The multi-award-winning podcast helping everyone, everywhere connect with nature by discovering more about the birds around us.
Hosted by actor and longtime birder, Sean Bean.
Get Birding’s purpose has been recognised by awards including:
British Podcast Awards 2022 & 2025: Climate & Sustainability
Audio Production Awards 2024: Best New Voice, & Climate
Anthem Award 2022 & Lovies Award 2023: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Past hosts include BBC Wild Isles presenter & Strictly winner Hamza Yassin; 23 year old ornithologist & environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig; and YouTuber City Girl in Nature, and our supporters include RSPB, National Trust, Natural History Museum, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
The UK is nature-depleted and degraded, and the globe is living through climate crisis. How can we get where we need to be, empowered and living as part of a flourishing ecosystem?
As Get Birding closes its third series, Kwesia learns about the citizen's assembly that created the People's Plan for Nature, which sets out a public vision for reversing declines in Britain’s biodiversity.
Meanwhile she goes on a London nature walk with The Guardian's biodiversity writer Phoebe Weston, and chats to Southwark councillor James McCash about action required to protect nature.
Finally, Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful meditation for all of us experience eco-anxiety.
Can paying attention to birdsong improve our music-making skills? And why do birds sing anyway?
Indie artist Albertine Sarges reveals how birdwatching in a Berlin park made her a better musician (and friend!)
Professor of philosophy & music David Rothenberg goes out in the world to improvise with the wildlife.
Meanwhile Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful birdsong meditation.
Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, presented by Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature, and proudly supported by Canada Water.
Series 2: Episode 4 - Rachel Ball, Charlotte Levene and Charles Foster
Season 2 · Episode 4
Friday, November 19, 2021 • Duration 48:10
Being in lockdown has unleashed our love for nature. Get Birding is a podcast for budding birdwatchers and aims to help everyone, anywhere, discover more about the birds on our doorsteps. We want to break down barriers to birdwatching and believe that access to nature should be a right, not a privilege. In this episode of Get Birding Hamza considers the way in which birds are important to us as families and explores his passion for inspiring children about the magic of birds and the natural world with his guests.
Rachel Ball and her daughter Hope are avid listeners of Get Birding. The podcast has been a companion to their growing exploration of local bird life as a family. Hamza and Rachel discuss the value of birding for children with additional needs and how birding can be a fantastic way for the whole family to spend time together.
Generation Wild is a project by the Wildlife and Wetland Trust that will connect 45,000 children and their families with nature, fostering a life-long love of the natural world for a new generation. We learn about the project and are introduced to Ava, who was just like any other osprey until the day she landed on a mysterious giant nest and a magical transformation took place.
Charles Foster is a writer, barrister and traveller. He's written books on travel, evolutionary biology, natural history, anthropology, theology, archaeology, philosophy and law. Including his latest 'Being a Human'. He has a lifelong love of birds and talks about this as he considers what birds can teach us about ourselves and our families.
Host: Hamza Yassin
Guests: Rachel Ball, Charlotte Levene and Charles Foster
Producer: Jo Barratt
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Co-ordinator: Louis Facey
All music by Poddington Bear. Additional birdsong and nature recordings by taavhaap, earthsounds and benboncan under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence
Series 2: Episode 3 - Ben McCarthy, Alys Laver and Yetunde Kehinde
Season 2 · Episode 3
Friday, November 5, 2021 • Duration 52:36
With the COP conference happening this week in Glasgow, we are thinking about the environment. Climate change affects every living thing in this world and of course birds are no exception. In this episode Hamza speaks to his guests about the things they are noticing changing and looks to the future as to potential ways forward.
Ben McCarthy is Head of Nature Conservation & Restoration Ecology at National Trust. He talks to Hamza about the organisations monitoring of changes to the climate and how they see this affecting the birds that live on National Trust sites across the country.
Next, we visit WWT Steart Marshes, an innovative birdwatching site that site in the south west of England. Alys Laver is the site manager and takes on a journey across the beautiful, unique landscape and talks to us about the sometimes forgotten importance of our wetlands in absorbing Carbon.
Yetunde Kehunde was on the first season of Get Birding. In this episode Hamza checks in to hear what she has been up to over the summer as they share their passion for the environment and conservation around the world.
Host: Hamza Yassin
Guests: Ben McCarthy, Alys Laver and Yetunde Kehinde
Producer: Jo Barratt
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Coordinator: Louis Facey
Social Media Assistant: Dilber Mogal
All music by Poddington Bear. Additional birdsong and nature recordings by iainmccurdy, mycompasstv and richwise under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence
Podcast art by Make Productions
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Series 2: Episode 2 - Gabriel Willow, Adrian Thomas, James Taylor Foster
Season 2 · Episode 2
Friday, October 22, 2021 • Duration 51:21
Hamza was born in Sudan and grew up Northampton before moving to his current home in the west coast of Scotland. He's now surrounded by a plethora of bird life, but this has always been the case. In this episode of Get Birding Hamza explores birding as part of the built environment from how nature can inspire us and be experienced in the most densely populated and built up areas, how we can encourage this and how we can come to appreciate birds wherever we come across them.
First, he talks to Urban Naturalist Gabriel Willow fresh off one of his nature tours of New York City. Gabriel talks about his experience of encouraging and being inspired by his experiences of birding in the city and he sheds some light on the differences in birding in the UK and the US. He reminds us that birds can thrive and be enjoyed in many different environments.
Adrian Thomas is the RSPB Garden Bird Expert. He talks Hamza though his own garden and the birds he finds there, and gives tips and advice for making our gardens and urban green spaces attractive to birds, whether you have access to an acre of land, or a balcony.
James Taylor-Foster is the curator of contemporary architecture and design at ArkDes - Sweden's National Centre for Architecture and Design. He shares with us his love of birds and the similarities between birding in the UK and Sweden and describes the work of Studio Ossidiana who for which consideration of bird life plays a role in their architectural practice. They invite us to consider a world designed for co-existence of birds and people
Host: Hamza Yassin
Guests: Gabriel Willow, Adrian Thomas, James Taylor Foster
Producer: Jo Barratt
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Coordinator: Louis Facey
Social Media Assistant: Dilber Mogal
All music by Poddington Bear. Additional birdsong and nature recordings by dobroide, /listeningtowhales, sheriff, tim.kahn, tim.kahn and Keith Selmes under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence
Series 2: Episode 1 - Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Poppy Rummery
Season 2 · Episode 1
Friday, October 8, 2021 • Duration 47:35
In the first episode of series two, our new host - ornithologist and BBC Countryfile’s Hamza Yassin - talks to series one’s presenter, environmental campaigner Dr Mya-Rose Craig, about their shared love of birds.
The appearance of a rare black browed albatross this year was one of the hot birding stories of the summer. Hamza speaks to RSPB Bempton Cliffs Visitor Experience Assistant Poppy Rummery to shed some light on why it's here and discuss the impact this unusual visitor has had on the reserve.
Series 1: Episode 6 - Emma Kennedy, Yetunde Kehinde, Kate Fox, El Búho
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, April 8, 2021 • Duration 01:01:33
As lockdown restrictions start to ease, Mya-Rose Craig explores how we can expand our birding horizons from our back gardens and regular walks to further afield, paying a visit to the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust’s Slimbridge reserve in Gloucestershire which will reopen soon.
Writer, broadcaster and actress Emma Kennedy explains her love of birding, stork spotting, RSPB Minsmere and blackbirds singing show tunes – as well as revealing that crows hold grudges for 20 years!
18 year old Yetunde Kehinde, a member of the Natural History Museum’s Youth Advisory Panel and Action for Conservation ambassador, gives tips on discovering nature in an urban environment.
Nature beatboxer Jason Singh talks to DJ & producer El Búho about how he blends birdsong into electronic music to raise awareness about endangered bird species.
Host: Dr Mya-Rose Craig
Music Host: Jason Singh
Guests: Emma Kennedy, Yetunde Kehinde, Kate Fox, El Búho
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Manager: Cara Ghoshal
Production Assistant: Louis Facey
Sponsors: Severn Trent Water & Swarovski Optik
Music:
Podington Bear - Happiness Is
Podington Bear - Fluorescence
Podington Bear - Pink Gradient
Podington Bear - Delta
Podington Bear - Golden Hour
Chancha Via Circuito - Maca Tobiano from A Guide to the Birdsong of South America
El Bu’ho - Dim Sum from Cenotes EP
Series 1: Episode 5 - Ajay Tegala, Lucy Lapwing, Ben Dolan, Afro Celt Sound System
Season 1 · Episode 5
Friday, March 26, 2021 • Duration 01:01:55
The birds in our skies are about to change. Spring marks the start of migration, with birds flying thousands of miles across the world. It's a magical, mysterious wonder of nature that has fascinated us for centuries.
In this episode Mya-Rose Craig discovers why bird migration happens; learns about species we can expect to see flying into the UK; and hears from listeners from the Orkneys to East London about the first migrating birds they're seeing.
Nature broadcaster Ajay Tegala and RSPB's Lucy Lapwing explain the facts behind migration; Swarovski Optik's Dale Forbes provides top tips on choosing binoculars to help spot migrating birds; and West Midlands Bird Ringing Group's Ben Dolan reveals how he charts birds' journeys across the world using innovative thermal imaging.
Grammy Award nominated Afro Celt Sound System talk to nature beatboxer Jason Singh about their 2018 album Flight, themed around migration.
Host: Dr Mya-Rose Craig
Music Host: Jason Singh
Guests: Ajay Tegala, Ben Dolan, Dale Forbes, Lucy Lapwing, Afro Celt Sound System
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Manager: Cara Ghoshal
Production Assistant: Louis Facey
Sponsors: Severn Trent Water & Swarovski Optik
Music:
Chad Crouch - Platformer
Chad Crouch - Investigation
Chad Crouch - Dusk
Podington Bear - Brightening
Podington Bear - Happiness Is
Afro Celt Soundsystem - When I Still Needed You
Series 1: Episode 4 - Samuel West, Lucy Lapwing, Sam Lee
Season 1 · Episode 4
Friday, March 12, 2021 • Duration 49:39
During lockdown, we've become more aware of birdsong but can we recognise the birds we're hearing? In this episode, Mya-Rose Craig explores how to identify different birds, from robins to wrens to blackbirds; why birds sing; what a dawn chorus is all about; and how birdsong makes us feel.
Actor and keen birder Samuel West takes time out from filming the new series of All Creatures Great and Small to give top tips on how to learn birdsong, with his very own patch diary from Yorkshire.
RSPB’s Lucy Lapwing, host of YouTube channel Birdsong Lessons, explains how to tell garden birds apart, whilst Get Birding listeners reveal the birdsong that stops them in their tracks.
Jason Singh speaks to Mercury Prize nominated folk singer Sam Lee about his magical live woodland concerts “Singing with Nightingales” and his debut novel “The Nightingale: Notes on a Songbird” which tells the story of this endangered bird and its place in music and literature.
Host: Dr Mya-Rose Craig
Music Host: Jason Singh
Guests: Samuel West, Lucy Lapwing, Sam Lee
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Production Manager: Cara Ghoshal
Production Assistant: Louis Facey
Sponsors: Severn Trent Water & Swarovski Optik
Music from:
Podington Bear - Sneaker Chase
Podington Bear - Golden Hour
Podington_Bear_-_Fluorescence
Podington Bear - Delta
“” - Platformer
“” Happiness Is
Series 1: Episode 3 - Dr Amir Khan, Dr Jo Birch, Ian Jelley, Northern Flyway
Season 1 · Episode 3
Friday, February 26, 2021 • Duration 56:50
This episode focuses on the powerful impact of birds on our mental health, particularly during lockdown.
With heartbreaking honesty, TV’s favourite GP Dr Amir Khan reveals how birds have helped him through the daily stress of working on the front line over the pandemic. Dr Amir explains the science behind nature’s effect on the chemicals in our brains; why he is starting to prescribe nature to his patients; and how birds are a quick fix for nature therapy.
Dr Amir joins a call to action for investment in urban green spaces, currently seen as a luxury, not a right, for the most socially deprived.
Mya-Rose talks to the University of Sheffield’s Dr Jo Birch about her research on the importance of accessible nature for the wellbeing of urban and BAME young people, whilst farmers in Warwickshire explain how a Wildlife Trust tree sparrow project has helped them deal with the isolation and pressures of their work.
Get Birding listeners tell emotional stories about birds helping them find solace through personal suffering over the past year.
Shetland based musicians Northern Flyway talk to nature beatboxer Jason Singh about their audio-visual work that explores the connection between people and birds, and Mya-Rose reveals her Bird To Watch over the next fortnight.
Host: Dr Mya-Rose Craig
Music Host: Jason Singh
Guests: Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Dr Amir Khan, GP, Dr Daniel Cox, Uni of Exeter, Dr Jo Birch, Uni of Sheffield, Ian Jelley Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, Nicky Saunders, farmer in Warwckshire, Northern Flyway [Inge Thomson and Jenny Sturgeon]
Producer: Tom Bonnett
Executive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie Derham
Podcast art by Make Productions
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook @getbirdingpod
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects.
Sponsored by Zurich Insurance - insuring conservation groups across the UK. To find out more visit Zurich.co.uk/getbirding
Zurich insure more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes including conservation, gardening and ornithological groups across England, Scotland and Wales.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and aesthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects.
Sponsored by Zurich Insurance - insuring conservation groups across the UK. To find out more visit Zurich.co.uk/getbirding
Zurich insure more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes including conservation, gardening and ornithological groups across England, Scotland and Wales.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects.
Sponsored by Zurich Insurance - insuring conservation groups across the UK. To find out more visit Zurich.co.uk/getbirding
Zurich insure more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes including conservation, gardening and ornithological groups across England, Scotland and Wales.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects.
Sponsored by Zurich Insurance - insuring conservation groups across the UK. To find out more visit Zurich.co.uk/getbirding
Zurich insure more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes including conservation, gardening and ornithological groups across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge Wetland Centre is a visitor centre open all year and home to thousands of birds, mammals and other wildlife.
A massive thank you to the WWT for opening their doors to us early for the Covid-safe recordings featured in the show.
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre is delighted to be opening their doors again from 12th April. Every person who is coming to visit will need to pre-book.
Find out more about El Búho: www.sonidoelbuho.com
"A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean” is an album of music inspired by the song of endangered birds with 100% of the profits going towards organisations working to protect them. You can purchase the album on Bandcamp here.
Severn Trent Water is committed to providing a secure supply of clean water across the Midlands. Looking after water means looking after the environment too. As a result, the organisation unveiled ambitious plans to improve biodiversity across the Midlands as part of its Big Green Nature Boost campaign, including reviving 12,000 acres of land (an area bigger than the size of Gloucester), planting 1.3 million trees and restoring 2000km of rivers across the Severn Trent region by 2027.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. In January, Swarovski Optik announced Dr Mya-Rose Craig as a partner opinion leader for 2021; she will aim to inspire people from all backgrounds to learn more about the benefits of enjoying nature activities.
Severn Trent Water is committed to providing a secure supply of clean water across the Midlands. Looking after water means looking after the environment too. As a result, the organisation unveiled ambitious plans to improve biodiversity across the Midlands as part of its Big Green Nature Boost campaign, including reviving 12,000 acres of land (an area bigger than the size of Gloucester), planting 1.3 million trees and restoring 2000km of rivers across the Severn Trent region by 2027.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. In January, Swarovski Optik announced Dr Mya-Rose Craig as a partner opinion leader for 2021; she will aim to inspire people from all backgrounds to learn more about the benefits of enjoying nature activities.
Severn Trent Water is committed to providing a secure supply of clean water across the Midlands. Looking after water means looking after the environment too. As a result, the organisation unveiled ambitious plans to improve biodiversity across the Midlands as part of its Big Green Nature Boost campaign, including reviving 12,000 acres of land (an area bigger than the size of Gloucester), planting 1.3 million trees and restoring 2000km of rivers across the Severn Trent region by 2027.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. In January, Swarovski Optik announced Dr Mya-Rose Craig as a partner opinion leader for 2021; she will aim to inspire people from all backgrounds to learn more about the benefits of enjoying nature activities.
Severn Trent Water is committed to providing a secure supply of clean water across the Midlands. Looking after water means looking after the environment too. As a result, the organisation unveiled ambitious plans to improve biodiversity across the Midlands as part of its Big Green Nature Boost campaign, including reviving 12,000 acres of land (an area bigger than the size of Gloucester), planting 1.3 million trees and restoring 2000km of rivers across the Severn Trent region by 2027.
Swarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. In January, Swarovski Optik announced Dr Mya-Rose Craig as a partner opinion leader for 2021; she will aim to inspire people from all backgrounds to learn more about the benefits of enjoying nature activities.
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