Explore every episode of the podcast Messages from the Wild
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bittern | 13 May 2025 | 00:06:50 | |
The Bittern is part of a series commissioned by Future Places Centre at Lancaster University in collaboration with Leighton Moss RSPB. With many thanks to Jarrod Sneyd, RSPB Leighton Moss, for embodying this Bittern. "For me, they just bring joy, particularly when the atmospherics are right. You can be in Leighton Moss, or nearby in Silverdale, for example, where there's been five or six booming male Bitterns, and the sound echoes and reverberates. If you were to try and write it down and capture it, it's constant, it's impossible to do. And so you've got this cacophony of Bitterns booming all around you and echoing and bouncing. And it's actually just incredible when you get that. It's not like that every morning or every evening." Jarrod Sneyd, RSPB Leighton Moss
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Thank you to Jarrod for his superb sound recordings. Thank you to Noemie Lina for the illustrations. | |||
| The European Eel | 13 May 2025 | 00:05:49 | |
The European Eel is part of a series commissioned by Future Places Centre at Lancaster University in collaboration with Leighton Moss RSPB. With many thanks to Kath Smith, RSPB Leighton Moss, for embodying this European Eel. "Eels are just fantastic. They've been around for hundreds of years but, we still don't really know much about them. It's only in the last few years we've realised that they spawn and die, and that's only through observation. And the fact that they have that incredible migration journey to the Sargasso Sea and back, they're just fantastic. And people need to know that. It's not all about fluffy, cuddly squirrels and other species. We should think about the ones that people might think are a bit weird too." Kath Smith, RSPB Leighton Moss
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Thank you to Noemie Lina for the illustrations. | |||
| The Mayfly | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:06:05 | |
This Mayfly is part of a series commissioned by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group for The River Derwent. With many thanks to Charles Foster, author and academic.
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Water Vole | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:06:59 | |
This Water Vole is part of a series commissioned by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group for The River Derwent. With many thanks to Christine Gregory, writer, photographer and painter. The Water Vole: The Story of One of Britain's Most Endangered Mammals
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Fairy Shrimp | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:05:32 | |
This episode is especially made to accompany the work of the painter and print maker, Frances Gynn, for her exhibition on Fairy Shrimps as part of her Public Erasures series. It's powerful stuff so please go along if you can. Public Erasures at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) Bristol. Featuring the Fairy Shrimp (Chirocephalus diaphanous) Endangered translucent crustacean Living in temporary ponds Main source of food to many organisms Important indicator of a healthy eco-system
With many thanks to Frances for inviting me along to open her Fairy Shrimp Public Erasure and for being such a great Fairy Shrimp herself.
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com
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| The Earthworm | 08 Sep 2024 | 00:05:22 | |
Earthworms are arguably our most vital animal. They're quite funny too. (This one has been added to the podcast for a second time to be used in Derby City as part of their Wildlife Festival.) With many thanks to Nicky Scott, aka Dr Compost, Food Waste Educator, Community Compost Expert Dr Compost | Growing Devon Schools "I may have trained as an agronomist but I learned something new about earthworms today - listen in!" John Meadley
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Wood Ant | 08 Sep 2024 | 00:05:59 | |
Our largest ant species explains how vital ants are to our survival, despite his seemingly lazy life, he manages to make the effort. With many thanks to Professor Adam Hart, Entomologist & Professor of Science Communication, University of Gloucestershire Adam Hart And thank you to Gregory Ovenden for his ant recordings in this episode: http://www.thesoundfarmer.com This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Maggot | 08 Sep 2024 | 00:04:52 | |
Vital to our existence and yet maggots have never been a very popular creature but, Dr Erica McAlister makes this particular maggot seem almost adorable. With many thanks to Dr Erica McAlister, Entomologist, Senior Curator at the Natural History Museum, Author, Presenter @ericamcalister This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Woodlouse | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:05:14 | |
Curious creatures woodlice, well I think so. I'm so happy I finally got to talk to one, I'd always wondered if they actually did eat their own poo. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. With many thanks to Lucy Lapwing, Wildlife Presenter and Campaigner @lucy_lapwing
Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Badger | 24 Jul 2024 | 00:05:58 | |
After listening to this badger I think you'll realise that they don't deserve the bad press they seem to get. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. With many thanks to Steve Backshall, Naturalist, Presenter, Author, Campaigner www.stevebackshall.com
Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly | 02 Jun 2024 | 00:05:22 | |
Dragonflies are out and about in all their glory across Britain now so keep your eyes peeled for them. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Steve Jones, Author and Dragonfly expert @aparthenop on Instagram.
Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Bluebell | 01 May 2024 | 00:05:05 | |
Bluebells are at their peak across Britain now and they love to be admired but they really suffer as a whole if any of them are trampled on. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Nicola Bradley, Head Gardener at the Lost Gardens as she really brings these beautiful flowers to life. She's the perfect Bluebell.
Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Reed Warbler | 13 May 2025 | 00:05:07 | |
The Reed Warbler is part of a series commissioned by Future Places Centre at Lancaster University in collaboration with Leighton Moss RSPB. With many thanks to Beth Fox, RSPB Leighton Moss, for embodying this Reed Warbler. "For these little birds, the reed bed can be a challenging place to raise chicks, there are quite a lot of predators. But they're dedicated parents. I think it's lovely that the male and the female raise their chicks together. It's such a joint effort. And obviously I admire the treacherous journey that they make. I think we all have to admire that don't we." Beth Fox, RSPB Leighton Moss
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Many thanks to Lee Alder for the Reed Warbler recording. Thank you to Noemie Lina for the illustrations. | |||
| The Oak Tree | 22 Dec 2023 | 00:05:00 | |
An alternative to the traditional Christmas tree but perhaps more quintessentially British, The Oak. This Oak lives at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall and comes from the collection I made for them last year: Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to the wonderful Dame Judi Dench, who really could not have been a more perfect Oak.
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Berkshire Pig | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:05:14 | |
A perfect winter warmer, this one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. Jimmy Docherty really makes me laugh and he knows his stuff too - farmer, entomologist, television presenter and I would add comedian. Visit Jimmy’s Farm and support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Short Snouted Seahorse | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:05:19 | |
This interview comes from a collection called Voices from the Ocean. It is such an important series as we really know so little about the ocean. It comes to us with thanks to Gallifrey Foundation and Mission Blue, finding experts from all over the world to give us their time and energy so that we can be entertained whilst being educated. “With knowing, comes caring, and with caring there’s hope, that we can find an enduring place for ourselves within the natural systems that support us. But first, we have to know.” Dr Sylvia Earle And with many thanks to Marine Biologist, Lucy Woodall of Nekton How to respect and protect seahorsesSeahorses help protect seagrasses, seaweeds and coral reefs. They are important predators for bottom-dwelling organisms. But, they are often caught just to be sold as souvenir pets. Don’t buy seahorses. Don’t pollute the ocean with plastics and chemicals. Demand protection for seahorse habitats.
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| Seasonal Message from The Hedgehog | 27 Oct 2023 | 00:02:26 | |
This is not a good time of year for hedgehogs in Britain so please take a couple of minutes to listen to this public service announcement from one. And please pass it on as far and wide as possible. Thank you. With many thanks to Yvonne Cox, Founder of Hedgehog Rescue, South Gloucestershire www.hedgehogrescue.info Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com | |||
| The Tardigrade | 16 Nov 2022 | 00:04:43 | |
With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Peppered Moth Caterpillar | 16 Nov 2022 | 00:05:34 | |
With many thanks to Matt Brierley, wildlife filmmaker
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The House Spider | 19 Jun 2020 | 00:09:01 | |
This is for Max, a Spider Ambassador, which we should all be really. Maybe once you've heard this fascinating House Spider, you may want to become one, it certainly changed my view of them. with many thanks to Peter Smithers, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society Entomologist, University of Plymouth
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Dandelion | 30 Apr 2020 | 00:05:45 | |
Plants have a message too and as it's Spring, I thought it would be a good time to give the dandelion a voice. A favourite of the Ashy Mining Bee. with many thanks to Alex Morss Ecologist and Author www.alexmorss.co.uk @morss_alex
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Green Cellar Slug | 22 Apr 2020 | 00:05:32 | |
Some slugs are useful. And funny.
with many thanks to Dr Ben Rowson Senior Curator: Invertebrate Biodiversity (Terrestrial Mollusca), National Museum Cardiff
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Ashy Mining Bee | 15 Apr 2020 | 00:04:55 | |
Messages from the Wild podcast has been hibernating (for good reason) but as spring has arrived in Europe now is the time to hear from the Ashy Mining Bee who will be out and about pollinating and building her nest in the ground in relative peace and quiet. with many thanks to Rhian Rowson Natural History Curator, Bristol Museum, Galleries and Archives
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Caddis Fly | 13 May 2025 | 00:04:54 | |
The Caddis Fly is part of a series commissioned by Future Places Centre at Lancaster University in collaboration with Leighton Moss RSPB. With many thanks to Kath Smith, RSPB Leighton Moss for embodying this Caddis Fly. "I've spent years river dipping and pond dipping, and you come across these creatures that still get me so excited, and because they're so amazing, I want to pass that on to other people as well, especially when you're pond dipping with kids. And you want to get them to say it's not just a little mini beast all by itself, it's this fantastic house builder, that builds to survive. And they're just amazing, they really are." Kath Smith, RSPB Leighton Moss
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Thank you to Noemie Lina for the illustrations. | |||
| The Highland Midge | 24 Dec 2018 | 00:07:50 | |
With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author
That ends the First Season of Messages from the Wild. Please send any requests for animals you'd particularly like to hear from for the next season....coming soon. And please send feedback. Thank you for listening. Happy Christmas. Annabel Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on iTunes Many thanks to Ganna for her wonderful illustrations www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Lesser Black Backed Gull | 23 Dec 2018 | 00:06:48 | |
With many thanks to Peter Rock, Urban Gull Expert, Research Associate, University of Bristol
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Purse Web Spider | 22 Dec 2018 | 00:05:29 | |
With thanks to Mark Pajak, Spider Expert, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries Twitter: @markyspider
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Great Crested Newt | 21 Dec 2018 | 00:06:57 | |
With many thanks to David Dewsbury, Wildlife Enthusiast and Researcher, Forest of Dean
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Blow Fly | 20 Dec 2018 | 00:04:09 | |
With many thanks to Dr Amoret Whitaker, Senior Lecturer (University of Winchester) Scientific Associate (Natural History Museum, London)
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Greater Horseshoe Bat | 19 Dec 2018 | 00:05:11 | |
With many thanks to David Brown, Bat Specialist, Avon Bat Group
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Earwig | 18 Dec 2018 | 00:07:20 | |
With thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk | www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Dung Beetle | 17 Dec 2018 | 00:05:49 | |
With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Hazel Dormouse | 16 Dec 2018 | 00:05:14 | |
With many thanks to Gill Brown, Dormouse Specialist Surveyor, Bristol Naturalists’ Society
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Holly Blue Butterfly | 15 Dec 2018 | 00:07:22 | |
With many thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk | www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Marsh Harrier | 13 May 2025 | 00:05:17 | |
The Marsh Harrier is part of a series commissioned by Future Places Centre at Lancaster University in collaboration with Leighton Moss RSPB. With many thanks to Joseph Klein, RSPB Leighton Moss, for embodying this Marsh Harrier. "I really enjoy just watching them over the nature reserve. I think Marsh Harriers have a kind of slow pace to them. They fly super slowly and just drop down into the reed bed and look so chilled and in control. And unless you come to a reserve or a place where there are Marsh Harriers, you probably don't really see them and don't know much about them, and I think, more should be known about them, because they're so cool." Joe Klein, RSPB Leighton Moss
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Thank you to Simon Elliott for the beautiful sound of The Marsh Harrier. Thank you to Noemie Lina for the illustrations. | |||
| The Cow | 14 Dec 2018 | 00:06:29 | |
With many thanks to Rosamund Young, Farmer and Author
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Koala | 13 Dec 2018 | 00:05:30 | |
With many thanks to Andrew Knight, Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics, University of Winchester
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Cellar Spider | 12 Dec 2018 | 00:06:02 | |
With many thanks to Mark Pajak, Spider Expert, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries Twitter:@markyspider
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Barn Owl | 11 Dec 2018 | 00:07:09 | |
With many thanks to Ian McGuire, Wildlife Educator and Owl Specialist
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Otter | 10 Dec 2018 | 00:05:35 | |
With many thanks to Gill Brown, Otter Specialist Surveyor, Bristol Naturalists’ Society
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Ladybird | 09 Dec 2018 | 00:07:08 | |
With many thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk | www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Peregrine Falcon | 08 Dec 2018 | 00:06:14 | |
With many thanks to Ed Drewitt, Naturalist, Broadcaster, Wildlife Detective
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Stag Beetle | 07 Dec 2018 | 00:06:20 | |
With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Hedgehog | 06 Dec 2018 | 00:06:20 | |
With many thanks to Yvonne Cox, Hedgehog Rescue, South Gloucestershire
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Click Beetle | 05 Dec 2018 | 00:06:16 | |
With many thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk | www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Mole | 14 Feb 2025 | 00:05:03 | |
Always smaller than we think but incredibly strong and so vital to the health of our soils. These little creatures need a lot more respect than we give them. It's their lawn, not ours. With many thanks to Sam Corfield, author, horticulturist and wildlife expert @the_hairy_horticulturist This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Adder | 04 Dec 2018 | 00:07:02 | |
With many thanks to David Dewsbury, Wildlife Enthusiast and Researcher, Forest of Dean
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Buzzard | 03 Dec 2018 | 00:05:34 | |
With many thanks to Ian McGuire, Wildlife Educator and Owl Specialist
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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| The Flea | 02 Dec 2018 | 00:06:19 | |
With many thanks to Dr Amoret Whitaker, Senior Lecturer (University of Winchester) Scientific Associate (Natural History Museum, London)
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl | |||
| The Earthworm #1 | 01 Dec 2018 | 00:06:16 | |
The Earthworm leads the way in a series of interviews with small animals about their life and the environment they live in. One short interview with a different animal will be published each day for the next 24 days. Please let me know what you think of them and if there are any animals you would particularly like to hear from in the future. Thank you. annabel@annabelross.com With many thanks to Nicky Scott, aka Dr Compost, Food Waste Educator, Community Compost Expert Dr Compost | Growing Devon Schools | Proper Job
"I may have trained as an agronomist but I learned something new about earthworms today - listen in!" John Meadley
Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl
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