Nature's a Hoot – Details, episodes & analysis

The next episode in the Global BirdFair Series, join Tom Morath as he chats to Jenny Weston (Senior Species Recovery Officer for the RSPB) about what it takes to support endangered species of birds, what it’s like to monitor wild bird of prey populations and the recovery of the Red Kite. This episode was recorded LIVE at the Global BirdFair - a not-for-profit festival with an aim to bring bird-lovers and conservationists alike together for a celebration of wildlife and especially birds.

This month, Tom Morath brings you a very special episode of Nature's a Hoot - recorded LIVE at the Global BirdFair! Join Tom at this celebration of all things feathered, where he'll be chatting to Katy Monk and returning Nature’s a Hoot Guest Indy Greene about their experiences in conservation as young people, their epic challenge to walk from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise funds for wildlife and, of course, the birds of prey that inspire them.

In open prairies and grassland from Western Canada all the way to Mexico, an owl digs in the soil, excavating an underground home. This is the Burrowing Owl, a curious bird with a surprising lifestyle of sub-terrain living and a taste for beetles and small rodents. Join Tom as he digs under the surface to explore the underground life of the Burrowing Owl – a species of tiny stature but huge character.

Able to navigate the interwoven branches of our native woodland with ease and with an practically unrivalled reputation for hunting ability, the Goshawk is an almost legendary bird of prey. Join Tom and Hawk Conservancy Trust President, Chris Packham, as they share their passion for this impressive native bird of prey.

The Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest species of vulture in the world with a wingspan of over 2.5m and weighing in at around 7kg! Despite their impressive build, they are a species in desperate need of our support. This month, as we join with collections and organisations around the world by taking part in International Vulture Awareness Day on 2 September, Tom teams up with our Head of Conservation and Research, Dr Campbell Murn, to present our plans to support this incredible but endangered vulture.

No matter what the image you have in your mind is when it comes to vultures, the Egyptian Vulture implores you to make a reassessment. They’re smart, can easily equal any eagle when it comes to soaring ability and must have the funkiest white hair-do (feather-do?) of any bird of prey! Join us as we discover more about the Egyptian Vulture and the work being done to protect this endangered species.

With pure white feathers and piercing yellow eyes, the Snowy Owl is probably one of the most recognisable species of birds of prey in the world. This is a species which thrives where other species of birds of prey are seldom found - in some of the coldest regions on our planet. Discover how this species survives in it’s sub-zero habitat, what they find to eat in their tundra landscape and how scientists are studying their movements in the wild to understand how threatened they might be and what can be done to support them.

Take a dive into the world of speed with the species awarded the title of fastest animal in the world – the Peregrine Falcon. Discover just how fast these birds can travel, how they’re faring in the wild in the UK and the part that the Hawk Conservancy Trust plays in giving Peregrine Falcons and many other species of raptors every chance at success.

Striated Caracara are one of the most interesting and charismatic species of birds of prey in the world. They are also considered some of the smartest birds of prey, often being thought of more like a raven or crow than as a falcon. Striated Caracaras have historically been dubbed ‘flying monkeys’ and ‘flying devils’ thanks to their inquisitive and somewhat heavy handed (or should that be taloned?) approach to life. Join Tom as he chats to Katie Harrington, a research biologist who has worked hard to understand the movements and behaviour of populations of Striated Caracaras on the Falklands – even inventing puzzles for them to solve! We also challenge Sirius, one of the resident Striated Caracaras at the Trust, to solve a puzzle he’s never seen before.

It’s possibly the most bizarre looking bird of prey you’ll ever see and certainly one of the largest. With a great crown of long feathers upon their head, a bright orange face and long legs standing them at almost 4ft tall, it’s seems as if the Secretary Bird would be more at home in Jurassic Park or the artwork of a Dr Seuss book. Find out about their striking (in more ways than one!) adaptations and the research we’ve undertaken to better understand this fascinating species.