Life List: A Birding Podcast

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.

It's our final episode...but only for this season, don't worry 😉We're chatting about birding festivals near and far, the multinational process of declaring a species extinct, and (literal) nightmares about birding tours.Don't miss out on: Alvaro's upcoming toursHillstar's newest tours and pelagics Tours and articles on Nighthawk All the great content on the Ladera Sur websiteAnd with that, we're off on our winter break from podcasting! Follow Life List on Facebook and Instagram, sign up for our newsletter, and we'll see you here in 2025.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.

Jocotoco Conservation works in the field throughout Ecuador and the Galapagos to conserve birds, wildlife, and habitats. Today, George is digging into their efforts and goals. Learn more about Jocotoco Conservation here. Topics in this episode include:Discovery of the Jocotoco Antpitta: Jocotoco Conservation's origin storySaving Spectacled Bears: Jocotoco's efforts to protect spectacled bear habitats in EcuadorGalapagos Tortoise Conservation: On-the-ground work preserving Galapagos tortoise populationsReintroducing Native Finches: Programs to reintroduce and support finches in Galapagos and mainland EcuadorProtecting the Chocó Region: Unique bird species and conservation efforts in Ecuador’s Chocó forestRare Paramos Wildlife: High-altitude paramos habitat and its rare bird speciesAmazon Rainforest Restoration: Forest restoration to support diverse Amazonian birdlifeSpecies of Concern: Spotlight on Ecuador’s rare and endangered bird species protected by JocotocoKey Conservation Sites: Jocotoco's critical reserves, from the Andes to coastal dry forestsGet 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.

Welcome to our 100th episode! We're celebrating by chatting about some listener favorites - and ours! - as well as all that's changed in the birding world since we started Life List. Thanks for being a part of our podcast family!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 week, we're not just talking about Amar's highly anticipated book, The Gull Guide—we're chatting about the discoveries and controversies that led to what we currently know about gulls, the unknowns that still exist, and how to fall in love with these mysteries birds along the way. 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.

Alright, we're back! George and Alvaro talk about unusual sightings and behaviors they've seen so far this fall along with takeaways from afar from the AOS conference.If you haven't already, be sure to read The trials of John P. McCown by Steve Hampton. 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're continuing conversations with our listeners on the air as we share updates from our home fronts. We have lots of links to share this week!Check out Ed Yong's account of his recent pelagic experience with Alvaro's Adventures in his newsletterWhile you're at it, make sure to read An Immense World by Ed YongWe get tons of questions about thermal scopes. This article by one of our listeners, Jonathan Ley, is a thorough comparison of brands and models. Here's a fresh Certificate of Appreciation from the USGS to George for reporting a banded Ruddy Turnstone—on a birding trip with Mollee eight years ago! If you know a conservation or community science organization that wants to get the word out to birders, Nighthawk is partnering with the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival to display their information for free at the event. Details and sign up here. And don't forget to share your favorite guests with us! We'd love to hear from you. Our hearts go out to all affected by Hurricane Helene. 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.