Rock 'n Roll Birder

In this episode of the Rock n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the forests of Shropshire in search of one of Britain’s most elusive birds of prey — the mighty goshawk.Joining me is Charlotte Griffiths, a raptor expert, BTO monitor, and organiser of the Welsh Raptor Convention. Charlotte leads the Cudyll Cymru Welsh Raptor Monitoring Project for the British Trust for Ornithology, coordinating the monitoring of raptor populations across Wales and working with a network of field volunteers studying birds of prey.We spend the morning scanning the skyline and woodland edges, talking about the secretive life of Northern Goshawks, how raptor monitoring works in the UK, the challenges facing birds of prey today and why Shropshire is such an important landscape for raptors. Along the way we discuss everything from fieldcraft and conservation to the thrill of seeing a goshawk powering through the forest canopy.If you love raptors, woodland birding and the science behind bird conservation, this is a fascinating insight into one of Britain’s most exciting birds of prey.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

In this episode of the Rock ’n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the fantastic Oare Marshes Nature Reserve in Kent, one of the best birdwatching sites in the UK, for a brilliant day birding with comedian, artist and passionate birder Jim Moir and the wonderful Nancy Sorrell.Joining us on the adventure are Sarah and Baby Birder, turning the trip into a proper family birding outing as we explore the marshes, looking for winter waders and coastal birds.During the walk we encounter a fantastic mix of species including Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, Curlew, Turnstone, Avocet and Greenshank, while chatting about bird names, finding robins, and a game he played with Bob Mortimer during the final series of Vic and Bob's Big Night Out. Oare Marshes is famous among UK birders for its huge numbers of waders and wildfowl, and it’s the perfect place for a relaxed but bird-packed conversation with Jim.I'm so excited to share this episode with you.See the amazing birds Jim painted from our walk here!Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the legendary WWT Slimbridge with top birder Billy Heaney — and it turns into one of those unforgettable days.It’s the 80th anniversary year of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, founded by the iconic conservationist Sir Peter Scott, and there’s no better place to celebrate than this world-famous reserve on the Severn Estuary.Highlights from the day:FOUR lifers including the elusive Jack SnipeStunning winter views of Bewick’s SwansAnd a surprise encounter with wildlife legend Michaela StrachanIf you love UK birding, rare waders, wildfowl spectacles and proper conservation heritage — this one’s for you.Don’t forget to follow the podcast and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV for the full Slimbridge adventure.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder.Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder podcast, I head over to Wintringham with Sarah and Baby Birder to explore something a bit different — a brand new housing development project, and the wildlife that’s already starting to move in. Wintringham is a fascinating example of how nature can begin to reclaim and adapt to fresh landscapes, and we wanted to see what birds are finding a home among the new habitats being created. From farmland species and garden birds, to early signs of wetland and scrub specialists moving in, it’s a brilliant look at how biodiversity can build from the ground up.There’s also a full YouTube episode from the trip, so if you want to see the birds and the site for yourself, make sure you check that out too.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. 

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder, I’m joined by The Early Birder for a winter UK birding adventure at Deeping Lakes (Lincolnshire) — searching for one of Britain’s most secretive birds: the Long-eared Owl.We talk owl roosting behaviour, what makes Long-eared Owls so hard to find, and why Deeping Lakes has become a brilliant spot for birdwatchers hoping for a proper owl encounter. But it’s not just about owls — we also dive into the obsession that takes over every birder at the start of the year: year lists, big years, target species, patch birding, and how you stay motivated when you’re chasing new birds and the list slows down. Whether you’re planning your own big year, trying to build a stronger year list, or just love real birding chat from the field, this episode is for you.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

What a guest we have for you this week! Natural historian, author, and television producer, Stephen Moss sits with Matt in his garden and discusses all things birds, Birding with Bill Oddie and Global Birdfair. It's an enthralling chat with a man who has stories for days. You're going to love this one. Do keep your Birding Questions coming to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

We're back for a brand new series of Rock 'n Roll Birder Podcast! We did promise we'd be back in January and we've got SUCH a brilliant series lined up for you with some mega guests. But we had to start the year of with our annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch from our garden hide. As Matt is terrible with admin please do send us more Birding Questions info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph

Hello! And sorry! It's been too long but we're back with a special winter episode ahead of the brand new series that starts in 2026. Matt and Sarah head do some birding at RSPB Farnham Heath to try and spot the Crossbill. Is it a Christmas special? Who knows! But we're very happy to be back with a new episode at Christmas time.

You wanted more chaos?! Well, Day 2 is here. Join us for another special episode as Matt and Sarah answer Birding Questions live on the Winchat Podcast Stage at Global Birdfair 2025! Thank you to everyone who came down to the recording. Enjoy this second dose of madness!Please do send us Birding Questions for Series 5 to info@rocknrollbirder.com or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph