List Envy

Top 5 UK garden birds


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Mark chats with casual birder Suzy Buttress about features, song and flight.


Suzy has specific criteria she uses to judge the quality of birds (which makes her a List Envy natural): song, plumage, behaviour and impact on the garden. She also provides some great advice if you’re looking to feed the birds, without becoming the crazy pigeon lady from Home Alone, or spreading plants that shouldn’t be spread.


  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (05:46) - Suzy's pick: Robin
  • (09:10) - Mark's pick: Goldfinch
  • (11:44) - Suzy's pick: Blue tit
  • (13:58) - Mark's pick: House sparrow
  • (17:00) - Suzy's pick: Blackbird
  • (21:24) - Mark's pick: Chaffinch
  • (29:18) - Honourable mentions
  • (34:20) - Suzy's pick: Bullfinch
  • (36:40) - Mark's pick: Magpie
  • (40:42) - A cat amongst the pigeons
  • (46:10) - Introducing Company Man
  • (52:10) - Building the final list
  • (55:58) - The Casual Birder

  • Listen to the Casual Birder podcast, and get all Suzy’s contact details on her website.

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    List EnvyBy Mark Steadman