The BirdGuides Podcast

Епизоде

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  MigFest, American arrivals and turtle dove conservation controversy 16.09.2026 49мин

  Welcome to the 12th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, David, Ed and Josh catch up to talk about the recent MigFest at Spurn, as well as an arrival of American vagrants in Britain and Ireland and news of turtle dove releases in Hampshire.In this episodeDavid and Josh are back from MigGest and talk about their weekend in East Yorkshire.Birding highlights from Spurn.Controversial European Turtle Dove releases in the South Downs National Park.Signs of recovery for Iceland's Gyr Falcons.An arrival of American rarities in Britain and Ireland.Recent quality patch finds for David and Josh.Episode timestamps02:50 – David and Josh report back from MigFest13:20 – turtle dove conservation controversy27:00 – Gyr Falcon recovery in Iceland?35:30 – Arrival of American vagrants41:00 – Patch goodies for David and JoshLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Did you go to MigFest? Let us know!How to stay 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.Buff-breasted Sandpiper photo by Seán Holland.
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  Britain's third Egyptian Nightjar found as autumn migration kicks off! 09.09.2026 38мин

  Welcome to the 11th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, Ed, Ian and Josh discuss the shock news of Britain's third Egyptian Nightjar in Shetland at the weekend, as well as other recent national birding highlights and their own autumn patch efforts so far.In this episodeRarity of the decade? Britain's third Egyptian Nightjar stuns birders in Shetland.A look back at the previous British records of Egyptian Nightjar.A nice run of Nearctic waders and Ortolan Buntings.Mixed fortunes for the English-born Montagu's Harriers.Recent patch action.Episode timestamps01:30 – Egyptian Nightjar in Shetland!11:25 – Remembering overseas encounters with Egyptian Nightjar14:25 – Other rare and scarce news22:30 – Recent patch action for Ian and Josh29:30 – What's on the September patch radar?34:50 – Appreciating common warblersLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show.How to stay 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.Egyptian Nightjar photo by Rebecca Nason.
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  The Birding Girlies 02.09.2026 40мин

  Welcome to the 10th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. Today, David and Josh are joined by Alicia Hulland and Tasha Noble from The Birding Girlies to talk about their birdwatching community and social media movement that they created to make the hobby fun, supportive and accessible for women and girls.In this episodeHow The Birding Girlies began.The early birding lifes of Alicia and Tash.What The Birding Girlies stands for.The invisible barriers that women face within birding.What the future holds for The Birding Girlies and how you can follow.Episode timestamps00:50 – Introducing The Birding Girlies03:50 – Spark birds08:15 – The slippery slope of twitching13:36 – How The Birding Girlies began25:00 – The perils of social media30:40 – Advice for men37:27 – What the future holdsLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show.The Birding Girlies InstagramThe Birding Girlies FacebookHow to stay 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.
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  Mega Montagu's Harrier breeding success with Mark Thomas 26.08.2026 50мин

  Welcome to the ninth episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. Today, David, Ian and Josh are joined by the RSPB's Mark Thomas to talk about the exciting recent news that six Montagu's Harrier chicks fledged in England this summer.In this episodeThe status of one of Britain's rarest breeding birds.The unexpected breeding of 2025.How Mark safeguarded two Montagu's Harrier nests.GPS-tagging two juveniles.What the future holds for 'monty's' in BritainEpisode timestamps03:21 – Montagu's Harrier in Britain10:50 – Why are they struggling?17:00 – Protecting the nests27:30 – Following the tagged juveniles34:01 – How to keep up to date with their movements41:12 – What the future holdsLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show.How to stay 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.
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  Six things every new birder should have 19.08.2026 58мин

  Welcome to the eighth episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. Today, David, Ian and Josh chat about six important things that anyone who is new to birdwatching or looking to take their interest in birds to the next level.In this episodeThe importance of binoculars and what size and brands are best.The most effective way to learn bird identification.Beginning to take photos and enjoy bird photography.Knowing what to look for and where.How to share your sightings.Listener questions answered.Episode timestamps03:49 – Listener questions10:00 – Binocular basics18:40 – The value of field guides29:58 – An introduction to cameras39:09 – Getting a patch48:43 – How to stay in the loop and know where to go54:05 – Sharing your sightingsLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopBuy The Complete Guide to Patch Birding from the BirdGuides Bookshop.Stay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. If you're new to birding, tell us what tools you've found most valuable.How to stay 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.
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  AI's influence in bird photography and mixed fortunes for rare breeders 14.08.2026 34мин

  Welcome to the seventh episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. In this bonus episode, Brian, David, Ian and Josh offer their thoughts on AI's influence on bird photography and ask whether standards should be set among birders. Meanwhile, there is news of mixed fortunes for breeding Ring Ouzel and Roseate Tern.In this episodeAI's growing influence on bird photography – is it time to draw the line?When editing an images changes the reality.How will records committees deal with the increasing use of AI alteration?A bleak future for Ireland's breeding Ring Ouzels.England's Roseate Terns enjoy a bumper breeding season.Episode timestamps01:00 – The problems with AI in bird photography12:30 – How to moderate and the future of records21:55 – Ring Ouzel going extinct in Ireland?27:33 – Good news for Roseate Tern in EnglandLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this 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 thoughts on the use of AI in bird photography.How to stay 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.
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  Suffolk cisticola success, seawatching season so far and an intriguing Irish egret 11.08.2026 43мин

  Welcome to the sixth episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. Today, David, Ian and Josh are joined by Irish birder Brian McCloskey as they talk Suffolk Zitting Cisticola breeding success, the seawatching season so far and an intriguing egret in Co Kerry.In this episodeZitting Cisticola breeds in Suffolk again. Is this species going to become Britain's next colonist?The guys discuss the seabird season so far and Brian shares his exciting sightings from western Ireland.An unusual Little Egret in Co Kerry got birders briefly excited about Snowy Egret.The best of the rest of the rarity news.Josh's dream bird observatory is up for sale!Episode timestamps01:03 – Ian's back from Sweden and introducing Brian07:30 – Zitting Cisticolas breed in Suffolk again13:43 – Seawatching season so far20:30 – Bulwer's Petrels in Spain24:50 – Break24:55 – Odd egret in Kerry30:32 – Tern excitement in Northumberland33:35 – Touring Black Storks and Montagu's Harriers40:55 – Josh's dream islandLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this 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 about your own experiences of the seawatching season so far and if you've seen the Suffolk cisticolas!How to stay 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.
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  Celebrating August – the perfect month for patch birding! 05.08.2026 43мин

  Welcome to the fifth episode of The BirdGuides Podcast. August is here and it's an epic time to get out on your local patch! In the latest episode, David, Josh and Ian chat all things patch and local birding in the month of August, from waders and Whinchats to skywatching and seabirding.In this episodeFrom Wood Sandpiper to European Golden Plover, which waders should be on your August radar?Going through gulls and other waterbirds.Why seawatching and skywatching can be rewarding.Finding good habitat in your local area.Looking for passerine migrants.Episode timestamps01:10 – Why is August so good for patch birding?06:00 – wonderful waders17:15 – going through gulls21:00 – August seawatching22:20 – eyes to the skies27:30 – finding good habitat in your area32:05 – Whinchat, a classic August bird36:25 – favourite August patch memoriesLinksBuy The Complete Guide to Patch Birding from the BirdGuides Bookshop.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this 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 about your own memories of August patch birding and what you hope to see this month!How to stay 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.
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  Bad news for dotterel, good news for heathland birds and remembering Bill Oddie 29.07.2026 50мин

  Welcome to the fourth episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Join Josh Jones and David Campbell as they reflect on Bill Oddie's sad recent passing and dissect some of the biggest birding stories of recent weeks, including the plight of Britain's breeding Eurasian Dotterel, the tickability of Bearded Vulture, the latest rarity news and much more.In this episodeRemembering Bill Oddie, Britain’s best-known birder and long-time Birdwatch contributor.Thoughts on the recent Eurasian Dotterel survey results, with the species precarious status as a breeding bird at risk.Positive news from the Heathland Bird Survey with increases and expansions.Bearded Vulture is now tickable in the Netherlands – should it be in Britain as well?A mega Common Redstart × Black Redstart hybrid in Wales.Britain’s second Long-tailed Shrike, night herons arrive, big Wilson's Storm Petrel counts and the latest rarity news.Episode timestamps03:15 remembering Bill Oddie who sadly passed away on Monday08:25 dotterel in trouble? Worrying trends form the recent survey of Britain's breeding population21:55 break22:00 good news from the 2025 Heathland Bird Survey31:05 redstart hybrid in Wales36:05 Bearded Vulture tickable in the Netherlands. Britain next?43:30 latest rarity news including another Long-tailed ShrikeLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] 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 about your own encounters with dotterel and thoughts on the Heathland Bird Survey results on our socials!How to stay 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. Common Redstart × Black Redstart recording by Dante Shepherd
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  Remembering July rarities 22.07.2026 39мин

  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 [email protected] 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 stay 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 41мин

  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 [email protected] 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 stay 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 35мин

  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 [email protected] 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 stay 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.