Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

On 10th August 1925 the Farne Islands came into the care of the National Trust. A hundred years on and this wildlife haven off the coast of Northumberland is home to a breeding colony of 23 different species of seabirds.   But perhaps its most colourful characters, in looks as well as behaviour, are the 15,000 pairs of puffins that return to the Farne Islands to breed in the spring and summer mont...

The UK’s largest bird of prey is making a comeback.  It’s now possible to spot white-tailed eagles, or sea eagles, as they’re also known, in many parts of the country thanks to an ongoing re-introduction programme.  Join Ranger Rosie Holdsworth as she sets out with Forestry England’s Steve Egerton-Read, a pair of binoculars, and a lot of hope, as they try and spot them on the Isle of Wight.    [Ad...

Every summer, swifts return to our skies, screaming overhead in joyful, acrobatic flight. But behind their spectacular aerial displays lies a stark reality: these much-loved birds are in serious decline. Join ranger Rosie Holdsworth in Sheffield as she meets two swift lovers doing everything they can to keep them flying high.  [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer...

Bioluminescent tides are often described as the northern lights of the ocean.   Marine biologist, Dr Yasmin Meeda, has only witnessed this natural phenomenon once. She says seeing bioluminescence is one of the most magical things she’s ever experienced.    Yaz takes us into the strange world of bioluminescent life to meet the species whose bodies light up from the inside, due to a chemical reactio...

How did two beetles cause a gay panic?  There's much more to a cockchafer or ‘maybug’ than meets the eye.  Join ecologist, Connor Butler, to find out more about what these charismatic creatures can teach us about science, humanity and the fluidity of the natural world.  Discover more:      You can find out more about Connor’s work and the queer ecology walks here: https://www.connorbutler.co.uk/  ...

Wild Talk: In this bonus episode Ajay chats with wildlife legend Chris Packham about their shared love of birds.   After 3 weeks of filming Springwatch at the Longshaw Estate, Ajay wants to hear more about the stunning cast of characters on this year's show.     In particular, the black and white birds that choose to spend their summer here: the migrant pied flycatchers.     Ajay meets Chris for a...

There’s not a lot better than getting out in nature and it’s something Linda Stuart realised 40 years ago.  She visits Packwood House and Garden almost daily to get a nature fix, and credits it with getting her through some really challenging times.  Join Linda as she shares her story with Heather Birkett.  [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to...

It’s the 1980s and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has burst onto the scene, scoring millions of young fans.   Half-human, half-turtle fighters Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael and Michelangelo originated as comic book characters before spawning phenomenally popular films and cartoons.   But “turtlemania” also inadvertently sparked a pet craze that ultimately led to an invasive species prob...

On September 27th 2023, the famous Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland was felled overnight in an act of vandalism, triggering a far-reaching wave of shock and sorrow.  Join Heather Birkett, as she goes behind the scenes to explore the enduring impact of this beloved landmark, the aftermath of its loss, and the community’s efforts to preserve its memory. This episode has been updated from an previ...

When Ajay Tegala discovers that chaffinches, a small songbird, have a different accent every 30 miles, he’s intrigued.  However, under threat from disease these birds are dying out in urban areas, and their unique urban songs may be lost for ever. But all is not lost. There's a way to find out how this disease is spreading...by recording their song.      Follow Ajay and ecologist and UKYouth4Natur...

It’s the mid-1800s and pteridomania – or fern frenzy – is the new big craze.   Across the UK, plant enthusiasts are heading into the countryside to pick all the prized specimens they can find.   And fern fans far and wide are avidly creating collections and displays of the leafy green plants to show off.   Uncover the truth about this Victorian phenomenon and how it influenced our love of house pl...

Beneath the waves of West Wales lies a complicated network of relationships that determines not only who’s belly rolling who, but which calf survives.  Join Katrin Lohrengel and her team at Sea Watch to search for one of the ocean's most loved and misunderstood creatures: bottlenose dolphins.  For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here. [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outd...

Join Ranger Rosie Holdsworth to uncover the mystery of the leaping shark.   On a boat off Cornwall, wildlife guide Jenny spots a huge animal she’s never seen before jumping out of the water.  But what exactly has she witnessed?    Across the world in Florida, shark-obsessed Dr Molly Kressler sets off on a mission to discover more about what is beneath the calm of the surface. More than that, she w...

Seagulls have a bad reputation. But is it deserved?   Join Ranger Rosie Holdsworth to meet the gulls in Poole Harbour known for their chip-stealing behaviour. Are these birds feathered thugs or smart survivors? We’ll discover the myths and surprising truths about one of Britain’s most controversial birds.                         From their behaviours to their vital role in coastal ecosystems, unco...

Imagine being a fly on the wall throughout history. Historians Helen Antrobus and James Grasby take you inside the stories of the people, places and moments that made us. Experience the Great Stink of London. Make an entrance onto the Georgian dating scene. Find out if you'd survive a medieval battle. And unlock the secrets of Britain’s space race.   Our past is all around us. Be transported behin...

Wild Tales is launching 26 March. Immerse yourself in intriguing stories from our weird, wonderful and utterly wild world.   Experience nature in a whole new way, from untangling the strange world of spider sex and digging up the greatest fossil finds, to meeting mysterious ocean giants and finding out why there’s no such thing as a seagull. Join nature experts Rosie Holdsworth, Ajay Tegala and He...

Journey to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Mottisfont garden in Hampshire, to discover a story of heritage and horticulture through two of the world’s most prestigious rose collections.  We meet Princess Esther Selassie Antohin, founder of Heritage Watch Ethiopia, to explore the Tsegereda Rose Garden Project, an initiative that restores a link to Ethiopia’s imperial legacy and also tackles climate con...

One of the simple pleasures in life is getting outdoors for a walk, taking in the world around you with some fresh air and then nipping into a cosy pub for a well earned treat. Claire Hickinbotham takes you on some of our favourite walks from our book ‘100 Great Pub Walks’ and finds out why caring for our planet, is necessary for the good of the humble pint.  From floodplains to fens, from peatlan...

From March 2025 the National Trust Podcast will look a little different, so that we can bring you more stories in nature, history and adventure.  We're splitting the National Trust Podcast into two dedicated shows for nature and history lovers.  Stay with the National Trust Podcast for our nature podcast Wild Tales. You'll be immersed in intriguing stories from our incredible natural world. Love h...

Just beneath our feet lies a hidden world of centuries-old curiosities and undiscovered treasures.  But laying your hands on these forgotten items and figuring out exactly what they are requires some special underfloor sleuthing, to sort the rubbish from the rarities. An archaeological adventure awaits in the story of the Dust Detectives, as the team uncover early medieval music and learn about th...

Experience life on Blakeney Point in Norfolk as it transforms throughout the year, in this classic episode.  From the mass arrival of seal pups in winter to the noisy feathered-frenzy of summer, discover how a remote stretch of shingle coastline is home to some of the UK's most unique marine wildlife. [Ad] Open the door to more with a National Trust membership. As well as free entry and parking at...

In 1848 an image of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their children decorating an evergreen caused a sensation, and sparked a Christmas tree trend in Britain.    Many people began to bring trees into their homes and decorate them with homemade ornaments, sweet treats and naked candles tied with ribbons.      The Victorians can be credited with inventing our modern Christmas.  In this episode, Cla...

Heritage sites like the medieval palace Bayt Al Razzaz in Egypt and the picturesque Blickling estate in the UK, are under threat from climate change. What connects these vastly different places? And what can the guardians of these historic treasures learn from each other as they battle extreme weather, social upheaval and other challenges? Discover the global fight to protect our heritage. You can...

As a wheelchair user, Melissa rarely has the opportunity of spending time on the beach with the rest of her family; and an activity for them all in the water together was unimaginable.   But an ‘adaptive surfing for families’ session in South Shields in the North East, changed everything.  You can watch a video of this podcast on National Trust Youtube:  https://ntpodcasts.org/Video [Ad] Open the...

Sir Isaac Newton is best known for coming up with the theory of gravity while relaxing in his orchard, thanks to an apple that fell beside him one afternoon – helping him to unravel one of the universe's great mysteries.  But that story is only a small part of the tale...  Heather Birkett delves into one of the greatest minds of all time. Discover how a friendship with astronomer Edmund Halley hel...