This week on Bird Brain, we take flight with Archimedes the owl from Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, joined by nature tour guide Nick Patel from Wilder Skies in Somerset.

From the rolling hills of the West Country to the realities of rewilding, we explore what “good” nature really looks like, and why it’s not always the postcard-perfect green landscape we expect. Think messy habitats, brown mulch, and the hidden ecosystems that support birds and insects alike.

We also dive into the truth about little owls in the UK (including why they’re often just… sitting there), their surprising history as an introduced species, and how films like The Sword in the Stone shape our perceptions of wildlife, sometimes for better, sometimes not.

Along the way, we reflect on what being outdoors teaches us, from Nick’s life as a nature guide to Wart’s lessons with Merlin, and revisit the slightly terrifying moment that made a generation wary of Perch.

Book a tour with Nick or explore his monthly wildlife guides that give handy tips on what you can see when: https://www.wilderskies.co.uk
Follow Wilder Skies on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_wilderskies_/