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NaturallyScott

Scott

At least once a week, I’ll bring you the very best of America’s spectacular world of nature — from birds to mammals, to reptiles and amphibians. From soaring mountains to endless plains, from rugged coastlines to rivers and streams. 

Each episode will feature an expert guest — a ranger, a researcher, a birder, or an adventurer — someone who has seen what we want to see and been where we want to go. 

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  • 23 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 36 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • S2 · E56
    April 16 · 31 min

    E56 Kimberly Kaufman — The Biggest Week in American Birding & the Magic of Migration 🐦🌎

    Send us Fan Mail Every spring, billions of birds move across North America — and for a brief moment, one place becomes the center of it all. In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with Kimberly Kaufman, Executive Director of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, to explore The Biggest Week in American Birding — one of the most important and accessible birding events in the world. Held along the shores of Lake Erie in northwest Ohio, this 10-day festival brings together tens of thousands of birders to experience peak spring migration at places like the legendary Magee Marsh. In this focused conversation, they explore: 🐦 Why northwest Ohio is a global hotspot for migration 🌎 How a festival grew from zero to 80,000+ visitors 🤝 The unique culture of birding — welcoming, generous, and shared 🌿 How bird tourism directly supports conservation ✨ Why moments at the Biggest Week become lifelong memories This is a conversation about more than a festival — it’s about community, conservation, and what happens when people come together around something they love. 📬 Stay curious & get bonus content: https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E55
    April 9 · 1 hr

    E55 Denver Holt — Snowy Owls, Field Research & 35 Years on the Arctic Tundra! 🦉❄️

    Send us Fan Mail Few people understand owls like Denver Holt. As the founder of the Owl Research Institute, Denver has spent nearly four decades studying owls in the wild — from long-eared owls in Montana to snowy owls on the Arctic tundra. In this episode, Denver joins Scott Harris to explore what it really means to be a “boots on the ground” field biologist. From cross-country skiing into remote nesting territories to enduring Arctic summers in Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Alaska, his work is a testament to patience, persistence, and deep observation. The conversation dives into the power of long-term research, revealing how decades of data can challenge assumptions about owl populations, lemming cycles, and environmental change. Denver also reflects on the early influences that shaped his path — including a chance encounter that set him on a lifetime journey with birds of prey. They also discuss: 🦉 Why long-term studies reveal truths short-term research misses ❄️ Snowy owls, lemmings, and the mysteries of Arctic ecosystems 🌙 The difference between field research and computer-based inference 📊 What 35 years of data can (and can’t) tell us about population trends 🌍 How owls can serve as powerful ambassadors for conservation This is a conversation about curiosity, discipline, and the value of truly knowing a species — not just studying it, but living alongside it. 📬 Stay curious — and get bonus content & updates: 👉 https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E54
    April 2 · 59 min

    E54 — Debi Shearwater: Pelagics, Seabirds & a Life at Sea 🌊🐦

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Naturally Scott, Scott sits down with Debi Shearwater — one of the most iconic figures in seabirding and pelagic birding anywhere in the world. Often called the “Queen of the Seas,” Debi has spent more than four decades leading pelagic trips off the California coast and across the globe, introducing thousands of people to the magic of seabirds, marine mammals, and life on the open ocean. From her early days as an Army wife to launching a life-changing pelagic career in 1976 out of Monterey Bay, Debi’s story is anything but ordinary. Along the way, she’s been featured in The Big Year (portrayed by Anjelica Huston), built a global reputation as a fearless leader at sea, and inspired generations of birders to step off land and into a completely different world. In this wide-ranging and fun conversation, Scott and Debi explore: 🌊 The origins of pelagic birding and how it changed her life 🐦 What makes seabirds so unique — and so addictive 🎬 Her role in The Big Year and birding’s place in popular culture 🦅 Stories from Antarctica, Iceland, and beyond 🍸 A few unexpected detours — including bartending and life off the water 🌍 A new birding festival launching in 2027 Debi’s life is a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with simply saying yes — and stepping onto a boat. 📬 Stay curious & get bonus content: https://naturallyscott.kit.com/5fd12c6752

    • Transcript
Showing 21–23 of 23 episodes