This week on The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb and Will dive into the magic of peak fall migration. With millions of birds streaming across North America on their journey to wintering grounds, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year for birders. From the dazzling variety of warblers to the drama of raptors on the wing and the thrill of spotting jaegers offshore, this episode captures the energy and wonder of migration season. Whether you’re out at a hawk watch, scanning shorelines, or enjoying the spectacle in your own backyard, you won’t want to miss this one.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb returns from an epic birding journey through Spain and shares the full story with Will — from the Pyrenees to the wetlands of the Ebro Delta. With an astonishing 160 species spotted, including Bearded Vultures, Greater Flamingos, and dazzling Bee-eaters, Caleb breaks down his itinerary, the highs and lows of birding in the Spanish heat, and the unexpected joys (and challenges) of food and travel abroad. Plus, hear about the incredible people he met along the way who made the trip unforgettable. Whether you're planning your own European birding adventure or just living vicariously, this is one for the life list.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Will and Caleb take on the ultimate challenge: ranking the best countries in the world for birding. From biodiversity hotspots to underrated gems, we dive into which countries deserve top-tier status - and which ones might be a little overhyped. Expect strong opinions, friendly disagreements, and a few controversial picks that might ruffle some feathers. Whether you're a globe-trotting birder or just dreaming of your next trip, this episode is packed with insights, banter, and, of course, birds.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb and Will are joined by Matt Misewicz, who takes us deep into the remote northern Alaskan tundra where he bands wild geese in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. From dodging storms to tracking the migration of cackling geese and greater white-fronted geese, Matt shares what it’s like to do real field science in the wildest corners of North America.

But this episode goes beyond just birding — we dive into Matt’s experience as a dedicated waterfowl hunter and explore the critical role hunters play in bird conservation, from funding habitat restoration to supporting long-term research through licenses and excise taxes. If you care about birds, you need to understand how hunters are helping protect them.

Whether you're a birder, biologist, or just here for the crazy tundra stories, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Will and Caleb dive into the fascinating history of birding as a form of citizen science. From the sporting roots of the Christmas Bird Count to the structured rigor of Breeding Bird Survey routes, and the backyard magic of Project FeederWatch, we explore how everyday birders have helped shape scientific understanding for over a century. Plus, Caleb gives us the inside scoop on eBird: how it’s revolutionized data collection and what it means for the future of birding. Whether you're a seasoned lister or just learning to tell a chickadee from a titmouse, this episode shows how your sightings make a difference.

This week on The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb and Will dive into one of the birding world's most unexpected frontiers: cruise ships. From tens of thousands of landbirds "falling out" during migration to rare pelagic species like Albatrosses and Petrels appearing in deep waters, cruise birding is full of surprises. Caleb recounts his unforgettable 2022 repositioning cruise alongside legendary birders, including the late, great Tom Johnson, which led to multiple U.S. birding records. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just cruise-curious, this episode will change how you think about open-ocean birding.

eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/50885

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Will and Caleb tackle a common challenge: how to keep your birding exciting during the quieter summer months. While the heat might seem to hush the bird world, there's still plenty happening—if you know where (and how) to look. We share stories from our recent summer birding adventures and reveal how some birds are already on the move with early fall migration underway (yes, even in July!). Whether you're trying to beat the heat or just wondering where all the birds went, we’ve got practical tips and inspiration to help you stay connected with your feathered friends all summer long.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Will and Caleb take a deep dive into one of the most underrated hotspots in American birding: Miller Beach, Indiana. Drawing from Will’s firsthand experience living in Miller Beach and serving as a waterbird counter for Indiana Audubon in Fall 2023, we explore what makes this slice of Lake Michigan shoreline so special.

From mind-blowing warbler fallouts to unexpected appearances by jaegers and rare gulls, Miller Beach has racked up an impressive bird list that might surprise even seasoned birders. We also dig into the history of the site, its unique geography, and how lakefront migration dynamics turn it into a magnet for avian action.

Is Miller Beach truly in the running for the best birding location in the U.S.? Tune in to hear the case—and decide for yourself.

In this episode of The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb and Will tackle one of the most controversial conservation decisions in recent memory: the planned killing of over 500,000 barred owls in an effort to save the critically threatened Northern Spotted Owl.With tensions running high between ecological ethics and urgent conservation needs, we weigh the pros and cons of this drastic measure. We take a deep dive into the natural history of both the barred and northern spotted owls, exploring how one species’ expansion across the continent has brought it into direct conflict with another’s survival.Whether you’re a birder, conservationist, or simply someone who cares about the natural world, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Thanks to Dr. David Wiens for his research and presentation which we used to research much of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Y-ZmtPiJE

This week on The Real Birding Podcast, Caleb and Will chat with conservation biologist Joe Kaplan—the man behind Michigan’s most famous common loon pair, a duo that’s been breeding in the Upper Peninsula for over 25 years. Joe shares the inside story of these beloved birds and reflects on a life dedicated to conservation, from loon monitoring to youthful adventures as a stowaway birder in the far Pacific. It's an episode full of laughter, insight, and a deep love for wild places and the creatures that call them home.