We've mentioned them a lot but now it is time they get their very own episode.

They're ecosystem engineers, climate change protectors, master builders, and have a tail with more functions than you'd think. You can't help but love them.

So, join us as we dive into the fascinating world of beavers. From their unrivalled ability to shape landscapes and support entire ecosystems, to their extinction in the UK and the inspiring efforts to bring them back, we cover it all in this deep dive into one of our favourite animals.

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/beavers

https://beavertrust.org/beaver-basics/beaver-impacts/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/11/beavers-save-czech-taxpayers-by-flooding-ex-army-training-site

https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/events/cornwall-beaver-project

https://www.norfolkriverstrust.org/case-studies/returning-beavers-to-the-glaven

https://rewildingeurope.com/blog/beaver-benefits/

https://news.westernu.ca/2020/08/ancient-beavers-cut-trees-for-food-first-not-to-build-dams/

Beavers: How and why they build dams - YouTube

If you’ve been listening to the pod for a while, you’ll know we have a real soft spot for curlews. They were even the topic of our second ever episode back in September 2022!

Since then, lots has happened in the world of curlews. There’s been some sad news about the slender-billed curlew, but also lots to celebrate, with some great conservation projects underway. And on The Birdy Bug Pod front, Steve has a very exciting curlew update of his own.

So, grab a drink and join us as we explore the latest curlew developments and chat about Steve’s new curlew venture.

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

Curlew Action – Action Now for Curlews Tomorrow

HOME - Curlew LIFE

Slender-Billed Curlew: The Latest Bird Extinction Explained

Resources | Curlew Recovery Partnership

Man treks 53 miles in bird costume costume to raise awareness about endangered Eurasian Curlew | New York Post

Big, round, and adorably fluffy, is there a more charming visitor to our gardens than the bumble bee? We don’t think so!

Sadly, these incredible and vitally important pollinators are in trouble. 2024 was the worst year for British bumble bee populations since records began, with many species facing growing pressures from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

Grab a drink and join us as we explore the fascinating world of bumble bees. From their remarkable adaptations and surprising cultural impact to the threats putting them at risk.

We also highlight the crucial work being done to protect them and share simple ways that each of us can help our bumble bees thrive, right in our own gardens and communities. And of course, we tackle the big question: do they really defy the laws of physics when they fly?

We had a great time recording this episode, we hope you enjoy it.

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

The UK's bumblebees are in crisis - Bumblebee Conservation Trust

The national monitoring BeeWalk scheme - Bumblebee Conservation Trust

UK bumblebee numbers fell to record low in 2024 - Agriland.co.uk

Multiple habitats need protecting to save UK bumblebees, finds 10-year citizen science study - BES

Genus-Wide Characterization of Bumblebee Genomes Provides Insights into Their Evolution and Variation in Ecological and Behavioral Traits | Molecular Biology and Evolution | Oxford Academic

Once widespread across the UK, the white-tailed eagle was driven to extinction by the early 20th century, but now, they are making a comeback!

2025 marks 50 years since the first reintroduction, when young eagles from Norway were released on the Isle of Rùm. Since then, the population has steadily grown, with birds now breeding across Scotland, and more recently even returning to raise chicks in England for the first time in over two centuries.

Join us as we look back at the decline and disappearance of these magnificent birds, uncover the story of their return, and celebrate the dedicated organisations and tireless individuals who worked to bring the sea eagle back.

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Have you seen a white-tailed eagle? We'd love to hear about it.

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

Return: Our White Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Documentary

White-tailed eagle reintroduction project | Forestry England

White-tailed eagle reintroduction & conservation | Rewilding Britain

White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction on the Isle of Wight - Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation

White-tailed eagle saga - Dave Sexton

Did you know that birds are dinosaurs? Not just their descendants, but the last living branch of one of the most successful animal groups to ever walk the Earth.

In this episode, we sit down with paleo artist, keen birdwatcher, and lifelong dinosaur enthusiast Sean Hennessy (aka Speed Thief) to uncover the fascinating evolutionary link between modern birds and their prehistoric relatives. We dispel some common dino myths and misunderstandings, explore how dinosaurs capture the public imagination, and discuss why they remain vital ambassadors for natural history and science.

We also chat to Sean about how he sees paleo art as a powerful form of science communication and learn more about his fantastic paleo comics.

Sean has probably had more mentions on the podcast than anyone else, we've been wanting to have him on for ages. It was brilliant to finally have him in the studio and chat all things dinosaur (prehistoric and living).

Sean's art and socials:

https://linktr.ee/speed.thief

@speed.thief

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Ancient, agile, and unmatched in the air, dragonflies have ruled the skies for over 300 million years. But in today’s rapidly changing world, how are they faring?

In this episode, we explore the world of these remarkable insects, from their perfectly-adapted anatomy and impressive hunting skills, to the art, poetry, and legends they have inspired across centuries and cultures.

We examine the state of the UK’s dragonfly populations, where some species are in steep decline while others are on the rise, revealing important clues about the health of our ecosystems and the effects of climate change.

And we of course, highlight the brilliant work of the dedicated people and organisations striving to protect these extraordinary insects and restore the habitats they need to survive.

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

British Dragonfly Society - British Dragonfly Society

Rare dragonfly introduced into a hidden corner of Cumbria

Dragonfly species are colonising the UK 'at a greater rate than ever before' | Natural History Museum

UK’s dragonflies are benefiting from climate change | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Rare dragonfly introduced into remote area of Cumbria to reverse its decline | Conservation | The Guardian

Rare dragonfly introduced into remote area of Cumbria to reverse its decline | Conservation | The Guardian

A symbol of spring with its unmistakable call, the cuckoo is one of our most intriguing birds.

From their truly unique (and brutal) breeding habits to their remarkable migrations, the life of a cuckoo is absolutely fascinating and steeped in folklore.

Join us as we step into their world of brood parasitism, how they trick another species to raise their young for them and mostly get away with it.

We discuss which bird species are more susceptible to becoming hosts and which ones have got wiser to having a rogue egg dropped on them. It's evolutionary warfare at its most captivating.

Unfortunately, our cuckoo populations are facing a variety of challenges as complex as themselves. As the climate changes, disrupting their routines, they are struggling.

But there is still hope. As we always try to do, we look at the brilliant projects being carried out to help these remarkable birds and hope they succeed in saving this iconic bird.

Spring without the sound of a cuckoo is unthinkable.

** And a little game, while you listen. Matthew made a slight, and rather funny, error in the episode. Can you spot it?

Get in touch!

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

Cuckoo Bird Facts | Cuculus Canorus

Change in host rejection behavior mediated by the predatory behavior of its brood parasite | Behavioral Ecology | Oxford Academic

Cuckoo Tracking Project | BTO

Epic 7,500-mile cuckoo migration wows scientists - BBC News

A call for the cuckoo: how to help an endangered bird | Gardens | The Guardian

Population decline is linked to migration route in the Common Cuckoo, a long-distance nocturnally-migrating bird | BTO

We’ve hit the big 5-0, and we’re absolutely chuffed! When we started this podcast, neither of us had ever recorded one before and we had no idea what to expect. But 50 episodes in and we're absolutely loving it.

In this episode, we’re taking a moment to celebrate and reflect. We chat about how it all began, where the podcast name came from, and why Steve’s all about birds while Matthew’s mad about bugs.

We also talk about why we love podcasting and who our dream guests would be. Plus, we throw in a few fun facts about our favourite creatures and challenge each other with a couple of quiz questions to see how well we really know our own, and each other’s, specialties.

A relaxed and chatty episode to mark hitting 50. Come celebrate with us and get to know us and the pod a little better.

A huge thank you to everyone who has listened so far!

Get in touch

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

Amazing! Bird Sounds From The Lyre Bird - David Attenborough - BBC Wildlife

They may not have backbones, but invertebrates are the unsung heroes of the natural world, shaping landscapes, driving ecosystems, and even influencing the behaviour of top predators.

In this episode, we journey into their fascinating and often overlooked world. We explore how termites engineer entire ecosystems, how ant behaviour can influence lion hunting patterns, and why a specific rainforest bee is the key to every Brazil nut you’ve ever eaten.

While many invertebrates are now in decline, it's not all bad news. We share some hopeful conservation stories, organisations working hard to protect our invertebrate populations, and highlight simple ways we can all help support these vital animals.

Researching this episode took us down all sorts of unexpected rabbit holes, something you’ll definitely hear reflected in the conversation.

We hope you enjoy listening What’s your favourite invertebrate fact, story, or encounter? Come share it with us over on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you @thebirdybugpod.

Get in touch

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

'We cannot survive without insects' – DW – 06/22/2018

How loud is YOUR penis?! The waterboatman and his mighty member!

Stream Lesser Water Boatman, the loudest underwater insect by terranova | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

Figs & Wasps | How Are Figs Pollinated? | FoodUnfolded

Letting grass grow long boosts butterfly numbers, UK study proves | Butterflies | The Guardian

Ecological feedbacks. Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change - PubMed

Mysterious, fierce, and teetering on the edge of extinction, the Scottish Wildcat is one of the UK’s rarest and most elusive mammals.

Nicknamed the Highland Tiger, this striking predator once prowled across much of the UK. But today, it's hanging on by a thread.

In this episode, we take a closer look at what makes this cat so special, from its huge personality and charismatic scowl to its deep roots in Scottish culture and folklore. We explore the threats it faces, uncover the reasons behind its decline, and shine a light on the passionate conservationists working to bring this iconic species back from the brink.

Contact:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links:

European wildcat | RZSS

Wildcat conservation in Scotland | Saving Wildcats | Saving Wildcats

Wildcat Haven

Wildcats | NatureScot

Wildcats released in Scottish Highlands in effort to prevent extinction in UK | Rewilding | The Guardian

https://treesforlife.org.uk/