Wild mushrooms have a bit of a bed rep - but how dangerous actually is it to go foraging? This episodes explores the underground lives of fungi, how deadly they can be, and why they might just be the unsung heroes of our society. 

My main sources were Merlin Sheldrake's Entangled Life and the Wildlife Trust's website. I highly recommend them both!

Spiders' webs are some of the most beautiful examples of natural architecture - but what are those building blocks made of? I explored what makes up those little strands, and along the way I found out about bird-eating spiders, the inspiration behind Spider Man, and why spiders are some of the unsung heroes of the natural world. 

Much of this research came from National Geographic and the Natural History Museum who have fantastic resources if you wish to find out more.

Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds' nests - but why do those other birds raise them? I take a look at some of the tricks and deceits that the cuckoo employs in their sneaky reproduction strategy, and at how the hosts attempt to fight back. 

These are some of the resources I drew upon in my research:

The UK Wildlife Podcast interview with Professor Nick Davies

'Mrs Moreau's Warbler' by Stephen Moss

'All the Birds of the Air' by Frances Greenoak

Frogs and toads are incredible - they breathe underwater, migrate in their hundreds of thousands, and have inspired cultural tales. But do they lay eggs? Join me to find out in a dive into the world of amphibians, spawn, and pimple-erupting toads.

Are bees really running the show when it comes to pollination? And why is pollination so important anyway? Jump on in to hear the buzz...

 

Some resources listed in the show for further information: 

Vanessa Amaral-Rogers' book - Love Bees: A family guide to help keep bees buzzing

Adrian Thomas' book - RSPB Gardening for Wildlife

Buglife

Ever wondered why there are so many pigeons? Here we take a look at some of the reasons why, from their eating habits to their sloppy nest-building to how they helped build empires.