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Explore every episode of the podcast Life List: A Birding Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Life List: A Birding Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–50 of 148

TitlePub. DateDuration
Fall birding, raptor migration, and birders chasing trees01 nov. 202601:07:22

We're fans of fall, migration, learning about weather patterns, and trees. Today, we're catching up and geeking out about all of it. Plus, Mollee recaps her recent birding tour in Costa Rica, and Alvaro talks about finding a Townsend's Solitaire near his home in Ontario. 

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Check out our upcoming tours

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Topics covered

  • What's missing from "bird weather" forecasts
  • Alvaro's Townsend's Solitaire find
  • Varied thrush migration
  • Molly's Caribbean-slope Costa Rica tour.
  • Birding from different perspectives 
  • Old-growth trees
  • Favorite trees in the United States
  • Planting trees for birds
  • Long-term planting decisions with a warming climate in mind

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. 

Realities of coastal bird conservation, beachgoers, and declining species with Kashi Davis25 oct. 202601:08:52

Kashi Davis, principal zoologist and conservation biologist with New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife, joins us to talk about the realities of managing endangered coastal birds in New Jersey. She breaks down what happened in the 2026 breeding season for piping plovers, least terns, American oystercatchers, black skimmers, and black rails, and explains how storms, habitat change, and human recreation shape so much of the work. We also discuss the public-facing side of conservation, from beach management plans and volunteer outreach to the challenge of asking beachgoers to share crowded shorelines with nesting birds. Along the way, the conversation gets into birding culture, funding, and why some species, like black rails, are so difficult to monitor.

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. 

Cornell and safety in birding, steppe habitats of the world, birding Portugal, and "discovering" new species07 oct. 202601:08:48

Hey folks, first off, we're covering a heavy topic today as we reflect on safety in nature in light of recent news and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's role in taking a stance on it. 

Other topics we cover include: 

  • Why birding in Portugal is just gosh-darn fun
  • Steppe habitats of the world
  • How the word "discovering" might be overused in new species

Plus, check out our tours!

Thanks for listening along as we chat about our lives...and our lists!

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. 

Rare birds, late summer pelagics, and weird wildlife encounters20 sept. 202601:01:13

George and Alvaro catch up on current birding conditions, starting with an unusually warm West Coast pelagic season and the bird shifts that seem to be following it. They also swap stories about viral bird media, misidentification noise online, and a run of memorable wildlife encounters, from otters and beavers to coyotes and yard scat.

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. 

Top US destinations for breeding birds: Maine and Montana with Joshua Covill16 sept. 202601:01:07

First things first: Listen to this entire episode by subscribing to our Life List Patreon! 

Here's a piece of our newest bonus content—just listen to the first minute of this podcast episode to hear about what you get.

You can view Josh's upcoming tours here, and Mollee's upcoming tours 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. 

It’s bird taxonomy season! Splits and lumps with Marshall Iliff31 août 202601:20:29

We're back with a perennial favorite episode: Digging into some of the most noteworthy changes in species with this year's AviList taxonomy update! Listen in to hear what's changing and get a preview of how your life list might grow as a result. Thanks, Marshall Iliff, for joining us once again for this episode!

You can learn about AviList here and keep an eye on these taxonomic changes to become official online! 

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. 

Galapagos in an El Niño year, Colombia birding, and snorkeling for birders17 août 202601:01:22

We're catching up on tales from the field as we return home between birding tours. 

Donate to #BirdersTogether to support Colombians in the aftermath of the recent earthquake:
https://vaki.co/vaki/birders-together


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. 

Pollinators for birds: Tips and traps with Doug Tallamy 01 août 202601:02:33

We're excited to be joined by Douglas Tallamy, author of many bestsellers including Bringing Nature Home and Nature's Best Hope, and the founder of Homegrown National Park. We chat about why pollinators are important for birds, the components crucial to food webs, and tons of tips and advice on how you can make your backyard (or patio, or any outdoor space!) into a part of the Homegrown National Park. 

Learn 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. 

Advanced birding: How to study birds you've already identified19 juil. 202600:58:04

George and Alvaro are catching up on their recent birding, and new things they've discovered along the way. We hope this inspires you to take a closer look (or listen) at common birds around you — even if you've already identified them!

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. 

What bird conservation successes can teach us with Scott Weidensaul05 juil. 202601:18:50

As is the case with many beautiful things in this world, some of the biggest successes in conservation result from the toughest challenges that birds and wildlife face. Pulitzer-prize finalist Scott Weidensaul is with us today to share stories he's gathered from near and far to share a message of hope for 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. 

Interpreting migration data, cataloging our backyards, and El Niño predictions22 juin 202601:08:54

Mollee, Alvaro, and George are catching up in a classic hangout episode. Join us in conversations about why we call this podcast Life List, the birds and other wildlife in our home patches, and a preview of what might come from El Niño in future months now that it's officially been declared. 

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. 

How we became bird guides: Alex Harper interviews George, Mollee, and Alvaro06 juin 202601:04:17

This week, we’re turning the tables. Instead of interviewing a guest, Alex Harper takes over hosting duties and puts the Life List Podcast hosts in the hot seats to chat about how they became professional birding guides, what they do and don't like about their profession, and what their jobs are like. 

P.S. Thanks to our friends of the pod in this episode's cover photo - Jeff, Angela, and Surya!

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 biggest spring migration birding surprises23 mai 202601:07:13

Birds - crabs - fish - mammals...oh my! Spring birding gets us out there and finding all sorts of things. Alvaro, Mollee, and George are catching up on stories from their time in the field and their backyards throughout May. 

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. 

The expanding science of avian perception with Ed Yong11 mai 202601:17:38

If you've read anything by Ed Yong, you know that he tackles the challenge of explaining some of the most difficult-to-grasp concepts in the animal world in ways that humans can (nearly) imagine. In this episode, we're chatting with Ed — Pulitzer Prize–winning science writer and bestselling author — about migration, animal senses, and seeing the world differently through nature. 

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. 

Birding the Eastern Himalayas, a backyard Long-eared Owl, and safari adventures with Jason Hall25 avr. 202601:07:01

Jason Hall is back on the podcast to talk about mid-April spring migration, backyard adventures, and time on the other side of the world in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, India. 

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. 

An evolutionary biology perspective on pair bonding - in birds and humans - with Bryony Angell and Wenfei Tong11 avr. 202601:07:36

Another classic Life List episode: a recipe of biological and ecological facts, rabbit holes, and a healthy dose of talk about life! Bryony Angell wrote The Migratory Suitor for a recent issue of BWD magazine, and she joined us along with Wenfei Tong, an evolutionary biologist, to discuss how pair bonding in birds could relate to that in humans. This is a fun one!

Helpful links: 

One correction for this episode: It's prolactin that is involved in crop milk let down, not oxytocin 🙂

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. 

Middle East birding, missiles, and Mollee's long way home02 avr. 202601:30:04

Mollee sat down with Alvaro to recount her visit to the UAE that was cut short when the US/Iran war broke out. From here, she talks about the journey to get out of the Middle East that ended up involving travel to three countries, closed airspace and canceled flights, a missed birding tour, and experiences missiles being intercepted overhead...plus exploration of dramatic wadis, the pyramids, and Ramadan across three unique cultures. 

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. 

Tour mishaps, life bird tales, and combining concerts and birding with Bonner Black17 mars 202601:08:21

Bonner Black is back! If you need a little quality hang with your birding friends, we've got you covered. 

A few links: 

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. 

Ship-assisted birds, South American travel, and watching winter shift21 févr. 202601:02:42

George and Alvaro are chatting about recent birds in their backyards, ABA rarities, sparrow speciation, recent South American travels, and more!

At the end of this episode, Alvaro cites a new paper about genetic expression with wheatears as the example species. Start here to dive into this research: https://www.the-scientist.com/variation-at-a-single-gene-controls-songbird-plumage-73606

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. 

Why visible migration matters: migration counts and seawatch tales with Allison Vilag07 févr. 202601:06:46

Allison has worked coast to (Great Lakes) coast for years, and today, we're chatting about tales from the field and lessons learned from endless days of visible migration experiences. 

Come for the high counts...stay for the simple joys of watching the world go by!

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. 

Winter birding, subsistence hunting, and a backyard bird feeding debate24 janv. 202601:13:30

New this episode: Check out our chapters in Apple Podcasts to preview our conversation!

The gang's all here to chat about winter birding, from backyard feeders to chilly pelagics, plus the consumption of atypical food sources (to us Americans, at least), great places for your first Neotropical birding trip, and a sweet tooth distraction. 

Come for the look back on recently extinct birds...stay for the cold- and warm-weather travel inspo!


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. 

Blending science, art, and humor to celebrate nature with Rosemary Mosco11 janv. 202600:56:13

We are delighted to be joined by Rosemary Mosco, acclaimed science writer and naturalist, to chat about obscure bird facts, a love of pigeons, and yes, whale poop. 

Check out all of Rosemary's comics, books, workshops, talks, and everything she's up to on her website. 

Come for the science-driven whimsy...stay for the joy we can all gleam from nature. 

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 favorite birding experiences of 202531 déc. 202501:16:02

It's our first-ever year end special! We recount our favorite birds, moments, wildlife, and even sounds of the year. And we get a little sidetracked with other tidbits, as we do. Because this is Life List! 

From George, Alvaro, and Mollee: Thanks for being here and listening along with us. We're so happy to continue producing this podcast and sharing our love of birds with all of you. Happy New 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. 

How birds shape our lives and landscapes with Stephen Moss17 déc. 202501:14:53

This episode, we're joined by Stephen Moss, who shares his delightful insights into why birds around the world and in our backyards are equally important to us. 

Check out Stephen's website here and all of his books here. 

Come for the spark birds (and to hear it's okay if you don't remember every bird on your life list!)…stay for the reminder of why birds matter everywhere.

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. 

Hawkwatch experiences and birding parallel landscapes with Joshua Covill01 déc. 202501:02:39

This episode, we’re joined by Joshua Covill: birding guide, hawkwatcher, and all-around mountain wanderer. Josh is sharing stories from Montana's Jewel Basin and beyond, plus a conversation about parallel ecosystems around the world.

Come for the dreams of Mongolia's vastness…stay for the feeling of watching migration from the top of the world!

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. 

Bird taxonomy season! Deep-diving splits, lumps, and our life lists19 nov. 202501:00:14

We're birders, talking about birding! George, Alvaro, and Mollee pulled up their personalized taxonomy updates from eBird (get an overview, all the data, and your personalized report) to chat about their life list updates and what else has changed around the globe. 

Come for the nuts and bolts, stay for the taxonomic camaraderie!

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. 

Inside eBird: The world’s biggest birding project with Brian Sullivan01 nov. 202501:03:06

This episode, we’re joined by Brian Sullivan—birder, photographer, and co-leader of one of the most transformative projects in the birding world: eBird. From the earliest red-tailed hawk obsessions to building a global platform used by millions, Brian shares stories that bridge fieldwork, data, and wonder.

Highlights include:

  • How eBird grew from a niche experiment to a cornerstone of global ornithology
  • Red-tailed hawks, pelagics, and what it means to really know a species
  • The evolution of Birds of the World and where bird data is headed next
  • Balancing tech, fieldwork, and the joy of birdwatching

Come for the redtails and migration maps…stay for the big-picture vision that’s shaping the future of birding.

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. 

Almost arrested: Birding in Qatar and South African springtime adventures20 oct. 202501:06:03

Alvaro has some juicy stories from the field: did he finally succeed in finding a Saunder's tern, or did a run-in with the law in Qatar foil his attempts yet again? 

Topics with George and Alvaro include: 

  • Birding on a layover in Qatar
  • The most accessible birding locations in the Middle East
  • A South African springtime tour recap
  • The adrenaline of safari birding 
  • Rocky Mountain oysters and other questionable culinary field experiments
  • Late-summer birding notes, migration updates, and trip recaps

Come for Alvaro's verdict...stay for the tales of wild places!

P.S. If you've made it this far in the show notes - thanks! - and from Mollee, sorry that this one is out a few days late! 

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. 

Traveling as a birder and musician with Bonner Black04 oct. 202500:58:52

We’re joined by Bonner Black: Nashville-based singer-songwriter, birder, and all-around force of nature. 

Highlights of our chat include:

  • Growing up birding in Tennessee and carrying that love on the road as a touring musician
  • The parallels between birding, music, and life on the road
  • How songwriting and birding both demand patience, attention, and a little obsession
  • The ways nature sneaks into Bonner's lyrics

Come for behind-the-scenes tales of a professional music artist…stay for shared love of birding!

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. 

Birding with us: our backyard birdwatching conversations20 sept. 202501:05:12

One of our favorite things to hear from guests is that it's like you're birding with us during our conversations. This time, you actually can! 

We're each recording from our backyards, during some mid-afternoon, mid-September birdwatching. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to join us on a birdwalk, now's your chance!

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. 

LISTERS: Inside the extreme birdwatching documentary with Owen and Quentin Reiser06 sept. 202501:10:57

We’re talking with Quentin and Owen, the filmmakers and brothers behind Listers: the indie documentary that’s both absurd and profound, and probably the funniest thing ever made about birding.

Highlights of our chat include:

  • How a family field guide, a bong, and a road trip turned into a continent-spanning big year
  • The van life: Cracker Barrel parking lots, Michelin-star minivan meals
  • Filming birds and birders like never before
  • The birding culture: from playback ethics to all-nighters to chase birds 
  • What it’s like to make the birding movie everyone’s talking about

Come for the NyQuil-fueled ivory-billed woodpecker quest…stay for the most joyful, profane, and heartfelt celebration of birding we didn’t know we needed!

Links: 

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. 

Late summer birding: movements, migration, and surprises 23 août 202501:02:01

The biggest surprise of all might be that George is learning to love summertime at home. We are chatting about birds and critters in our patches and recent travels, plus about books, media, and pizza. 

By the way, you can learn more about Frontiers in Ornithology at https://frontiersinornithology.com/.

Come for the sightings that surprised us lately...stay for a slice of August birding joy!

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. 

Finding rare Alaskan birds and more wildlife encounters with Alex Harper and Phil Chaon09 août 202500:55:09

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. 

How to find rare birds with Jen Brumfield26 juil. 202501:05:03

This episode is a blast—and full of stuff you'll want to remember! George and Alvaro interview the legendary birder of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and beyond: Jen Brumfield. They dive into all it takes to be a rarity-finding machine, and then put their advice through a detailed walkthrough of jaeger identification. We always say it...this hour passed by too quickly. 

Come for the gales and gulls… stay for the unabashed joy of birding!

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. 

Bird chases, misses, and surprises...and what birders can't let go of12 juil. 202500:51:41

This is what we do, folks! George and Alvaro are sharing the stories from the field and their yards, discussing scientific and hobbyist news in the birding world, and sharing travel tales. And karaoke dos and don'ts. And a skunk saga that seems to have included. Hang out with us for a spell!

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. 

Svalbard dreams and birds you wait a lifetime for02 juil. 202500:57:30

We're all here—Mollee, George, and Alvaro—to catch up on birding and nature stories from home and Alvaro's adventures spanning oceans...and two Great White Norths! Yup, with our usual dose of wildlife weirdness, too. 

Highlights include:

  • An incredible polar bear sighting alongside Ivory Gulls and (cue Alvaro's scream) Ross's Gulls
  • Birding in Svalbard, Norway, and Finland
  • Pelagic reports from the Farallon Islands
  • Skunks, tomato juice, and what actually helps when your dog gets sprayed
  • Yard list joys and surprises—from mulberries to Least Bitterns
  • Plus, read about Cory's Least Bittern here

Come for the booby stakeouts and skunk drama…stay for the midnight sun, polar silence, and birding in life’s liminal spaces.

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. 

AviList: the new Global Avian Checklist and its effects on bird taxonomy with Marshall Iliff and Frank Rheindt14 juin 202501:10:50

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. 

Global conservation and the Birdfair that started a movement with Tim Appleton03 juin 202500:55:27

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 unique
  • 125 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 Weekends
  • Conservation results from Borneo to the Falklands, murals to migration corridors, and saving seabirds from longlines

Links:

Come 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. 

Deep-diving wild India: backyard leopards & a king-cobra's hiss with Surya Ramachandran 17 mai 202500:56:57

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 years
  • Snow-leopard obsession: why eight straight winters in Ladakh still haven’t dulled the thrill of the ghost of the Himalayas
  • King-cobra lore: nest-building serpents, roadside rescues, and the eerie pressure-cooker hiss they can emit
  • Himalayan 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-extension
  • Field-guide series update: Surya’s next book covers India’s deserts, salt pans, and forests of Western India

Come 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. 

Weird science and birding through life changes03 mai 202500:59:56

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. 

Birding travels, timberdoodles, connecting through nature in prison19 avr. 202500:59:57

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. 

Geographic clues to hybridization and the evolution of birding field guides 05 avr. 202500:56:49

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. 

Bird conservation on the Chatham Islands and beyond with Mike Bell22 mars 202500:58:49

George and Alvaro took some time during their Subantarctic Islands cruise to chat with Mike Bell, ornithologist for the Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust. Make sure to check out their website for more information on all the conservation work they're doing!

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. 

Birding the world versus major sporting events10 mars 202500:59:38

We're catching up on our tales around the world and wondering...how close does birding get to a major sporting event? Join us in our usual banter. 

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. 

The heart of seabird diversity: Subantarctic Islands22 févr. 202501:00:52

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. 

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. 

Birding Asia X3: India, Thailand, and Japan09 févr. 202501:04:40

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. 

Declaring a species extinct and sampling the world's coolest birding events26 nov. 202401:03:36

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: 


And 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. 

Defending Ecuador’s rarest species: Jocotoco’s on-the-ground efforts05 nov. 202400:55:28

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 story
  • Saving Spectacled Bears: Jocotoco's efforts to protect spectacled bear habitats in Ecuador
  • Galapagos Tortoise Conservation: On-the-ground work preserving Galapagos tortoise populations
  • Reintroducing Native Finches: Programs to reintroduce and support finches in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador
  • Protecting the Chocó Region: Unique bird species and conservation efforts in Ecuador’s Chocó forest
  • Rare Paramos Wildlife: High-altitude paramos habitat and its rare bird species
  • Amazon Rainforest Restoration: Forest restoration to support diverse Amazonian birdlife
  • Species of Concern: Spotlight on Ecuador’s rare and endangered bird species protected by Jocotoco
  • Key Conservation Sites: Jocotoco's critical reserves, from the Andes to coastal dry forests

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. 

Your guide to Life List episodes and highlights 28 oct. 202400:59:36

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. 

Gull mysteries with Amar Ayyash 21 oct. 202401:07:57

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. 

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