Hannah and Erik Go Birding

Hawaii has a lot to offer, including endemic honeycreepers! We visited the Big Island for a SCUBA and birding trip with an impending hurricane in the forecast.  Erik got to check off a bucket list item of seeing lava, we explored some native habitats, and enjoyed some amazing food. Adventure begins at: 8:00  Show notes   eBird Big Day ; GoBirdingTeam Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival Birding The Bor...

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 burni...

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...

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...

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 beg...

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 B...

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...

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 ; GoBirdingTea...

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 Tu...

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 Er...

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 ;...

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 Er...

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 Natur...

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...

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 c...

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...

Audubon California has a program that benefits both ranchers and birds ! Swallow Creek Ranch is one of their partners.  Hannah and Erik sat down with Kyla, Paul, and Nick from Swallow Creek Ranch and Grace from Audubon California to learn about this program! Adventure begins at: 14:50 Show notes Spring Chirp Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Morro Bay Birding Festival AOS Proposa...

We were happy to get back down to Morro Bay for another festival.  Had a brief birding stop along the way and then on to the festival!  Morro Rock and surrounding parks are such nice, easy birding spots with lots of species! Adventure begins at: 10:24  Show notes   Spring Chirp Christina Baal, Drawing 10,000 Birds ; Instagram Naturalist Journeys - Go Birding with Hannah and Erik Morro Bay Birding...

 Cozumel, an island just off of Mexico, is a great, quick birding spot AND has three endemic bird species!  We enjoyed finding these interesting birds amongst the hustle and bustle of a popular tourist destination. Adventure begins at: 11:55  Show notes   Spring Chirp The Great Backyard Bird Count BirdsCaribbean Christina Baal, Drawing 10,000 Birds ; Instagram Cozumel Birding Tours   eBird Trip Re...

While on a Caribbean cruise, we had a stop in Grand Cayman...so we went birding!  Fortunately for us, Geddes with Silver Thatch Expeditions, was available to take us around.  We added a few new birds, saw the sights, and even found Blue Iguanas! Adventure begins at: 10:00 Show notes Spring Chirp The Great Backyard Bird Count BirdsCaribbean Queen Elizabeth II Botanical Garden Booby Pond Geddes’ Con...

Christmas Bird Counts is the oldest community science program and has made a huge impact on what we know about birds and their populations!  This year, we were able to join the Sunriver, Oregon count.  Listen in to see what birds we spotted! Adventure begins at: 9:23 Show notes Morro Bay Birding Festival Spring Chirp Christmas Bird Count Deschutes National Forest WildEarth Live Safari Black-bellie...

Our annual "company retreat" was a Caribbean cruise!  So in this episode, we talk about going birding around Orlando and then a day-trip in Jamaica. Adventure begins at: 12:30  Show notes   Morro Bay Birding Festival Spring Chirp Quill and Finch journals   Discount Code: HannahandErik New Jewel-babbler in New Guinea Chuys Christmas Bird Count Orlando Wetlands Park Arrowhead Birding Tours...

The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is always a fun time!  We went to a few new places, got a lifer, and enjoyed the valley specialty birds. Adventure begins at: 13:27  Show notes   Morro Bay Birding Festival Spring Chirp Quill and Finch journals   Discount Code: HannahandErik " New 'remarkably tame' tinamou species discovered in Amazon mountains may already be at risk of extinct...

It's finally here - our episode about seeing the Kagus in New Caledonia.  There is so much to see there including tons of amazing birds, unique plant life, and wonderful people.  Add New Caledonia to your travel list!  Adventure begins at: 16:50  Show notes Morro Bay Birding Festival Spring Chirp eBird Taxonomic update finalizes Quill and Finch journals   Discount Code: HannahandErik New Cale...

Ouvea is part of the Loyalty Islands, just off the coast of New Caledonia.  It's the only place in the world to see an Ouvea Parakeet and is a total off-the-beaten-path, once-in-a-lifetime birding spot.   *Please be aware that we have a lot of travel logistics in this episode, because it took us some figuring out how to get there, transport, and accommodations - hopefully it's helpful if...