Show Notes
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 minutes or more and submit your checklist to the eBird or Merlin mobile apps or the eBird website. Visit the official website for more information. And follow along with the event on the eBird GBBC page where you can filter sightings and recent checklists by region on a page tailored to the Great Backyard Bird Count. National Nestbox Week 14-21 Feb 2022 Organised by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) the event encourages people to put up nest boxes to help breeding birds, needed because many natural sites are disappearing. It's also a great way to feel connected with nature, when you see birds raising their young nearby. Find out more at the BTO's website The Casual Birder Podcast website Leave me a message Contribute to the show's tip jar Credits: Show artwork - Randy Braun Theme music - Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones Check out their website
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