Weekend Birder

Artists Jane Rusden and Bridget Farmer share the story behind The 700 Birds Project - a long-term plan to travel in short trips and draw every bird they encounter. From Gluepot to Hattah-Kulkyne and Chiltern, they talk birding misadventures, advice about field sketching and why birds keep pulling them back into new places.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/134-the-700-birds-project📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comIf you want to help the people and wildlife affected by the 2026 Victorian bushfires:Trust for Nature Bushfire Recovery Appeal - https://trustfornature.org.au/campaign/bushfire-support/Harcourt Progress Relief Fund - https://www.gofundme.com/f/harcourt-progress-relief-fundZoos Victoria Emergency Wildlife Fund - https://www.zoo.org.au/donate/emergency-wildlife-how-we-help/Birds mentioned in this episode: Gang-gang Cockatoo, Regent ParrotBird illustration: Regent Parrot-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Gráinne Cleary explains what birds are really doing when they sing. Along the way, she shares simple ways to tune your ear and hear birdsong as communication, not background noise.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/132-wingmate🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Magpie-Lark, Noisy Miner, Superb Fairywren, Zebra FinchBird illustration: Noisy Miner-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandon Chapman chats about how birdwatching and game design come together in Wingmate, an app that helps people notice birds, build life lists and turn everyday walks into moments of curiosity and connection.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/132-wingmate🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Comb-crested Jacana, African JacanaBird illustration: Comb-crested Jacana-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shane and Kayte Cheney share how birds became part of their love story, from noticing backyard species to building shared rituals, travel memories and a joyful first year of birdwatching together.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/131-falling-in-love-with-birds🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Australian Boobook, Green Catbird, Rufous WhistlerBird illustration: Rufous Whistler-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revisit one of Weekend Birder’s most loved episodes. Dr Mandy Ridley shares what research reveals about Australian Magpies, including their intelligence, communication behaviours and how we can help them to thrive.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/encore-magpies🎵 Australian Magpie recording by Eddy Smith (XC747690) - https://xeno-canto.org/species/gymnorhina-tibicen📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Arabian Babbler, Pied BabblerBird illustration: Australian Magpie-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Savage shares how books and birdwatching shape the way we notice the world. From crime novels to picture books to non-fiction guides, Angela has a generous reading list for bird lovers of all ages.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/130-birds-and-books📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Arctic Tern, Barking Owl, Magpie, Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Spotted Pardalote, Swamp HarrierBird illustration: Spotted Pardalote-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympic swimmer Jenna Forrester shares how birdwatching fits between training sessions, the birds she notices from the pool, and why birds have become a grounding part of life under pressure.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/129-birds-between-laps📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Australia’s five cormorantsBird illustration: Little Pied Cormorant-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wildlife veterinarian, photographer and podcaster Dr César Puechmarin shares how nature shapes his work, his new book Nature People, and why birdwatching remains a grounding force in his life.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/128-nature-people📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from - https://www.wildambience.comBirds mentioned in this episode: European Starling, Superb Fairywren, Wompoo Fruit-doveBird illustration: European Starling-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pelagic trips take you far offshore to the seabirds most of us never get to see. Dr Holly Kirk shares what turns up at the continental shelf, how to spot albatrosses and petrels, and how to prepare so the day feels exciting rather than overwhelming.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/127-pelagics📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: White-faced Storm-Petrel, Grey-headed AlbatrossBird illustration: Grey-headed Albatross-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James and Josh from LYFER share the story behind their bird-loving brand, the currawong that changed everything, and how they’re supporting conservation through ethical design.🎧 All links here: https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/126-birds-business-and-big-hearts🎵 Pied Currawong recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at: https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Pied Currawong, Golden-shouldered ParrotBird illustration: Pied Currawong-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teenage conservationist Spencer Hitchen chats with Kirsty in Melbourne’s Royal Park about birdwatching, Glossy Black-cockatoos and how young people can create change with hope, optimism and community.🎧 All links here: https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/125-observe-learn-and-protect📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at: https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds mentioned in this episode: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black CockatooBird illustration: Glossy-black Cockatoo-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scientist and author Tim Low unpacks how parrots evolved in Australia, why cockatoos fill the 'woodpecker' niche, and the wild truth about carnivorous parrots.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/124-parrot-evolution📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.comBirds featured: Kea, Kākā, Little Corella, Pygmy Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatooBird illustration: Little Corella-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Birding with Cob shares how a Tawny Frogmouth sparked his passion, the global adventures that followed, and why birdwatching has become a worldwide community of curiosity and connection.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/123-every-bird-in-the-world📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds featured: Andean Condor, Flamingos (James’s Flamingo, Andean Flamingo, Chilean Flamingo), Harpy Eagle, Tawny FrogmouthBird illustration: Chilean Flamingo-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia’s 2025 Top Tour Guide, Cat Davidson, shares the magic of Inala on Bruny Island - home to Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Swift Parrots and Tasmania’s other incredible birdlife.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/122-pardalotes-and-parrots📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds featured: Forty-spotted Pardalote, Snowy Owl, Striated Pardalote, Swift Parrot, Wedge-tailed EagleBird illustration: Forty-spotted Pardalote-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Rove McManus shares his lifelong love of birds, from backyard Galahs to hummingbirds, and how birdwatching brings awe, laughter and connection.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/121-bird-bird-bird🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson - licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds featured: Hummingbird, New Holland Honeyeater, Galah, Striated Pardalote, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, Wilson’s Bird-of-paradiseBird illustration: Galah-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the secrets of the Tawny Frogmouth, one of Australia’s most loved birds. Dr Marian Weaving shares their fascinating features, quirky behaviours and how we can help them thrive in the wild.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/09-tawny-frogmouths-with-marian👑Tawny Frogmouth Named 2025 Bird of the Year - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/16/tawny-frogmouth-2025-australian-bird-year-winner🎵 Tawny Frogmouth recording by Marc Anderson - licenced from https://wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBird illustration: Tawny Frogmouth-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This joyful chat with award-winning illustrator Astred Hicks and BirdLife Australia’s Dr Holly Parsons is about noticing everyday urban birds, playful ways to watch with kids and the surprising travels of the tiny Silvereye.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/119-birds-that-connect-us🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson - licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds featured: Powerful Owl, Silvereye, Spotted Pardalote, Tawny FrogmouthBird illustration: Silvereye-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join nature guide Amanda Lamont in Broken Hill and Mungo National Park as we marvel at pink cockatoos and explore how birdwatching connects us to place, people and ourselves.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/119-birds-that-connect-us🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson - licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBirds featured: Australian Pelican, Chirping Wedgebill, Pink Cockatoo, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, White-winged FairywrenBird illustration: Pink Cockatoo-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the Season 3 finale of the Weekend Birder podcast. Hear Australian bird stories, questions, and recordings from listeners in this joyful community celebration.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/118-season-finale🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson - licenced from https://www.wildambience.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBird illustration: Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the magic of the Australian dawn chorus in this conversation with sound recordist Andrew Skeoch. Explore how bird calls can teach us about listening, ecology, and connection to place.🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/117-dawn-chorus-with-andrew🎵 Recordings by Andrew Skeoch - https://www.andrewskeoch.com📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.comBird illustration: Grey Shrikethrush-- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.