Rights of Passage with Samuel West

Rights of Passage with Samuel West

From Get Birding by Peanut & Crumb

April 29, 2026 · 36 min · Season 4 · Episode 8

About this episode

This episode explores the incredible migratory journeys of birds and the factors influencing their navigation and survival.

In this episode, we’re following the vast, invisible highways that birds carve across our skies each spring, and the extraordinary journeys that bring them back to us. We’ll learn how birds navigate thousands of miles using scent, memory and instinct—and what these epic journeys reveal about survival in a rapidly changing world. Along the way, Sean is joined by actor and RSPB ambassador Samuel West, broadcaster Johnny Vaughan on the thrill of a fleeting kingfisher sighting, and Chris Hewson from the British Trust for Ornithology tracking cuckoos across continents. Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions and Zoologist Megan McCubbin shares important new advice on feeding birds safely as seasons change. Beyond the birds themselves, conservationist Nadia Shaikh and birding instructor George Joseph dig into the deeper story—how our relationship with land shapes who gets to experience nature, and why reclaiming that connection could be key to protecting it. Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. Executive Producer is Jane Gerber. This is a Get Birding Production.  BTO Cuckoo Tracking Project https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Right to Roam…

People in this episode

Host: Sean

Guests: Samuel West, Johnny Vaughan, Chris Hewson, Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Megan McCubbin, Nadia Shaikh, George Joseph

Topics covered

  • bird migration
  • navigation
  • conservation
  • nature connection
  • birdwatching
  • survival

Keywords

  • bird migration
  • navigation
  • conservation
  • birdwatching
  • nature connection
  • cuckoo tracking
  • kingfisher sighting
  • feeding birds

Sponsors

Forest Holidays

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British Trust for Ornithology, RSPB

More episodes of Get Birding

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Get Birding podcast page.