Birding as a Father and Son Duo with Paul and Joe Scorey

Paul and Joe Scorey are a father and son birding duo. Chris first met them at the Global Bird Fair, then went birding with them at MigFest in Spurn. Paul’s birding goes back to the 1970s. Joe, now 16, has been at it since toddlerhood, and the pair are deep into their second Big Year in a row. In this chat, they share how the hobby has shaped their relationship, why they keep (mostly) friendly competition in check, and what it takes to make birding feel welcoming for younger people. Episode Takeaways: Spark Birds: Paul’s was a great spotted woodpecker spotted in tall grass as a kid in the 1970s. Joe’s obsession took hold at 11, when a great tit photo at WWT Welney turned a break from birding into a full-blown passion. Nemesis Birds: Paul spent about four decades missing the great grey shrike before finally getting one in Norfolk, after circling a golf course to find it. Welcome the Next Generation: Joe makes the case for making younger birders (and everyone else) feel welcome, from primary school nature education to kinder behaviour in the hide. Keep It Simple: Paul has kept a handwritten year list since 1995. Both of them believe that notebooks, a calm approach to binoculars, and a bit of time outside are all you really need. Episode Timestamps: 03:48 - Paul Spark Bird 04:50 - Joe Reignites Birding 06:19 - Early Birding Memories 07:07 - The Missed Albatross 08:16 - Birding Bonds and Talk 12:59 - Big Year Numbers 15:43 - Travel Plans and Endemics 17:16 - Beginner Tips and Binoculars 20:03 - Analog Lists Matter 21:26 - Tech Versus Nature 22:29 - Welcoming Young Birders 29:41 - Why Birding Endures 32:35 - Rapid Fire Questions Important Links & Resources: Follow My Birding Life on Instagram Subscribe to My Birding Life on YouTube Follow Paul and Joe on Instagram My Birding Life 'The Wagtail' Field Journal