The Birdy Bug Pod

A symbol of spring with its unmistakable call, the cuckoo is one of our most intriguing birds.From their truly unique (and brutal) breeding habits to their remarkable migrations, the life of a cuckoo is absolutely fascinating and steeped in folklore.Join us as we step into their world of brood parasitism, how they trick another species to raise their young for them and mostly get away with it.We discuss which bird species are more susceptible to becoming hosts and which ones have got wiser to having a rogue egg dropped on them. It's evolutionary warfare at its most captivating.Unfortunately, our cuckoo populations are facing a variety of challenges as complex as themselves. As the climate changes, disrupting their routines, they are struggling.But there is still hope. As we always try to do, we look at the brilliant projects being carried out to help these remarkable birds and hope they succeed in saving this iconic bird.Spring without the sound of a cuckoo is unthinkable.** And a little game, while you listen. Matthew made a slight, and rather funny, error in the episode. Can you spot it? Get in touch!Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!Follow us @thebirdybugpodLinksCuckoo Bird Facts | Cuculus CanorusChange in host rejection behavior mediated by the predatory behavior of its brood parasite | Behavioral Ecology | Oxford AcademicCuckoo Tracking Project | BTOEpic 7,500-mile cuckoo migration wows scientists - BBC NewsA call for the cuckoo: how to help an endangered bird | Gardens | The GuardianPopulation decline is linked to migration route in the Common Cuckoo, a long-distance nocturnally-migrating bird | BTO

They may not have backbones, but invertebrates are the unsung heroes of the natural world, shaping landscapes, driving ecosystems, and even influencing the behaviour of top predators.In this episode, we journey into their fascinating and often overlooked world. We explore how termites engineer entire ecosystems, how ant behaviour can influence lion hunting patterns, and why a specific rainforest bee is the key to every Brazil nut you’ve ever eaten.While many invertebrates are now in decline, it's not all bad news. We share some hopeful conservation stories, organisations working hard to protect our invertebrate populations, and highlight simple ways we can all help support these vital animals.Researching this episode took us down all sorts of unexpected rabbit holes, something you’ll definitely hear reflected in the conversation.We hope you enjoy listening What’s your favourite invertebrate fact, story, or encounter? Come share it with us over on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you @thebirdybugpod.Get in touchDon't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!Follow us @thebirdybugpodLinks'We cannot survive without insects' – DW – 06/22/2018How loud is YOUR penis?! The waterboatman and his mighty member!Stream Lesser Water Boatman, the loudest underwater insect by terranova | Listen online for free on SoundCloudFigs & Wasps | How Are Figs Pollinated? | FoodUnfoldedLetting grass grow long boosts butterfly numbers, UK study proves | Butterflies | The GuardianEcological feedbacks. Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change - PubMed

Everyone can play a role in conservation, from protecting wildlife to contributing to real scientific research. Volunteering and its powerful branch, citizen science, is making a real difference for the environment.In this episode, we explore the incredible impact of these efforts across the UK. From bird counts and river monitoring to tree planting and habitat restoration, passionate people are tackling climate change, preserving biodiversity, and shaping environmental policy.We also discuss how volunteering benefits individuals and communities and share our own experiences with these initiatives.By the end, you’ll probably guess that we’re big fans of volunteering!We hope you enjoy the episode and would love to hear about your own experiences or projects you’re passionate about.Contact:As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:Follow us @thebirdybugpodLinks:The Big River Watch | The Rivers TrustHome - Earthwatch EuropeTake part in a project | BTO - British Trust for Ornithologyhttps://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-doJoin the Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain TidyBig Butterfly CountFrom farm to forest: the volunteers planting 100,000 trees in Somerset | Trees and forests | The GuardianNature's Calendar - Woodland TrustThe Conservation Volunteers

Amid the constant stream of negative headlines, we’re keeping our annual tradition alive and spending an episode reflecting on the positive environmental strides made in 2024!From newly established marine protected areas to passionate local communities defending nature, this episode is packed with inspiring stories. We've got dam removals, flying scientists teaching birds how to migrate, species reintroductions, and much more.As we move into a new year, join us for this uplifting look back at the brilliant work being done worldwide to protect and restore our nature. We love recording these episodes as they are a reminder that dedicated people everywhere are working tirelessly to make a real difference for the environment, wildlife, and people... and that is worth celebrating.What was your favourite positive nature story of 2024? Get in touch, we would love to know 👇Contact:As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:Follow us @thebirdybugpodLinksDenmark will plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of farmland into forest | AP NewsScientists taught this once-extinct bird how to migrate by guiding them across Europe | EuronewsHerd of 170 bison could help store CO2 equivalent of 43,000 cars, researchers say | Rewilding | The GuardianAs Zambia schools take on climate change, one teen is spreading the word in sign language | The IndependentHow a tribe brought back its sacred California condors - BBC FutureJapan develops plastic that disappears within hours in the sea and boosts soil health - Times of IndiaAmazon rainforest: Deforestation rate halved in 2023 - BBC NewsWild tiger population increases in Thailand

Whilst we all know about the tropical rainforests of the world, we often forget the temperate rainforests we have right here in the UK.Found in the misty valleys and coastal areas of western Scotland, Wales, and south west England, these rainforests are rare ecosystems that support a wealth of biodiversity, from vibrant mosses and lichens to endangered species like red squirrels and pine martens.Settle in and join us as we explore why these rainforests are so ecologically significant, their historic decline, the threats they face, and the encouraging conservation efforts to protect them.Have you ever been to one of our temperate rainforests? We'd love to know, comment or ping us a message over on Instagram @thebirdybugpod.Timestamps00:00:00 Catch up00:01:56 Introduction to UK's rainforests00:23:32 Decline of our rainforests and threats00:31:14 Rainforest restoration and positive news00:45:59 Wrap upGet in touchDon't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!Follow us @thebirdybugpodLinksTemperate Rainforest in the UK - Woodland TrustTemperate rainforest - PlantlifeInteractive Map Reveals Britain's Rare And Hidden Rainforests (countryliving.com)Temperate rainforest | The Wildlife TrustsDiscover Wales’ Extraordinary Rainforest Lichens - PlantlifeLost Rainforests of BritainEngland’s largest temperate rainforest a National Nature Reserve - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Lost rainforest could be revived across 20% of Great Britain | Environment | The Guardian

One of the UK's rarest spiders is coming back from the brink of extinction thanks to a brilliant conservation effort.Large, scarce, and undeniably striking, the fen raft spider is one of only three British spider species on the Red List and vulnerable to extinction.But there is good news! A dedicated collaboration of organisations has been working hard to restore our valuable fen habitats and the raft spiders that rely so heavily on them, and the results are promising.So, grab a coffee, sit back, and join us as we explore the incredible world of the fen raft spider. We uncover fascinating facts about their water-based lifestyle, from running across the surface to diving beneath it, and take a closer look at the conservation success story that’s giving these spiders a fighting chance for survival.Get in touch!Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!Follow us @thebirdybugpodTimestamps:00:00:00 Intro & catchup00:07:02 All about raft spiders00:23:38 Habitat decline & the importance of fens00:31:47 Conservation & good news00:45:48 Wrap upLinks:https://www.dolomedes.org.uk/biology/life_historyhttps://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs/bug-directory/fen-raft-spider/https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/blog/suffolk-wildlife-trust/10-facts-about-fen-raft-spiders#:~:text=Fen rafthttps://www.britishwildlife.com/article/article-volume-32-number-2-page-98-109/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320700000306https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetlands/fens/Raft spiders (britishspiders.org.uk)

Inspired by the phenomenal performances of Olympic athletes, we turned our attention to the incredible athletic abilities found in the animal kingdom. Join us in this special episode as we assemble our ultimate Olympic Team GB—featuring some of the UK's most impressive wildlife!In classic Birdy Bug Pod style, Steve brings his A-game with a lineup of formidable birds, while Matthew’s picks might be small, but they pack a mighty punch with his team of impressive bugs. And of course, we've added a few wildcards into the mix to keep things interesting.Our contenders are ready to compete in a range of Olympic events: from diving and swimming to wrestling, boxing, and even the rowing. As we build our team, we delve into the mind-blowing abilities of UK wildlife—like a tiny insect that overcomes more G-force than an astronaut and diving birds that could give Tom Daley a run for his money.We had a great time recording this relaxed and slightly different episode, and we hope you enjoy it just as much!Who would make the cut for your Olympic wildlife team? Help us fill the gaps in our Team GB—what medal-contending species did we miss? Or go a step further and build your own national Olympic wildlife team with the animals native to your country. We'd love to see what you come up with! Head over to our Instagram (@thebirdybugpod) and leave a comment on the episode post or ping us a message.Get in touch!Speaking of Instagram, the podcast now has its very own account! The perfect place to contact us with any feedback, comments, questions, or just to say hi. And of course, to let us know all about your wildlife Olympic team!Follow us @thebirdybugpod Get all the latest episode news, behind the scenes content, opportunities to engage with the podcast and much more.Links:https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-jump-by-an-insect/https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/news/faster-speed-sighthttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240108125719.htm

From silhouetted soaring buzzards to the powerful elegance of an osprey snatching a fish from a lake, birds of prey are incredible animals that have entranced us for centuries. Unfortunately, however, this has not prevented them from being persecuted.This episode we are tackling a slightly more serious and somber topic but one that we believe definitely needs talking about and is certainly close to our hearts. So, grab a coffee and join us as we look at how our magnificent birds of prey have been persecuted, both throughout history and its continued prevalence today.But it's not all doom and gloom, we also delve into the tricky world of defining exactly what a 'bird of prey' really is, our historical relationship with these birds, and we of course, highlight the fantastic organisations working tirelessly to protect and restore our bird of prey populations. Steve even throws a surprise quiz in there to test Matthew's knowledge of our UK species.This is a topic that we are both passionate about and despite the heavier nature of the research, we really enjoyed recording this episode. We hope you enjoy listening.Get in touch:As always, please do contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! You can find us both on Instagram:Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lensMatthew - @a.bug.in.the.lensTimestamps00:00:00 Catch up00:0153 Introducing Birds of Prey00:20:27 A history of persecution00:24:06 How they are persecuted today00:40:19 The positives: changing perceptions and brilliant organisationsLinkshttps://protectthewild.org.uk/our-campaigns/end-shooting/bird-shooting-faqs/what-raptor-persecution/Why the illegal killings of birds of prey is surging in the UK | The IndependentBirds of prey and the Law - Protect the WildGoshawks back from the brink in southern England | Forestry EnglandRSPB Hen Harrier LIFE Report - Skydancer - the UK's hen harriers - Skydancer - The RSPB CommunityGame Bird Shooting | The LeagueAbout Wild Justice - Wild Justice