Advertise on podcast: Hannah and Erik Go Birding

Naturalist Journeys is a company we've been excited about since we first heard of it, as it is woman-owned and operated and has a strong ethic of supporting conservation and the communities it visits.  Peg Abbott launched Naturalist Journeys in 1998 and it has grown into a top tour company but has maintained the same charm and values she started with. Peg joined us to answer some of our burning questions about guided trips, how one can get started, and what participants can do to make the most of it.   Interview begins at: 10:30  Show notes eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border IC4WB Naturalist Journeys Intro Bird Call: White-browed Robin-Chat (Recorded: Uganda, November 2021) Outro Bird Call: Short-billed Pigeon (Recorded: Costa Rica, August 2024) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

We were lucky to have not one, but TWO excursions aboard the Alaska Sunrise out of Garibaldi, Oregon, to look for seabirds and some incredible sights.  First up was an all-women's pelagic trip and then the second half of the episode was about our nearshore trip to our local lighthouse.   Adventure begins at: 8:21  Tillamook Rock Lighthouse eBird Trip Report First Ever All-Women’s Pelagic Trip  Show notes  Mainely Nature Art eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border IC4WB Wings Of Survival Garibaldi Charters Oregon Pelagic Tours Tillamook Rock Lighthouse  Birds/Animals mentioned  Sooty Shearwater Mola Mola  Intro Bird Call: Pink-Footed Shearwater (Recorded: Washington July 2020)  Outro Bird Call: Pink-Footed Shearwater (Recorded: Washington July 2020)     Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Alt. Title: Looking for White-tailed Ptarmigans On a rare day off from work, we ventured up to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington in hopes of finding our lifer White-Tailed Ptarmigan.  We hiked the Skyline Trail which runs past Panorama, our best bet to see this uncommon species. After our hike, we raced up to the Stanwood Water Treatment to see if the rare Terek Sandpiper was still hanging around. Adventure begins at: 15:20  This month's Bird Nerd Giveaway was graciously donated by Mainely Nature Art, check out her cool stuff! eBird Trip Report Show notes  Mainely Nature Art eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border IC4WB Mount Rainier  Birds/Animals mentioned  White-tailed Ptarmigan Terek Sandpiper Hoary Marmot Intro Bird Call: Chipping Sparrow (Recorded: Washington June 2025)  Outro Bird Call: Sooty Grouse female grunting to young while feeding (Recorded at Mount Rainier, Washington, July 2026)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

The Salish Sea Guillemot Network is a collection of volunteers and scientists from non-profits, agencies, and more to monitor and learn more about Pigeon Guillemots in the Salish Sea.  This indicator species helps these dedicated folks to understand about what is happening in this ecosystem.  Maria Mudd Ruth's recent book, The Bird with Flaming Red Feet, highlights this effort. Adventure begins at: 10:07  *correction: Hannah refers to Pigeon Guillemots as a "keystone species" in her song at the beginning when they should be referred to as an "indicator species". Show notes  Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Get Involved with Pigeon Guillemots Jonathan Mudd's Pigeon Guillemot song: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Jonathan's website The Bird with Flaming Red Feet by Maria Mudd Ruth Birds/Animals mentioned  Pigeon Guillemot  Intro Bird Call: Pigeon Guillemot (recorded Washington, July 2026) Outro Bird Call: Pigeon Guillemot (recorded Washington, July 2026) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

We had the chance to go see the Savannah Bananas play in Eugene, Oregon, which also gave us the opportunity to do a some birding in spots we hadn't explored before.  Klamath Marshs National Wildlife Refuge and Crater Lake National Park were our main targets, but ended up finding a few other fun things!  Just be warned - we do talk a little bit about the baseball game. Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik - Last day to sign-up is August 14! Thank you to KINGSYARD for donating this month's giveaway! Adventure begins at: 12:26  Show notes  Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Pitfalls of AI with eBird and iNaturalist Lily Glen Park Klamath Marsh NWR Crater Lake National Park Savannah Bananas Baseball eBird Trip Report  Birds/Animals mentioned: Yellow Rail Intro Bird Call: Chipping Sparrow (recorded Washington, June 2025) Outro Bird Call: Wilson’s Warbler (Recorded Cannon Beach Oregon May 2019)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Dr. Sarah Rockwell from the Klamath Bird Observatory told us all about the Oregon Vesper Sparrow and the efforts to learn more about this imperiled species.  This species may not look like much, but it is an indicator of the health of its habitat and along its migration route.  Adventure begins at: 8:30  eBird Trip Report:  Show notes  Naturalist Journeys - Costa Rica, Oct 15-22 reserve your spot by August 14! Tufted Puffin Walks Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Vesper Sparrow, Oregon Subspecies Klamath Bird Observatory Adopt a Tag Klamath Bird Observatory - Oregon Vesper Sparrows Birds/Animals mentioned  Vesper Sparrow Purple Martin Intro Bird Call: Vesper Sparrow (recorded Washington, June 2025) Outro Bird Call: Purple Martin (Recorded Cannon Beach Oregon, May 2026)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

We had an extra day while in South Texas for Spring Chirp, so on a whim we went to chase some birds!  Up to the Texas Hill Country and then over to Corpus Christi to look for a couple of new species and check out other migrant hotspots.   Adventure begins at: 7:30  Show notes  Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik, Deadline August 14 Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Balcones Canyonlands NWR Menger Hotel eBird Trip Report Birds/Animals mentioned Black-capped Vireo Golden-Cheeked Warbler Cattle Tyrant Intro Bird Call: Black-capped Vireo (Recorded Texas, April 2026)  Outro Bird Call: Golden-cheeked Warbler (Recorded Texas, April 2026)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Surveys show that Americans don't really know about or appreciate our grasslands.  Grasslands are some of our most overlooked, but they need our help and attention.  Wenfei Tong from Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Maggie Hanna with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies tell us all about grasslands and birds. Adventure begins at: 7:00 Show notes Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border America’s Grasslands Coalition Cornell - Grasslands Ecosystem Guide Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Central Grasslands Roadmap Initiative  Intro Bird Call: Western Meadowlark (Recorded Oregon, May 2019)  Outro Bird Call: Vesper Sparrow (Recorded Washington, June 2025) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Spring migration is a great time to visit the Rio Grande Valley.  Warblers, vireos, orioles, and more move through the Gulf Coast on their way to breeding habitats further north.  The Spring Chirp birding festival is the perfect opportunity to see migrating birds, eat good food, and enjoy the Rio Grande Valley. Adventure begins at: 6:55  Show notes Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Spring Chirp Nana’s Taqueria Valley Nature Center eBird Trip Report  Birds/Animals mentioned Prothonotary Warbler Swallow-tailed Kite   Intro Bird Call: Cactus Wren (Recorded Cameron, TX, April 2026)  Outro Bird Call: Great Kiskadee (Recorded Hidalgo, TX, April 2026)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Pelagic boat trips are always an adventure.  There is so much variability with weather, ocean conditions, and, of course, birds.  We have never done a pelagic in the spring, so we thought we would give it a chance and chase after our most hoped-for bird, Parakeet Auklet. Adventure begins at: 13:30  Show notes  Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Border Tu Hand Creations Westport Pelagic eBird Trip Report Birds/Animals mentioned: Short-tailed Albatross Manx Shearwater  Intro Bird Call: Pink-footed Shearwater (Recorded Washington, July 2020)  Outro Bird Call: Pink-footed Shearwater (Recorded Washington, July 2020)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Dr. Steve Brusatte is a palentologist, author, consultant, professor, and much more - he wears so many hats!  But communicating science is at the center to all he does.  He joined us to talk about his latest work, The Story of Birds, a fascinating book exploring the history of birds from their dinosaur origins. Start of interview: 10:20 Show Notes Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam The Story of Birds by Dr. Steve Brusatte Tu Hands Creations Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival Birding the Border Intro Bird Call: Yellow-crowned Gonolek (recorded Senegal, December 2023) Outro Bird Call: Plain Chachalaca (recorded Texas, April 2025) Didn’t explain bird calls in recording, but Yellow-crowned Gonolek to me makes me think of what an ancient Mesozoic bird song might sound like and the outro of a Plain Chachalaca is of one of the birds that seems to be most raptor like, living in packs, extremely curious, kind of awkward, etc. Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Our last adventure in Japan was to fly into the Kagoshima airport on the southern island of Kyushu and bird between there and Izumi.  We were searching for wintering cranes at the Izumi Crane Observation Center, ducks and forest birds at the Kogawa dam, and then finished up our trip at the Kagoshima Prefectural Forest.  What a way to end an exciting trip! Adventure begins at: 8:00 Show notes Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Tufted Puffin Walks eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam Koko Stay Izumi Izumi Crane Observation Center Koji Tagi Japan Bird Guide eBird Trip Report Intro Bird Call: Varied Tit (Recorded Japan, February 2026)  Outro Bird Call: Green Pheasant (Recorded Japan, February 2026) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Hokkaido has a lot of really neat birds and one-in-a-lifetime experiences.  The Steller's Sea-Eagles and Blakiston's Fish-Owls what attracted us to go on the trip, but amazing places, good food, and other wildlife made it even better! Adventure begins at: 10:20  Show notes   Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Seicomart Hotel Live Max in Shiretoko Shiretoko Nature Cruise Yoroushi Hotspring Lodge  eBird Trip Report  Birds/Animals mentioned  Blakiston’s Fish-Owl Steller’s Sea-Eagle  Intro Bird Call: Large-billed Crow (Recorded Hokkaido Japan, February 2026)  Outro Bird Call: Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Recorded at sea near Japan, February 2026)  Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

In our first few days in Japan, we did a bit of sightseeing in Tokyo, including the Sensō-ji Temple and a few days in Tokyo Disney...just a tiny bit of birding there!  We also chatted a bit about traveling around Tokyo and some tips for folks who haven't been there before. Then we headed to Hokkaido to get the real birding adventure started!  Cranes, seabirds, ducks, and owls...and freezing cold temperatures.  There is so much to see!   Adventure begins at: 10:51 Tokyo and Disney: 14:00 Hokkaido adventures: 33:45  Show notes Spring Chirp Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Stephen Fry and the Kakapo Seicomart, the Hokkaido local convience store Senso-Ji Temple Tokyo Disney Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary Koji Tagi eBird Trip Report Birds/Animals mentioned Red-crowned Crane Long-tailed Tit Dusky Thrush Azure-winged Magpie Intro Bird Call: Red-crowned Crane (Recorded: Hokaido Japan, February 2026)  Outro Bird Call: Brown-eared Bulbul (Recorded: Hokkaido Japan, February 2026) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Alt title: Elephant Seals, Wine Tasting, and Owls, oh my! On our day off from the Morro Bay Birding Festival, we decided to check out a few birding spots, like Atascadero Lake and Wolff Vineyard.  We also searched for a couple of owls and then found some cool birds off-the-beaten path! Adventure begins at:  11:25 Show notes Spring Chirp Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Morro Bay Birding Festival Article about Exotic Gardens Wolff Vineyards eBird Trip Report Birds/Animals mentioned Elephant Seals Intro Bird Call: California Scrub Jay (Recorded Oregon, 2021)  Outro Bird Call: Great Horned Owl (Recorded Cannon Beach OR, 2025) Support the show Connect with us at... IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding Email us at [email protected] Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB