The Badgerland Birding Podcast

I talk with Zade Pacetti, Jack Trojan, and Otys Train, 3 teenagers who have competed and won the "World Series of Birding" competition in New Jersey, where they have found over 200+ bird species in 24 hours. We discuss the competition, the connections they've made from birding, and being young and into birds. Learn more about the team: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/12/nx-s1-5801539/world-series-of-birding-new-jersey

David and Tammy McQuade are two of the most esteemed big-year birders in North America. Listen in as they discuss how they got started with birding, what it's like birding with your spouse, and competitive birding.

Evan Farese discusses birding in Taiwan, California and Texas. We also go over some of the most iconic and challenging birding experiences in the United States.

My girlfriend Sarah joins the show to share her thoughts on birding.

Nathaniel Wegner joins the podcast to talk about our recent big day birding trips.

We talk with Everett Wery, creator of "The Birding Game" about. his trip to Wisconsin, the game, spring migration, and more. Check out the game at thebirdinggame.com!

Jeremiah Psiropoulos discusses updates from his guiding business and talks about birding in Colorado.

We talk about our recent birding trip to San Diego, California, try a Pennywort Drink, and talk about our America's Favorite Shorebird bracket for Migration Madness! Check out the birding game at https://www.thebirdinggame.com/ Support us on Ko-Fi here: https://ko-fi.com/badgerlandbirding Check out out merch here: https://badgerlandbirding-shop.fourthwall.com/

Margie McMahon joins the podcast to talk about her spring birding adventures as well as some of her exciting new art designs that will be released soon!

I talk with Gary and Noah Steinberg about breaking the Florida Big Year record, Florida birding, and more! Bios provided by Noah Steinberg: Gary Steinberg is a long-time Buddhist meditation practitioner and teacher, as well as an avid birder. He teaches silent meditation, dialogue practices, and other forms of Buddhist study. Gary began birding in the mid-90s and moved to Florida in 2022. In 2023, Gary and his son Noah undertook a Florida big year together. Gary and Noah ended 2023 first and second in the state for the year, setting a new Florida Big Year record. That record fell the following year. In 2025 they did it all again, pushing the record to 421. Noah Steinberg is a tour leader with American Birding Guides, a co-founder and administrator of the Florida Birding Discord, the creator of rare bird alert group chats for Orange and Osceola Counties, and an eBird reviewer for Orange County, Florida and the High Seas (Northwest Atlantic Ocean). Having taken on the role of ‘Big Year Manager’, Noah joined his dad in making a run at the Florida record while maintaining detailed spreadsheets to plan and document the year in whole. Just shy of his dad, Noah observed 417 species in 2025. However, Gary and Noah understand this wasn’t an individual achievement, but a communal one. Birders across the state contributed by finding birds, showing up at chases, sending tips, and offering friendship. Without the community of Florida birders, it wouldn't have been possible.

I talk with Brian Wrightsman, content creator for "Feathersnap" which makes smart bird feeders. Here all about how they went about designing one, what to look for in a good smart bird feeder, and more!

I talk with Phil Mitchell, founder of the app "Larkwire", a fun tool to learn bird sounds. We go through the app, test it out, and show how you can use it to be a better birder! Download the app here, there is a free version and options to pay for more (We do earn a commission from qualifying purchases): https://insertaffiliate.link/950kUSEZzocpd8CaOliJsm5j4Q63/BADGERLAND

Jeremiah Oden joins the podcast to discuss his love of digi-scoping, doing a global owl big year, and how he got started birding.

Hannah Toutonghi discusses her work with one of the most fascinating owls in the country; the Northern Hawk Owl. She also delves into her birding origin story.

I talk with Selina (@selinasatlas) about her Big Year in Berlin, Germany, the German birding scene, and more! Follow Selina on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@selinasatlas Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/selinasatlas/

Sally Wildrick of Best Life Birding talks about her birding journey from past, to present, to future

I talk with Garrett Rhyne from the American Bird Conservancy about innovations in bird tracking using Motus technology, Swainson's Warblers, and more! Check out the Motus website here: https://motus.org/

We talk about our annual "First of the Year Birding Challenge", as well as an all black Great Egret in Louisiana that has been the topic of debate.

We talk with Nigel and Kayleigh from the Backyard Aviary Adventures about birding in the UK, their channel, differences between the US and the UK, and more! Check out their channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCttsXR6K5jNFphVesZge2Wg

David Brown of Lyco Birds joins the show to discuss birding in Delaware, hawk watching, and more!