Life List: A Birding Podcast

You like splits and lumps? Thinking about the intricacies of global taxonomy? Oh boy, are you in for a treat! George and Alvaro sat down with Marshall Iliff and Frank Rheindt, two members of the AviList Core Team, to take a deep dive into what’s just been released: AviList, the Global Avian Checklist! Learn how the process got started, what’s happened in the years it’s been in the making, and how decisions were made bird-by-bird. Plus, hear how the four existing global checklists—including IOC, eBird/Clements, and Birdlife—will align with Avilist (spoiler alert: it’s a global merge!). We're exploring the importance of collaboration among various taxonomic committees, the challenges of aligning different naming conventions, and the significance of evidence in making taxonomic decisions.AviList has just officially launched, and you can learn all about it at avilist.org. Come for this special interview that takes an intricate look at the world’s bird taxonomy…stay for the splits!Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

This episode, we're catching up with Tim Appleton: co-founder of Global Birdfair and lifelong conservationist...and who possibly has the UK's best yard list.Highlights of our chat include:How one idea became the world’s largest nature tourism and bird conservation gathering—and what makes it unique125 species and counting from Tim's Rutland cottage overlooking a reservoir he helped design How Tim helped reintroduce breeding ospreys to England The goals of Global Birding and Global Bird WeekendsConservation results from Borneo to the Falklands, murals to migration corridors, and saving seabirds from longlinesLinks:Global Birdfair websiteBook: Fledgling by Hannah Bourne-TaylorRutland Ospreys Live CamCome for the whiskey tent stories… stay for the message of passion-driven conservation!Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

We caught up with our friend Surya Ramachandran: Indian naturalist, author, big-cat tracker, and awesome guy.Highlights of our chat include:Home patch leopards: Surya’s Nilgiri backyard hosts a multigenerational family of both black and rosetted leopards that he's watched closely for yearsSnow-leopard obsession: why eight straight winters in Ladakh still haven’t dulled the thrill of the ghost of the HimalayasKing-cobra lore: nest-building serpents, roadside rescues, and the eerie pressure-cooker hiss they can emitHimalayan lowland magic: the diversity of Assam’s Kaziranga–Manas–Nameri circuit—and why March should be peak time for Bengal floricans, Finn’s weavers, and maybe even tiger...Life List tour: details on the 2026 Life List Assam Safari, with optional Taj Mahal/Bharatpur pre-trip and Kanha tiger post-extensionField-guide series update: Surya’s next book covers India’s deserts, salt pans, and forests of Western IndiaCome for the leopard cubs and king-cobra growls...stay for the tips on getting to see the best of India's birds and animals!Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

Our travels have recently taken us across Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania — so it's high time for a catch-up! In this episode, George, Alvaro, and Mollee swap stories from the field, from color-changing marlins to Galápagos rail rediscoveries to grizzly bear rewilding efforts.We also talk about how birds pick up dozens of local names (hello, timberdoodle!) and how birding stays with you even during major life changes. Yep, one of us is making an international move. Come for the octopus escapes and marlin flash mobs, stay for a conversation about how birding threads through every part of life.Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

Our travels have recently spanned Costa Rica, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, and Tanzania, so it's high time for a catch-up! We swap favorite moments from the field, talk birds with many names (hello, timberdoodles), and updates from our homes, too. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

George and Alvaro have an evening chat about the evolution of field guides with notable quirks in a few editions, Alvaro discusses how he used location-based evidence to theorize about gull hybridization, and more. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

In this engaging conversation, Mike Bell, an ornithologist with the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust, shares insights on seabird conservation. He highlights the unique avifauna of the Chatham Islands, focusing on the critically endangered magenta petrel and albatross populations. The discussion delves into local traditions, the ecological significance of the islands, and innovative conservation strategies, emphasizing the role of community involvement. Mike's anecdotes inspire a deeper appreciation for the islands' natural wonders and the vital efforts to protect their bird species.

The hosts explore the thrilling parallels between birding and major sporting events, sharing spirited anecdotes from a recent trip to Portugal. Humorous encounters with fellow travelers spark discussions about the joy of community in sports. They reflect on personal birdwatching highs, including rare sightings and meaningful connections with the natural world. Ethical considerations surrounding bird feeding practices are examined, contrasting positive efforts in Thailand with challenges in Vietnam. Upcoming birding trips promise more unique wildlife encounters.

Welcome to our first episode covering our recent Subantarctic Islands cruise out of New Zealand. We're diving into the islands we visited, including Albatross Island and Pyramid Rock, and all about our travels on this world-class adventure. Check out the whole trip report here. Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.

Hey there, we're back! Listen to us catching up on our recent travels throughout Asia in India, Thailand, and Japan. Are you tempted to join us in India next year? Get more Life list by subscribing to our newsletter and joining our Patreon for bonus content. Talk to us and share your topic ideas at lifelistpodcast.com. Thanks to Kowa Optics for sponsoring our podcast! Want to know more about us? Check out George's company, Hillstar Nature; Alvaro's company, Alvaro's Adventures, and Mollee's company, Nighthawk Agency, to see more about what we're up to.