The Casual Birder Podcast
Dick and Andrew Woods, who operate the family business behind Finches Friend bird feeders, prioritise the health of garden birds in the design of their products. A passionate designer, Dick set out to revolutionise bird feeding practices by confronting the disease and contamination risks that exist wherever we feed our garden birds. Not only do their feeders separate the food from contact with birds feet, they also encourage us to maintain good feeder hygiene by providing easy clean solutions through their innovative feeder design. In this episode, Dick and Andrew, tell me about their latest...
info_outline Casual birding in Panama City #128The Casual Birder Podcast
John and Suzy share their first experiences with the stunning birds of Panama City, and we hear from Edwin, their professional guide, who took them birding in the Metropolitan Nature Park. Links Past Episode Support the show The Casual Birder Podcast Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show. The theme music is Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones. Thanks to them for letting me use it. Check out their website at
info_outline Slow birding: the practice of mindful observation with Bridget Butler #127The Casual Birder Podcast
Bridget Butler, also known as the Bird Diva, did not originally have a passion for birds. But seeing an Indigo Bunting one morning sparked her birding interest. Finding support and encouragement in the Vermont birding community Bridget developed an interest in slow birding. Bridget encourages the observation of birds as a holistic, mindful practice rather than a race to spot the most species. She now teaches the practice of slow birding, encouraging others to embrace a slower, more contemplative approach. Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:12 Past...
info_outline Collaborative leadership in conservation - Beccy Speight & Patricia Zurita #126The Casual Birder Podcast
Beccy Speight (Chief Executive of the RSPB) and Patricia Zurita (former CEO of BirdLife International and now Chief Strategy Officer of Conservation International) join Suzy to share their insight on changing perceptions and overcoming challenges as women in the conservation community. And we hear how each would spend a fantasy birding day. Recorded at Global Birdfair 2023 Timestamps & Links: 00:00:00 Opening The October Big Day takes place this year on October 14th and The Casual Birder Podcast will again be entering a team. We will also be supporting BirdLife International. Help us...
info_outline Focus on Birders: Chiara Talia #125The Casual Birder Podcast
Chiara Talia's gorgeous photographs, along with her tips on how to improve at both birding and bird photography, make her Instagram account a must for everyone's feed. In this episode, Chiara tells Suzy how a walk in the park, and a chance encounter with a European Robin, led to a passion for bird photography and a pathway to healing at a time when she was struggling with her mental health. We also hear about her experiences using a floating bird hide in Slovenia, and her search for the Southern Cassowary in Australia. Timestamps & Links 00:00:09 Opening 00:01:09 Past Episode ...
info_outline Focus on Birders: Mel Shepherd-Wells #124The Casual Birder Podcast
Long-time birder, Mel Shepherd-Wells, joins Suzy in a delightful chat about his birding adventures, and shares some top tips applicable to all birders. Links: Support the Show - The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - follow the show! Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at
info_outline Global Birdfair 2023 #123The Casual Birder Podcast
A mini episode about the wonderful time that was had at Global BirdFair 2023, where Suzy spent time with other wildlife podcasters, interviewed amazing guests and met people passionate about the natural world. There is also news on what to expect in upcoming episodes of The Casual Birder Podcast. Links Links to wildlife podcasts mentioned Other links Support the Show - The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - follow the show! Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt....
info_outline Suzy in Portugal & Global Big Day News #122The Casual Birder Podcast
Suzy shares some of her bird experiences while on vacation in Portugal, and tells how you can join our team for the Global Big Day - an important and exciting event in the birding calendar! On the Global Big Day people around the world will go birding and then upload their checklists to eBird. In this way, not only are they enjoying our wonderful bird life, but they are providing important data via community science to widen knowledge around bird populations during migration time. Suzy explains how you can be join the Casual Birder Podcast Team for the event! Stay listening for a short...
info_outline Trip Report: RSPB Nagshead with Anneke #121The Casual Birder Podcast
On a pre-birthday outing, Anneke (from the show's FaceBook group) joins Suzy and her husband John for a day’s birding at RSPB Nagshead in Gloucestershire. The woods are alive with birds singing, engaging in courtship displays, and building nests. Anneke and Suzy share their bird encounters from the day, and some surprising mammal ones too! Links:
info_outline Spring is here! #120The Casual Birder Podcast
Suzy is back! In this episode, she shares her recent birding experiences and encounters with fellow enthusiasts, and the excitement of watching nesting Blue Tits, characterful Rooks and some unexpected Grey Wagtails. Suzy also announces the launch of the Casual Birder Bird Club, and invites listeners to join the show's team for the Global Big Day birding event on 13th May 2023. Links mentioned in the show: Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction Suzy introduces the episode and shares the changes she's noticed as the breeding season ramps up. She also requests listeners to sign a petition...
info_outlineEuan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, is celebrating 20 years of birding. He tells Suzy about his birding style and what birdwatching means to him.
Also, there’s big news from the Blue Tits that Suzy is watching via remote camera and, in Last Call, listen to a glorious, uninterrupted 5 minutes of dawn chorus birdsong from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.
Timestamps & Links
00:00:00 Pre-roll and intro music
00:00:56 Opening & Announcements
Last Episode - Springtime Birding
Global Big Day
On 14th May The Casual Birder Podcast Team will be taking part in the Global Big Day on 14th May 2022 . I would love you to join us!
We will all be birding in our own locations, and sharing our checklists to the team account giving us a combined total of species for the team.
You do not have to be an expert to take part, and you can bird from your back garden if you wish.
There will be exclusive team events in the run-up to the Big Day so sign up now!
Join the team for the Global Big Day
Podchaser’s #Reviews4Good
During April, Podchaser runs #Reviews4Good - donating 25 cents for every podcast review, and doubling it when the podcaster posts a reply. This year’s charity is World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
Leave a review for The Casual Birder Podcast here:
00:02:58 Euan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, Part 1
The Edinburgh Birdwatcher website
00:14:15 Podcast Promo - The Wild Podcast
00:15:12 Euan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, Part 2
00:23:28 Support the Show
Buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi.com
00:24:22 Euan, The Edinburgh Birdwatcher, Part 3
Euan's past appearances Episode 48
Euan's past appearances Episode 74
00:37:08 Suzy’s birding notes
Suzy has been visiting the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire and spent a lovely day birding with listener Anneke.
00:41:12 Nestbox News
The Blue Tits have been busy: 11 eggs being incubated in one box, and a nest finally being built in the other
00:44:28 What have you seen?
Tell me about your bird sightings
00:46:06 Wrap and Close
00:46:50 Last Call
Last Call is an uninterrupted recording of bird song and sounds from a specific location, that gives you a flavour of what it was like to be there.
This episode, Last Call is provided by John Buttress, recorded in the Forest of Dean on 16th April 2022 at 6:00am
In the layers of sound you can hear:
Great Tit, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, the high-pitched call of a Goldcrest, Wren, Blackcap, Stock Dove, a Pheasant calling and flapping its wings in display and a great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
Don't miss an episode - follow the show!
Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show.
The theme music is Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones. Thanks to them for letting me use it. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net