Look at Australian birds from a different perspective. This episode is about finding community, birdwatching while kayaking and a close encounter with a White-bellied Sea-eagle.

Marian Blake is a casual birder with a lifelong passion for animals and nature. She’s spent half her career working with animals and have always had an interest in learning more about native birds (but never actively pursued the hobby). When Marian moved to Bendigo in Victoria, she was working from home and didn’t know many people. She reached out on one of the local birding Facebook pages and asked if anyone would take her birding. And the rest is history.

Links:

* Weekend Birder Google Map and other travel destinations - weekendbirder.com/travel

* Women Birder’s Australia Facebook group - facebook.com/groups/womenbirdersaustralia/

* White-bellied Sea-eagle recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn all about one of Australia’s charasmatic cockatoos. This episode is a deep-dive into the world of the Gang-gang Cockatoo and the people that love it with all of their heart.

Dr. Holly Parsons is all about the birds that live where people live. As BirdLife Australia’s Manager of Priority Sites, she oversees programs that aim to protect key habitats, including those in urban areas where her passion lies. Holly leads initiatives that connect people with urban birdlife through citizen science, education, and habitat restoration, and with a passion for turning curiosity into action, she hopes to inspire others to create spaces where birds and people can thrive together.

Giovanna (Gee) Hounsell is a retired teacher, amateur bird photographer and passionate conservationist. She has 3 sons and 3 amazing grandchildren. Gee wants her grandchildren to grow up enjoying the incredible beauty and biodiversity of the natural spaces on the NSW South Coast where she lives. She and a colleague have spent over a thousand hours observing a local group of Gang-gangs since late January 2024.

Links:

* Birdlife Australia - Gang-gang Cockatoo Recovery - birdlife.org.au/projects/gang-gang-cockatoo-recovery/

* Birdlife Australia - Urban Birds - birdlife.org.au/programs/urban-birds/

* Birds in Schools - birdlife.org.au/projects/birds-in-schools/

* Holly on Instagram - @backyardbirdo

* Birds in Backyards on Instagram - @birdsinbackyards

* Birds in Backyards on Facebook - facebook.com/groups/BirdsinBackyards/

* Birds in Backyards website - birdsinbackyards.net

* Gang-gang Cockatoo recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how to create bird-friendly gardens in urban areas. This episode explores the challenges urban birds face, from habitat loss to Noisy Miners, and offers practical tips for supporting them in our own backyards.

Jacinta Humphrey is an Urban Ecologist and Postdoctoral Researcher with the ICON Science group at RMIT University. Her work explores Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design and aims to find opportunities to create and enhance habitat for birds in residential neighbourhoods, urban parks, schoolyards and private gardens. She also monitors the Birrarung Trial Floating Wetlands, a series of artificial habitat islands installed in the Yarra River-Birrarung, on behalf of The University of Melbourne. When she’s not thinking about birds, Jacinta spends her time swimming, running, and playing with her two (indoor only) cats.

Links:

* Jacinta on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jacinta-humphrey-urban-ecologist/

* Jacinta Instagram - @jacintahumphrey/

* Jacinta on Twitter/X - x.com/HumphreyJE_

* Jacinta’s Birds in the Burbs summary brochure - doi.org/10.26181/25485955

* Living with Wildlife by Tanya Loos - tanyaloos.com/living-with-wildlife/

* The Secret Lives of Our Urban Birds hosted by Ann Jones on ABC iView - iview.abc.net.au/show/secret-lives-of-our-urban-birds

* Noisy Miner recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hear a musician reflect on how birds affect life and music. This episode is about the deep connection between nature and music, and how birds provide us with a sense of place.

If anyone can silence a room, it’s South Africa-born and Melbourne-based musician Ruby Gill. Ruby’s arresting lyricism and deadpan wit have already garnered them millions of streams, awards and radio play from Triple J and every major metro station in Australia, to BBC6Music and KCRW over the pond. Known to bring even the most stoic to tears with profound reflections on society and self-awareness, Ruby’s “melancholic lyrical wizardry” has earned the reputation of unmissable, with accolades such as as Sunday Times’ Breaking Act (UK), Emerging Artist of the Year at Port Fairy Folk Festival, nominations for The Australian Music Prize (Mercury equivalent) and Best Folk Work at the Music Victoria Awards, and high praise from NME, CLASH, The Independent and more. Consistent reviews echo Triple J’s Zan Rowe, “excuse me while I scrape myself off the floor.” 

Available on YouTube, your podcast app or listen below.

Links:

Ruby’s new album Some Kind of Control is out March 28 2025.

* Ruby’s website - https://rubygill.me/

* Ruby on Facebook - @rubygillmusic

* Ruby on Instagram - @rubymarygill

* Ruby on Twitter/X - @rubymarygill

* Ruby on YouTube - youtube.com/user/rubymarygill

* Bird Song by Cosmo Sheldrake - cosmosheldrake.com/music/birdsong

* Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron and Wine - youtube.com/watch?v=RGVmhrfQqzg

* Blue Jay recording by Dan Lane (XC215532) - xeno-canto.org

* African Paradise Flycatcher recording by Tony Archer (XC603822) - xeno-canto.org

* Hadada Ibis recording by Tony Archer (XC686712) - xeno-canto.org

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the incredible aerial acrobatics of Australia's speedy little birds. This episode is about Sydney Park, and the world of Australian swallows and martins.

Lorne Johnson is a high school teacher and poet living in Newtown, Sydney. He began birding way back in 1986. He has travelled all over Australia searching for birds. He is an avid urban birder who has now seen 112 species at Sydney Park (roughly one eighth of the country’s entire species). He hopes to one day see a Princess Parrot.

Links:

* Lorne on Instagram - @lornejohnson23

* Lorne recommends you read One Midsummer’s Day by Mark Cocker

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deep-dive into the language of birdwatching. Our 100th episode is about birding slang, amusing anecdotes and the impact of language on our connection to birds and each other.

Dr Cesar Puechmarin is a wildlife veternarian, award-winning wildlife photographer and the host of Death by Birding podcast. Dr Kylie Soanes is a scientist who collaborates with councils, community groups, engineers and architects to make real change for wildlife in urban environments. Sean Dooley is the National Public Affairs Manager for BirdLife Australia, author of The Big Twitch, and former holder of the Australian Big Year twitching record. Stephanie Chambers is the co-founder of Sydney Bird Club and artist at Outer Island. What a stellar bunch of humans!

Links:

* How to speak birdwatching slang - weekendbirder.com/how-to-guides/how-to-speak-birding-slang

* Cesar’s website - cesaronsafari.com

* Kylie’s website - kyliesoanes.com

* Sean on Instagram - @sean.dooley.birdman

* Birdlife Australia's website - birdlife.org.au

* Aussie Bird Count - aussiebirdcount.org.au

* Steph's Outer Island website - outerisland.com.au

* Steph's Sydney Bird Club website - sydneybirdclub.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fall in love with Australia’s two largest (and flightless) birds. This episode explores what makes these big birds so special, from their impressive size and strength to the important job they play in the Australian landscape.

Luca is an 12-year old nature lover and birder who lives in Naarm (Melbourne) and feels most at home in nature. His fondness and respect for wildlife was first inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s programs. Luca’s fascination for birds began through art at the age of 7, when he started drawing birds and devouring bird identification books. This ignited a passion for birdwatching and bird photography. For Luca, drawing and photographing birds continue to be central in getting to know Australian birds and those living in other parts of the world. Luca carries his passion for birding where ever he goes, whether he is camping, hiking, surfing or on a road trip. He loves sharing his knowledge of birds with others as much as he enjoys learning from birders he meets on his nature adventures. 

Links:

* Weekend Birder is now on YouTube - @WeekendBirder

* Weekend Birder is now on TikTok - @weekend.birder

* Subscribe to the Monthly Letter - weekendbirder.com/monthly-letter

* Recordings by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

* YouTube - @WeekendBirder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get to know one of Australia’s most endearing birds. This episode is about the re-introduction of the Bush Stone-curlew on to Millowl (Phillip Island) and the sewing of tiny bird backpacks.

Paula Wasiak began her wildlife research journey in 2007 and spent over 15 years covered in penguin poop and elbow deep in burrows, while she coordinated and conducted field data collection for the Phillip Island Nature Parks. She is currently undertaking a PhD through the Australian National University, reintroducing the locally extinct Bush Stone-curlew back onto Millowl, Phillip Island. Named a Superstar of STEM in 2023/24, Paula loves sharing her knowledge with different audiences, from community groups to students, and occasionally on the radio and telly.

Links:

* Paula on Instagram - @paula_wasiak

* Paula on TikTok - @paul.penguin

* Paula on Threads - @paula_wasiak

* Paula on Twitter/X - @paulawasiak

* Paula’s Superstars of STEM profile - scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/profile/paula-wasiak/

* The Littlest Penguin by Jedda Robaard - penguin.com.au/books/the-littlest-penguin-9781761341830

* Phillip Island Nature Parks Bush Stone-curlew re-introduction- penguins.org.au/conservation/education/nature-notes/bush-stone-curlew/

* Penguin Foundation website and socials - penguinfoundation.org.au

* Bush-stone Curlews before dawn recording by Ken George (XC857992) - xeno-canto.org

* Bush-stone Curlews in flight recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a live recording of Local Big Year Celebration 2024. This episode features the stories of birdwatchers who participated in Local Big Year 2024 and the delights that come from paying attention to neighbourhood birds.

Hugh Possingham is currently the co-chief councillor of The Biodiversity Council, and Vice-President of BirdLife Australia. He has devoted his life to stopping habitat loss around the world. He completed a PhD in Mathematics and Ecology at Oxford University in the UK and this led to a career in universities in the USA and Australia. He has mainly worked as a university professor and is currently at the University of Queensland. He also served two years at Chief Scientist of Queensland and four years as Chief Scientist of the Nature Conservancy. Hugh has over 1000 peer-reviewed scientific publications and his list of achievements goes on and on. Amongst all of this, he still likes to go birding at Oxley Creek Common in Brisbane.

Jo Bangles is a graphic designer, bird noticer, eco worrier (yes, worry-er), and occasional adventurer. She lives on the Surf Coast, very close to a small wetland she affectionately calls The Swamp. Her Local Big Year area started at the Swamp but quickly expanded to include the streets she walks down to get there. Her spark bird was a hummingbird she encountered on a deserted beach in Mexico over 20 years ago. It was a truly magical encounter!

Sophie Walker is bird enthusiast, and self reported “very average birder”, who uses birding as an excuse to get outside in the fresh air and spend time in nature. She works as a registered nurse in an intensive care unit, and so self care and hobbies like birding are a great way for her to wind down and reset her body clock after shift work. You can catch Sophie distracted by birds almost anywhere she goes and regardless of how “common” the bird might be, she likes them all!

Links:

* Weekend Birder on YouTube - youtube.com/@WeekendBirder

* How to do a Local Big Year guide - weekendbirder.com/how-to-guides/how-to-do-a-local-big-year

* Hugh Possingham on Instagram - @hugepossum/

* Jo Bangles on Instagram - @mojoxposed

* Sophie Walker on Instagram - @sophiealice08

* Set up eBird alerts - ebird.org/alerts

* Bassian Thrush recording by Marc Anderson licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drive one hour south of Sydney for a walk and some birdwatching. This episode is about the joys of a local patch and listening out for the Rockwarbler.

Kylie Savidge has been a keen bird noticer since childhood when her mother would often point out birds of interest. In later years, she became more interested in noticing the birds of her community - Wollondilly Shire in SSW Sydney. Joining Birdlife and social media birding groups has expanded Kylie’s knowledge and interest in a wider diversity of Australia’s birdlife. Raptors and robins have a special place in her heart and she trusts that continuing her bird noticing will expand her list of favourite birds.

Links:

* Weekend Birder Google Map - weekendbirder.com/places

* Cape Barren Goose recording by Ian Woxvold (XC603281) - xeno-canto.org

* Rock Warbler recording by Greg McLachlan (XC380577) - xeno-canto.org

* Black-faced Monarch recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.com

Weekend Birder online:

* Website - weekendbirder.com

* Instagram - @weekend.birder

* Facebook - @weekend.birder

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.