Naturespace with Haith's – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome back to Naturespace with Haith’s! In this episode, Simon dives into the unexpected benefits of letting fallen leaves lie in our gardens this autumn. Discover how a ‘less is more’ approach to autumn garden care can benefit the soil, support local wildlife, and even reduce your workload! Simon shares his personal experiences with this hands-off method and explains why leaving leaves might be the easiest, most impactful way to create a nature-friendly garden space. 🍁🌱

Tune in to find out:

• How fallen leaves act as natural fertiliser and protect soil moisture.
• Why insects, birds, and other wildlife love a leafy layer.
• Tips for integrating this simple practice into your garden, with Simon’s own observations and results.

Let’s rethink garden ‘tidiness’ and find simple, sustainable ways to partner with nature!

Episode Highlights:

• Intro to Naturespace with Haith’s
• Why letting leaves lie matters: a fresh perspective on autumn gardening
• Personal experience: what happened when Simon tried this in his garden
• The role of leaves in supporting local wildlife and soil health
• Encouraging listeners to give it a try and see the benefits for themselves
• Closing thoughts and invitation to join the conversation

Join the Conversation: Have you tried leaving the leaves in your garden? Share your experience with us on social media or reach out through Naturespace with Haith's! Let's make this autumn a little wilder together.

Follow Haith’s for more nature-positive tips and updates:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• https://haiths.com/

 #LetTheLeavesLie #NatureSpacePodcast #AutumnGardening #WildlifeFriendly #EcoGardening #NatureWithHaiths

Get ready for a gripping episode of Naturespace with Haith’s as Simon King welcomes two extraordinary guests: Tom Svensson, a world-renowned wildlife photographer who reveals his undercover past, and champion budgie breeder Chris Snell. What starts as a conversation about photography and conservation takes a dramatic turn when Tom uncovers the truth behind his time working undercover to expose wildlife crime. Alongside Chris, Tom shares stories of friendship, risk, and the ongoing battle to protect the world’s most vulnerable animals.

Key Highlights:

- From Photographer to Undercover Agent  

In a shocking revelation, Tom Svensson shares how his career as a wildlife photographer was originally a cover for his covert work tracking the blood money behind illegal wildlife crime. Working undercover, Tom faced life-threatening situations, including being kidnapped by those seeking to exploit endangered species for profit. His experience shines a light on the dark world of wildlife trafficking, where greed and brutality endanger both animals and those trying to save them.

- Fighting Animal Cruelty with World Animal Protection  

 After moving on from undercover operations, Tom is now dedicated to helping animals on a global scale through World Animal Protection (https://www.worldanimalprotection.org). He talks about his current mission, working to rescue and rehabilitate mistreated and tortured animals. Tom’s passion for wildlife protection has only deepened, and he shares stories that highlight the urgent need to stop animal cruelty wherever it’s found.

- The Environmental Devastation of Palm Oil  

  Tom doesn’t hold back when it comes to exposing the damage caused by palm oil production. He explains how vast areas of rainforest are being destroyed, pushing species like orangutans to the brink of extinction. The discussion emphasises how important it is for consumers to make informed choices that don’t contribute to this destruction.

- A Friendship Built on Conservation  

  Tom and Chris discuss how their shared passion for animal welfare brought them together. Chris’s experience as a budgie breeder offers a unique contrast to Tom’s work in the wild, but their friendship has flourished through a mutual commitment to the care and protection of animals. Their stories reveal the deep connections that can form through a shared love of nature.

- A Day in the Wild: Through Tom’s Eyes  

  Ever wondered what it’s like to spend a day as a wildlife photographer? Tom takes listeners on a journey into the wild, describing the challenges of working in remote locations, waiting for hours—sometimes days—to capture the perfect shot. He shares the tension of knowing that while he’s photographing some of the world’s most beautiful animals, he’s also witnessing the impact of human destruction all around him. It’s a vivid portrayal of the highs and lows of life on the front lines of conservation.

Takeaway Message:

Tom leaves us with a powerful message: you don’t need to be on the front lines risking your life to make a difference for nature. There are small but significant steps we can all take. Supporting organisations like World Animal Protection(https://www.worldanimalprotection.org), making sustainable consumer choices, and raising awareness about environmental issues are all part of the solution. And right in our own gardens, we can make a difference by feeding the birds with good quality bird food from Haith’s (https://www.haiths.com). Helping wildlife starts at home, and by taking these steps, we can all contribute to a healthier planet.

Learn More:

- Explore Haith’s range of premium bird foods and nature-positive products at Haith’s (https://www.haiths.com).  

- Support global efforts to protect animals through World Animal Protection (https://www.worldanimalprotection.org).

🌿🏰🎙️ Episode 3 of season 2: The Secrets of Castle Howard with Special Guest Nick Howard - Only on Naturespace with Haith’s! 🌿🏰🎙️

If you're passionate about nature, heritage, and the great outdoors, you won't want to miss the latest episode of Naturespace with Haith's hosted by Simon King. This time, we've got an episode that's a real treat for the senses for anyone who's fascinated by the human-nature balance at Castle Howard.

🎤 Meet Our Special Guest: Nick Howard of Castle Howard! 🏰

Nick Howard is the custodian of Castle Howard, one of Britain's most iconic stately homes. Nestled in the idyllic North Yorkshire countryside, the Castle Howard estate encompasses a jaw-dropping 10,000+ acres of gardens, parklands, and farmland. It's a cornerstone of British history and a haven for nature lovers. 🌳🌷🦋

Why You Can't Miss This Episode:

1️⃣ Nick Howard's Personal Lens: Get up close and personal as Nick shares his journey into Castle Howard’s conservation efforts and his take on balancing heritage and nature conservation.

2️⃣ Castle Howard Unveiled: Discover the rich history of Castle Howard and how it continues to be a hub for the local community and natural history.

3️⃣ Wildlife and Conservation: Tune in for awe-inspiring House Martin stories (and video footage) plus discussions about woodland restoration, and the Howard family's approach to preserving natural capital.

4️⃣ Successes and Looking Ahead: Learn about Castle Howard's environmental initiatives and what's next on their conservation agenda.

🔐 Hear some of the secrets of Castle Howard.

🌟 Hear Nick close the podcast with his thoughts on what we might learn from the collaborative efforts of his team at Castle Howard and how even the simplest of garden setups might be a safe space for nature and to feed wild birds.

📅 Available Today on Spotify.

🔗 Click that 'Follow' button on Spotify so you won't miss out on this exclusive episode! It's not every day that you get to hear from someone who lives and breathes both history and nature conservation. So, mark your calendar, set your reminders, and prepare for an inspiring and insightful journey to Castle Howard - right from the comfort of your home.

See you in the Naturespace! 🌿🎧💚

Follow this link to see Castle Howard - https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/

🌍 Join us on another inspiring Journey with Naturespace with Haith's Podcast 🌍

Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the heart of nature and conservation on the latest episode of the Naturespace with Haith’s Podcast. This time, we are thrilled to be joined by the dynamic ‘unstoppable’ Sacha Dench, a woman whose indomitable spirit and passion for nature have literally propelled her to remarkable heights.

Hosted by director of Haith's, Simon King, this episode promises an in-depth exploration of Sacha's extraordinary career that seamlessly blends science and exhilarating adventure. From her early sparks of interest in biology to her groundbreaking efforts in the world of conservation, get ready to be inspired by Sacha's tireless commitment to the wellbeing of our planet.

Episode Highlights:

• Sacha's early experiences that fuelled her unique career path.
• Anecdotes from her awe-inspiring expedition tracking Bewick's swans.
• The inception and vision behind Conservation Without Borders (you can support her work by donating – see below). 
• Sacha’s enlightening talks on discovering one’s true passion.
• Behind-the-scenes details on the groundbreaking Flight of the Osprey Expedition.
• Sacha’s messages and experiences from UN conference journey.

Let's delve into a world where adventure meets conservation, and passion meets action. 

Join us for an enlightening conversation that promises to reignite your passion for nature and inspire you to play a part in conserving the beauty of our planet.

Hashtags:

#NaturespaceWithHaiths

#SachaDenchJourney

#ConservationWithoutBorders

#WildlifeConservation

#NaturePodcast

#AdventuresInConservation

For more on Sacha Dench and her conservation adventures, visit:

• Sacha Dench's Official Website
• Conservation Without Borders
• Haith's Official Website

Ready for an audio adventure? Simon King brings you another enriching episode of Naturespace with Haith's, diving deep into the awe-inspiring tales of our natural world. 

In this podcast episode, we explore the crossroads of wildlife conservation and investigative media. Joining us is the multi-talented Megan McCubbin, known for her work as a zoologist, TV presenter, photographer, author, and conservation champion. Regular listeners, you're in for another enriching journey. And if you're new here, don’t forget to subscribe for more inspiring conversations. Whether you're a dedicated environmentalist, a casual nature lover, or simply someone intrigued by the complex world around us, this episode promises to enrich your understanding and deepen your appreciation for the natural realm. 

You're not just listening to a podcast; you're listening to Naturespace with Haith’s. 

🎧 What to Expect:

• Childhood Shaping Passion: Megan McCubbin talks about how her childhood around the Isle of Wight Zoo influenced her deep love for the environment.

• Media & Conservation: From her breakthrough on BBC3's "Undercover Tourist" to tackling global issues with Al Jazeera, Megan explores the power—and pitfalls—of using media for wildlife conservation.
• Springwatch and Beyond: Hear Megan's memorable moments from her time on the iconic "Watch" series on BBC2.
• The Impact of Dyslexia: In an emotional segment, Megan discusses how severe dyslexia has shaped her journey.
• Self-Isolating Bird Club: How did this creative initiative help people connect with nature during the pandemic?
• And Much More: From Megan's fun stint on Pointless to her personal birdwatching and bird-feeding hobbies, this episode offers an intimate look into the life of a multifaceted conservation hero.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation with one of the most passionate and versatile voices in wildlife conservation today. Hit that subscribe button and join Simon King for a journey that celebrates our beautiful, complex, and ever-challenging natural world.

Show notes:

• Megan’s latest book is ‘⁠An Atlas of Endangered Species⁠’

• Megan’s website: ⁠https://www.meganmccubbin.com/ ⁠

• Find out more about Haith's bird food here: ⁠https://haiths.com/

In this episode of Naturespace with Haith's, iolo Williams talks to Simon King of Haith's bird food about his passion for nature conservation and encourages all of us to get out and enjoy the natural world. iolo is perhaps most widely known as a popular member of the Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch teams and he'll be joining the Winterwatch broadcast this January (2023) live from Edinburgh.

iolo was born and raised in mid-Wales and - after working for the RSPB for fifteen years - in the late 1990s, left the society and tells listeners how he ended up working in the media.

iolo talks about the benefits of nature and mental health, what nature means to him, what we can all do to help nature and what makes him smile when he's out in the field. His advice is refreshingly plain and delivered without fuss - everyone can do something to help nature, but what you should never do is do nothing he says and his advice is to: stop. look. listen. To make a little mind space for nature and the benefits of doing so are exponential. 

So why not put your feet up with a cuppa and enjoy this entertaining addition to our podcast series, which includes handpicked guests who love nature and the natural world as much as we do?

iolo Williams's website: https://iolowilliams.co.uk/

Haith's website: https://haiths.com/

Listen to more podcast sessions from Naturespace with Haith's and guests: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mzAdD1tL1cFbQfKnETYxF

We ask iolo:

• About his work with the RSPB.
• Who influenced his love of nature.
• What the turning point was from RSPB office to TV presenter.
• What made iolo study ecology.
• The State of Nature in the UK. 
• Urban bird feeding and watching wildlife.
• Tips for garden wildlife enthusiasts for winter. 
• How being out in the field is where iolo's in his natural element.
• How iolo will be broadcasting live from Edinburgh this Winterwatch (Jan 2023).

Chris Packham is a naturalist, scientist, TV presenter, photographer, educator and campaigner about animal welfare and the environment. He is a gifted presenter of BBC's Award-winning Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, which have gripped nature enthusiasts since 2005.

In this podcast episode, Chris talks to Simon King (Haith's) about the birds visiting his garden bird feeders and shares his concern for the species not visiting his garden for bird food. Chris talks about the importance of keeping bird feeders clean and feeding good bird food.

Chris generously opens up about his autism diagnosis and his childhood - he tells how he was always at his happiest on his own, scurrying about in the woods and fields, looking for things to fill his jam jar. Chris admits to being 'different' and that he's been 'isolated but not lonely.'

Chris explains why he can't stop campaigning - he's in a prime position to make a "potential positive difference" and his best educational efforts are directed at looking after the natural world and mental health issues. We're (Haith's) grateful to Chris for exploring with us the link between autism and nature. Don't expect Chris to get sidetracked any time soon - his arguments and campaigns are rooted in sound science and there is no mid-ground as it's either right or wrong in Chris's eyes.

Simon King (Haith's director) interviews Chris and says: "If you think Chris Packham is just another TV presenter, think again. He's an educator and if you take time to listen to him, he'll attempt to show and tell how he sees the world. Don't try to compete with him - Chris isn't trying to impress you with his natural history knowledge - he's just sharing what he knows. If you ask him a question and he knows the answer (which he probably does) he'll tell you. Listen to Chris talk about his autism diagnosis and the black-and-white nature of what it takes to live with autism. I hope you'll come to the same conclusion as me that life is better for having someone like Chris Packham around to educate about the natural world and mental health. Chris has inspired Haith's to hand over commercial space to nature in our relocation project. Thank you, Chris."

Topics:

• Features unusual exotic animal poo quiz
• What isn't on Chris Packham's bird feeders?
• The importance of cleaning bird feeders and feeding good bird food
• How Chris Packham cleans his feeders
• A bird feeder is a permanently fruiting tree
• Chris's deep connection with the natural world
• When Chris's interest changed from holding animals captive to studying them in the wild
• Naturalist to scientist - learning about zoology.
• A two-part BBC Two series (coming Feb 2023) will see Chris Packham investigate how the autistic mind works
• Swift boxes in a commercial setting

Show links:

• Chris's autobiography: Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: A Memoir 
• Chris's website: https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/
• The Walk That Made Me - https://youtu.be/1sNFLXCYXuk
• Buy Chris Packham's Full of @!&% 2023 calendar here: https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/chris-packhams-shit-calendar-2023 

How far would you go to help nature? Would you walk naked through the streets of London (in autumn) to highlight the declining population of Swifts in Britain? My Naturespace with Haith's guest did and she has in mind what could be one relatively simple solution to help save Swifts from disappearing. 

Nature writer and campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor hit the headlines this autumn (5th November) when she strolled naked from Hyde Park Corner to the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street to highlight the plight of Swifts. Her petition seeks the government to make "swift bricks compulsory in new housing to help red-listed birds" and I (Simon King) will - for one - be signing it.

Hannah delivered her RSPB-endorsed campaign entitled "The Feather Speech" unclothed and painted from neck to toe in feathers. Hannah asks for urgent action to give swifts a home when new houses are erected in Britain. "This action," she says "could also benefit other red-listed birds: House sparrows, House martins and starlings."

Hannah's petition needs 100,000 signatures to reach parliamentary debate and the deadline is 30th April 2023. "Don’t sign because I ask," she says, "Sign because swifts can’t. Sign because of #EveryBirdCounts."

The Feather Speech attracted the attention of Piers Morgan who said he'd help Hannah save the swift population and he encouraged his social media followers to sign her petition, which stands at 35,825 signatures (12th December 2022). 

"The government's response is a cop-out," says Hannah - see https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/626737 "They're not being accountable." "Time is running out!"

Why are swifts in decline? BTO: "Modern building design and refurbishment of old buildings may have contributed to the decline by depriving Swifts of nest sites, but the complications in monitoring trends and nests (as described in the Status Summary) make it difficult to confirm and identify the likely main drivers of change."

Follow-up note: after my interview with Hannah, I connected with Action for Swifts and we're discussing a way to add circa seven swift boxes to our relocation project and to hand over more commercial space to nature as it makes sense to add these nesting sites to commercial buildings too. We hope we'll home a colony of Swifts soon...

So, back to my question: what would you do to help nature? How about signing the petition AND here's an additional one from me and Hannah - "Clean your bird feeders, please!" 

Thanks for listening.

Simon King - Haith's - www.haiths.com 

Show links:

Photo credit: Ruotong Zhou (4). 

Sign the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/626737

Watch The Feather Speach video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ft8nmG3OyO0

Hannah's website: https://hannahbournetaylor.com/

Buy Fledgling, Hannah's debut nature memoir: https://hannahbournetaylor.com/fledgling/

Invest in a Swift box: Visit www.actionforswifts.com 

Paul Rose's journey from a Romford council flat to Base Commander of Rothera Research Station, Antarctica, for the British Antarctic Survey for ten years and being awarded HM The Queen's Polar Medal is an inspirational one, which he happily shares with young explorers in his role as Expedition Leader, National Geographic Pristine Seas. 

And we're pleased to say, Paul feeds and watches his garden birds, and - like Haith's - sees garden bird feeding as a great way to connect with nature.

We invited Paul to be a guest on Naturespace with Haith's bird food because we launched this podcast to explore the bigger picture. Who better to talk to than a real-life explorer who's at the forefront of exploration above and below sea level? And - luckily for us - Paul jumped at the chance to promote some of the global issues he's involved in helping scientists 'unlock and communicate international mysteries in the most remote and challenging regions of the planet.' 

Not every day do we get to talk to one of the world’s most experienced divers, field science and polar experts, and we hoped Paul would help us unlock some of the secrets and encourage Haith's to have that 'explorer mindset' he fosters in his students. One of the biggest challenges we all face is what to do about our reliance on single-use plastics (plastic pollution) and here at Haith's, we're challenging ourselves through our Mission 'R' project to make a positive difference.

Paul's a big believer in education being partly conducted outdoors and amongst nature rather than solely in classrooms. We (at Haith's) agree, which is why we invited Paul to visit Haith's new premises - where we'll be handing over commercial space to nature - in spring/summer 2023.

Paul Rose was broadcasting from his home in Switzerland and Simon King from his office at Haith's. 

More about Paul Rose:

Paul is an experienced television presenter, radio broadcaster, former Vice President of the Royal Geographical Society(link is external), Chair of the Expeditions and Fieldwork Division and is currently Expedition Leader for the National Geographic Pristine Seas Expeditions (link is external).

For his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica, Paul received the US Polar Medal.

Paul is a mountain and polar guide leading Greenland Icecap crossing and mountaineering expeditions and polar science support logistics. He worked for four years as a Mountain Safety consultant to the oil industry in the Middle East.

On his 2012 Greenland expedition, Paul led the first expedition to successfully traverse a new 275km icecap route of Knud Rasmussen Land and repeated his first ascent of the north face of Gunnsbjørnfjeld, the highest mountain in the Arctic.

Paul ran the US Navy diver training programme at Great Lakes Naval Training Centre and trained many emergency response dive teams including the Police, Fire Department and Underwater Recovery Teams. He remains a current and active PADI Dive Instructor.

To find out more about Paul's work, visit:

• Website: https://www.paulrose.org/
• https://twitter.com/paul_rose
• https://www.instagram.com/paulroseexplorer/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjtCS0EEoCY

We (Haith's) have a duty to promote good bird health and encourage people who feed the birds to keep them healthy, and that's why we make SuperClean bird food. Cage and aviary birds rely on their keepers - it's a bird keeper's responsibility to ensure their birds live long and healthy lives.

In this episode, we bring together two leading lights in the aviculture world, veterinary Professor John E. Cooper and Champion bird breeder Chris Snell from his aviary in Lincolnshire - plus circa 250 budgies! We're talking specifically about budgerigars, but we're promoting good health for all birds - captive and wild (free-living). 

What we cover:

• The origin of the Budgerigar.
• Back to the 1960s and the halcyon days of bird keeping.
• Why feeding a quality bird seed diet is imperative for bird health.
• How to tell if a birdseed diet is dusty.
• Why it's essential to make grit available to budgies.
• Why keeping budgerigars can be a way of learning about the natural world and why budgies are good for people.
• The most important thing is the well-being of a bird - a budgerigar's got to fly!
• Budgerigars should be in flocks, or a single budgie should have close contact with its keeper.
• Individuals who keep a single budgerigar - a companion bird.
• The five freedoms of keeping birds.
• The anatomy of a bird.
• Companion/pet bird keepers.

For more information about our work at Haith's and how we make great bird foods, please visit our website or search for Haith's bird food.