Show Notes
In episode #102, hear about my lovely Robin encounter, listeners share their summer birding moments and find out how to join our team for the Global Bird Weekend in October. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:51 Introduction In case you missed it, last episode I spoke with Mike Drew, biodiversity advisor, licensed bird ringer and Nightingale population recorder. Mike told me about the incredible journeys that Nightingales make and how advances in technology have helped us understand the challenges they face in both their wintering and breeding locations. Last episode 00:01:41 Suzy's summer moments A trusting Robin gets its own supply of mealworms, and we hear the amazing call of a Nightjar 00:08:18 Your sightings We hear from Karin, Andrew, Nish, Gemma, Matthew, Marylee, and Christopher Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Pennsylvania Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Tell me about your bird sightings 00:20:04 Global Bird Weekend Join our team for the Global Birding Weekend on October 8-10. There will be exclusive virtual events for members of the Casual Birder Podcast Team. Casual Birder Podcast Team sign-up Global Birding site JustGiving page for Team donations Past episode on Global Bird Weekend 00:22:27 Please support the show Buy me a virtual coffee or two and help me create episode transcriptions. Transcriptions are an important aide to accessibility for some listeners, and require several hours of work. Your help will allow me to pay for their production. Buy me a virtual coffee 00:24:10 Last Call Description Paul Fenwick shares a morning soundscape from Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Reserve, Panama on the morning of 7th June 2021. It includes Rufous-browed Peppershrike and Clay-colored Thrush, and Mantled Howler Monkeys! See Paul's eBird list from this morning here: Paul's eBird list 00:25:43 Wrap & Close 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 www.dronesmusic.net Don't miss an episode - follow the show! The Casual Birder Podcast Website 00:26:08 Last Call Paul Fenwick shares 4 minutes of the morning soundscape from Mount Totumas Cloud Forest Reserve, Panama, 7th June 2021.
More from The Casual Birder Podcast
Bill Oddie has sadly passed away. He was a well-loved birder, conservationist, author and entertainer. He also presented popular wildlife series such as Birding with Bill Oddie and Springwatch, and was respected by birders for his knowledge and expertise. Stephen Moss produced many of Bill's wildlife shows and worked closely with him over the years. In this episode, Stephen shares his memories of Bill and provides some delightful behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
Another amazing Global BirdFair has finished and Suzy speaks with a selection of presenters, podcasters and attendees about their experience of this awesome event: Jamie Ward and Amy Squire speak about their presentation on capture methods for bird ringing (banding)
Suzy is joined by her husband John to review their birding experiences from February 2026. From trying to spot a Snow Goose amongst a flock of Whooper Swans (in a blizzard!) to seeing Spoonbills and Slavonian Grebes on a cold rainy day, their experiences highlight the realities of birding in February in southern England. Despite the weather, their report of their favourite sightings and the friendly birders they met provides an engaging listen. So grab a cuppa, and enjoy their birding tales. Chapters 00:00:36 Introduction 00:02:07 Abberton Reservoir 00:13:46 John solo birding 1 00:15:07 Deeping Lakes 00:21:23 Nene Washes 00:29:38 Snow Goose search 00:31:37 Willow Tree Fen 00:33:49 Grafham Water 00:36:03 New Forest 00:37:30 Normandy Lagoon, Lymington 00:44:26 John solo birding 2 00:47:11 Final species for February 00:48:57 Join our community Links Alex (photographer) - we met at Deeping Lakes Instagram link
Suzy speaks with Mary Colwell, founder of Curlew Action, who describes her fascination with Curlews, and the need for urgent conservation to reverse their population decline in the UK. Advocating an approach that engages with policymakers, farmers, and field workers, Mary emphasizes the need for landscape management and public engagement to support Curlew conservation. This interview was recorded in front of an audience at Global BirdFair. Thanks to Curlew Action for the beautiful Curlew recording used in this episode, to Charlie Bingham for scheduling and organisational help at Global BirdFair and to Oscar Henderson for recording and producing the shows. Links Curlew Action Global BirdFair
Suzy is joined by her husband John to review their birding experiences from January 2026, covering winter birding in Norfolk, and coastal birding in Hampshire, UK. They each saw over 100 bird species including two lifers (birds they had never seen before): a Taiga Bean Goose and a Killdeer. See the list of the birds that Suzy saw, along with some photos, here