Nature's Voice

The RSPB's newest reserve - Saltholme, near Middlesborough - is now open. It is set amid the chimneys and factories of the industrial north east of England on the site of Victorian salt wells and is protected as a site of special scientific interest. In this episode of Nature's Voice we go along to find out what makes it so special and talk to Kate Humble, RSPB vice president and digger driver extraordinaire, about digging the first hole there! We also have tips about choosing and siting a nestbox to encourage our garden birds into our gardens.

Happy Birthday Big Garden Birdwatch - 30 years old in 2009. In this podcast we look back to when it all started and forward to this year's event on the 24th and 25th of January. Wildlife cameraman and television presenter Chris Packham tells us why he is such a fan of the Big Garden Birdwatch and we hear from Peter Holden - who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to nature conservation - the man who came up with idea in the first place.

We've a starling spectacular on this month's Nature's Voice as we find out why huge flocks of them perform their nightly ballet as they come in to roost. We visit Brighton Pier to see them in action and tell you where else you can go to witness this magnificent natural wonder for yourself. Plus we'll be asking how green will your Christmas be? We've top tips from the RSPB's head of climate change, Ruth Davies, on how to save energy over the festive season and how you can make a difference.

House sparrow numbers have plummeted in recent years but the reason has been a mystery. At last a new study from the RSPB has come up with some answers. In this podcast Will Peach, who led the research, talks about what they've discovered and what we can do to help this iconic bird survive in our towns and cities. Agony Aunt Clare Rayner and the Urban Birder, David Lindo add their memories and hopes for the sparrow's future.

We also get an early view of two new RSPB reserves that will open to visitors for the first time in 2009. We slip and slide through the mud at Middleton Lakes in the Midlands and preview the delights of Saltholme on Teeside.

Feed the Birds Day is approaching and in this episode of Nature's Voice we look at frugal ways to feed our garden birds. We'll visit a newly built garden pond and ask Jules Howard from Froglife how long it will be before frogs and toads to arrive. And one of the great winter spectacles - we'll be pinpointing some of the best RSPB reserves where you can see pink-footed geese in their magnificent thousands. Plus naturalist and TV presenter Mike Dilger chooses which bird he'd be - if he were a bird. Nature’s Voice is presented by Jane Markham.

Saving the Sumatran Rainforest - a year after our first visit to the RSPB's ambitious project in the Harapan Forest we return to see how the regeneration this threatened habitat is getting on - there has even been a glimpse of the fantastically rare Sumatran tiger. And, closer to home, we look at a restoration project in the UK - how the reserve at Sandy in Bedfordshire is being returned to lowland heathland where an Iron Age hill fort has been uncovered in the process! Plus if he were a bird what bird would comedian Rory McGrath choose to be?

How the RSPB teamed up with Raptor Rescue to find wild Peregrine foster

families for two orphaned chicks. We meet one of the youngest

volunteers - at just 10 years old Daniel Barton has been working with

the Peregrines at Chichester Cathedral. Our series looking at great

nature reserves puts grassland sites in the spotlight. And if she were a

bird what would interior design guru, Changing Rooms presenter, Linda

Barker choose to be

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Director of Conservation talks about why Biofuels (once seen as a green alternative to oil) are destroying vital habitats around the world. And, in what's turning out to be another poor breeding season for many seabirds, we visit some the most exciting coastal reserves in the UK. We hear about the rise and rise of the gannet but the decline of puffin populations and why wildlife presenter Kate Humble so passionately supports the introduction of legislation to protect marine wildlife.

How a new whisky called Black Grouse will be helping the plight of its endangered namesake. It's a bird who loves to dance and does so in a spectacular way. Also, in the first of a series, we'll be visiting RSPB reserves around the UK, starting with some great days out in easy reach of big cities - near London, Birmingham and Glasgow. While naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham makes his choice in 'If I were a bird'. And he'd be up to no good!

The launch of 'On a Wing and a Prayer' a new report into the status of the UK's Birds of Prey. There's plenty of good news but still work to do to protect the most threatened species - like 'Harry' the Hen Harrier at Geltsdale, a youngster in search of a mate. And Bill Oddie looks forward to this year's Springwatch. We report from the RSPB's reserve at Loch Garten where it's hoped their pair of ospreys may have good news to hatch in time for the series!