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 reach our fundraising target!

Just Giving link

00:01:12  Past Episode

Past episode: Focus on Birders: Chiara Talia

00:01:30 Introduction

00:02:32 Conversation with Beccy and Patricia begins

00:03:13 Patricia Zurita introduces BirdLife International and her path to joining the organisation.

00:05:26 Beccy Speight introduces the work of the RSPB and her background in conservation.

00:07:49 Beccy shares two birding memories that inspired her

00:09:00 Engaging with communities 

00:09:40 Patricia shares the International perspective

00:11:48 Beccy speaks of the power of documentaries like Wild Isles to raise awareness

00:14:22 Overcoming Challenges and Changing Perceptions

00:17:06 The Importance of Collaboration and Diversity in Leadership

00:20:00 A fantasy birding day: where would you go, what you see?

00:20:15 Patricia - New Hummingbird species in Ecuador   

00:20:45 Beccy - Shetland soundscapes

BirdLife International

RSPB

00:22:00 Suzy’s Birding

00:22:02 In search of a Nightjar

00:25:31 Stone-Curlew

00:27:38 Mis-identifying a Common Tern

00:28:18 Support the Show

Contribute to the show's tip jar

00:28:46 Keep in touch

Tell me about your birding

The Casual Birder Bird Club - sign up

00:29:10 Wrap and Close

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

The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/