Discover the joys of birdwatching walks around Victoria and beyond. This episode is about birding in the Castlemaine and Orbost areas, a great place to visit in France and the Australian Painted Snipe. Damian Kelly has been a birder since he was young, exploring the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne. In more recent times, he has written two birding guid…

Join Kirsty and her nephew Edward as they explore the world of Australia's kites. This episode is about the joys of seeing and hearing the Whistling Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite and Square-tailed Kite. Edward is 10 years old and has grown up exploring nature. When he's not playing basketball, cricket or footy, he's hanging out in his backyard, t…

Get to know one of Australia’s most charming robins. This episode is about the behaviours, calls, habitats and genetics of the Eastern Robin. It’s time to get sciencey! Lana Austin has been working as a professional ornithologist around the world for many years. To name a few, she has been lucky enough to work with macaws in Peru, Toucans in the Ec…

Deep-dive into the world of one of Australia’s charismatic birds of prey. This episode is all about the Eastern Osprey, and how a childhood of field trips and wildlife photography has led to a life-long love of birdwatching and citizen science. Pip Grant-Taylor is a retired TV Journalist Producer who concentrates largely on birds and wildlife photo…

Discover how patience and understanding light can create stunning wildlife photographs. This episode is about a photographer’s journey from a childhood in the Australian outback to a career capturing the beauty of birds. Shelley Pearson is an award-winning wildlife photographer who immerses herself in the natural environment, patiently waiting for …

Answering your questions about bird bodies and behaviours. This episode is about bird feathers, eyelids and legs, and their funny little traits that are similar to humans. Dr Gráinne Cleary’s primary area of interest is helping to educate and work with the public to gain the best conservation outcomes for our urban wildlife. She is particularly int…

Meet an 11-year old birdwatcher who has a love for Eastern Victoria. This episode is about a unique part of Australia, birding wishlists and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Luca is an 11-year old nature lover and birder who lives in Naarm (Melbourne) and feels most at home in nature. His fondness and respect for wildlife was first inspired b…

Look at Australia's birds through the eyes of an artist. This episode is about kingfishers, kookaburras and painting birds on huge grain silos. Geoffrey Carran has dedicated the past decade to painting explorations of Australia’s diverse bird population. Geoffrey uses his public murals to highlight endangered bird species that can be found in the a…

Gain new insights into birds, traditional knowledge and ecology. This episode is about the health of Country, life in the Otways and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Dr Jack Pascoe is a Yuin man living on Gadabanut Country. He studied predator ecology, fire, wildlife and botany. He has led a program of applied ecological research in the Otway region for over…

Explore the intricate world of bird feathers. This episode is about feather colour and structure, and the nesting habits of waterfowl. Freia Noss is a lifelong birder and bushwalker, living and working on Dharug and Gundungurra land in the Blue Mountains. During the week she works on re-vegetation projects on rural properties in Australia. In her f…

Discover the delights of one of Australia’s most popular birds. This episode is all about the Swift Parrot, the 2023 Australian Bird of the Year. Beau Meney has always been fascinated by wildlife and wild places, but his affinity with birds started at the age of ten when he first laid eyes on an enormous Wedge-tailed Eagle nest. Passionate about ec…

Enjoy the simple pleasures of watching birds through an apartment window. This episode is about Black-faced Cuckooshrikes, pardalotes and the joys of birdwatching at home. Christine Parrott works in a non-birding career and appreciates birds on the side, although many times she wishes it was the other way around! As an adult birdwatching convert, s…

Take a walk along Australia's stunning coastline to meet the birds that call the beach their home. This episode is about curlews, plovers, gulls, terns and oystercatchers. Bridget Farmer is originally from Northern Ireland. She initially visited Australia to friends but fell in love with the country (and a certain Australian man) and stayed longer …

Get inspired by the projects that are helping urban birds to thrive. This episode is about designing new bird habitats, an unexpected cassowary in your kitchen and the joy of seeing a Purple-crowned Lorikeet in a KFC car park. Dr. Kylie Soanes is a scientist on a mission to save nature in our cities and towns. Her research brings together the field…

Embark on a journey to northern Australia with Paralympian Richard Cordukes. This episode is about the Western Bowerbird, Gouldian Finch and birdwatching in a wheelchair. Richard Cordukes is a distinguished Paralympic athlete and advocate renowned for his unwavering commitment to inclusion. Despite becoming a quadriplegic in 1976, Richard swiftly i…

Gain a new appreciation for the Australian White Ibis, the Little Corella and the Long-billed Corella. This episode is about the birds that live around us in our cities and towns. Dr John Martin is a senior ecologist in the Wildlife Services branch of Ecosure, an author, and a science communicator. Through inspiring community appreciation of and co…

Adventure to an island in southern Australia that is home to rare birds. This episode is about the Bruny Island Bird Festival, the Forty-spotted Pardalote and the Swift Parrot. Ella Roles grew up camping and bird watching with her dad, and didn't realise how much she was absorbing. When she studied outdoor education at Latrobe University, she start…

Meet a teenager birdwatcher who loves conservation and photography. This episode is about connecting with birds during childhood, youth leadership and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Luke Eaton has always had a passion for animals. His love of birds started when he was very young and when he was three years old he would spend hours with his family r…

Learn how to identify a range of Australian thornbills. This episode is about those tricky Little Brown Birds that live in our gardens, parks and local reserves, and also contains a refresher on how to use binoculars. Ricki Coughlan is a bird guide and nature educator with a particular interest in the behaviour and ecology of the Acanthizids - “Lit…

Discover some Darwin birdwatching hot spots and a local community campaign to protect shorebirds. This episode is about where to go birding in the Top End, Red Knot seabirds and the Lee Point campaign. Dr Amanda Lilleyman loves the Top End environment and the Territory lifestyle. She came to Darwin from the Central Coast of NSW to study migratory s…

Get the lowdown on the world’s smallest penguin. This episode is about the interesting world of the Little Penguins that live on Phillip Island. Paula Wasiak has worked at the Phillip Island Nature Parks since 2009. Primarily, she coordinates and conducts field data collection, supporting projects aimed at future-proofing penguin survival and unloc…

Get to know the host of Death by Birding and his love of Australian owls. This episode is about the Rufous Owl, the Southern Boobook and the joys of sharing birdwatching with others. Cesar Puechmarin is a veterinary student and wildlife nurse from Mount Glorious in Queensland. He is an award winning wildlife photographer, specialising in 35mm film.…

Adventure to new birding spots in the nation’s capital. This episode is about where to go birdwatching in Canberra and the delights of the Superb Parrot. Olivia Congdon is an amateur bird photographer and nature lover. She works as a science writer for a leading Australian university. She grew up in country New South Wales, lived in Tasmania while …

Learn how to identify common Australian birds of prey. This episode is a general introduction to falcons, hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and osprey. Stephen Debus been interested in birds, and especially raptors, since childhood. He’s had a long association with the University of New England (Armidale, NSW) as a research fellow and honorary researc…

Celebrate the community effort that is preventing a little parrot from going extinct. This episode is about the Orange-bellied Parrot and contains stories that will give you hope about the future of birds. Dr Jenny Gray is the Chief Executive Officer of Zoos Victoria, charged with the operation of the Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram F…

Marvel at the diverse range of shorebirds that hang out in Australia each year. This episode is about watching and identifying shorebirds, including sandpipers and the Bar-tailed Godwit. Jeremy Ringma is a Shorebird Project Coordinator at BirdLife Australia. His work involves collecting shorebird survey data in order to assess population trends and…

Be delighted by some of the world’s most charismatic birds. This episode is about birds that have fun personalities and have a large impact on their environment, like the Victoria’s Riflebird, Paleated Woodpecker and Burrowing Owl. Georgia Angus is an author and illustrator based in Naarm/Melbourne, living and working on the lands of the Wurundjeri…

Meet the author of Australia’s first complete beginners' field guide to urban birds. This episode is about the birds found in cities and towns (including the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike), birdwatching in Kuala Lumpur and Wallace’s Line. Darryl Jones is a writer, speaker, researcher and mentor. Professor Emeritus in ecology from Griffith University. H…

Learn how to identify Australia’s huge variety of robins. This episode is about red and pink-coloured robins, noisy robins, rare robins and birdwatching on the Limestone Coast. Hugh Possingham is currently the co-chief councillor of The Biodiversity Council and Vice-President of BirdLife Australia. He has devoted his life to stopping habitat loss a…

Delight in the joy of birdwatching at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. This episode is about mindful birding, the Nankeen Night Heron and other birds you might see in the heart of Melbourne. Watching David Attenborough at aged seven, Liz Hackett thinks that it was inevitable that she would grow up loving nature. From volunteering, to working for a …

Laugh along with comedian Geraldine Hickey and she explores the funny side of birdwatching. This episode is about powerful birdwatching moments and keeping a secret about Orange-bellied Parrots. Geraldine Hickey is a talented Australian comedian, winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show 2021. She is also known for rad…

Explore the relationship between birds and trees. And how awesome Rainbow Bee-eaters are. This episode is about how birds and trees rely on each other, the Rainbow Bee-eater and what’s happening in Sydney. Stephanie Chambers and their partner Amy Ranck founded Sydney Bird Club to help people discover the magical world of Australian birds. With a Sy…

Delve into the weird and wonderful world of Australian cuckoos. This episode is about the talents of the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo and how it tricks other birds into raising its babies. Cassandra Taylor is a PhD candidate at the Australian National University, where she studies behavioural ecology and evolution. Her study system focuses on evolutio…

Discover the link between birdwatching and mental health. This episode is about what happens in your brain when you birdwatch, and the science of mindfulness. Dr Luke Smith is a clinical neuropsychologist who has a passion for mindfulness. He works privately within the community and has provided mindfulness training for a range of organisations. Lu…

Weekend Birder is back for Season 2! Here’s a preview of what’s to come. In this Australian podcast, you will hear stories and advice from birdwatchers of all experience levels. Explore a range of topics, from identifying birds to finding good birdwatching spots. Available on your podcast app. Kirsty Costa is a teacher, science communicator and con…

Be inspired by good news stories from WWF-Australia. This episode is about Grey Fantails and how people are working together as part of bird conservation. Darren Grover is the Head of Healthy Land and Seascapes at WWF-Australia. He is an ecologist by trade and has nearly 20 years' experience in species conservation, environmental impact assessment,…

Listen out for the melodic calls of Australia's common honeyeaters. This episode is about the Eastern Spinebill, New Holland Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird and Brown Honeyeater. Birdwatching isn’t just about watching, it’s about listening too. Tune Your Ear episodes are d…

Get to know the peculiar sounds of some of Australia's wetland birds. This episode is about the Buff-banded Rail, Chestnut Rail, Lewin's Rail, Australian Spotted Crake, Baillon's Crake, Red-necked Crake, Spotless Crake and White-browed Crake. Birdwatching isn’t just about watching, it’s about listening too. Tune Your Ear episodes are designed to he…

Become familiar with the calls of Australia's nine whistlers. This episode is about the Gilbert's Whistler, Golden Whistler, Grey Whistler, Mangrove Golden Whistler, Olive Whistler, Red-Lored Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Western Whistler and White-breasted Whistler. Birdwatching isn’t just about watching, it’s about listening too. Tune Your Ear episo…

Listen to the calls of Australia's seven lorikeets. This episode is about the Little Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Red-collared Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet and the Varied Lorikeet (phew). Birdwatching isn’t just about watching, it’s about listening too. Tune Your Ear episodes are designed to help you get to know bird calls…

Learn the calls of four different types of pardalotes. This episode is about the Forty-spotted Pardalote, Red-browed Pardalote, Striated Pardalote and Spotted Pardalote. Birdwatching isn’t just about watching, it’s about listening too. Tune Your Ear episodes are designed to help you get to know bird calls. You will hear guest insights and recording…

Hear the story of a man who challenged himself to photograph 600 birds in one year. This episode is about adventuring around Australia, endemic and vagrant birds, and how to plan your own Big Year. Charuka Abhayawickrama had a successful career in IT over 25 years. On his 45th birthday, he walked away from all his businesses and discovered a love o…

Create a safe haven for birds in your area. This episode is about how to attract birds to your garden, balcony or nature strip. Tom Hunt is an ecologist on the Wild Deserts project, with work focusing on birds, plants, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation. Growing up surrounded by bushland and birds in the Adelaide Hills, Tom has been a ke…

Grow your knowledge about Australia’s two largest waterbirds. This episode is about Brolgas, Sarus Cranes and the Crane Count held each year in the Atherton Tablelands. Edward Bell has worked and volunteered across a wide variety of conservation projects, including surveying parrots in the Caribbean and assisting in microbat research on three conti…

Use technology to record the birds you see and find new places to visit. This episode is about using eBird, Merlin and a wetlands in Mount Barker (near Adelaide). Lareen Newman has been observing birds since she was 10 years old, starting with the birds in her childhood garden in England. In the mid-1980s she participated in some of England’s first…

Discover how an award-winning bird photographer maintains her ethical approach. This episode is about ethical bird photography and the Mallee Emu-wren. Kim Wormald is an ethical wildlife photographer with a deep love of, and respect, for nature. Kim’s images have received national and international awards, including Gold Medals and a coveted FIAP B…

Learn how to identify the five Australian ravens and crows. This episode is about the ravens and crows that call Australia home as well as an update on last year’s Aussie Bird Count. Sean Dooley is the National Public Affairs Manager for BirdLife Australia, author of The Big Twitch, and former holder of the Australian Big Year twitching record. For…

Hear about how the birds along the Merri Creek change with the seasons. This episode is about the Australasian Pipit, Eurasian Skylark and other birds that live along the Merri Merri (Merri Creek). Ann McGregor started birding as a child at her family’s weekender in the Dandenong Ranges. She still enjoys watching long-term favourites such as the Ea…

Learn about the unique birds found in farmland and waterways. This episode is about bitterns, snipes, rails, crakes and other sneaky Australian waterbirds. Matt Herring has been captivated by threatened and cryptic waterbirds for 25 years. His research on brolgas began in the late 1990s and he quickly realised the importance of farmers as wetland c…

Find out about a beautiful and endangered cockatoo. This episode is about cockatoos and how scientists and community are working together to protect the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-cockatoo. Richard Hill is a conservation biologist who works on threatened birds and mammals. He shifted to Casterton with his family to study the region's endangered…