Nature's Voice

Garden birds have had a good breeding season. We know that because the thousands of responses to this year's Make Your Nature Count survey have now been analyzed. On this edition of Nature's Voice Jane Markham talks to the RSPB's Richard Bashford about the results. And we investigate the simple pleasure of that timeless summer holiday pastime - exploring seaside rock pools with the help of a discarded Pringles box!

The RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Awards celebrate the work farmers do for wildlife. In this episode of Nature's Voice the RSPB's Heather Griffiths visits one of this year's regional winners Robert Kynaston. Plus we hear how South West regional winner David White risked the wrath of the gardener to help out the swifts and swallows.

The judging panel will chose 4 of the 8 regional winners to go forward to a public vote to decide this year's overall winner who will receive £1000. Voting opens on July 22nd - either on the RSPB website or by calling 0870 601 0215 - calls from BT land lines are charged at standard rate, other networks may vary. If you vote you will also be entered into a draw with the chance of winning a luxury weekend break for two.

How do you put a satellite tag on a Gannet? Research at the RSPB's Bempton Cliffs reserve in North Yorkshire meant staff there needed to do just that. Jane Markham asks Steve Race, community education officer at Bempton, how it was done and what they hope to find out from the data that is being collected. Plus step up for nature by signing the RSPB's Marine Pledge to call for marine conservation reserves to benefit the seabirds around our coast.

BBC Springwatch's new home is at the RSPB's Ynys-hir reserve near Aberystwyth. From May 30th Kate, Chris and Martin will be broadcasting from a converted tractor shed on the site. In this episode of Nature's Voice we visit Ynys-hir in the run up to Springwatch and Jane Markham talks to David Trotman from RSPB Cymru - who is delighted that the BBC are coming to a Welsh reserve in the year the RSPB is celebrating its centenary in the principality.

The RSPB's reserve at Arne on the Dorset coast boasts all six of the UK's reptiles. On this podcast meet the season's first baby smooth snake with Rob Farrington and Paul Morton who work there and have many more than six good reasons to join them on the reserve.We hear from members at the volunteers weekend about what they'll be doing to take part in the Stepping Up For Nature campaign. And this month's Nature's Voice will also be available for the first time on YouTube so if you want to see what Rob, Paul or the smooth snake look like you can take a look - http://youtu.be/B6FGtJ3uqCw!

Kate Humble tells us how she is ‘Stepping Up For Nature’ as part of the RSPB’s latest campaign. As RSPB President, she was at the launch of the project and this month’s Natures Voice looks at how you too can step up to help wildlife and the environment.

Also this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results are in and Mark Eaton, one the RSPB’s scientists, discusses them with Jane Markham. Despite the cold winter there is some good news for some of our smaller birds.

The plant and animal kingdoms are starting to wake up to spring. In this podcast we look at some fascinating mating rituals of birds, animals and even trees. The humble hazel is one of the first trees to brighten the hedgerows at this time of year, we'll find out why. And we look at the most graceful spring time double act - the ritual courtship dance of great crested grebes. Plus our Great Moment with Nature is a close encounter with one of Britain's favourite mammals.

Facebook followers of the RSPB Love Nature pages tell us where they'll be doing their Big Garden Birdwatch this year. We also hear of a new partnership between the RSPB and BUPA Care Homes to bring nature into their gardens and into the lives of their residents. Plus the busiest woman at the RSPB this month,Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Heather Griffiths, chooses her Great Moment with Nature.

Surfin' Bird for Christmas number one! What has the RSPB's director of conservation Mark Avery got to do with the campaign for Bird is the Word to beat the X Factor to the top of the festive pops? We also hear about the 'new bird on the block' when it comes to Mistletoe - Jane Markham talks to a man who knows everything there is to know about this festive plant. Plus who has knocked the robin off the Christmas card number one in the RSPB shop?

Bella the sun bear was rescued from a snare. Now, fully fit, she has been released into the Harapan rainforest in Sumatra. Information from her radio collar will play an important role in the restoration of the the forest - a joint project between the RSPB and Burung Indonesia. In this podcast Ian Rowlands, on a working trip to Harapan, spoke to the project's diversity officer for mammals  Elva Gamita, to find out why. Plus the RSPB's Andre Farrar talks to Jane Markham about the plight of rainforests around the world and this month's Great Moment with Nature takes us to South Stack on Angelsey.