Weekend Birder

Noticing birds doesn’t always happen in quiet places. Olympic swimmer Jenna Forrester talks about how birdwatching helps her athletic performance and the joy of seeing birds from the pool. Birds featured: Australian Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant Episode illustration: Little Pied Cormorant 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https:/...

Nature can be a grounding force in a busy life. Wildlife veterinarian, photographer and podcaster Dr César Puechmarin shares how nature shapes his work and what inspired his book Nature People. Birds featured: European Starling, Superb Fairywren, Wompoo Fruit-dove Episode illustration: European Starling 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://ins...

The ocean can feel like a different planet. Dr Holly Kirk shares her advice about preparing for a Pelagic trip that takes you to the edge of the continental shelf, and how to spot albatrosses and petrels. Birds featured: Grey-headed Albatross, White-faced Storm-Petrel Episode illustration: Grey-headed Albatross 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - htt...

When a currawong looks you in the eye, something in you shifts. James and Josh from LYFER share the story behind their bird-loving brand and how they’re supporting conservation through ethical design. Birds featured: Golden-shouldered Parrot, Pied Currawong Episode illustration: Pied Currawong 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com...

Birds seem to come to those who pay attention. Teenage conservationist Spencer Hitchen chats about Glossy Black-cockatoos and how young people can create change with hope, optimism and community. Birds featured: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Episode illustration: Glossy-black Cockatoo 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://...

We have two parrot families: cockatoos… and everything else. Scientist and author Tim Low unpacks how parrots evolved in Australia, why cockatoos fill the 'woodpecker' niche, and the wild truth about carnivorous parrots. Birds featured: Kea, Kākā, Little Corella, Pygmy Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo Episode illustration: Little Corella 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com...

It started with a Tawny Frogmouth at a train station. Jacob from Birding with Cob shares how birdwatching took him from Australia to the Amazon and beyond. Birds featured: Andean Condor, Flamingos (James’s Flamingo, Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo), Harpy Eagle, Tawny Frogmouth Episode illustration: Chilean Flamingo 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagra...

Some of Australia’s rarest birds are hiding in one place. Australia’s 2025 Top Tour Guide, Cat Davidson, shares the magic of Inala on Bruny Island - home to Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Swift Parrots and Tasmania’s other incredible birdlife. Birds featured: Forty-spotted Pardalote, Snowy Owl, Striated Pardalote, Swift Parrot, Wedge-tailed Eagle Episode illustration: Forty-spotted Pardalote 🎧 Show no...

You don’t need to know a bird’s name to love it. Comedian Rove McManus shares his lifelong love of birds, from backyard Galahs to hummingbirds, and how birdwatching brings awe, laughter and connection. Birds featured: Galah, Hummingbird, New Holland Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise Episode illustration: Galah 🎧 Show notes and tran...

Discover the secrets of the Tawny Frogmouth, one of Australia’s most loved birds. Dr Marian Weaving shares their fascinating features, quirky behaviours and how we can help them thrive in the wild. Birds featured: Tawny Frogmouth Episode illustration: Tawny Frogmouth 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook...

Most of the birds we overlook are the ones closest to us. Illustrator Astred Hicks and Dr Holly Parsons explore everyday urban birdwatching, playful ways to notice birds with kids, and the surprising journeys of the Silvereye. Birds featured: Powerful Owl, Silvereye, Spotted Pardalote, Tawny Frogmouth Episode illustration: Silvereye 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/...

Sometimes it’s not the bird you remember - it’s the moment you shared. Nature guide Amanda Lamont and a group of birdwatchers reflect on a weekend of birdwatching in Broken Hill, and how birds connect us to place, people and ourselves. Birds featured: Australian Pelican, Chirping Wedgebill, Pink Cockatoo, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, White-winged Fairywren Episode illustrat...

Get a taste of what’s to come in Season 4. Our curiosity will lead us to science, community and the surprising ways birds shape our world. Episode illustration: Superb Fairywren 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊 Recordings by Marc Anderson are licenced from ht...

The best bird stories often come from the people listening beside you. The Weekend Birder community shares bird stories, questions and recordings in this Season 3 finale. Episode illustration: Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊 Reco...

Before the day begins, the bush is already full of conversation. Audio ecologist Andrew Skeoch explores the Australian dawn chorus, bird calls and what listening can teach us about place. Episode illustration: Grey Shrikethrush 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder...

The Outback is full of life if you know where to look. Dr Anika Molesworth shares her advice for birdwatching in Broken Hill, and how farming and conservation work together in arid Australia. Episode illustration: Zebra Finch 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊...

Look at Australian birds with new eyes. English birdwatcher and podcaster Suzy Buttress shares her birding adventures, her love of connecting with community and her favourite places to go birding in the UK. Episode illustration: Red Knot 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weeken...

A bird of prey changes the whole mood of the sky. Raptor expert Stephen Debus answers listener questions about Australian eagles, falcons, hunting, parenting and plumage. Episode illustration: Wedge-tailed Eagle 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊 Recordings by...

A birdwatching path should not decide who gets to join in. Ian Kitchen and Julie Sims share how they are making birdwatching more accessible for people in wheelchairs and people of all abilities. Episode illustration: New Holland Honeyeater 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/wee...

A good bird video starts before you press record. Scot McPhie from Bird Bites shares filming tips, birdwatching stories and how storytelling can help protect birds. Episode illustration: Painted Honeyeater 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊 Recordings by Marc A...

One small fairywren can send you right across the country. Maggie Galbraith shares her journey birdwatching Australia’s fairywrens and a memorable encounter with a White-winged Fairywren. Episode illustration: White-winged Fairywren 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.bir...

Slow birding begins when you stop trying to see everything. Biologist Dr Joan Strassmann explores local birds, slow birdwatching and how paying attention changes the way we connect with nature. Episode illustration: House Wren (USA) 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.bir...

Tasmania has a way of making birdwatching feel like an adventure. Ramit Singal shares stories of pelagic trips, rare bird sightings and guiding people into the world of Australian birds. Episode illustration: Yellow Honeyeater 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊...

A farm can be habitat, if you know what birds need. Ecologist Shannon Creaney shares how BirdLife Australia’s Birds on Farms program supports birdwatching, habitat and threatened species. Episode illustration: Little Honeyeater 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.bir...

Sometimes birdwatching begins with the smallest question. Jason Rodgers shares how his illustrated book helps kids notice birds and build a lifelong connection to birdwatching. Episode illustration: Laughing Kookaburra 🎧 Show notes and transcript - https://weekendbirder.com/podcast/ 🐦‍⬛ Instagram - https://instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 Facebook - https://facebook.com/weekend.birder 🔊 Re...