Hannah and Erik Go Birding

Costa Rica has so much to see - even in downtown San Jose! In this episode, we discuss our trip to Costa Rica; each time we stepped outside Hotel Bougainvillea, there was something different, and our stay at the beautiful Maquenque Lodge.

Our trip with Naturalist Journeys was packed with birds and other sights.  Our local guide, Johan, had a busy schedule so we could see as much as possible!

Adventure Begins at: 8:30 

Show notes 

Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival
Birding The Border
IC4WB
Flock To Marion Episodes: 2022 Flock; 2025 Flock
Booking to go on Flock to Marion
Hotel Bougainvillea
Maquenque Lodge 

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned 

Scintillant Hummingbird
Baird’s Tapir 

Intro Bird Call: Montezuma Oropendula (Recorded: Costa Rica, October 2026) Outro Bird Call: Semiplumbious Hawk (Recorded: Costa Rica, October 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

Our adventure to the Big Island of Hawaii continues above and below the water!  SCUBA recertification was our main goal in going to Hawaii, and then a surprise pelagic birding trip was something we couldn't pass up. 

Listen in to our venture seeing birds on the ocean and fish underneath.

Adventure Begins at: 8:40  

Show notes
eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam
Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival
Birding The Border
IC4WB
Jack’s Dive Locker
Hawaii Bird Tours  

eBird Trip Report 

Birds/Animals mentioned
Hawaii Amakihi
Brown Noddy
Short-finned Pilot Whale
Blue-Gray Noddy
Spinner Dolphin

Intro Bird Call: Apapane (Recorded: Hawaii, December 2024) 
Outro Bird Call: Northern Cardinal (Recorded: New York, April 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

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 Border
IC4WB
Naturalist Journeys
Hawaiian Style Café
Kilauea live camera
Hawaii Wildlife Center 

Birds/Animals mentioned 

Hawaiian Hawk
Iiwi
Palila  

Intro Bird Call: Omao (Recorded: Hawaii, September 2026) 
Outro Bird Call: Apapane (Recorded: Hawaii, December 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

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