For the 20th episode of the podcast, I traveled to Catalina Island and interviewed Nic Grant, a Marine Science Instructor and Aquarist at the Catalina Island Marine Institute. Nic talks about his experience birding in Cape May, about working in the aviary of the Philadelphia Zoo and also tells us about the Great Blue Heron, a few of which happen to be nesting not far from where we recorded! 

Julian Faughn, from the Raptor Free Flight Program at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, joins us to talk about his experiences working with raptors and also tells us about the Harris Hawk. During this episode, you'll hear, frequently, from a nearby Ferruginous Hawk as well as a visiting Common Raven. Pictures of Harris Hawks from the Raptor Free Flight Show can be found on Instagram - @lookingatbirdspodcast

This episode’s guest is Amanda Timmerman, the Collection Specialist for the Raptor Free Flight Program at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. She’ll tell us about working with a variety of raptors, and the bird of the episode, the Black-throated Magpie Jay. Pictures of this beautiful bird will be on Instagram - @lookingatbirdspodcast

For this episode Dan Weisz returns and we talk about Christmas Bird Counts, my participation in one for the first time, as well as one of the birds we saw, the Western Bluebird. Please check out the podcast's Instagram @lookingatbirdspodcast

The podcast returns to the interview format with a familiar guest: Jeff Babson! We talk about the effects of the recent increased rainfall in Southwest Arizona, we also talk about birding this season, with the many new visitors it brings. Jeff tells us all about Wild Turkeys, how their population rebounded and how they might have found their way onto our Thanksgiving dinner tables. Please check out the podcast's Instagram @lookingatbirdspodcast

This is a collection of recommendations from my guests on episodes 2-8, in addition to some recommendations from myself. Recommendations include items that will increase your knowledge of birding, your ability to identify birds and your comfort level. 

This episode is a collection of bird identification tips shared by my guests over the course of the first 8 episodes along with a few tips from myself. For birders looking to pick up their first field guide, I've included a comparison between the West Coast versions of the National Geographic and Sibley field guides. The new content was recorded at a few different locations and if you listen closely, you'll hear some Grey Gnatcatchers, European Starlings and Red-winged Blackbirds.

This episode is a collection of advice for new birders, shared by my guests, from the first 8 episodes along with a few tidbits from myself. 

My guest Brian Nicholas, an avid birder from the Northeast Coast who participates in the Tucson Bird Count and leads birds walks. Brian tells us all about the Historic Canoa Ranch, why you shouldn't approach a Northern Goshawk's nest and the joys of having a backyard bird habitat. As a bonus, around the 30-minute mark, a Brown-crested Flycatcher makes a cameo "appearance."

My guest Julie Michael has an educational background in geography and volunteer experience at Sabino Canyon, the Patton Center for Hummingbirds and leading birding field trips. Julie tells us how the local geography attracts and accommodates a variety of migrant and local birds. She talks about mindfulness while birding, looking for Buff-collared Nightjars and shopping for native plants at a big box store. Julie also tells us about the Curve-billed Thrasher and her grape encounter with one.