Spring migration is a great time to visit the Rio Grande Valley. Warblers, vireos, orioles, and more move through the Gulf Coast on their way to breeding habitats further north. The Spring Chirp birding festival is the perfect opportunity to see migrating birds, eat good food, and enjoy the Rio Grande Valley.

Adventure begins at: 6:55

Show notes
Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Tufted Puffin Walks
Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival
Birding The Border
Spring Chirp
Nana’s Taqueria
Valley Nature Center

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned
Prothonotary Warbler
Swallow-tailed Kite

Intro Bird Call: Cactus Wren (Recorded Cameron, TX, April 2026)
Outro Bird Call: Great Kiskadee (Recorded Hidalgo, TX, April 2026)

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Connect with us at...

IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding
Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding
Email us at HannahandErikGoBirding@gmail.com
Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com
Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding

Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Pelagic boat trips are always an adventure. There is so much variability with weather, ocean conditions, and, of course, birds. We have never done a pelagic in the spring, so we thought we would give it a chance and chase after our most hoped-for bird, Parakeet Auklet.

Adventure begins at: 13:30

Show notes

Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Tufted Puffin Walks
eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam
Rio Grande Valley Bird Festival
Birding The Border
Tu Hand Creations
Westport Pelagic

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned:
Short-tailed Albatross
Manx Shearwater

Intro Bird Call: Pink-footed Shearwater (Recorded Washington, July 2020)
Outro Bird Call: Pink-footed Shearwater (Recorded Washington, July 2020)

Support the show

Connect with us at...

IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding
Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding
Email us at HannahandErikGoBirding@gmail.com
Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com
Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding

Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB

Dr. Steve Brusatte is a palentologist, author, consultant, professor, and much more - he wears so many hats! But communicating science is at the center to all he does. He joined us to talk about his latest work, The Story of Birds, a fascinating book exploring the history of birds from their dinosaur origins.

Start of interview: 10:20

Show Notes

Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Tufted Puffin Walks
eBird Big Day; GoBirdingTeam
The Story of Birds by Dr. Steve Brusatte
Tu Hands Creations
Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
Birding the Border

Intro Bird Call: Yellow-crowned Gonolek (recorded Senegal, December 2023)
Outro Bird Call: Plain Chachalaca (recorded Texas, April 2025)

Didn’t explain bird calls in recording, but Yellow-crowned Gonolek to me makes me think of what an ancient Mesozoic bird song might sound like and the outro of a Plain Chachalaca is of one of the birds that seems to be most raptor like, living in packs, extremely curious, kind of awkward, etc.

Support the show

Connect with us at...

IG: @Hannahgoesbirding and @Erikgoesbirding
Facebook: @HannahandErikGoBirding
Email us at HannahandErikGoBirding@gmail.com
Website: http://www.gobirdingpodcast.com
Venmo: @hannahanderikgobirding

Get a discount at Buteo Books using code: BIRDNERDBOOKCLUB