Weekend Birder

Fall in love with Australia’s two largest (and flightless) birds. This episode explores what makes these big birds so special, from their impressive size and strength to the important job they play in the Australian landscape.Luca is an 12-year old nature lover and birder who lives in Naarm (Melbourne) and feels most at home in nature. His fondness and respect for wildlife was first inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s programs. Luca’s fascination for birds began through art at the age of 7, when he started drawing birds and devouring bird identification books. This ignited a passion for birdwatching and bird photography. For Luca, drawing and photographing birds continue to be central in getting to know Australian birds and those living in other parts of the world. Luca carries his passion for birding where ever he goes, whether he is camping, hiking, surfing or on a road trip. He loves sharing his knowledge of birds with others as much as he enjoys learning from birders he meets on his nature adventures. Links:* Weekend Birder is now on YouTube - @WeekendBirder* Weekend Birder is now on TikTok - @weekend.birder* Subscribe to the Monthly Letter - weekendbirder.com/monthly-letter* Recordings by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.comWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder* YouTube - @WeekendBirder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get to know one of Australia’s most endearing birds. This episode is about the re-introduction of the Bush Stone-curlew on to Millowl (Phillip Island) and the sewing of tiny bird backpacks.Paula Wasiak began her wildlife research journey in 2007 and spent over 15 years covered in penguin poop and elbow deep in burrows, while she coordinated and conducted field data collection for the Phillip Island Nature Parks. She is currently undertaking a PhD through the Australian National University, reintroducing the locally extinct Bush Stone-curlew back onto Millowl, Phillip Island. Named a Superstar of STEM in 2023/24, Paula loves sharing her knowledge with different audiences, from community groups to students, and occasionally on the radio and telly.Links:* Paula on Instagram - @paula_wasiak* Paula on TikTok - @paul.penguin* Paula on Threads - @paula_wasiak* Paula on Twitter/X - @paulawasiak* Paula’s Superstars of STEM profile - scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/profile/paula-wasiak/* The Littlest Penguin by Jedda Robaard - penguin.com.au/books/the-littlest-penguin-9781761341830* Phillip Island Nature Parks Bush Stone-curlew re-introduction- penguins.org.au/conservation/education/nature-notes/bush-stone-curlew/* Penguin Foundation website and socials - penguinfoundation.org.au* Bush-stone Curlews before dawn recording by Ken George (XC857992) - xeno-canto.org* Bush-stone Curlews in flight recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.comWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a live recording of Local Big Year Celebration 2024. This episode features the stories of birdwatchers who participated in Local Big Year 2024 and the delights that come from paying attention to neighbourhood birds.Hugh Possingham is currently the co-chief councillor of The Biodiversity Council, and Vice-President of BirdLife Australia. He has devoted his life to stopping habitat loss around the world. He completed a PhD in Mathematics and Ecology at Oxford University in the UK and this led to a career in universities in the USA and Australia. He has mainly worked as a university professor and is currently at the University of Queensland. He also served two years at Chief Scientist of Queensland and four years as Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservancy. Hugh has over 1000 peer-reviewed scientific publications and his list of achievements goes on and on. Amongst all of this, he still likes to go birding at Oxley Creek Common in Brisbane.Jo Bangles is a graphic designer, bird noticer, eco worrier (yes, worry-er), and occasional adventurer. She lives on the Surf Coast, very close to a small wetland she affectionately calls The Swamp. Her Local Big Year area started at the Swamp but quickly expanded to include the streets she walks down to get there. Her spark bird was a hummingbird she encountered on a deserted beach in Mexico over 20 years ago. It was a truly magical encounter!Sophie Walker is bird enthusiast, and self reported “very average birder”, who uses birding as an excuse to get outside in the fresh air and spend time in nature. She works as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit, and so self care and hobbies like birding are a great way for her to wind down and reset her body clock after shift work. You can catch Sophie distracted by birds almost anywhere she goes and regardless of how “common” the bird might be, she likes them all!Links:* Weekend Birder on YouTube - youtube.com/@WeekendBirder* How to do a Local Big Year guide - weekendbirder.com/how-to-guides/how-to-do-a-local-big-year* Hugh Possingham on Instagram - @hugepossum/* Jo Bangles on Instagram - @mojoxposed* Sophie Walker on Instagram - @sophiealice08* Set up eBird alerts - ebird.org/alerts* Bassian Thrush recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.comWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drive one hour south of Sydney for a walk and some birdwatching. This episode is about the joys of a local patch and listening out for the Rockwarbler.Kylie Savidge has been a keen bird noticer since childhood when her mother would often point out birds of interest. In later years, she became more interested in noticing the birds of her community - Wollondilly Shire in SSW Sydney. Joining Birdlife and social media birding groups has expanded Kylie’s knowledge and interest in a wider diversity of Australia’s birdlife. Raptors and robins have a special place in her heart and she trusts that continuing her bird noticing will expand her list of favourite birds.Links:* Weekend Birder Google Map - weekendbirder.com/places* Cape Barren Goose recording by Ian Woxvold (XC603281) - xeno-canto.org* Rock Warbler recording by Greg McLachlan (XC380577) - xeno-canto.org* Black-faced Monarch recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.