Get Birding

In this episode, host Sean Bean returns to RSPB Arne in Dorset, where autumn migration is bringing birds in from further north. We’ll discover why Poole Harbour is such an important winter haven for waders and waterfowl, and get to know some of the reserve’s remarkable birds of prey.

Plus, we’ll meet musician Ben Watt, best known as a member of Everything But The Girl, as he takes us around his local patch at Brent Reservoir in North London. Ben shares how he fell in love with birding and why he’s campaigning to protect the wildlife and habitats on his doorstep.

We’ll also hear about the devastating wildfires at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk and their impact on the birds and habitats that will take years to recover. Meanwhile, the BTO’s satellite-tagged cuckoo, Bean, continues his remarkable journey south.

Dr Mya-Rose Craig is back with her dad, Chris, to answer your birding questions about migration after dark, and Maya takes a closer look at spotting scopes and what might be best for your birding.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

Learn more about Ben Watt’s environmental group, Cool Oak
https://www.cooloakgroup.com/

And the Brent Resovoir
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/places-to-visit/brent-reservoir-welsh-harp

Track our satellite tagged cuckoo, Bean. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking/bean
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Sean Bean is joined by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at RSPB Arne, where they explore the reserve and discover how Dartford Warblers have bounced back, from just two pairs at Arne in 1965 to 97 pairs last year. Simon talks about how birds have found their way into his poetry, his love of their names, and one very questionable identification during a 24-hour bird race.

We’ll also get ready for October Big Day with Stephen Menzie from Merlin, as birders around the world head out on 10th October to record the birds they see. We’ll hear how hundreds of thousands of people can come together to build a picture of birds around the world, and discover why Falsterbo in Sweden is such an incredible place to watch autumn migration.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig is back to answer your birding questions and help you get to grips with what all those numbers on your binoculars really mean.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring generational birding and how a love of nature is passed down through families. Sean Bean is joined by lifelong birders Dr. Mya-Rose Craig and her dad Chris at RSPB Arne, who share memories of birding together, from Mya-Rose’s first twitch at just nine days old to an overnight trip to Orkney to see a rare Sandhill Crane.

We’ll also meet 16-year-old conservationist Joe Scorey and his dad Paul in Bushy Park, where they reveal how birdwatching has brought them closer in a digital age when father-son relationships can be difficult, giving them a way to talk, travel and explore together.

Plus, Rachel, London Ambassador for Birds and the Belles, takes us back to where her love of birding began and how it has given her moments of mindfulness while navigating the grief of losing a parent. We’ll also answer your autumn birding questions, from departing summer migrants to the arrival of winter visitors.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Sean Bean is joined by wildlife biologist and broadcaster Dan O’Neill at RSPB Ham Wall, where they explore the wildlife of this wetland habitat, from ospreys and cormorants to marsh harriers, kingfishers and dragonflies. They also reflect on their shared childhood passion for birds of prey and how spending time in nature can put life into perspective.

We’ll also meet Donna Davis and Rufus, the Harris Hawk who has worked at Wimbledon, Westminster Abbey and Lord’s Cricket Ground, to discover how falconry is used to deter gulls and pigeons in urban environments.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig returns to bust some birding myths, from the surprising truth about “seagulls” to why owls might not be as wise as they look.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

Tiger Island https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002x3br/tiger-island

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Sean Bean is joined by broadcaster and lifelong birder Kirsty Gallacher to explore the seminal moments that have shaped her love and appreciation for birds, from peregrines and racing pigeons to a powerful encounter with an owl during a time of grief.

We’ll also hear from bestselling author Amy Tan about The Backyard Bird Chronicles and the year she spent observing, drawing and keeping a journal of the birds in her garden transformed the way she understood survival, habitat and our relationship with the natural world.

Plus, wildlife writer and communicator Lucy McRobert from The Sound Approach explores the overlooked voices of female birds and the gender gap in birdsong, nature beatboxer and composer Jason Singh reveals why the blackbird and song thrush are among his favourite birds, and Dr Mya-Rose Craig returns to answer your questions about the sounds of summer and the remarkable lives of swifts.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

The Sound Approach https://soundapproach.co.uk/

The Backyard Bird Chronicles https://amytan.net/backyard-bird-chronicles
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.