Nolan hails from Tennessee, where he began birding at the age of nine and quickly immersed himself in some of the East Coast’s most iconic birding destinations, including Cape May and the Outer Banks. His early exposure to migration, coastal birding, and the excitement of discovering new species set the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion.
In 2018, Nolan relocated to Vail, Arizona, where he deepened his understanding of bird distribution across the southern United States. His interests gravitated strongly toward migration ecology, and he is especially drawn to the spectacle of morning flight, the challenge of sea-watching, the thrill of hawk-watching, and the subtle mysteries of nocturnal flight calls. In recent years, Nolan has also spent extensive time exploring Texas’s remarkable avifauna, from the Gulf Coast to the Hill Country, and has developed a strong working knowledge of the state’s diverse habitats and seasonal patterns.
For Nolan, the best part of guiding is sharing unforgettable birding moments with clients—he thrives on the excitement people feel when they experience new birds, new landscapes, or a deeper connection to the natural world.
Nolan currently guides for both Texas Birding Guides and Arizona Birding Guides. He has led field trips for the Tucson Audubon Society, serves as an eBird regional reviewer for Graham County, Arizona, and is a member of the Arizona Bird Records Committee. His past roles include serving as lead hawkwatcher at Hitchcock Nature Center in Iowa (fall 2024) and as the morning flight counter at Turkey Point State Park in Maryland (fall 2025).
With broad experience across the East, Southwest, and Gulf Coast, Nolan brings an enthusiastic, migration-focused, and client-centered approach to every outing.
