appreciate hearing about it.
>>>
>>> Here is a link to the UC Santa Cruz Regional History Project titled "Todd Newberry: Professor of Biology”. It is an oral history by Randall Jerrell with contributions by Irene Reti.
>>>
>>>
>>> escholarship.org <https://escholarship.org/uc/item/79k9m51b> <https://escholarship.org/uc/item/79k9m51b> >>>
>>> ==
>>>
>>> This is a link to one of his books titled "The Ardent Birder".

>>> The Ardent Birder: On the Craft of Birdwatching <https://www.amazon.com/Ardent-Birder-Craft-Birdwatching/dp/1580087159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OYX0WDER6XEZ&<dib...>&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+ardent+birder&qid=1771191970&sprefix=the+arsent+bird%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1> >>> amazon.com <https://www.amazon.com/Ardent-Birder-Craft-Birdwatching/dp/1580087159/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OYX0WDER6XEZ&<dib...>&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+ardent+birder&qid=1771191970&sprefix=the+arsent+bird%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1> >>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Elizabeth Van Dyke
>>> Santa Cruz
>>>
>>>
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