Get Birding

In this episode, Sean Bean joins Poet Laureate Simon Armitage at RSPB Arne to explore how birds have inspired poetry and literature, and the books that first sparked a love of the natural world.

Plus, we meet writer and artist Jackie Morris, co-creator of The Lost Words and The Lost Spells, to hear how birds inspire her work, from the ravens flying overhead to The Book of Birds, her collaboration with Robert Macfarlane celebrating 49 threatened British bird species. We’ll also discover Spell Songs in Thin Air, inspired by The Book of Birds and the alarming thinning of our skies as birdlife disappears. Through music, poetry and art, the project aims to rekindle our love of nature and inspire us to protect it.

Bird biographer Stephen Moss explores the surprising history of puffins and the myths surrounding owls, revealing how our stories and traditions shape the way we see birds — and why understanding them is vital to protecting their future.

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

Spell Songs https://www.thelostwords.org/spell-songs/

The Book of Birds https://www.thelostwords.org/thebookofbirds/

The Bird Biographer Series by Stephen Moss https://www.penguin.co.uk/series/BRDBIO/the-bird-biography-series

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

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 https://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 https://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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Sean Bean is joined by wildlife biologist and broadcaster Dan O’Neillat 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 Hawkwho 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 https://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 https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Sean Bean is back at RSPB Ham Wall with long-time birder Jeff Holmes to explore the changing fortunes of Britain's birds, from wintering whooper swans and cranes to the continental species arriving as our climate changes.

We'll also hear from past guests including artist and comedian Jim Moir, actor Samuel West and ornithologist Dr Mya-Rose Craig as they share their favourite holiday birding spots.

Plus, RSPB wildlife gardening expert Adrian Thomas shares simple ways to help birds during hot weather, composer Jason Singh explains why the hoopoe is a bird that gives him hope, and author Charlie Corbett reflects on how reconnecting with birds helped him through grief and inspired his book 12 Birds to Save Your Life.

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

This is a Get Birding production.

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

In this episode, the Get Birding team are headed to Rutland Water and the Global Bird Fair, where birders, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world come together to share ideas and inspire action for nature.

We’ll hear from Global Bird Fair founder, Tim Appleton and Mya-Rose Craig is on the ground discovering the latest innovations in birding gear, and learning why the birdwatching community is more diverse and welcoming than ever.

We’ll also meet Tim Sexton and Tim Mackrill from Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust to learn how the pioneering Rutland Water Osprey Project helped bring breeding ospreys back to England after more than 150 years, and why their remarkable return remains one of British conservation's greatest success stories.

Plus, Jon Carter from the British Trust for Ornithology reveals the extraordinary migration of "Bean", the newly named satellite-tagged cuckoo.

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

This is a Get Birding Production in collaboration with Swarovski Optic.

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

In this episode, we're exploring the reed beds of RSPB Ham Wall, where decades of habitat restoration have helped some of the UK's most spectacular wetland birds make a remarkable comeback.

Host Sean Bean is joined by broadcaster Jeremy Vine, who proves you don't need to know your sparrows from your sparrowhawks to enjoy birdwatching. Sean also meets Stephen Couch from the RSPB to learn more about the wetlands and their inhabitants, and is introduced to a new friend of the show, lifelong birder Jeff Holmes, whose decades of watching—and listening to—the Somerset Levels have given him a unique insight into the wildlife that lives there.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig is back to answer your birding questions, while nature beatboxer Jason Singh explores the unmistakable booming call of the bittern.

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

This is a Get Birding Production.

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

In this episode, we're following a new generation — from fledgling birds leaving the nest for the first time to young people discovering the natural world for themselves.

Host Sean Bean is joined by conservationist and author Dr Mya-Rose Craig, who explores the rapid rise of birding among Gen Z, how spending time with nature can support mental wellbeing, and why making the outdoors accessible to everyone is more important than ever.

Jenny Shelton from the Wildlife Trusts reveals the remarkable journeys young birds take as they prepare for their first flight, from branching owls to globe-trotting swifts, while nature beatboxer Jason Singh helps us tune into the sounds of the corvid family — crows, rooks and ravens — and the stories and folklore that surround them.

Plus, young birders from around the world share how watching birds has helped them slow down, switch off from the digital world, reconnect with nature and find a sense of community.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

In this special episode, our resident birder, composer and nature beatboxer Jason Singh heads into the Sussex woods after dark for Singing with Nightingales — a unique experience that draws guests and musicians back year after year to witness one of nature’s most enchanting performances.

For a brief period between mid-April and the end of May, around five thousand pairs of nightingales migrate from Sub-Saharan Africa to southern England, where males fill the night air with their remarkable courtship songs.

Alongside folk singer, nature activist and founder of Singing with Nightingales, Sam Lee, Jason explores the beauty, mystery and musicality of the nightingale, while reflecting on the challenges facing this iconic bird and why its song matters now more than ever.

Singing with Nightingales

https://www.singingwithnightingales.co.uk/

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

In this episode, we’re exploring the connection between birds, nature and mental wellbeing — and why spending time outdoors can help us feel calmer and more connected.

Host Sean Bean is joined by singer and actor Will Young, who reflects on rediscovering nature, gardening and the comfort birds have brought him through difficult times. Nature beatboxer and composer Jason Singh shares how birdsong creates a living symphony, while Kings College Professor Andrea Mechelli explains the science behind nature’s positive impact on stress, mood and loneliness.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions, as Sean and Will reflect on creativity, grief, childhood memories and the peace that birdwatching can bring.

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

This is a Get Birding Production.

Wild Minds Substack by Andrea Mechelli

https://andreamechelli.substack.com/

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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

Join The Flock for exclusive content: https://getbird.ing/starling-payment-form/

In this episode, we’re tuning into one of nature’s greatest performances—the Dawn Chorus—and the remarkable reasons birds fill the early morning with song.

Along the way, host Sean Bean is joined by singer and actor Will Young, who reflects on rediscovering his love of birds, and sound artist Alice Boyd on finding inspiration in listening closely to the natural world.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions, and Jenny Shelton from the Wildlife Trusts shares how changing landscapes are reshaping the soundscape of Britain—and what that means for the future of birdsong.

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

This is a Get Birding Production.

Wildlife Trusts Dawn Chorus Events

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/dawn-chorus-day

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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

In this episode, we’re following the vast, invisible highways that birds carve across our skies each spring, and the extraordinary journeys that bring them back to us.

We’ll learn how birds navigate thousands of miles using scent, memory and instinct—and what these epic journeys reveal about survival in a rapidly changing world.

Along the way, Sean is joined by actor and RSPB ambassador Samuel West, broadcaster Johnny Vaughan on the thrill of a fleeting kingfisher sighting, and Chris Hewson from the British Trust for Ornithology tracking cuckoos across continents.

Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions and Zoologist Megan McCubbin shares important new advice on feeding birds safely as seasons change.

Beyond the birds themselves, conservationist Nadia Shaikh and birding instructor George Joseph dig into the deeper story—how our relationship with land shapes who gets to experience nature, and why reclaiming that connection could be key to protecting it.

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

This is a Get Birding Production.

BTO Cuckoo Tracking Project

https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking

Right to Roam

https://www.righttoroam.org.uk/

Decolonising Birding

https://goldengatebirdalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/goldengatebirdalliance/event.jsp?event=14193

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 http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

In this episode we’re turning our ears—and our attention—to birds in danger, and the thinning of our skies.

From the unmistakable, haunting call of the curlew to the growing gaps where birdsong used to be, we explore the story behind one of the UK’s most threatened species, and why World Curlew Day matters now more than ever.

Along the way, we’ll be exploring how art, music and storytelling can help us reconnect with the natural world—and maybe even change the way we care for it.

Sean will be joined by artist and big time birder, Jim Moir, ornithologist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Singer David Gray, Founder of World Curlew Day, Mary Colwell and the writer Robert Macfarlane.

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

This is a Get Birding Production.

Curlew Recovery Partnership

http://www.curlewrecovery.org/

Curlew Action

https://www.curlewaction.org/

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.

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

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 EnvironmentalistDr Mya-Rose Craig, ​​12 year old, artist, naturalist and member of the Youth Council, Benji Fallowand our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh,

Produced byHana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer isJane Gerber.

This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration withForest 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See https://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 Moirand ornithologist and environmentalistDr 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 McCubbinand nature writer Lucy Lapwing, author of Love Is a Toad.

Produced byHana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer isJane 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 withForest 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

Spring’s on the turn, and the birds are getting busy.

From the surprisingly wild love life of the dunnock to bowing and puffed-up chests on city balconies — we explore what courtship really looks like in the bird world.

We’ll also get practical about nestboxes — where to put them, who they’re for, and how even a balcony can help the next generation fledge. With expert advice from the RSPB, we look at the small changes that can make a real difference as breeding season begins.

Sean will be joined by ornithologist and environmentalistDr Mya-Rose Craig with guests including Lucy Lapwing on her coastal patch,City Girl in Nature in South East London, comedianToussaint Douglass making the case for our feathered city-dwelling friends, andJason Singh on the unmistakable rhythm of the wood pigeon.

Produced byHana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer isJane Gerber.

This is a Get Birding Production.

The RSPB Guide to Nestboxes

Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material runs from Thu 26 – Sat 28 Mar 26 at the Soho Theatre, London.

“Love Is A Toad: Exploring our relationship with nature” by Lucy Lapwing is available for pre-order now.

The podcast is made in collaboration withForest 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

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

Host Sean Bean swaps the perfectly pruned for the beautifully wild, discovering how ponds, hedgerows and a little untidiness can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife.

Along the way he's joined by broadcast legends and keen gardenersZoë Ball and Jo While, ornithologist and environmentalistDr Mya-Rose Craig, and NHS doctor andRSPB President Dr Amir Khan to explore why “messy” gardens are better for birds — and for our own heads too.

We head to the Forest of Dean with a Forest Holidays ranger, hear from our resident beatboxer and nature sound artistJason Singh on the great mimics of the sky, and dig into the science behind starling murmurations with Professor Anne Goodenough and artist Steve Geliot — exploring how these vast winter gatherings can lift us through life’s hardest moments.

Follow Get Birding on Instagram.

This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration withForest 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

An open access publication on starling murmurations (using citizen science) by Professor Anne Goodenough is available here https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0179277

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

From the distinctive whistle of the Blackbird to the drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, in this episode we’re tuning into the soundscape of the natural world.

Host Sean Bean is joined by an all-star chorus of birders, broadcasters, and musicians to discover how listening to birdsong doesn't just lift the soul—it physically lowers your blood pressure.

With contributions from NHS doctor andRSPB President Dr Amir Khan, music broadcast legendsZoë Ball and Jo Whiley, Elbow frontman and keen birderGuy Garvey, ornithologist and environmentalistDr Mya-Rose Craig,YouTuber City Girl in Nature, beatboxer and nature sound artistJason Singh and folk musician, nature activist and the founder ofSinging with Nightingales,Sam Lee.

Follow Get Birding on Instagram.

This episode was produced byHana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer isJane Gerber.

This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration withForest 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, visithttp://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

Singing With Nightingales events are hosted by nature lover and folk singer, Sam Lee. Each event is joined by a different special guest musician. The evening includes musical performances by the campfire, an ecological tour of the woods, and post-dinner tales of this majestic bird’s life, songs and folklore, culminating in the now-famous finale: a silent walk in the dark to hear our signature human-avian musical collaboration under the stars before returning to the campsite.

Tickets for Singing with Nightingales are available nowhttps://www.singingwithnightingales.co.uk/tickets

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