Episodes
Join Suzy for a morning's birding in a country garden at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex. Suzy also tells us about her recent birding trips, a Magpie and Squirrel encounter in her garden, and we hear trip reports from listeners in California and the UK. Timestamps and Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:46 Past episode 104 Birding with Keiron Lee Vine on the Isle of Wight 00:01:09 Suzy’s recent birding trips Suzy’s tour leader in Scotland: Mike Dilger 00:07:00 Support the show Buy Suzy a...
Published 12/28/21
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)...
Published 09/20/21
The Global Bird Weekend is coming up on October 8th - 10th 2021. The Casual Birder Podcast has entered a team and I'd love you to join us. In this mini-episode, I'll tell you more about the event and how you can be part of our team, wherever you are in the world. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:50 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. ...
Published 09/04/21
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...
Published 08/31/21
Mike Drew is a biodiversity advisor for Anglian Water and a licensed bird ringer. He has monitored and managed Nightingale nesting sites in the East of England for over a decade.  Mike shares his observations of this iconic bird and tells us about the research which helped inform habitat action plans produced by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). This interview was originally live-streamed on May 20, 2021. The video recording can be found here. A special thanks to Nick Clayton for...
Published 07/13/21
Join Suzy and guests Stephanie Seymour and Marylee Stephenson for a celebration of reaching the podcast's 100 episode milestone. We also hear from past guests and friends of the show. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 0:00:57 Past episode Past episode 00:01:35  Casual Birder Weekly Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:57 Introduction 00:02:37 Congratulation messages Part 1 Paul Cheall Guest on Episode 55 - My Norfolk Garden Birds Fighting Through Podcast ...
Published 05/27/21
On May 8th 2021, bird watchers around the world took part in the Global Big Day. This 24-hour event encouraged birders to see as many species as possible within their local area. The Casual Birder Podcast entered a team to take part in the event. Members of the team had a range of birding experience, from novice to expert, and saw 430 species in locations in Australia, UK & Europe and North America. Hear about Suzy’s experience of the Big Day where she saw 54 species, visited two RSPB...
Published 05/17/21
Faraaz Abdool is the author of Casual Birding in Trinidad and Tobago. He is also a noted photographer, tour leader and active member of the global birding community. This episode is an edited version of a Facebook Live conversation I had with Faraaz, in front of an audience from the show’s Facebook group. Faraaz tells me how he became a casual birder and shares some of his favourite birding moments.   Timestamps 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:01 Promo: Last episode / Casual Birder Weekly Last...
Published 05/05/21
Suzy takes us on a solo bird walk at Malibu Lagoon in California where she sees Marbled Godwit, Caspian Tern and Snowy Plover. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:54  Promo for last episode & newsletter Past episode Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:43 Introduction to Bird Walk 00:21:23 Global Big Day Register here - Global Birding Join the team email list Donate to BirdLife International 00:23:16 Episode 100 - your help required  00:23:52 Keep in Touch Tell me...
Published 04/24/21
This week’s episode was originally created for International Podcast Month, September 2020, and released on their podcast feed.   Over the past year, many of us have been seeking solace in nature. As I have remained at home much of the time since the lockdowns began, my garden birds have provided interest and distraction.  In episode 96, I provide an audio portrait of the 13 bird species that regularly visited my garden during 2020, including:   - what they look like,  - how they sound,...
Published 04/12/21
In episode 95, Suzy shares the sixth of her audio diaries documenting the birds seen in her neighbourhood, from the week of Tuesday 9th to Monday 15th February, 2021. We also find out what birds listeners were seeing that week. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:52  Introduction Past episode 00:01:30  Promo Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:17 Audio Diary begins  00:21:26 Your sightings 00:24:12 Episode 100 - your help required! 00:24:33 Support the...
Published 04/06/21
In episode 94, we meet Benedict Macdonald, conservationist and author of the award-winning “Rebirding - restoring Britain’s wildlife”. Benedict dispels some popular myths about our countryside, and presents compelling reasons for the reintroduction of particular species. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:29 Introduction 00:02:29 Interview begins Benedict Macdonald on Twitter Benedict's website 00:39:48 Keep in Touch Tell me about your bird sighting Casual Birder...
Published 03/29/21
Now that Spring has arrived, Suzy takes us on a bird walk in her neighbourhood, in Hampshire, UK. Suzy sees 17 species, including a singing Goldcrest. We also hear about the birds listeners have seen in the past week, and Suzy has a wonderful encounter with her Rook friend. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:48 Bird Walk 00:15:56 Promo for newsletter Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:16:32 Rook encounter 00:19:10 Global Big Day news Global Big Day - sign up! 00:20:12...
Published 03/24/21
Continuing her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries, Suzy shares her bird observations from week 5, covering the period 2nd to 8th February 2021. This episode includes exciting news about a nesting Robin, and Suzy's exasperation at the Wood Pigeons ignoring the water bowls! Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:06 Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:23 Audio Diary begins Cabo Pulmo episode 00:21:27 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on...
Published 03/15/21
March 8th every year is International Women’s Day. This annual event provides a focus to celebrate the achievements of women and a call to action to challenge gender disparity.  Suzy revisits conversations she’s had with awesome women birders, who tell how birds have touched their lives. The featured birders are: From the Science Community: Dan Rouse - Ornithologist and presenter Danielle Belleny - Wildlife biologist Camille - Science educator And from the Creative Arts community: ...
Published 03/12/21
Suzy shares the fourth entry in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries and describes her regular garden visitors. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 In this episode 00:00:54 Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:13 Garden bird descriptions 00:08:50 Audio Diary begins 00:18:37 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.co Tell me about your bird sightings 00:19:18 Wrap and Close The Casual Birder Podcast website   Don't miss an episode - subscribe to...
Published 03/04/21
Podcaster and author Evo Terra spent several years travelling and living in various countries. First becoming interested in the natural world as a child, he retains a sense of wonder when travelling to new locations. During his 9 months in Australia he wrote an article sharing his unique view of the birds he saw, entitled “Australian Birds for Dummies”. This episode Includes spoken excerpts from the article Read the full article here. It has been reproduced with Evo’s permission. ...
Published 02/22/21
Suzy shares the third entry in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:35 Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:04 Audio Diary begins Red legged Partridge in snow 00:12:55 Share the show 00:13:25 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.co Tell me about your bird sightings 00:13:45 Wrap and Close The Casual Birder Podcast website Don't miss an episode - subscribe to the show (Subscribing is free) Thank you to Randy...
Published 02/15/21
Suzy’s guest is Dr Amir Khan, General Practitioner, best-selling author, Nature enthusiast and Ambassador for the Wildlife Trusts. Amir tells us about the wildlife he sees in his garden, the importance of Nature for our well-being, and about his work as an Ambassador with the Wildlife Trusts, helping young people in inner cities to engage with the natural world. Amir's book is 'The Doctor will See You Know' A note about the interview: I spoke with Amir in September 2020, after we had...
Published 02/09/21
Suzy shares the second in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries, and gives the result of her Big Garden Birdwatch. Time stamps & Links: 00:00:37 Introduction 00:01:13 Sponsor’s message Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:54 Audio Diary begins  00:12:02 Suzy’s Big Garden Birdwatch Results 00:13:46 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com Tell me about your bird sightings 00:14:20 Wrap and Close
Published 02/01/21
Jamie Wyver, from the RSPB, tells us about the upcoming Big Garden Birdwatch, an annual survey organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and how we can take part. Full Show notes and Transcript https://casualbirder.com/episode85 00:00:35 Introduction YouTube version of interview 00:00:57 Sponsor’s message Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:39 The Big Garden Birdwatch 00:02:18 Interview begins Big Garden Birdwatch sign-up 00:16:30 Wildlife Garden...
Published 01/25/21
In episode 84 I start a series of weekly audio diaries about my Lockdown Birding - sharing what birds I’ve seen and the behaviours observed from my home and the surrounding streets. This episode is brought to you by Casual Birder Weekly, my brand new newsletter. Sign up here: Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter 00:00:35 Introduction 00:01:33 Audio Diary begins 00:02:48 Garden Description 00:06:01 Day 1 5th Jan 00:07:18 Day 2 6th Jan 00:08:26 Day 3 7th Jan 00:10:27 Day 4 8th Jan 00:12:29 Day...
Published 01/17/21
In episode 82, Suzy looks back at her best birding memories from 2020 and hears about those of listeners too. She outlines what the beginning of 2021 has in store, with another bout of Lockdown birding. Also, hear about the birds seen during a week-long group birdwatch event for listeners held in December. 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...
Published 01/11/21
Suzy shares her birding moments during the second Lockdown in England in November 2020, including hearing her first nocturnal migration of Redwings. Suzy admits to some photography fails and we hear from Stephanie Seymour in New Jersey, and Mary Chan on Vancouver Island. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:36 Thank you Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com Casual Birder shop on Redbubble 00:02:23 Suzy's Bird observations 00:10:55 Mini Hide 00:13:13 Redwing Migration BirdNet xeno-canto.org ...
Published 12/17/20
Danielle Belleny is a wildlife biologist, member of the BlackAFinSTEM collective, and co-founder of Black Birders Week. Danielle tells me about her childhood experiences with Nature, how she became a wildlife biologist and birder, and why putting the spotlight on being Black in Nature is so important for us all. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:24 Introduction 00:04:07 Interview with Danielle Belling 00:21:28 Closing remarks 00:22:20 Credits Links: Danielle on Twitter Danielle on...
Published 11/30/20