The Wild Patch with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball

The Wild Patch with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball

From Get Birding by Peanut & Crumb

February 19, 2026 · 35 min · Season 4 · Episode 3

About this episode

Sean Bean explores how untidy gardens can benefit wildlife and mental health, featuring insights from various guests.

Host Sean Bean swaps the perfectly pruned for the beautifully wild, discovering how ponds, hedgerows and a little untidiness can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife. Along the way he's joined by broadcast legends and keen gardeners Zoë Ball and Jo While , ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig , and NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan to explore why “messy” gardens are better for birds — and for our own heads too. We head to the Forest of Dean with a Forest Holidays ranger, hear from our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh on the great mimics of the sky, and dig into the science behind starling murmurations with Professor Anne Goodenough and artist Steve Geliot — exploring how these vast winter gatherings can lift us through life’s hardest moments. Follow Get Birding on Instagram . This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown . The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber. This is a Get Birding Production.  The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays , which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code…

People in this episode

Host: Sean Bean

Guests: Zoë Ball, Jo While, Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Dr Amir Khan

Topics covered

  • wildlife gardening
  • birdwatching
  • starling murmurations
  • nature sounds
  • environmentalism

Keywords

  • gardening
  • wildlife
  • ponds
  • hedgerows
  • murmurations

Sponsors

Forest Holidays

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NHS, RSPB, Get Birding

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