Seasonal Sensations Podcast

Welcome to our winter solstice edition of the Seasonal Sensations Podcast.

We welcome back Rachel DeSumma from Australia to talk about what is happening where she is, as they head towards midsummer's day on the other side of the world. Discussions involve everything from Christmas trees to tapdancing squirrel-gliders, and spider-eating potter-wasps to long-necked turtles!

Of course we also have our Seasonal Observations - what we've been noticing in nature since our last podcast - as well as What to look out for between now and our next episode.

The Mindful Moment is brought to you this time by Rachel - it is 5 minutes of guided meditation for you to enjoy!

In our Fascinating Facts section, Andy explains the significance of the white mistletoe berries and the red holly ones, and why evergreen plants were used in many ancient traditions.

So, take some time out for yourself and give it a listen!

Audio credits

The following audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sound effects from https://freesound.org/

175002__billox30__close-micd-snow-steps

234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk

265458__gowlermusic__sleigh-bells-sound-effect

483479__astounded__wind-blowing-gusting-through-french-castle-tower

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

XC134246 - White-plumed Honeyeater - Ptilotula penicillata - Marc Anderson

XC200384 - White-winged Chough - Corcorax melanorhamphos - Marc Anderson

XC314200 - Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - iSpiny

XC329735 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - David M

XC579727 - Red Kite - Milvus milvus - Ed Stubbs

XC634853 - Common Blackbird - Turdus merula - Susanne Kuijpers

XC635431 - House Sparrow - Passer domesticus domesticus - András Schmidt

XC656392 - Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos philomelos - Guy Kirwan

Welcome to our Halloween episode!

In this podcast, we chat about some of the more sinister goings on in nature at this time of year, as well as some Halloween -y fascinating facts.

We also share our tips on things to look out for in the natural world at this time of year.

Of course there's the usual 'Mindful Moment' - our guided meditation to encourage you to take some time out for yourself - and we have a Halloween dare for you to try this time.

Let's get spooky!

Sound effects from www.freesound.org

27816__dobroide__20061224-wind-canaveral

104580__dobroide__201009-deer-roar-01 

133974__mrpokephile__horrific-zombie-growl 

164285__billy-storm__ghostly-moan 

254836__waxsocks__fireworks-display-2

383183__chrisreierson__chattering-teeth-fast-speed

397655__gadzooks__fox-barking Freesound.org

402809__straget__birds-in-the-forest

498058__iliasflou__bat-house

Bird sounds from www.xeno-canto.org

XC445246 - Redwing - Turdus iliacus by Dominic Garcia-Hall

XC526683 - Pink-footed Goose - Anser brachyrhynchus by david m

XC656143 - Tawny Owl - Strix aluco by MERCIER Christophe

XC668086 - Western Barn Owl - Tyto alba by Lars Mogensen

Welcome back to the Seasonal Sensations podcast!

In this episode we talk about the changes that are happening in nature at this time of year, what's been happening over the summer and what to look out for over the coming weeks.

The different sections are as follows:

Links

Sun Serpent at Chichen Itza in Mexico Chichen Itza: El Castillo, Pyramid of Kukulkan | Chichen itza, Pyramids, Rare historical photos (pinterest.co.uk)

Poplar Hawkmoth Poplar Hawk-moth (butterfly-conservation.org)

Audio credits

All audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

XC314200 - Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris by iSpiny

XC329735 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula by David M

XC445246 - Redwing - Turdus iliacus by Dominic Garcia-Hall

XC526683 - Pink-footed Goose - Anser brachyrhynchus by David M

XC575274 - Fieldfare - Turdus pilaris by Stanislas Wroza

XC670205 - Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica by Domagoj Tomičić; 

In this episode we talk about the Equinox - the start of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.

Rachel DeSumma joins us again from Australia as we compare the differences between what's going on in the UK and down under. There are also bird and squirrel impressions to be heard!

Of course there is our usual 'Mindful Moment' - a short guided mindfulness meditation - to help you be more present in the moment and think about your connection to the rest of nature.

There's also lots more fascinating facts and nature chat!

Get in touch with us:

Facebook: (5) Natural Inclusion | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Voice message: Seasonal Sensations Podcast • A podcast on Anchor

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

Short clip of birdsong in between sections - Dawn chorus birdsong - 234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk https://freesound.org/

Information from Rachel about some of the things she mentioned in the podcast:

Here are some resources about the stone formations tracking the winter and summer solstice at Wurdi Youang

https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-15098959

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-12/aboriginal-astronomy-provides-clues-to-ancient-life/7925024

Here's a more technical research paper http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Hamacher-2012-Wurdi-Youang.pdf

Information about Antechinus

https://blog.publish.csiro.au/carnivorous-marsupials/

Information about flowering plants

So many different types of hakea. This is one of my favourites. Bright red balls with spikey white/ yellow bits https://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?id=1096

Correa upside down bell shaped flowers a bit like a native hibiscus. there are a few varieties. I think I saw a correa glabra

https://nativeplantproject.com.au/product/rock-correa/

or a correa backhousea

https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/c2772b45-170f-47e2-a617-573127cfe7f2

Pigface https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2005/carpobrotus-glaucescens.html

In this episode, we discuss some strange noises, plastic grass and hawthorn brandy!

There is also our regular Mindful Moment and this time we're thinking about the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and how we can use them to look after our mental health. It is Mental Health Awareness week from Monday 10th of May and you can find out more about that here - Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 - Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org) 

We mention wood sorrel and garlic mustard as a couple of plants that can be foraged at this time of year, and a really good site to know what to forage is the Woodland Trust - Foraging Guide - Month by Month - Woodland Trust

Get in touch with us:

Facebook: (5) Natural Inclusion | Facebook

Email: [email protected] 

Voice message: Seasonal Sensations Podcast • A podcast on Anchor

Audio credits:

All audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dawn chorus birdsong - 234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk https://freesound.org/

Dawn chorus 2 - 443272__einton__dawn-chorus-1986 https://freesound.org/

239909__odilonmarcenaro__bees-and-bumblebees-foraging https://freesound.org/

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

XC638778 - European Goldfinch - Carduelis carduelis by Stephan Risch

XC637715 - Dunnock - Prunella modularis by Peter Boesman

XC642885 - Common Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus by Sven Kransel

XC621402 - Eurasian Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto by Irish Wildlife Sounds

XC629943 - Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus viscivorus by Peter Stronach

XC635431 - House Sparrow - Passer domesticus domesticus by AndrAjs Schmidt

XC602323 - European Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca by Micha Luhn

XC575177 - Common Swift - Apus apus by Pierre Michel

XC641926 - Eurasian Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola by Uka Paal

XC57906 Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago faeroeensis by Ruud van Beusekom

XC643565 - Common Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos by Peter Boesman

In this special extended episode in honour of Earth Day, we talk to Rachel DeSumma from Victoria, Australia. Rachel is a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide in the Dandenong Ranges and shares with us some Seasonal Observations from down under! There is bird mimicry and fungi that look like olives, so prepared to be amazed! 

Take 5 minutes to feel your connection to our Earth with the Mindful Moment.

Our Noticing Nature activity this time is to join in with Earth Day activities on Tuesday 22nd April. This could be something you do yourself, like plant some flowers for bees in your garden or flower box, build a bug hotel or go on a litter pick. If you need some inspiration, visit Event Map — Digital Earth Day (arcgis.com) to find organised events around the world.

Let us know what you have noticed, and also if you know the reason that red foxes bark at night around this time of year in the UK.

Facebook: (5) Natural Inclusion | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Voice message: Seasonal Sensations Podcast • A podcast on Anchor

Audio credits:

All audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dawn chorus birdsong - 234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk https://freesound.org/

Red fox barking - 537587__craig-cerinocraigsays__red-fox-screeching https://freesound.org/

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

UK species:

XC607768 - Eurasian Blackcap song - Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla. Jarek Matusiak

XC597437 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita. Alexander Henderson

XC634621 - Eurasian Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris. Jerome Fischer

XC603742 - Common Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus. Peter Ward and Ken Hall

XC634853 - Common Blackbird - Turdus merula. Susanne Kuijpers

XC636347 - Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major. Eduardo Realinho

XC637874 - European Greenfinch - Chloris chloris. Agris Celmins

XC637823 - Rook - Corvus frugilegus. Irish Wildlife Sounds

XC560815 - Common Cuckoo - Cuculus canorus. Ireneusz Oleksik

XC631742 - Eurasian Nuthatch - Sitta europaea. Neils Van Doninck

XC635230 - Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus. Stanislas Wroza

Australian species:

XC172223 - Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo - Calyptorhynchus funereus. Marc Anderson

XC283571 - Grey Shrikethrush - Colluricincla harmonica harmonica. Nick Talbot

XC204398 - Grey Fantail - Rhipidura albiscapa albiscapa. Marc Anderson

XC407944 - Superb Fairywren - Malurus cyaneus cyaneus. Frank Lambert

XC460806 - Superb Lyrebird - Menura novaehollandiae novaehollandiae. Marc Anderson

In this episode, we will be talking about Easter, why it moves each year and some of the ancient traditions that help to explain some of the customs we still practice today.

As usual we will have our Seasonal Observations, where we chat about what we have encountered in nature over the last couple of weeks. There will also be another Mindful Moment - a 5-minute guided mindfulness meditation to help you connect with nature and your inner self.

As this is the time we celebrate fertility and new growth, the Noticing Nature activity this time is to plant some seeds. These can be plant seeds or intentions or personal goals. If you decide to plant actual plant seeds have a think about what you’d love to see grow: Beautiful flowers, cooking herbs, delicious vegetables or a tree that you can nurture over the years.

If it's intentions or personal goals you're planting, think carefully about what you want to bring to life this year or for the longer term. You might want to adopt a new habit, like spending more time in nature or keep a journal. You might want to get some training in something you’ve long wanted to do, find a new job or start a brand new hobby.

Remember whether you plant seeds or something in your life, what you’ve planted will grow, if you nurture it, so make sure it is something you want to see blossom.

Enjoy!

Andy and Holly

Let us know what you have noticed!

Facebook: (5) Natural Inclusion | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Voice message: Seasonal Sensations Podcast • A podcast on Anchor

Audio credits:

All audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dawn chorus birdsong - 234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk https://freesound.org/

Sheep bleat - 321967__n-audioman__sheep-bleat https://freesound.org/

Lawnmower - 7322__mystiscool__lawnmower https://freesound.org/

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

Swallow song - XC598651 - Barn Swallow song - Hirundo rustica. Simon Elliott

Swallow call - XC343873 - Barn Swallow call - Hirundo rustica. Patrik Ã…berg

Blackcap song - XC607768 - Eurasian Blackcap song - Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla. Jarek Matusiak

Blackcap call - XC599016 - Eurasian Blackcap call - Sylvia atricapilla atlantis. Peter Stronach

Goldcrest song - XC570588 - Goldcrest - Regulus regulus regulus. Paul Holt

Green woodpecker - XC541537 - European Green Woodpecker - Picus viridis. Stanislas Wroza

Chiffchaff - XC597437 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita. Alexander Henderson

Wren - XC628922 - Eurasian Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes (1). Bernard Collet

In this inaugural episode, we will be talking about the spring equinox and the new light and new life that brings.

There will be a 5-minute guided mindfulness meditation as well as suggested activities for you to try.

Enjoy!

Andy and Holly

Here are the suggested activities from the Noticing Nature section:

When you are outside, or if you can look out into a garden from your window, notice the effects that the sunlight is having on the plants and animals around us. Look for spring flowers in particularly sunny places, notice how the trees and bushes have bursting buds on them. Listen for those newly-arrived migratory birds. Notice how the temperature changes from sunny places to shady places, and the effect this has on the plants that might be growing there. 

On a sunny day, go outside or position yourself near a window where the sun is shining in. Imagine you are a spring flower or a new seedling growing in the ground. First, close your eyes, then turn your face up towards the sun and see if you can angle your face so that you are directly facing the sun. Spend a few moments noticing its warmth and light. Absorb the energy from the sun like a solar panel. Then take this energy with you into the rest of your day.

Let us know what you have noticed! 

Facebook: (5) Natural Inclusion | Facebook

Email: [email protected]

Voice message: Seasonal Sensations Podcast • A podcast on Anchor

Audio clips:

All audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Dawn chorus birdsong - 234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk https://freesound.org/

Popping cork - Pop Cork-SoundBible.com-151671390 https://soundbible.com

Fizz - Fizzing-SoundBible.com-1047753462 https://soundbible.com

Small crowd - SMALL_CROWD_APPLAUSE-Yannick_Lemieux-1268806408 https://soundbible.com

Boing - sfx-boing4 https://www.fiftysounds.com

Skylark - XC610668 - Eurasian Skylark - Alauda arvensis arvensis https://www.xeno-canto.org/

Canada geese - XC505284 - Canada Goose - Branta canadensis https://www.xeno-canto.org/

Rain and wind - Rain_Background-Mike_Koenig-1681389445 https://soundbible.com

Cat - sfx-animal-cat3 https://www.fiftysounds.com

Chiffchaff - XC597437 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita https://www.xeno-canto.org/

Wasp - Wasp-SoundBible.com-863699866 https://soundbible.com

This is a trailer for the Seasonal Sensations podcast, giving you an introduction to the presenters, details of where and when to listen to the first episode and an easy peasy activity idea to help you feel closer to nature :)

This podcast is brought to you by Andy Shipley of Natural Inclusion - Nature Connection And Sensory Immersion | Natural Inclusion (natural-inclusion.org)

Natural Inclusion | Facebook 

and Holly Booker of Nature for Life - (2) Nature for Life | Facebook

Details of birdsong recording - Nebulousflynn dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk. https://freesound.org/people/nebulousflynn/sounds/234889/  Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/