
Show Notes
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 to join us. There will be exclusive virtual events for members of the Casual Birder Podcast Team Casual Birder Podcast Team sign-up: https://bit.ly/cbteam21 Global Birding site: https://globalbirding.org/ 00:03:31 Birding with Keiron At Haddon's Pits, Isle of Wight https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ventnor-downs/trails/down-south-luccombe-and-the-landslip-walk
Keiron's past episode: https://casualbirder.com/episode68
00:13:23 Fundraising for Birdlife international JustGiving page for Team donations: https://bit.ly/teamdonation21 Past episode on Global Bird Weekend: https://casualbirder.com/episode78
00:14:25 Wrap & Close I'm grateful 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 https://www.dronesmusic.net/
Don't miss an episode - follow the show! The Casual Birder Podcast Website https://casualbirder.com/
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