Hokkaido has a lot of really neat birds and one-in-a-lifetime experiences. The Steller's Sea-Eagles and Blakiston's Fish-Owls what attracted us to go on the trip, but amazing places, good food, and other wildlife made it even better!

Adventure begins at: 10:20

Show notes

Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Seicomart
Hotel Live Max in Shiretoko
Shiretoko Nature Cruise
Yoroushi Hotspring Lodge

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned

Blakiston’s Fish-Owl
Steller’s Sea-Eagle

Intro Bird Call: Large-billed Crow (Recorded Hokkaido Japan, February 2026)
Outro Bird Call: Steller’s Sea-Eagle (Recorded at sea near Japan, February 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

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In our first few days in Japan, we did a bit of sightseeing in Tokyo, including the Sensō-ji Temple and a few days in Tokyo Disney...just a tiny bit of birding there! We also chatted a bit about traveling around Tokyo and some tips for folks who haven't been there before.

Then we headed to Hokkaido to get the real birding adventure started! Cranes, seabirds, ducks, and owls...and freezing cold temperatures. There is so much to see!

Adventure begins at: 10:51
Tokyo and Disney: 14:00
Hokkaido adventures: 33:45

Show notes

Spring Chirp
Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Stephen Fry and the Kakapo
Seicomart, the Hokkaido local convience store
Senso-Ji Temple
Tokyo Disney
Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary
Koji Tagi

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned

Red-crowned Crane
Long-tailed Tit
Dusky Thrush
Azure-winged Magpie

Intro Bird Call: Red-crowned Crane (Recorded: Hokaido Japan, February 2026)
Outro Bird Call: Brown-eared Bulbul (Recorded: Hokkaido Japan, February 2026)

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

Alt title: Elephant Seals, Wine Tasting, and Owls, oh my!

On our day off from the Morro Bay Birding Festival, we decided to check out a few birding spots, like Atascadero Lake and Wolff Vineyard. We also searched for a couple of owls and then found some cool birds off-the-beaten path!

Adventure begins at: 11:25

Show notes

Spring Chirp
Naturalist Journeys Go Birding with Hannah and Erik
Morro Bay Birding Festival
Article about Exotic Gardens
Wolff Vineyards

eBird Trip Report

Birds/Animals mentioned

Elephant Seals

Intro Bird Call: California Scrub Jay (Recorded Oregon, 2021)
Outro Bird Call: Great Horned Owl (Recorded Cannon Beach OR, 2025)

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