Nature's Voice

Three of southern Asia's vultures have declined by more than 95 percent since the early 1990s and this episode of Nature's Voice looks at what is being done to reverse this catastrophic loss to the region's ecology. And what makes someone steal wild bird's eggs? This month a man was sent to prison after being discovered with more than 7000 eggs at his home - Jane Markham talks to the RSPB investigator who worked with police on the case. Plus if she was a bird what bird would TV's It's Not Easy Being Green Brigit Strawbridge choose to be?

Kate Humble and the Mayor of Newport cut the ribbon to launch the RSPB's newest visitor and education centre just minutes from the city centre on the Newport Wetlands nature reserve. And Sarah Kelly who leads the Big Garden Birdwatch team looks at the results of this year's count.

Skylarks and stone curlews are under threat due to the loss of set-aside land on the UK's farms. The RSPB's Head of Agricultural Policy looks at the implications of new rules for farmers. And preparing your garden for the nesting season - Richard Bashford gives Jane Markham's garden the once over and suggests improvements to encourage more wildlife into it.

The 29th annual Big Garden Birdwatch takes place on the last weekend in January when the RSPB asks us all to spend an hour counting the birds that visit our gardens. This podcast looks at the history of the event and the valuable scientific data it provides. Also what's the most exciting bird wildlife photographer Chris Packham has spotted during Big Garden Birdwatch? Plus there's information on how you can take part.

As the end of the year approaches, Graham Wynne, the RSPB's chief executive puts the highs and lows of 2007 into perspective and looks forward to the challenges ahead in 2008. Plus the confused Christmas robins - we investigate reports of a nest and a clutch of eggs in Bedfordshire in December while TV wildlife presenter Kate Humble chooses the bird she'd like to be...if she were a bird. If you'd like to comment on the podcast we'd love to hear from you at our new email address - [email protected]

One of the most important breeding grounds for Lesser Flamingos in East Africa is under threat from industrial development - the RSPB's Chris Magin tells us why and what we can do to protect one of nature's most spectacular sights. We look at the increasing popularity of giving virtual gifts - from buying a fish supper for a Bittern to a nest box for a tree nesting duck on an RSPB reserve. Plus the Urban Birder, David Lindo, is the 'If I were a bird' guest - what would he be?

TV presenter, Kate Humble, tells us how she encourages wildlife into her tiny London garden as the RSPB launches Homes for Wildlife. In this edition of Nature's Voice we're in at the start of this five year project to improve our garden habitat and monitor the creatures, great and small, that we attract to share our space. We also meet Sally Webber the RSPB's woman at Westminster and find out about her work in the corridors of power to influence environmental policy and reflect the views of RSPB members.

News of an ambitious project to regenerate one of the world's most important habitats for biodiversity and save it from the threat of destruction the Harapan Rainforest in the lowlands of Sumatra, named after the Indonesian word for hope. And we celebrate 40 years of out of the classroom learning on RSPB reserves at one of the newest sites - the soon to be carbon neutral education centre at Rainham Marshes on the edge of London.

Kittwakes on the cliffs at Bempton in Yorkshire and puffins at Sunborough Head in Scotland in this episode we're looking at and looking after the remarkable bird life around the UK's coasts. And we celebrate 10 years on Otmoor - an RSPB success story that has recreated the moor’s traditional wetland habitat for birds like snipe and bittern. Plus Graham Wynne (the RSPB's chief executive) on why wetlands are so important.