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Get Birding

Words & Birds

Season 3, Ep. 3

Iconic actor Alison Steadman and bestselling author Jonathan Franzen talk about how a love of birds inspires creativity.


Meanwhile host Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature delivers some nature-inspired spoken word poetry.


Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.

Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos.

More episodes

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  • 6. Crisis Talks

    39:18||Season 3, Ep. 6
    The UK is nature-depleted and degraded, and the globe is living through climate crisis. How can we get where we need to be, empowered and living as part of a flourishing ecosystem?As Get Birding closes its third series, Kwesia learns about the citizen's assembly that created the People's Plan for Nature, which sets out a public vision for reversing declines in Britain’s biodiversity.Meanwhile she goes on a London nature walk with The Guardian's biodiversity writer Phoebe Weston, and chats to Southwark councillor James McCash about action required to protect nature.Finally, Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful meditation for all of us experience eco-anxiety.Follow Get Birding on Twitter & Instagram. Series 3 of the podcast was a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.
  • 5. Music Of The Skies

    26:52||Season 3, Ep. 5
    Can paying attention to birdsong improve our music-making skills? And why do birds sing anyway?Indie artist Albertine Sarges reveals how birdwatching in a Berlin park made her a better musician (and friend!)Professor of philosophy & music David Rothenberg goes out in the world to improvise with the wildlife.Meanwhile Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful birdsong meditation.Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, presented by Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature, and proudly supported by Canada Water.Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos.
  • 4. Safety In Nature

    25:09||Season 3, Ep. 4
    Why is the outdoors so often still seen as a male realm? How can women feel protected and at ease when out in nature? What are the risks when birding alone, and how should we mitigate them? Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature finds out ...BBC Springwatch naturalist Lucy Lapwing details a horrible incident of sexual assault she experienced whilst birding, while Sheridan Alford discusses why she set up a Black Birders Week.Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos.
  • 2. Nesting

    30:12||Season 3, Ep. 2
    As well as being a podcast presenter & wildlife ambassador, Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature is a new mother & qualified doula. In this episode she asks what we can learn about parenting by observing birds with their chicks.Nathalie Mahieu shows how to spot Peregrine Falcons nesting in the heart of London.Writer and podcaster Charlie Bingham gives tips on how to get kids engaged with nature.And behavioural ecologist Antone Martinho-Truswell gives his expert analysis on the similarities between birds & humans giving birth.Get Birding believes that access to nature is a universal right, not a privilege. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.Fly over to Twitter & Instagram for more updates & photos.
  • 1. City Girl In Nature

    37:09||Season 3, Ep. 1
    Get Birding returns for another series, making birdwatching & nature accessible for all. Your new host is the inspirational Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature.Episode 1 finds Kwesia exploring busy, bustling London, in search of emotional wellbeing, nature, and feathered friends.What better first guest than David Lindo, who made his name as the original Urban Birder? Lindo spells out some home truths about the lack of diversity in wildlife media.Meanwhile Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful meditation for city dwellers.Kwesia also hears from record breaking global birder Noah Strycker, as well as David Mooney of the London Wildlife Trust.Follow Get Birding on Twitter & Instagram. Series 3 of the podcast is a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.
  • S3! Coming Soon!

    02:04||Season 3, Ep. 0
    Get Birding is back! Following in the footsteps of Dr Mya-Rose Craig & Hamza Yassin, our host for Series 3 is the brilliant Kwesia aka City Girl In Nature. Get Birding is a Peanut & Crumb production. Series 3 is sponsored by Canada Water.
  • Get Birding's RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Special: Chris Packham, Samuel West, Miranda Krestovnikoff , Dr Amir Khan, Sam Lee & Edwyn Collins

    52:39|
    In this special one-off episode featuring a host of voices, Get Birding celebrates the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2022 in collaboration with the charity for their annual citizen science event.Presenter Hamza Yassin encourages anyone in the UK to spend an hour spotting birds in their local park, green space or garden as part of this yearly weekend event. In 2021 over 1 million people took part, spotting 17 million birds.Nature legend Chris Packham explains how to take part whilst RSPB President and nature presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff reveals how the data we gather in the BGBW is vital for bird conservation.All Creatures Great and Small’s Samuel West gives tips on birdspotting with children, singer Edwyn Collins lists the birds he sees on his patch, whilst GMB’s Dr Amir Khan and comedian Susan Calman explain how to attract birds with feeders and food. Listeners across the UK give their advice too.YouTuber City Girl in Nature and 16 year old RSPB Youth Council member Indy Keimel Greene inspire young people to try birding for an hour both in the city and countryside, whilst folk artist Sam Lee, Afro Celt Soundsystem’s Simon Emmerson, Sea Power’s Martin Noble and nature beatboxer Jason Singh suggest music playlists to get you into the mood for nature this weekend.Listen to Simon's recommendation on Folk Radio here: https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2022/01/simon-emmerson-weirdy-birdy-ii/Listen to Jason's recommendation on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0f5lwJTVCJOeqa6TgMc4lo?si=ryHLFy6sQ1uPPtHTwxEM4A Listen to Martin's recommendation on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/78w5389SW6AbSXXmTSfVze?si=a3ffe7954c8f47e3Host: Hamza YassinGuests: Chis Packham, Miranda Krestovnikoff, Samuel West, Edwyn Collins, Dr Amir Khan, Susan Calman, Kwesia "City Girl in Nature", Indy Keimel Greene, Sam Lee, Simon Emmerson, Martin Noble, Jason Singh, Dawood Qureshi, Rachel Ball, Owen Bannister, Scott PlaceProducer: Gill Davies, Sean KerwinExecutive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie DerhamProduction Co-ordinator: Louis FaceyAll music by Poddington Bear and Chad Crouch. Additional birdsong and nature recordings by richwise, petebuchwald, leonsound and benboncan under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence.Podcast art by Make ProductionsFollow us on Twitter & Instagram @getbirdingpod Sponsored by birding binoculars specialist Swarovski Optik. To Find out more visit: https://www.swarovskioptik.com/gb/en/birdingSwarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. 
  • 6. Series 2: Episode 6 - Adrian Thomas, Kim Wallace and Chad Crouch

    46:38||Season 2, Ep. 6
    Being in lockdown has unleashed our love for nature. Get Birding is a podcast for budding birdwatchers and aims to help everyone, anywhere, discover more about the birds on our doorsteps. We want to break down barriers to birdwatching and believe that access to nature should be a right, not a privilege.In this, the last in the current series of Get Birding, Hamza is settling in for the winter. With his guests he explores what can be a difficult time for birds, and starts to look towards spring. Earlier this series Hamza spoke to the RSPBs Adrian Thomas about his passion for birds and shared some tips for making our gardens as hospitable as possible for this.. This time of year can be difficult for birds as they struggle to find food and Adrian shares some of his tips for supporting birdlife at this time of year.Next Hamza speaks to an ecologist who works for an energy company with an interest in bats as well as Birds. Dr Kim Wallace speaks to Hamza about some of the work she is involved with during the winter months. They discuss the differences and challenges in bird ringing different types of waterfowl and Hamza continues his investigation into how birds stay warm in Winter.Chad Crouch is musician and birder who whose music will be well known to podcast fans, even if they do not recognise his name. He will be particularly familiar to Get Birding listeners as he makes all the music used in the show. He speaks about birding in his pacific northwest home and explains how he makes his music and how birds influence his work.Host: Hamza YassinGuests: Adrian Thomas, Kim Wallace and Chad CrouchProducer: Jo BarrattExecutive Producers: Jane Gerber & Katie DerhamProduction Co-ordinator: Louis FaceyAll music by Poddington Bear and Chad Crouch. Additional birdsong and nature recordings by richwise, petebuchwald, leonsound and benboncan under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence.Podcast art by Make ProductionsFollow us on Twitter & Instagram @getbirdingpod Sponsored by birding binoculars specialist Swarovski Optik. To Find out more visit: https://www.swarovskioptik.com/gb/en/birdingSwarovski Optik, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects.  Sponsored by Zurich Insurance - insuring conservation groups across the UK. To find out more visit Zurich.co.uk/getbirdingZurich insure more than 15,000 not-for-profit organisations of all shapes and sizes including conservation, gardening and ornithological groups across England, Scotland and Wales.