The Casual Birder Podcast

Faraaz Abdool is the author of Casual Birding in Trinidad and Tobago. He is also a noted photographer, tour leader and active member of the global birding community. This episode is an edited version of a Facebook Live conversation I had with Faraaz, in front of an audience from the show's Facebook group. Faraaz tells me how he became a casual birder and shares some of his favourite birding moment...

Suzy takes us on a solo bird walk at Malibu Lagoon in California where she sees Marbled Godwit, Caspian Tern and Snowy Plover. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:54  Promo for last episode & newsletter Past episode Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:43 Introduction to Bird Walk 00:21:23 Global Big Day Register here - Global Birding Join the team email list Donate to BirdLife Internation...

This week's episode was originally created for International Podcast Month, September 2020, and released on their podcast feed.   Over the past year, many of us have been seeking solace in nature. As I have remained at home much of the time since the lockdowns began, my garden birds have provided interest and distraction.  In episode 96, I provide an audio portrait of the 13 bird species that regu...

In episode 95, Suzy shares the sixth of her audio diaries documenting the birds seen in her neighbourhood, from the week of Tuesday 9th to Monday 15th February, 2021. We also find out what birds listeners were seeing that week. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:52  Introduction Past episode 00:01:30  Promo Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:17 Audio Diary begins  00:21:26 Your sighting...

In episode 94, we meet Benedict Macdonald, conservationist and author of the award-winning "Rebirding - restoring Britain's wildlife". Benedict dispels some popular myths about our countryside, and presents compelling reasons for the reintroduction of particular species. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:29 Introduction 00:02:29 Interview begins Benedict Macdonald on Twitter Benedict's we...

Now that Spring has arrived, Suzy takes us on a bird walk in her neighbourhood, in Hampshire, UK. Suzy sees 17 species, including a singing Goldcrest. We also hear about the birds listeners have seen in the past week, and Suzy has a wonderful encounter with her Rook friend. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:00:48 Bird Walk 00:15:56 Promo for newsletter Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:16:3...

Continuing her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries, Suzy shares her bird observations from week 5, covering the period 2nd to 8th February 2021. This episode includes exciting news about a nesting Robin, and Suzy's exasperation at the Wood Pigeons ignoring the water bowls! Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:06 Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:23 Audio Diary beg...

March 8th every year is International Women's Day. This annual event provides a focus to celebrate the achievements of women and a call to action to challenge gender disparity.  Suzy revisits conversations she's had with awesome women birders, who tell how birds have touched their lives. The featured birders are: From the Science Community: Dan Rouse - Ornithologist and presenter Danielle Belleny...

Suzy shares the fourth entry in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries and describes her regular garden visitors. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 In this episode 00:00:54  Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:13 Garden bird descriptions 00:08:50 Audio Diary begins 00:18:37  Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.co Tell me about your bird sightings 00:19:18 Wrap and...

Podcaster and author Evo Terra spent several years travelling and living in various countries. First becoming interested in the natural world as a child, he retains a sense of wonder when travelling to new locations. During his 9 months in Australia he wrote an article sharing his unique view of the birds he saw, entitled "Australian Birds for Dummies". This episode Includes spoken excerpts from t...

Suzy shares the third entry in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:35 Introduction Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:02:04 Audio Diary begins Red legged Partridge in snow 00:12:55 Share the show 00:13:25 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.co Tell me about your bird sightings 00:13:45 Wrap and Close The Casual Birder Podcast website Don't miss...

Suzy's guest is Dr Amir Khan, General Practitioner, best-selling author, Nature enthusiast and Ambassador for the Wildlife Trusts. Amir tells us about the wildlife he sees in his garden, the importance of Nature for our well-being, and about his work as an Ambassador with the Wildlife Trusts, helping young people in inner cities to engage with the natural world. Amir's book is 'The Doctor will See...

Suzy shares the second in her series of lockdown birdwatching diaries, and gives the result of her Big Garden Birdwatch. Time stamps & Links: 00:00:37 Introduction 00:01:13 Sponsor's message Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:54 Audio Diary begins  00:12:02 Suzy's Big Garden Birdwatch Results 00:13:46 Keep in Touch Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com Tell me about your bird sightings 00...

Jamie Wyver, from the RSPB, tells us about the upcoming Big Garden Birdwatch, an annual survey organised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and how we can take part. Full Show notes and Transcript https://casualbirder.com/episode 85 00:00:35 Introduction YouTube version of interview 00:00:57 Sponsor's message Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter Signup 00:01:39 The Big Garden Bird...

In episode 84 I start a series of weekly audio diaries about my Lockdown Birding - sharing what birds I've seen and the behaviours observed from my home and the surrounding streets. This episode is brought to you by Casual Birder Weekly , my brand new newsletter. Sign up here: Casual Birder Weekly Newsletter 00:00:35 Introduction 00:01:33 Audio Diary begins 00:02:48 Garden Description 00:06:01 Day...

In episode 83, Suzy looks back at her best birding memories from 2020 and hears about those of listeners too. She outlines what the beginning of 2021 has in store, with another bout of Lockdown birding. Also, hear about the birds seen during a week-long group birdwatch event for listeners held in December. Thank you to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show. The theme music is Short Sl...

Suzy shares her birding moments during the second Lockdown in England in November 2020, including hearing her first nocturnal migration of Redwings. Suzy admits to some photography fails and we hear from Stephanie Seymour in New Jersey, and Mary Chan on Vancouver Island. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:36 Thank you Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com Casual Birder shop on Redbubble 00:02:23 Suzy's Bird...

Danielle Belleny is a wildlife biologist, member of the BlackAFinSTEM collective, and co-founder of Black Birders Week. Danielle tells me about her childhood experiences with Nature, how she became a wildlife biologist and birder, and why putting the spotlight on being Black in Nature is so important for us all. Time stamps: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:24 Introduction 00:04:07 Interview with Danielle B...

In episode 80, I speak with Jocelyn Anderson, photographer and birder. Jocelyn lives in Michigan, and started photographing birds around 4 years ago. Her award-winning bird portraits are absolutely stunning. Jocelyn also films gorgeous slow motion videos of Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Nuthatches taking food from her hand. In our interview, Jocelyn shares tales of the birds she has photographed at...

Tony Testa, Host of the Finding Subjects podcast, takes us on a wonderful bird walk through the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, in Philadelphia, USA. Suzy tells us more about some of birds seen on the walk. Red-winged Blackbird, Gray Catbird, Yellow Warbler and Northern Cardinal. Also Suzy gives us an update on the Global Bird Weekend, tells us about her recent bird sightings, and provides so...

On October 17th and 18th 2020, the inaugural Global Bird Weekend will be held. Co-founder Tim Appleton MBE tells me how this event will bring together birdwatchers from over 100 countries, encouraging people of all levels of experience to watch and listen to their local birds. It is hoped that the event will break records for the largest number of people participating, and the largest number of sp...

In episode 77, I share my thoughts on the Virtual Birdfair, give an update on my garden birds, and tell you about my summer bird walks. Plus, there's exciting news about a group eBird account for The Casual Birder Podcast and I invite you to participate in the upcoming Global Bird Weekend Time stamps: 00:00:54 Virtual Birdfair 00:04:53 Group eBird Account 00:08:16 Global Bird Weekend 00:10:03 Suzy...

For my birthday this year, I treated myself to a day of birdwatching in my garden. Join me as I record my sightings for the #BreakfastBirdwatch. Also, hear about the recent birds seen by listeners around the world, including a contribution from Florida by Varmints! podcast. And news of Women Birders (Happy Hour), a new podcast by Hannah from Hannah and Erik Go Birding Birds that visited, flew over...

In March 2020 life has suddenly changed for all of us. The COVID-19 Pandemic has meant the closure of parks and reserves, self-isolation and social distancing.   The first part of this episode talks about some of the things we can do to stay in touch with nature with ideas for those who might be casual birding for the first time. If you want to avoid hearing about the current crisis, please jump t...

In episode 74, we hear from Euan Buchan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, about the anniversary of his first birdwatching day 18  years ago, what he has seen recently on his birding trips, and his tips for those beginning birdwatching.   Links: The Edinburgh Birdwatcher Euan's first interview on the show: Episode 48 - The Edinburgh Birdwatcher   Twitter handle of the Waxwings monitors: @WaxwingsUK Shout...