Explore every episode of the podcast Life List: A Birding Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird taxonomy season! Deep-diving splits, lumps, and our life lists | 19 Nov 2025 | 01:00:14 | |
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. | |||
| Inside eBird: The world’s biggest birding project with Brian Sullivan | 01 Nov 2025 | 01:03:06 | |
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:
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. | |||
| Svalbard dreams and birds you wait a lifetime for | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:57:30 | |
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:
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. | |||
| Deep Diving Vagrant Birds with Marshall Iliff | 06 Jun 2022 | 01:29:44 | |
Marshall Iliff joins us for this interview episode where we discuss big days, vagrancies, 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. | |||
| Spring Migration: Canada vs. US and East vs. West | 21 May 2022 | 01:04:31 | |
Covid hit the pod, but didn't keep us down for long. We're back to catch up on spring migration, The Biggest Week in Birding Festival, west coast pelagic research, and a curious towhee behavior. Check out: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Was the Ivory-billed Woodpecker actually rediscovered? | 26 Apr 2022 | 01:07:40 | |
It's all over the news, but is there concrete evidence that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker still exists in the United States? George and Alvaro discuss these magnificent woodpeckers along with updates from Alvaro's tour in Cuba. Book recommendation: Vagrancy in Birds by Alexander Lees and James Gilroy Upcoming tours:
Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| From Snow Leopards to Volcano Views | 11 Apr 2022 | 01:05:23 | |
George recounts his adventures in India, Mollee talks about visiting El Salvador, and Alvaro gets a rare bird in his yard while we're recording! Movie recommendation: 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| What travel is like in 5 Central and South American countries right now | 28 Mar 2022 | 01:07:08 | |
While George is away in India, Alvaro and Mollee are off on adventures of their own! Don’t miss out: on the Broad-winged Hawk Project and Moonlight drives nocturnal vertical flight dynamics in black swifts by Anders Hedenström, Robert A. Sparks, Gabriel Norevik, Colin Woolley, Greg J. Levandoski, and Susanne Åkesson. Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Discovering a new bird species: Interview with Dan Lane | 14 Mar 2022 | 01:25:03 | |
Episode 18 is a special one: our first interview with ornithologist, guide, and artist Dan Lane! Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Bird Mysteries! | 28 Feb 2022 | 01:03:03 | |
We start by, what else? comparing pelagic updates from the east and west coasts with a few European bird names thrown in. Did we watch the Super Bowl? Superb owl? Tune in to find out. Measure Alvaro's junk food identification skills before we dive into some *drumroll* bird mysteries our hosts have experienced! Species mentioned: Egyptian Plover; Vermilion Flycatcher; Brujo Flycatcher; and you know, various alcids and gulls and raptors
P.S. Pardon the interruption from a very cute and well-meaning golden retriever. 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. | |||
| Play dead, see condors | 14 Feb 2022 | 01:06:51 | |
“In any other scenario, this would be a wickedly, inappropriate, ridiculous idea… but we’re birders.” Highlight locations: Middle Creek WMA, PA; Hawaii; Cuba; Thailand; Colombia Don’t miss out: Birding Your Best Life and Hillstar Nature Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Travel: Uganda! A deep dive on our adventure | 31 Jan 2022 | 01:12:35 | |
Talk about an epic birding adventure! George and Mollee recount their recent travels in Uganda. We deep dive into the things we didn’t expect and what we still can’t stop thinking about. Don’t miss out: Frontiers in Ornithology Symposium; African Birding Expo; Bird Uganda Safaris; International Women Birder's Conference Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| The ecological findings of yard listing | 17 Jan 2022 | 01:02:16 | |
Find out what we almost named Life List and a deep dive into the cultural implications of the question: “Have you seen the eagle?” Then, here’s to a new yard list for George! The guys also discuss elitism in birding... did Ontario Field Ornithologists come up with a solution to the age-old birder paradigm of sharing rare bird sightings? Learn how Goosanders in Europe have the same plumage pattern but a totally different structural shape than Common Mergansers. Warning: We also discuss an unfortunately tasty group of rodents in South America including Shakira the pet Capybara… Highlight bird species: A tale of three eagles species! (of course, there’s a nuance there); Goosander (Common Merganser, definite split, we say!), Pigeon Guillemot (snowi subspecies), Burrowing Owl, Rock Wren, Golden-winged Warbler, Cattle Tyrants And hey! When you’re tired of birds, find some squirrels! After all, they’re mostly diurnal, vocal, and just waiting to have ID codes cracked. Squirrel tours, anyone? Don’t miss out: Ontario Field Ornithologists, Squirrels of the West, and Birding Your Best Life Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| AviList: the new Global Avian Checklist and its effects on bird taxonomy with Marshall Iliff and Frank Rheindt | 14 Jun 2025 | 01:10:50 | |
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. | |||
| Lotta duck talk today | 03 Jan 2022 | 01:01:21 | |
We kick off 2022 with winter duck updates in the form of some mallard-esque species, including Black, Mottled, and Mexican Ducks. We chat about Saw-whets and other owls, plus how the public interacts with them. Plus, have you heard about the collaboration of leading conservation organizations to support expeditions to re-find 10 lost bird species? Leonardo DeCaprio has. We also pay homage to the leaders in the field and fine human beings we lost over the past few weeks. Locations mentioned: Cuba, New Jersey coast Don’t miss out: on Hillstar Nature's upcoming tours Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| You better love whales and owls | 22 Dec 2021 | 00:59:51 | |
We catch up on Christmas Bird Counts, some Swifty talk, landfill birding, and how with experience, identification becomes recognition, just like finding a good friend in a crowded room. George also recounts the American Birding Association's Bird of the Year Reveal Party — welcome, year of the Burrowing Owl! — and more on owls, including vocal evidence to separate the burrowing owl into species and how owls decorate their nests. And a Steller’s Ja-- no wait, Eagle! continues to make dramatic appearances around the continent, spurring George and Al to recount their experiences with these massive eagles in Japan. Plus, we offer a few last-minute Christmas gift ideas, including gifts for kids who are interested in birding. Highlight bird species: A few accipiters and falcons; Steller's Sea Eagles; and of course, Burrowing Owls! Locations mentioned: Hokkaido, Japan; Philly; various Christmas Bird Count locations Don’t miss out: on ABA's field guides to California and Pennsylvania Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Turkeys in a landfill | 27 Nov 2021 | 00:53:58 | |
The guys start with chatting birding updates and well-documented views of beers among birders. Then they dive in: they’re at risk of overdoing their interest in gulls, but they just don’t care. One cool thing about gulls is that it’s often relatively easy to get great looks at them — the challenge is in learning from what you’re seeing! Needless to say, the pod is ready for gull season to kick off. And what else comes around with gull season? Christmas Bird Count season, of course! They also chat about national birds, ABA’s Bird of the Year unveiling, the mysterious Fuegian Snipe, and how Tierra del Fuego got its name. Highlight bird species: Common Raven; a variety of winter gulls, including Vaga Herring gulls; and the incredibly unique and mysterious Fuegian Snipe! Locations mentioned: Wrap up of the year’s Half Moon Bay, CA pelagics; Jersey Shore Don’t miss out: on Alvaro’s workshops; check out the vast database of webinars on the Los Angeles Birders website; and ABA’s Bird of the Year Reveal Party Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 10: That's called naked birding! | 08 Nov 2021 | 01:04:37 | |
You're in for a great story this week! Alvaro gives us an update on his journey through hearing loss and regaining it through a cochlear implant. But before that, we chat about late fall birding, Elaenia IDs, and more about ear birding. Highlight bird species: Various Elaenias, including Small-billed and White-crested Locations mentioned: Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, west coast pelagics Don’t miss out: on Birdability Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 9: A glass-half-full Bobolink | 25 Oct 2021 | 00:48:49 | |
This week, the guys talk George’s wedding and house search (Do you think they made an eBird checklist? The answer may surprise you!); the Naturally Adventurous podcast; Black Rails and their close relatives; how genetics and appearances can differ; Kirtland’s Warblers seen throughout fall migration, plus notes on their evolution; the Cape May Fall Festival; and chasing Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers. Highlight bird species: Black Rail and close relatives, Kirtland’s Warbler; Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Locations mentioned: Western Kansas, the Jack Pine region of Michigan and beyond; Cape May Don’t miss out: on the Naturally Adventurous podcast and Alvaro’s upcoming workshops Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 8: It's Good to Have Pants | 04 Oct 2021 | 00:51:38 | |
Pelagic updates, how to prepare for a birding trip, and more. Join us! 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. | |||
| Ep 7: Alvaro's Adventure in Spain | 09 Sep 2021 | 01:00:48 | |
The guys catch up on Hurricane Ida and how an interest in natural history can lead to an interest in observing weather-related phenomenons before diving into the good stuff: updates from Alvaro's ongoing Spanish Adventure. Oh, and pelagics. There's always pelagics. Highlight bird species: Honey buzzards, various raptors, storks, and more European migrants; Bridled and Sooty Terns Locations mentioned: Philadelphia, various locations in Spain, offshore in North Carolina Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 6: The increasingly golden era of birding and ornithology | 23 Aug 2021 | 00:56:34 | |
Do you know the state bird of Utah, and how it came to be? How old are the oldest hummingbirds on record? Which gulls are of the cherry-picking variety? Get answers to these questions and so much more in this episode of Life List. Highlight bird species: Roseate Spoonbills; game birds for purchase; redpolls (how many redpoll species? you tell us); California Gulls; Laysan Albatross and other seabirds; shoutouts to elderly hummingbirds; moonwalking manakins. Locations mentioned: Niagara Falls, Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, the ocean Links: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 5: A Moonbird for the Moon People | 09 Aug 2021 | 00:52:08 | |
In this episode, we chat about updates on cicadas and west-coast pelagics, Olympian-quality birds, the fear of owls (and fear of showing people owls), and more birdy stuff. Send us your questions for our next episode, where you can Ask Us Anything! Highlight bird species: Golden eagles and a full Olympian lineup, including a plethora of notable seabirds; Red Knots, with emphasis on Rufa Red Knots; Flammulated and other hard-to-find owls. Locations mentioned: Local spots around Alvaro in Half Moon Bay, CA, and George in Philadelphia, PA; Farallon Islands; and you know, here and there. Links: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 4: Mosquito Birth Control | 17 Jul 2021 | 00:45:16 | |
George, Mollee and Alvaro chat together for the first time on Life List. Mollee introduces herself, and the amazing rooftop tent! Alvaro mentions his first June trip to the Farallon Islands, CA. George “cancels” on Subaru at the Philly flower show. But the main discussion is about the Aloha State. Mollee gives us her impression as a first-time birder to Hawaii. George impresses us with his fish knowledge. And we all discuss how Hawaii is amazing, and also a conservation emergency zone. Some native species have become quite rare in just a decade! Climate change is causing the “mosquito line” to move up in elevation, carrying avian malaria with it. We discuss GMO mosquitos and perhaps mosquito birth control through technology! Hawaii has its conservation success stories, especially when considering the native seabirds. Mollee also had her lifer pelagic in Hawaii. We chat about pelagics in Hawaii vs North Carolina, vs California. Shorts on a pelagic, vs freezing cold on a pelagic. And can you pull off the “Jaques Cousteau look?” Topics covered include: Pop-up tents, Philly flower show, Hawaii bird conservation, Hawaii sea birding, Mollee’s first pelagic, the Atlantic’s first Wedge-tailed Shearwater, and pelagic birding in general. Highlight bird species: I’iwi, ‘Akeke’e, ‘Akikiki, ʻAkiapōlāʻau, Chickens, Moas, Hawaiian Petrel, Bulwer’s Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, South Polar Skua, Black-capped Petrel, Newell’s Shearwater. Locations mentioned: West Virginia, Farallon Islands (CA), Big Island, Kauai, Hatteras pelagic 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. | |||
| Global conservation and the Birdfair that started a movement with Tim Appleton | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:55:27 | |
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:
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. | |||
| Ep 3: And from the guy who wrote the book, no less | 02 Jul 2021 | 00:52:40 | |
George and Al discuss their local birding endeavors, flightless birds, and Al is almost stumped on naming the two North American birds that undergo two full molts in a year. Hear a killer Virginia Rail/Three Stooges impression and the real reason we named our podcast Life List. Plus, are you a restauranteur? George is revealing his brilliant idea, for free, right here, just for you. Topics covered include: Volcanic effects on birds in the Caribbean, a population-versus-species mindset for conservation, a philosophical deep-dive on bird listing, and breakfast foods from around the world Highlight bird species: Orange-crowned Warbler, Mangrove Cuckoos, various Antillean specialties, including the Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk Locations mentioned: Various locations in the West Indies Links: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 2: Doh! I am gone [Insert Orange-Breasted Falcon] | 16 Jun 2021 | 00:49:51 | |
Find out what makes George shriek like a small child and learn all about the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge as we discuss some of our first travel plans since the pandemic started. Also hear a teaser for Alvaro’s talk, Birding Fast and Slow, that deep dives into how our brains translate bird identification as our confidence as birders grows. PS - We have cited proof that watching birds bring people more happiness than money! Topics covered include: Alvaro on the RRR, George’s recent trip to Colombia, “snake-aphobia," and Mollee and Mandy’s upcoming tour to Hawaii. Highlight bird species: Common Raven, Goldfinch, Bogota Rail, Apolinar’s Wren, Orange-breasted Falcon, Roadside Hawk, Blue-gray Noddy, and Oregon’s first-ever Blue-footed Booby Locations mentioned: Hawaii, and the Llanos, the Amazon & the tepuis of Colombia, Canada, and Oregon Links: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Ep 1: Welcome to the Pod! | 02 Jun 2021 | 00:50:42 | |
Jumping off, Alvaro & George get Life List going by sharing their birding origins and dipping lightly into the vagaries of gulls and gull people, as well as why birding itself is such a great pastime. Alvaro recalls meeting Batman, his days (or daze?) in “peanut butter & jelly production” and how he used to think golf was weird, while George reveals his plans to announce a new “anti- sesquipedalian society.” Topics covered include: The Pribilof Islands, Kim K & Kanye’s separation, Philly pride, backyard birds, how birding is rewarding, views on subspecies, and birding’s burgeoning popularity. Highlight bird species: “Vega” Gull, redpolls, Whooping Crane, Pacific Loon, Smith’s Longspur, Northern Fulmar, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and others Locations mentioned: Alaska, Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area Links: Send your topic ideas to lifelistpodcast@gmail.com 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. | |||
| Deep-diving wild India: backyard leopards & a king-cobra's hiss with Surya Ramachandran | 17 May 2025 | 00:56:57 | |
We caught up with our friend Surya Ramachandran: Indian naturalist, author, big-cat tracker, and awesome guy. Highlights of our chat include:
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. | |||
| Weird science and birding through life changes | 03 May 2025 | 00:59:56 | |
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. | |||
| Birding travels, timberdoodles, connecting through nature in prison | 19 Apr 2025 | 00:59:57 | |
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. | |||
| Geographic clues to hybridization and the evolution of birding field guides | 05 Apr 2025 | 00:56:49 | |
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. | |||
| Bird conservation on the Chatham Islands and beyond with Mike Bell | 22 Mar 2025 | 00:58:49 | |
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. | |||
| Birding the world versus major sporting events | 10 Mar 2025 | 00:59:38 | |
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. | |||
| The heart of seabird diversity: Subantarctic Islands | 22 Feb 2025 | 01:00:52 | |
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. | |||
| Almost arrested: Birding in Qatar and South African springtime adventures | 20 Oct 2025 | 01:06:03 | |
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:
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. | |||
| Birding Asia X3: India, Thailand, and Japan | 09 Feb 2025 | 01:04:40 | |
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. | |||
| Declaring a species extinct and sampling the world's coolest birding events | 26 Nov 2024 | 01:03:36 | |
It's our final episode...but only for this season, don't worry 😉
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. | |||
| Defending Ecuador’s rarest species: Jocotoco’s on-the-ground efforts | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:55:28 | |
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.
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. | |||
| Your guide to Life List episodes and highlights | 28 Oct 2024 | 00:59:36 | |
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. 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. | |||
| Gull mysteries with Amar Ayyash | 21 Oct 2024 | 01:07:57 | |
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. | |||
| Fall birding highlights (so far!) | 15 Oct 2024 | 01:00:30 | |
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.
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. | |||
| Comparing thermal scopes, Hurricane Helene effects, and the beauty in the unknowns on pelagics | 01 Oct 2024 | 01:05:21 | |
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!
And don't forget to share your favorite guests with us! We'd love to hear from you. 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. | |||
| Brazil's legendary lands and lesser-known gems | 24 Sep 2024 | 01:05:42 | |
George is just back from the Pantanal, and today, we're chatting about that. But first...
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. | |||
| We're answering your birdy questions! | 17 Sep 2024 | 01:08:11 | |
We're back with a listener question episode!
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. | |||
| Deep dives and Easter eggs in the new Stokes finch guide | 11 Sep 2024 | 01:06:56 | |
This week, we're joined by Lillian Stokes and Matt Young to share in the laughs, research, and stories behind their jam-packed new book, The Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. Learn more and preorder it here before the book is published on September 17! 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. | |||
| Traveling as a birder and musician with Bonner Black | 04 Oct 2025 | 00:58:52 | |
We’re joined by Bonner Black: Nashville-based singer-songwriter, birder, and all-around force of nature. Highlights of our chat include:
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. | |||
| Conflict in chasing rare birds & what it feels like to be on pelagics | 02 Sep 2024 | 01:08:42 | |
We're three busy birders this week with tales ranging from the backyard to the wonders of the deep oceans. Grab a drink and enjoy this classic Life List chat with us—tangents and all. 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. | |||
| Wacky tales and unique habitats with Phil Chaon | 26 Aug 2024 | 01:00:12 | |
Phil's been there, done that, and has the stories to prove it. This week we chat about his recent oceanic expeditions and upcoming book.
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. | |||
| Ornithological careers and accompanying global adventures with Holly Garrod and Billi Krochuk | 19 Aug 2024 | 01:09:09 | |
Holly and Billi have spanned continents in their incredible career feats. Today, we're chatting about the challenges and adventures that they've had 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. | |||