Host Suzy speaks with Sandra Morocho (Birdwatchers of Quijos Valley, Ecuador) and Michaela Leeb (Swarovski-Optik). Sandra lives in the cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. In 2014 she won a pair of binoculars in the Digiscoper of the Year competition run by Swarovski-Optik. Using the binoculars stoked Sandra’s enthusiasm for sharing views of the local birds with her friends. From there, Sandra’s engagement with the wider community led to an initiative with local leaders to...
Jul 27, 2024•23 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast Naturalist, author and broadcaster Stephen Moss joins Suzy in a wide-ranging conversation covering the importance of supporting younger members of the wildlife community, recovery from serious illness and the challenges of making individual efforts to mitigate the biodiversity crisis. Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2023 Links: Global BirdFair information and tickets: Global BirdFair website Link to my last episode with Stephen: Stephen Moss at Global BirdFair 2022 Your bird stories Tell me abo...
Jul 08, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ecologist, writer, and wildlife presenter Mike Dilger is a familiar face from his appearances on popular shows such as BBC's The One Show and Springwatch. With a lifelong passion for plants, insects, and birds, Mike has dedicated his career to studying and understanding wildlife. His extensive fieldwork has taken him around the world. As a respected wildlife communicator, Mike shares his knowledge through wildlife filmmaking, writing, and public speaking engagements. In addition, his expertise a...
Jun 28, 2024•30 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Alan Davis and Ruth Miller are passionate birders. In 2008 they gave up their jobs and sold everything to embark on an epic year-long quest to see and hear as many bird species as possible. After many adventures, on a journey taking them around the world, their final total was an amazing 4341 species, achieving a world record for the most species seen in one year. They wrote about their adventures in their book The Biggest Twitch. They now run a bird-watching tour company providing guided tours ...
Jun 20, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dick and Andrew Woods, who operate the family business behind Finches Friend bird feeders, prioritise the health of garden birds in the design of their products. A passionate designer, Dick set out to revolutionise bird feeding practices by confronting the disease and contamination risks that exist wherever we feed our garden birds. Not only do their feeders separate the food from contact with birds feet, they also encourage us to maintain good feeder hygiene by providing easy clean solutions th...
Jan 10, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast John and Suzy share their first experiences with the stunning birds of Panama City, and we hear from Edwin, their professional guide, who took them birding in the Metropolitan Nature Park. Links Sign up to our Team for the October Big Day Fundraiser for BirdLife International Past Episode Past episode: Slow birding with Bridget Butler Support the show Tell me about your birding Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com The Casual Birder Bird Club - sign up The Casual Birder Podcast https://casualbird...
Sep 20, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bridget Butler, also known as the Bird Diva, did not originally have a passion for birds. But seeing an Indigo Bunting one morning sparked her birding interest. Finding support and encouragement in the Vermont birding community Bridget developed an interest in slow birding. Bridget encourages the observation of birds as a holistic, mindful practice rather than a race to spot the most species. She now teaches the practice of slow birding, encouraging others to embrace a slower, more contemplative...
Sep 05, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Beccy Speight (Chief Executive of the RSPB) and Patricia Zurita (former CEO of BirdLife International and now Chief Strategy Officer of Conservation International) join Suzy to share their insight on changing perceptions and overcoming challenges as women in the conservation community. And we hear how each would spend a fantasy birding day. Recorded at Global Birdfair 2023 Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening The October Big Day takes place this year on October 14th and The Casual Birder Podcast...
Aug 30, 2023•30 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Chiara Talia's gorgeous photographs, along with her tips on how to improve at both birding and bird photography, make her Instagram account a must for everyone's feed. In this episode, Chiara tells Suzy how a walk in the park, and a chance encounter with a European Robin, led to a passion for bird photography and a pathway to healing at a time when she was struggling with her mental health. We also hear about her experiences using a floating bird hide in Slovenia, and her search for the Southern...
Aug 08, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Long-time birder, Mel Shepherd-Wells, joins Suzy in a delightful chat about his birding adventures, and shares some top tips applicable to all birders. Links: The Casual Birder Bird Club - sign up The UK Wildlife Podcast Support the Show - Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com The Casual Birder Podcast https://casualbirder.com/ Don't miss an episode - follow the show! Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out ...
Jul 28, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast A mini episode about the wonderful time that was had at Global BirdFair 2023, where Suzy spent time with other wildlife podcasters, interviewed amazing guests and met people passionate about the natural world. There is also news on what to expect in upcoming episodes of The Casual Birder Podcast. Links Links to wildlife podcasts mentioned Planty Planty Zoo Zoo The UK Wildlife Podcast The Wild Community Podcast Into the Wild Podcast Wilder Skies Podcast Hannah and Erik Go Birding Trees a Crowd Po...
Jul 24, 2023•11 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast Suzy shares some of her bird experiences while on vacation in Portugal, and tells how you can join our team for the Global Big Day - an important and exciting event in the birding calendar! On the Global Big Day people around the world will go birding and then upload their checklists to eBird. In this way, not only are they enjoying our wonderful bird life, but they are providing important data via community science to widen knowledge around bird populations during migration time. Suzy explains ...
May 05, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast On a pre-birthday outing, Anneke (from the show's FaceBook group) joins Suzy and her husband John for a day’s birding at RSPB Nagshead in Gloucestershire. The woods are alive with birds singing, engaging in courtship displays, and building nests. Anneke and Suzy share their bird encounters from the day, and some surprising mammal ones too! Links: Last episode: Spring is here! RSPB Nagshead webpage Short video of our day at RSPB Nagshead Marylee's video of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet Join the Casual...
Apr 21, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Suzy is back! In this episode, she shares her recent birding experiences and encounters with fellow enthusiasts, and the excitement of watching nesting Blue Tits, characterful Rooks and some unexpected Grey Wagtails. Suzy also announces the launch of the Casual Birder Bird Club, and invites listeners to join the show's team for the Global Big Day birding event on 13th May 2023. Links mentioned in the show: Sign the Swift petition here The Casual Birder Bird Club - sign up! Visit The Casual Birde...
Apr 07, 2023•35 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast Finches Friend founder Dick Woods and wildlife presenter Martin Hughes-Games join Suzy to talk about the unintended consequences of feeding garden birds that can affect their health. Dick showcases a revolutionary easy-clean feeder that he designed to reduce the transmission of disease among birds visiting feeders. He says the key is to keep birds' feet and faeces out of their food. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Announcements Big news! Embroidered hats, shirts and sweatshirts featuring The Casual...
Nov 10, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Following a weekend spent at the Hampshire Coast at the end of August, join me and my birding partner & husband, John, as we review the waders and other birds that we saw. I also talk about the BTO course on wader ID that I took, and we hear from past guest Natasha about the benefits she has found using the Merlin Bird ID app. And there are shout-outs to all the wonderful birders who have shared sightings with me over the past few weeks. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Pre-roll & announcements Cont...
Sep 24, 2022•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wildlife photographer and tour leader Boris Belchev tells up about birding in Lithuania, a small Baltic country with 403 species. Recorded at #globalbirdfair. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Podcast intro 00:00:37 Last Episode An afternoon birding in Hampshire 00:00:51 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com 00:01:22 Chat with Boris Belchev Alcedo Wildlife Boris on Instagram 00:13:56 Suzy update 00:14:42 Casual Birder Weekly is back! Read the newsletter here! 00:15:18 Global Bird Week...
Aug 31, 2022•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join me and John, my birding partner and husband, as we review the birds seen during a July afternoon at Martin Down and Blashford Lakes, in Hampshire, UK. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Pre-roll & announcements Sign up to the Casual Birder Podcast Team for the Global Bird Weekend 00:01:29 Last Episode Sussex Sara at Global Birdfair Find Sara on Instagram @Sussex_Sara 00:02:12 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com 00:02:45 Suzy and John review an afternoon of birding Part 1 00:11:2...
Aug 23, 2022•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sara Humphrey, also known as Sussex Sara on social media, shares her passion for wildlife photography, low-carbon birding, and educating others in responsible wildlife watching. Recorded at Global Birdfair. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Theme song 00:00:36 Last Episode Hannah Bourne-Taylor at Global Birdfair 00:00:47 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com 00:01:20 Introduction to Sussex Sara 00:02:08 Chat with Sussex Sara Find Sara on Instagram @Sussex_Sara 00:11:44 Keep in touch 0...
Aug 15, 2022•12 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, recorded at Global Birdfair, author of Fledgling, Hannah Bourne-Taylor, shares her extraordinary experience of raising a young finch that had been abandoned by its flock, and which made its home in her hair! Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Pre-roll and Theme song 00:00:50 Last Episode - Stephen Moss at Global Birdfair Last episode 00:01:02 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com 00:01:20 Introduction to chat 00:02:00 Chat with Hannah Bourne-Taylor Hannah's website 00:...
Aug 08, 2022•14 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast Join me as I chat with author and broadcaster Stephen Moss at the 2022 Global BirdFair. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening and Theme song 00:00:43 Last Episode - Casual Birding on a Shetland Beach Last episode 00:00:52 Introduction to chat 00:02:17 Chat with Stephen Moss Stephen's website 00:12:51 Comments on Global BirdFair 00:14:26 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com 00:14:43 Shout out to the people I met at Global BirdFair 00:16:41 Podcast Recommendation: For What It’s Ear...
Aug 01, 2022•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, join Shetland resident Natasha and me as we sit at a quiet bay watching the birds that happen by. 00:00:00 Pre-roll and Theme song Global Birdfair 00:01:17 Opening & Announcements Last Episode - Bird Chat with The Edinburgh Birdwatcher Last episode 00:01:31 Sitting at Lingness with Natasha 00:16:32 Avian influenza If you come across dead or ill birds, do not touch them. Please report them as soon as possible to the DEFRA helpline on 03459 33 55 77. 00:17:40 Nestbox News I am an ...
Jul 14, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Euan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, is celebrating 20 years of birding. He tells Suzy about his birding style and what birdwatching means to him. Also, there’s big news from the Blue Tits that Suzy is watching via remote camera and, in Last Call, listen to a glorious, uninterrupted 5 minutes of dawn chorus birdsong from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. Timestamps & Links 00:00:00 Pre-roll and intro music 00:00:56 Opening & Announcements Last Episode - Springtime Birding Last episode Global Bi...
Apr 27, 2022•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Spring has arrived! Find out what we saw during our group Spring Equinox birding, and there's big news from our nestbox cam. Also, hear how you can join our team for the Global Big Day! More information and the episode transcript can be found at Episode 110 home page Time codes and Links 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:00 Introduction Last episode 00:03:49 Spring Equinox birding Live Webcam of Rutland Ospreys 00:12:08 Group birding event and reports eBird Trip report 00:21:58 Global Big Day Join The Casu...
Apr 15, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Kate Shaw, from Strange Animals Podcast shares a delightful trip report about the birds she saw on a recent vacation to Belize. It was a family vacation rather than a pure birding trip, but she still managed to squeeze in a day's birding with a guide. In addition, Kate took note of the birds around her while at the beach or while walking to the next village. And Suzy shows how Kate used the key bird identification tools to narrow down the species she was seeing in Belize. Timestamps & Links: 00:...
Mar 07, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Looking ahead to birding in 2022. Suzy wants to see more species this year than in 2021. She has plans! Suzy has been out and about already this year. She tells us about the reserves and locations she has visited, and the birds seen there. Plus, we hear from listeners what birds they've been seeing. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:00 Introduction Past episode 00:01:32 My birding plans for 2022 00:05:34 Support the Show Contribute to the show’s tip jar 00:06:34 My Year list so far 00:1...
Feb 22, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast A short episode to alert you to two events currently on: the Great Backyard Bird Count, and National Nextbox Week. Due to delays in my episode production, the next episode will be too late to tell you about these two events. The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 18-21 Feb 2022 What started as a way to collect data on birds visiting backyards in North America, is now a global event that provides data helping researchers learn about bird populations. Anyone can take part - just watch birds for 15 m...
Feb 19, 2022•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s become a custom at the end of each year to review the bird species we’ve seen and recall the wonderful birding moments that we’ve had. In this episode I look back at the birds I saw in 2021 and share my favourite birding memories. Listeners also tell us about their stand out birding moments from the year. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:51 Past episode 105 Garden Birding at Pagham Harbour U.K. 00:01:22 Audience Survey Audience survey 00:02:30 My Birding Year - Overview Lockdown B...
Jan 27, 2022•47 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast Join Suzy for a morning's birding in a country garden at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex. Suzy also tells us about her recent birding trips, a Magpie and Squirrel encounter in her garden, and we hear trip reports from listeners in California and the UK. Timestamps and Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:46 Past episode 104 Birding with Keiron Lee Vine on the Isle of Wight 00:01:09 Suzy’s recent birding trips Suzy’s tour leader in Scotland: Mike Dilger 00:07:00 Support the show Buy Suzy a virtual coffee 00...
Dec 28, 2021•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast In October 2020, I took a vacation on the Isle of Wight. While there, I was delighted to meet up with local birder (and past guest) Keiron Lee Vine. Keiron took me to his local patch: Haddon’s Pits. We spent a lovely morning birding, getting spectacular views of a Kestrel and seeing large flocks of finches flying over. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:50 Global Bird Weekend The Casual Birder Podcast has entered a team for the Global Bird Weekend (on 8-10 October 2021) and I'd love you ...
Sep 20, 2021•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
