On October 17th and 18th 2020, the inaugural Global Bird Weekend will be held. Co-founder Tim Appleton MBE tells me how this event will bring together birdwatchers from over 100 countries, encouraging people of all levels of experience to watch and listen to their local birds. It is hoped that the event will break records for the largest number of people participating, and the largest number of species recorded, in one birdwatching event. You can take part too - visit https://globalbirding.org/ ...
Oct 10, 2020•19 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast In episode 77, I share my thoughts on the Virtual Birdfair, give an update on my garden birds, and tell you about my summer bird walks. Plus, there’s exciting news about a group eBird account for The Casual Birder Podcast and I invite you to participate in the upcoming Global Bird Weekend Time stamps: 00:00:54 Virtual Birdfair 00:04:53 Group eBird Account 00:08:16 Global Bird Weekend 00:10:03 Suzy’s Bird Notes 00:14:50 Hanging with Hedgehogs 00:16:59 Lesser Black-backed Gull Drama 00:20:25 Rook ...
Sep 24, 2020•48 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast For my birthday this year, I treated myself to a day of birdwatching in my garden. Join me as I record my sightings for the #BreakfastBirdwatch. Also, hear about the recent birds seen by listeners around the world, including a contribution from Florida by Varmints! podcast. And news of Women Birders (Happy Hour), a new podcast by Hannah from Hannah and Erik Go Birding Birds that visited, flew over or were heard during the birdwatch: Woodpigeon Collared Dove Herring Gull Grey Heron Red Kite Rook ...
May 25, 2020•50 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast In March 2020 life has suddenly changed for all of us. The COVID-19 Pandemic has meant the closure of parks and reserves, self-isolation and social distancing. The first part of this episode talks about some of the things we can do to stay in touch with nature with ideas for those who might be casual birding for the first time. If you want to avoid hearing about the current crisis, please jump to 11:30 to hear about our regular casual birding sightings. And the Last Call segment this week featur...
Mar 29, 2020•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast In episode 74, we hear from Euan Buchan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, about the anniversary of his first birdwatching day 18 years ago, what he has seen recently on his birding trips, and his tips for those beginning birdwatching. Links: The Edinburgh Birdwatcher Euan’s first interview on the show: Episode 48 - The Edinburgh Birdwatcher Twitter handle of the Waxwings monitors: @WaxwingsUK Shout outs to: Strange Animals Podcast Hannah and Erik Go Birding UK Wildlife Podcast Champions of the Flyway ...
Mar 06, 2020•45 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast In episode 73, I look back to the Big Garden Birdwatch of 2020, recalling my sightings on the survey day, and we hear about the birds you saw. Featuring contributions from Euan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher & Rachael, host of Hidden Wings and Bloodlust podcast. Also Hannah, from Hannah and Erik Go Birding Podcast tells us about the conservation efforts of the Champions of the Flyway event. Links: Champions of the Flyway Hannah and Erik go Birding The Edinburgh Birdwatcher Hidden Wings and Blood Lus...
Feb 13, 2020•25 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast Ornithologist and conservationist Dan Rouse joins me for a walk on Rhossili Headland, on the Gower Peninsula, Wales. A well-respected birder and wildlife educator, Dan tells me how she became interested in birds at a young age, and how her advocacy for conservation of Welsh wildlife has led to tv and radio appearances. During the walk, Dan helps me identify the differences between Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, Cormorants and Shags, and Common Gulls and Herring Gulls. Links: Dan's Website Dan's Twi...
Jan 27, 2020•47 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus mini episode, listeners share their observations of their last birds of 2019 and first birds of 2020. The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (it's free!) Casual Birder Website Follow me on - Twitter Instagram Podchaser or join the Facebook Group Thank you to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show. The theme music is Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones. Thanks to them for letting me use it. Check out their website at The Drones...
Jan 13, 2020•7 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast In episode 70, I take a look back on the casual birding moments that filled me with joy during 2019. Listeners share their favourite birding moments too. Episodes from 2019 that are referred to: #59 Mark Carwardine Watching whales in Baja California http://casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/59-mark-carwardine-watching-whales-in-baja-california #61 Backyard birds of Baja California http://casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/61-backyard-birds-in-baja-california #64 Mark Gagliardi Bird Walk at Lake Arrowhead http:/...
Jan 08, 2020•28 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast I speak with Stephanie Seymour, a singer/songwriter who is also a passionate birder. Stephanie recently released an album of her songs, all featuring birds, with titles such as Blue Jay, Ruby Crowned Kinglet and Veery. She tells me where she got her inspiration for the album, and all about the birds she sees from her back yard in New Jersey. Buy There Are Birds and find out more about Stephanie From our conversation - further information on the Winter Wren (Widescreen image: thanks to Bob Perry ...
Dec 15, 2019•43 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast The Casual Birder Podcast is 2 years old! To celebrate, we took a weekend break to the Isle of Wight to watch birds. Keiron Lee Vine, a keen birder and member of the show's Facebook Group, joined me for a bird walk at RSPB Brading Marshes. The weather was stormy, but we had a great time and saw lots of birds. Follow Keiron on Instagram Follow Keiron on Facebook And do check out Keiron’s art for sale For more information about the Isle of Wight, visit the Official Tourism Site The Casual Birder P...
Nov 19, 2019•39 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast For this special episode for International Podcast Month, join me for a morning stroll around the streets of La Jolla in San Diego, California to discover what birds local residents can see. List of birds seen: Northern Mockingbird Song Sparrow Yellow-rumped Warbler Anna’s Hummingbird Rufous or Allen’s Hummingbird House Sparrow European Starling Collared Dove Mourning Dove American Crow Red-tailed Hawk Caspian Tern Herring gull Western Gull California Towhee Brown Pelican Links: Don't miss an ep...
Sep 26, 2019•26 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Even casual birding can turn up surprises. Suzy spends some time looking at the birds in a small London square. And is delighted when a Chiffchaff appears in her garden one day, along with a mixed flock of small birds. Going to the London Podcast Festival? Suzy is co-hosting a session there for the Podcast Maker Weekend, along with Sam and Louise from the 90 Minutes or Less Film Fest podcast (@90minfilmfest). The session is about Passion Podcasts and Fan Shows. Buy tickets at Podcast Maker Weeke...
Sep 09, 2019•20 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast More casual birding this week as I sit in my suburban garden in southern England and describe the birds that visit. The promo is from False Starts Pod. Follow them on Twitter @FalseStartsPod Birds that visited, or flew over, my garden during the recording of this episode: Dunnock, Rook, Collared Dove, House Sparrow, European Starling, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Swifts, Greenfinch, Red Kite. Contributions from: False Starts Podcast Links mentioned: Feeding birds in Summer http://w...
Jul 30, 2019•29 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Actor and podcaster Mark Gagliardi joins me in Lake Arrowhead, California, for his first bird walk. Will it live up to his expectations? What birds will we see? Listen and find out! Shows mentioned: We Got This! with Mark and Hal Mark's podcast: Pod & Treasure Follow Mark on Twitter - @MarkGags Maximum Fun website ______________ Birds of Southern California: A Guide to Common & Notable Species (Quick Reference Guides) Learn more: Bird guide link To find out more about the birds mentioned this we...
Jul 03, 2019•36 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Amy Chillag is a writer and producer for CNN Special Projects. She is also a casual birdwatcher. She tells me about the joy she feels at seeing the birds that visit her backyard in Atlanta, Georgia, and the article she wrote about the power of birdwatching for peace of mind: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/12/health/sw-birding-for-health/index.html Don't miss an episode: subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasualBirderPod Instagram: https://www...
Jun 23, 2019•32 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Suzy has lost her voice! Heather from Sunshine and Powercuts Podcast has kindly stepped in to provide an introduction to this bonus episode. Twice a year, in March and August, Heather hosts the Sunshine Summit, a week of live-streams to recognise and celebrate connections and bring people together from around the world. In August 2018 Heather spoke with Suzy about The Casual Birder Podcast and about Suzy's love of podcasts. This is a lightly edited version of the interview. Do check out the full...
Apr 17, 2019•48 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Recorded in the garden of our vacation rental in Baja California, Mexico. The casita had a mature garden, and 13 bird species visited during our first full day there. Birds mentioned this episode: Orange-crowned Warbler Hooded Oriole Cactus Wren Turkey Vultures Common Raven Gila Woodpecker White-winged Dove House Sparrow Californian Scrub Jay Northern Cardinal Lesser Goldfinch House Finch Northern Mockingbird Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twit...
Apr 12, 2019•20 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Birder Jeremy Schwartz, and his colleague Jeff Morgenroth, have created the Backyard Birding card game that is not only fun to play, but will teach people about the birds they might see in the Pacific Northwest where they live. Visit www.BackyardBirdingGame.com to see videos of gameplay and read the blog posts. Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasualBirderPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casualbirderpodcast/ o...
Apr 01, 2019•23 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Mark Carwardine is a conservationist, broadcaster and wildlife photographer. He is also a whale expert and leads wildlife tours around the world. I was recently on one of those tours, in Baja California. I spoke with Mark about the wildlife we saw and his conservation work. Mark’s website can be found at https://www.markcarwardine.com/ Whales and Dolphins seen on the whale-watching tour (in order seen): Common Dolphin Gray Whale Fin Whale Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin Blue Whale...
Mar 25, 2019•31 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Dusty Gedge has been an avid birdwatcher since childhood. Find out how the Black Redstart changed the course of his professional life … and hear his birding anecdotes! The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasualBirderPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casualbirderpodcast/ or join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CasualBirderPodcast/ Additional material Dusty’s web site:...
Feb 18, 2019•49 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast The Common Swift is in decline. Jamie Wyver of the RSPB tells us how we can help this awesome little bird. Also, as the RSPB celebrates its 130th Anniversary, Jamie tells us more about the conservation work that it does. Bird Described: Common Swift Previous episodes mentioned: Big Blind Walk at: bit.ly/CasualBirder25 And find Jamie’s interview about the Big Garden Birdwatch at bit.ly/CasualBirder11 Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: https...
Feb 11, 2019•30 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast This week, it’s the Corvids! Find out why I was spooked by a Raven, and hear some awesome vocalisations from a Rook that visited my garden! Also, feedback on the birds listeners saw during the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. Birds described in this episode: Raven, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Eurasian Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Chough. Please also listen to my episode on Eurasian Jays, Blue Jays and Steller's Jays, with guest Jessica Delisle: http://casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/the-casual-bir...
Feb 07, 2019•24 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast This week my guest is Paul Cheall, host of Fighting Through podcast. He tells us about the birds he sees in his Norfolk garden and, following on from my last episode, there’s some further tips about feeding garden birds. The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasualBirderPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casualbirderpodcast/ or join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Casua...
Jan 07, 2019•33 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast I talk to Claire Boothby, from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), about feeding garden birds, feeder hygiene and the BTO Garden Birdwatch. (Bird feeding tips below) Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: @CasualBirderPod Instagram: @CasualBirderPodcast or join the Facebook group at bit.ly/CasualBirderFB _____ LINKS BTO Garden Bird Watch Link to www.bto.org/gbw Great tips from the Audubon society: https://www.audubon.org/news/bird-feeding...
Dec 23, 2018•33 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast I take a walk around the London Wetland Centre in Barnes with my guest, conductor, author and bird watcher: Lev Parikian. Read more about Lev's book 'Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear?' and his blog posts at https://levparikian.wordpress.com/ For further information about the London Wetland Centre, visit: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/ Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Follow me on - Twitter: @CasualBirderPod Instagram: @CasualBirderPodcast or join...
Dec 16, 2018•52 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Join me as I look back to a bird walk I took in the summer in Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, NYC. Also, hear about the birds I saw on a recent birdwatch on the Isle of Wight and Mum, co-host of Rough Giraffe podcast, sets us a challenge about the birds she sees in Spain. Contributions from: Rough Giraffe Podcast Sunshine and Power Cuts Contact the Show: Twitter Instagram Casual Birder Podcast Facebook Group Links: Brooklyn Bird Club RSPB Audubon Thanks: To Randy Braun for the show artwork The theme...
Dec 03, 2018•31 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I take a walk in the grounds of The Vyne, a National Trust property near to where I live in Hampshire, give an update on my garden bird count and share some bird sightings from listeners. Also Stacey, from Rough Giraffe Podcast, tells us about some inquisitive Jays in her garden. Find the show here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/rough-giraffe/id1214743716?mt=2...
Nov 13, 2018•20 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Focussing on my local birds, I start the first of a series of weekly bird watches in my garden. With descriptions and recordings of the birds seen. This week we also have lots of bird sightings from listeners around the world. During the count, I recorded the following birds: Red-Legged Partridge Dunnock Wood Pigeon Greenfinch Chaffinch Collared Dove House Sparrow Coal Tit Magpie
Oct 29, 2018•22 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I speak with Mort Putnam about the birds we saw on a walk I led at Lake Arrowhead in California back in June, and I share some of the bird songs and calls I recorded there. Birds seen: Nuttall’s Woodpecker Acorn Woodpecker American Robin Steller’s Jay Spotted Towhee Red breasted Nuthatch Brewer’s Blackbird Blackheaded Grosbeak Birds heard: Scrub Jay Cooper’s Hawk This week’s guest: Follow Mort on Instagram or Twitter @necromorter The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - subsc...
Oct 15, 2018•22 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast