The BirdGuides Podcast

Episoade

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  Remembering July rarities 22.07.2026 39min

  Welcome to the third episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Join Josh Jones, David Campbell and Ian Lycett as they take a thrilling trip down memory lane to look back at the jaw-dropping mega rarities that have sent British twitchers into a frenzy during previous Julys.What you'll learn in this episodeWhy midsummer, typically thought of as a quiet time of year for birding, can deliver some of the rarest vagrants.The legend of Brean Down legend: we look back at the incredible story of the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross in 2007Reliving the legendary first twitchable Amur Falcon in Cornwall that drew hundreds of birders overnight.The mega frigatebird photographed by tourists in ScotlandWhich mega species should you be scanning the skies and coastlines for right now?Episode timestamps00:30 – write July off at your peril and favourite midsummer twitches03:25 – the 2007 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, released in Somerset and touching down in Lincolnshire06:20 – the 2013 Ascension Frigatebird in Scotland09:30 – one rare tern deserves another14:00– the Sheffield Audouin's Gull21:00 – time for another Caspian Plover?24:07 – break24:30 – Amur Falcon twitch28:30 – Fair Isle's Brown Flycatcher in 199234:32 – what to seek out in JulyLinksGet in touch by emailing podcast@birdguides.comStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed our second episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Tell us your own memories of Global Birdfair 2026 and whether you have seen any of July's mega rarities on our socials!How to say connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Music by Matt Phelps
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  Global Birdfair thoughts and stunning midsummer megas! 17.07.2026 41min

  Welcome to the second episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Join your regular hosts Josh Jones, David Campbell and Ian Lycett as they discuss the recent midsummer megas, including Long-tailed Shrike and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, and reflect on Global Birdfair 2026.What you'll learn in this episodeGlobal Birdfair 2026 thoughts: what did the guys make of this year's event?Britain's second Long-tailed Shrike. Hear about David and Josh's epic twitch to Fife.This week's Blue-cheeked Bee-eater in Orkney is discussed.The Hudsonian Godwit in East Anglia and other midsummer surprises.Episode timestamps00:30 – Global Birdfair 2026: thoughts and reflections09:00 – Ian and David go birding on Josh's patch12:10 – Britain's second Long-tailed Shrike turns up in Fife22:15 – break22:20 – Blue-cheeked Bee-eater in Orkney27:40 – Hudsonian Godwit and other recent raritiesLinksGet in touch by emailing podcast@birdguides.comStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastContact Josh, David or Ian directly via the BirdGuides Team pageEnjoyed our second episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Tell us your own memories of Global Birdfair 2026 and whether you have seen any of July's mega rarities on our socials!How to say connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Music by Matt Phelps
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  Welcome to The BirdGuides Podcast 15.07.2026 35min

  Welcome to the very first episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Join your regular hosts Josh Jones, David Campbell and Ian Lycett as they introduce the show, share their birdwatching backgrounds and discuss the future of the ultimate audio hub for birdwatchers. Whether you are a casual patch birder in the UK or a big global lister, this episode sets the stage for our upcoming birding adventures.What you'll learn in this episodeMeet the team: get to know the birding histories and local patches of Josh, David and Ian.The podcast vision: what to expect from future episodes.Global vs local: discussions on everything between British twitching and exploring the world’s birds.Latest news and sightings: from Wood Sandpiper and Common Quail influxes to Britain’s first Western Reef HeronEpisode timestamps00:00 – welcome to the The BirdGuides Podcast02:25 – meet David Campbell and Ian Lycett: formative birding moments and their local patches11:20 – recent trips to Western Sahara, Finland and Sri Lanka and autumn birding plans17:20 – meet Josh Jones: birding from a young age and a previous twitching life24:50 – break25:00 – looking back at spring and summer 2026, from Wood Sandpiper influxes to mega rarities28:55 – the summer 2026 Common Quail influx including a close encounter for Josh32:35 – Britain’s first Western Reef Heron in Wales stuns twitchersLinksGet in touch by emailing podcast@birdguides.comStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastContact Josh, David or Ian directly via the BirdGuides Team pageEnjoyed our debut episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Tell us your own 'spark bird' story and about your local patch on our socials!How to say connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com/podcast.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.