On this episode I catch up with Victor and Ruben Stoll as they recover from their record breaking 2022 Lower-48 big year. I had a chance to meet them at the Lake Forest Park, WA Red-flanked Bluetail stakeout last March, and they caught a shower and a few hours of sleep at our home before heading to a Westport Seabirds pelagic trip.
You can see their eBird profiles for more details. Ruben eBird Profile Victor eBird Profile
You can also find them on facebook. Victor on Facebook Ruben on Facebook
To hear about Tiffany Kersten’s 2021 Lower-48 big year check out The Bird Banter Podcast #122 with Tiffany Kersten.
We talk about Jerry Cooper’s book: Birdfinder: A Birder’s Guide to Planning North American Trips on the episode. It was fun to hear that other birders have found this book as helpful as I have over the years. I really think that Victor and Ruben should think about writing an update to this book. They certainly have the first-hand experiences to do so. The 1995 book is out of print, but you can find it used at Buteo Books.
I’m not sure but I think this is an article about the high wind storm the Stoll’s encountered on their chase to see the Garganey in Montana in May.
It sounds like Victor and Ruben have as high a regard as I do about Michael Todd, a previous podcast guest and Tennessee birder who was on episode #124.
As always, if you have suggestions for podcast guests, please let me know using the Contact form here.
Until next time, good birding and good day!
Tag: big year
The Bird Banter Podcast #122 With Tiffany Kersten
On The Bird Banter Podcast #122 Tiffany Kersten and I talk about her record breaking Lower 48 United States birding big year, as well as her efforts to raise awareness for the safety of women in nature. During her big year she gave away over 250 personal safety devices.
Tiffany works as a personal guide in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and you can contact her either on her website Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders or on her Facebook page @natureninjatours.
The record breaking species for Tiffany was fittingly found at her home turf place, the Santa Ana refuge in the Rio Grande Valley where she has worked and continues as a conservation advocate.
Hear other episodes about birders and their big years on any of these episodes:
Thanks for listening and until next time, good birding and good day!
The Bird Banter Podcast #121 with Will Brooks and Jason Vassallo Additional Information
On this episode Will, Jason and I talk about their 2021 big years. Jason did a 2021 Lower-48 States big year and Will did a 2021 Washington State Big Year. Will broke the record for Washington getting 376 species, and Jason saw the 9th highest lower 48 states total ever while visiting most states, 21 National Parks, many other areas of natural beauty, and trying to keep it fun and not too stressful. It sounds to me like both accomplished their goals exceptionally, and it was really fun to have good friends on the show to talk birding.
Below are links to related and I think interesting information.
Jason’s Instagram feed, @jason2012bigyear. Check out not just the great photos but the dialogue too.
Here is a Wikipedia page that gives more than you may want to know about birding big years. It is incredibly current and well done.
Here is a Seattle News 5 video about Will’s year.
This is a local newspaper article about Will’s big year.
This is Will’s first podcast with lots more background and here is Jason’s first podcast.
Thanks for listening and reading.
Good birding and good day!