Get Birding

David Gray, singer-songwriter turned nature activist, speaks about using music to rally curlew conservation. Mary Colwell, founder of World Curlew Day, recounts her 500-mile walk and campaign work. Robert Macfarlane, nature writer, reads evocative bird passages and reflects on field guides. Jim Moir, artist and comedian, links close observation in art to caring for species. They discuss curlew decline, cultural loss, art and practical conservation.

Sean Bean’s love of birding began when he was a lad growing up on an estate in Sheffield. Long before he was an actor, he was a boy fascinated by books on dinosaurs and Sunday nights watching The World About Us with his Dad. From discussing the magic of the iconic film Kes to debunking myths about helping fledglings, this episode explores how a childhood connection to nature stays with you for a lifetime. Sean is joined by a flock of guests who discovered their passion at a young age: TV and Radio Presenter, Johnny Vaughn, Wildlife Biologist and Broadcaster, Dan O’Neill, Ornithologist and Environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, ​​12 year old, artist, naturalist and member of the Youth Council, Benji Fallow and our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh,Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As spring arrives, the skies begin to shift. Birds are on the move—and their journeys tell us what’s changing around us.To take a closer look (and listen) Sean is joined in his garden by artist, comedian and keen birder, Jim Moir and ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig.From the return of the chiffchaff to deeper conversations around conservation, this episode explores the ties between birds, the places they pass through, and the people who care for them including our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh, zoologist and conservationist Megan McCubbin and nature writer Lucy Lapwing, author of Love Is a Toad.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. “Love Is A Toad: Exploring our relationship with nature” by Lucy Lapwing is available for pre-order now.The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toussaint Douglass, comedian and pigeon advocate, champions city pigeons with humour and history. Katie Nethercote, RSPB wildlife adviser, gives practical nest box and placement tips. Lucy Lapwing, naturalist on the Isle of Bute, shares patch‑based observations. They discuss courtship displays, nestbox practicalities, coastal patch life, pigeons’ quirks, and signs of nesting in short vivid scenes.

Jason Singh, composer and nature beatboxer who interprets starling sounds. Dr Amir Khan, NHS doctor and RSPB President who champions ponds and nettle patches. Dr Mya‑Rose Craig, ornithologist engaging young people in nature. Zoë Ball, broadcaster turned wildlife gardener. They explore messy, wildlife‑friendly gardens, starling murmurations and vocal mimicry, and practical rewilding tips for birds.

Jason Singh, a sound artist and nature beatboxer who transforms everyday bird calls into musical practice. He recalls blackbird songs bringing calm at school. The conversation explores listening to birdsong, how it soothes the brain, playful human‑avian musical collaborations, and practical ways to welcome blackbirds and other garden birds.

City Girl in Nature (Kwasia), a YouTuber sharing urban birding moments from parks and balconies. Guy Garvey, musician and radio presenter, tells balcony bird anecdotes and sound ID stories. Dr Amir Khan, NHS doctor and RSPB President, outlines the Big Garden Birdwatch and its conservation role. They chat about garden counts, urban birdwatching, sound recognition, and simple ways to join the survey.

The UK is nature-depleted and degraded, and the globe is living through climate crisis. How can we get where we need to be, empowered and living as part of a flourishing ecosystem?As Get Birding closes its third series, Kwesia learns about the citizen's assembly that created the People's Plan for Nature, which sets out a public vision for reversing declines in Britain’s biodiversity.Meanwhile she goes on a London nature walk with The Guardian's biodiversity writer Phoebe Weston, and chats to Southwark councillor James McCash about action required to protect nature.Finally, Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful meditation for all of us experience eco-anxiety.Follow Get Birding on Twitter & Instagram. Series 3 of the podcast was a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can paying attention to birdsong improve our music-making skills? And why do birds sing anyway?Indie artist Albertine Sarges reveals how birdwatching in a Berlin park made her a better musician (and friend!)Professor of philosophy & music David Rothenberg goes out in the world to improvise with the wildlife.Meanwhile Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful birdsong meditation.Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, presented by Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature, and proudly supported by Canada Water.Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is the outdoors so often still seen as a male realm? How can women feel protected and at ease when out in nature? What are the risks when birding alone, and how should we mitigate them? Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature finds out ...BBC Springwatch naturalist Lucy Lapwing details a horrible incident of sexual assault she experienced whilst birding, while Sheridan Alford discusses why she set up a Black Birders Week.Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.