Sean's Wild Life

I had the pleasure of chatting with two bright young naturalists and talented wildlife photographers, Indy and Sennen, to discuss what matters most to them in this time of eco-anxiety, biodiversity loss and widespread disconnection from nature. We talk about their various volunteer/activism roles and what their future aspirations are, get their suggestions on how we can engage more young people wi...

A chat with inspiring, passionate marine conservationist, ocean advocate, adventurer and fellow vet Cal Major who is doing some awesome things. A multiple world record record holder, Cal has taken on some pretty epic challenges from stand up paddle boarding around the Isle of Skye to then taking on Land's End to John o'Groats on a stand up paddle board. I know, crazy! All in aid of raising funds,...

Tom Cackett, director of deer management company Oxon Deer Ltd was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss deer management, more specifically shooting deer and why it's necessary in the UK. It's a fascinating insight into a complex topic. I know some will find the topic unsavory or even distressing. But I urge you to listen, as it highlights the realities of nature conservation, the grey areas...

I spoke with Chris Jones and Sophie Pavelle from the Beaver Trust about the return of this iconic mammal to the UK, and the magical effects they can have on our landscapes and waterways. Described as ecosystem engineers, they reshape river systems bringing benefits to a dazzling array of other species. Not only that, but they can also mitigate flood risk and bring benefits for carbon sequestration...

A group of private landowners and nature conservation organisations are working together to help the White Stork return home to South East England for the first time in several hundred years. I talk to project officer Lucy Groves based at the Knepp rewilding project to discover how a group of passionate conservationists have joined forces to bring back this iconic bird to British Skies. There's be...

A thought provoking conversation with Jeff Korsmit (@MangalitzaFarmerNL on Instagram) about his regenerative, organic, permaculture-led farming practices. Meat is hot topic of conversation right now, with many claiming meat is murder, meat production is inherently cruel, and damages the climate. It's a fascinating topic and Jeff has a pretty interesting view. He doesn't shy away from the fact the...

I sat down with Jan Stannard and Hannah Needham of exciting new group Heal Rewilding, a not for profit venture fundraising to purchase land in lowland England for a flagship new rewilding project. Their purpose is threefold; heal the land, heal nature and heal ourselves. They've only been in existence since March 2020, but are already making very exciting things happen! Including recruiting a new...

I caught up with my long time Twitter friend David Dinsley to talk about his obsession with wildlife conservation, photography and adventures as a ranger working with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. We talk about his expedition to Arctic Russia trapping and tagging Bewick's swans to trace their movements and find out why they are declining. There's also some healthy, competitive debate in the g...

I caught up with Billy Heaney, zoologist, wildlife filmmaker and presenter to talk about all the plates he's spinning in the wildlife world. We chat about Billy's travels, compete for who has the best Australian wildlife experience story, explore his wildlife camera trap fetish and a new online lockdown wildlife series we've both been involved in. Sean's Wild Life podcast is produced by Sean McCor...

I caught up with Dominic Buscall, project manager at Wild Ken Hill, a 4,000-acre ecological restoration and sustainable farming project that seeks to explore our land use and how farming, food production and nature can coexist. We talk about the three pronged approach Wild Ken Hill see as the way forward for their farm; regenerative agriculture, active nature conservation and rewilding. With the r...

I was delighted to catch up with Mary Reynolds, former Chelsea Flower Show gold winner, now self described "reformed garden designer and nature activist". I first met Mary back in 2008 when I competed in a garden design competition for an Irish television series. Mary was one of the judges, and I appreciated her being on my side compared to the other judges when I chose to plant nettles in my wild...

I catch up with Lucy Hodson, better known in social media land as Lucy Lapwing, who has an amazing talent as a nature communicator. A self confessed bird and nature nerd, Lucy shares her story of how personal illness was the catalyst that inspired her to seek out nature daily and explore its healing potential. We also discuss her top tips for learning to recognise birds by their songs and calls, a...

In this episode, I chat with my horticulturalist and garden designer friend about his changing philosophy to gardening, and its impact on the environment. Mark is a former nurse, and believes strongly in the healing power of working with plants for mental health and emotional well being. He shares his views on community gardening and his work with a collective of horticultural experts called Fores...

Every year at Ealing Wildlife Group, we run a Dawn Chorus walk but this year we're in Covid-19 lockdown. So I thought I'd use my daily exercise one Saturday morning to share the Dawn Chorus with EWG members through Facebook Live. Here's what I discovered! Come with me to a gorgeous Bluebell Wood in Spring as I talk about why birds sing, what's the difference between a call and song, who's singing,...

On my recent trip to Australia, I travelled the Great Ocean Road and ended my journey in Koroit in Western Victoria at the Mosswood Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. I talked to the founder Tracey Wilson about why she set up the sanctuary and what challenges they faced with recent bush fires, and more recently again, the bulldozing of large gum plantations. Much of Mosswood's work is focused on Koal...

My long term Twitter friend Nathalie Mahieu is the unofficial and massively dedicated guardian of the Peregrine Falcons that nest on a disused balcony on London's Charing Cross Hospital. Their social media accounts (@fabperegrines & Fulham and Barnes Peregrines) document the daily trials and tribulations of the longstanding pair, Tom and Charlie, via webcam. Giving intimate insight into what r...

A story of one man and a fox who inspired the annual Ealing Wildlife Group photography exhibition. I caught up with my friend Nabil Jacob to tell me the story of Bruce Foxington and the impact he had, not only on Nabil and his partner Rosie, but also hundreds of Ealing residents. It's a feel good story of connection to nature, and encountering something truly wild through patience, kindness and mu...

A good friend of mine and an inspirational conservationist, broadcaster and author, Mary Colwell is a woman on a mission. To save one of our most iconic native wading birds from extinction, the Curlew. A bird of wild, windswept landscapes, its evocative call and willowy appearance has inspired poetry, music and wonder in many. But sadly, due to changes in how we manage our landscapes, and specific...

I met up with wonderful wildlife photographer Rob Fleming, better know as @robswildlondon on his stunning Instagram account (check it out!). Rob kindly and bravely agreed to chat about his mental health journey and how picking up a camera and rediscovering nature and wildlife that he enjoyed as a child has helped him switch off, be mindful and ultimately heal. Male mental health is rarely discusse...

I caught up with Jules Howard, author of Sex on Earth, Death on Earth and many other natural history books. One of the funniest zoologists I know, Jules has an awesome ability to make even the most mundane of creatures fascinating to even the most detached from nature audiences. Usually by talking about their sex lives! Join us as we chat frogs, ponds, the meaning of life, euthanasia, corkscrew pe...