Weekend Birder

Get to know one of Australia’s most charming robins. This episode is about the behaviours, calls, habitats and genetics of the Eastern Robin. It’s time to get sciencey!Lana Austin has been working as a professional ornithologist around the world for many years. To name a few, she has been lucky enough to work with macaws in Peru, Toucans in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and Razorbills on the Isles of Scilly (UK). But in 2019 she decided to return to study to attempt to answer one of life’s biggest questions – are mitonuclear incompatibilities an under-appreciated cause of outbreeding depression? You’ve been wondering yourself, right?! In her free time, Lana moonlights as the President of Earthcare St Kilda, enjoys taking her cats for walks, and doing multi-day hikes. Links:* Eastern Yellow Robin Project - https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/eyr* Monash University’s Wildlife Genetic Management Group - https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/wildlifegeneticmanagement/home* Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7* Shout out to our friends at Earthcare St Kilda - earthcarestkilda.org.auWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deep-dive into the world of one of Australia’s charismatic birds of prey. This episode is all about the Eastern Osprey, and how a childhood of field trips and wildlife photography has led to a life-long love of birdwatching and citizen science.Pip Grant-Taylor is a retired TV Journalist Producer who concentrates largely on birds and wildlife photography. She has studied and photographed birds since she was a teenager. Pip’s absolute favourite bird is the Eastern Osprey. She is currently trying to identify the locations of as many Ospreys in the Moreton Bay area (including Sunshine and Gold Coast) as well as upper NSW. When Pip has time, she also likes to pick up the coloured pencils or paints and commit birds to paper.Links:* Pip’s website - pipwrote.wixsite.com/pipspixels* Pip on Facebook - @pipgt* Pip on Instagram - @pipgt* Pip’s photos on Flickr - flickr.com/photos/pipg-t/ * Ospreys in Australia on Facebook - @OspreysinAustralia* Ospreys in Australia on Instagram - @ospreysinaustralia* Ospreys in Australia photos in Flickr - flickr.com/photos/ospreysinaustralia/* Osprey Watch (USA) - osprey-watch.org/about/ospreywatch-program/* Osprey World Nest Data - app.osprey-watch.org/dashboard/* Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7* eBird Hot Spots Map - ebird.org/hotspots* Birdwatching How-to guides - weekendbirder.com/how-tosWeekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover how patience and understanding light can create stunning wildlife photographs. This episode is about a photographer’s journey from a childhood in the Australian outback to a career capturing the beauty of birds. Shelley Pearson is an award-winning wildlife photographer who immerses herself in the natural environment, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to photograph a captivating image. She believes it's all about utilising the light, different angles and perspectives to create photos that evoke emotion and tell a story. Shelley teaches and shares her passion through workshops, presentations, and trips. She is passionate about the ‘Wooleen Outback Experience’ trips she hosts with David and Frances Pollock at Wooleen Station in Western Australia.Links:* Shelley’s website - shelleypearsonphotography.com* Shelley on Facebook - @shelleypearsonphotography* Shelley on Instagram - @shelley_pearson_* Shelley on YouTube - @shelleypearson* Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7Weekend Birder online:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Answering your questions about bird bodies and behaviours. This episode is about bird feathers, eyelids and legs, and their funny little traits that are similar to humans.Dr Gráinne Cleary’s primary area of interest is helping to educate and work with the public to gain the best conservation outcomes for our urban wildlife. She is particularly interested in how we interact with the birds that visit our gardens, and this has been the focus of her last two books. As Australia becomes more urbanised, gardens are becoming an important sanctuary for our birds especially in terms of water, food and shelter. Gráinne is passionate about engaging with community about the birds that visit their gardens and the relationship that are formed.Links:* Gráinne’s website - grainnecleary.com* Backyard Birds book - allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Dr-Grainne-Cleary-Your-Backyard-Birds-9781760297350* Why Do Birds Do That? book - allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Dr-Grainne-Cleary-9781761067235/* Subscribe to the Monthly Letter - weekendbirder.com/monthly-letterLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet an 11-year old birdwatcher who has a love for Eastern Victoria. This episode is about a unique part of Australia, birding wishlists and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.Luca is an 11-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 Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7Let's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look at Australia's birds through the eyes of an artist. This episode is about kingfishers, kookaburras and painting birds on huge grain silos.Geoffrey Carran has dedicated the past decade to painting explorations of Australia’s diverse bird population. Geoffrey uses his public murals to highlight endangered bird species that can be found in the artwork's locations. Using these murals and the public's interest in street and public art to raise awareness and start conversations about people's connections, memories and stories about their relationship with Australia’s birdlife and its importance. Geoffrey's paintings, murals and prints can be found in a diverse array of locations, from three massive silos as part of the Australian Silo Art Trail in the West Wimmera to murals in New York, Istanbul and London.Links:* Geoffrey's website - geoffreycarran.com.au* Geoffrey's projects, including silo art - geoffreycarran.com.au/blogs/projects* Geoffrey on Facebook - @geoffreycarranartist* Geoffrey on Instagram - @geoffreycarran* Geoffrey on YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCYBNjbe0AV3rhmQM2FMEqQQ* Bird recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gain new insights into birds, traditional knowledge and ecology. This episode is about the health of Country, life in the Otways and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo.Dr Jack Pascoe is a Yuin man living on Gadabanut Country. He studied predator ecology, fire, wildlife and botany. He has led a program of applied ecological research in the Otway region for over a decade. Jack recently crossed the line to become some sort of pseudo scientist, academic and activist. He works at the University of Melbourne and is a chief councillor on the Biodiversity Council.Links:* Jack on Twitter/X - @JackHPascoe* Jack's research and articles - findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/861920-jack-pascoe* Biodiversity Council - biodiversitycouncil.org.au* Conservation Ecology Centre - conservationecologycentre.org* Bird recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the intricate world of bird feathers. This episode is about feather colour and structure, and the nesting habits of waterfowl.Freia Noss is a lifelong birder and bushwalker, living and working on Dharug and Gundungurra land in the Blue Mountains. During the week she works on re-vegetation projects on rural properties in Australia. In her free time, she enjoys making artworks of the beautiful native Australian flora and fauna she encounters. Freia has degrees in both art theory and environmental science, and studied conservation biology in the Peruvian Amazon, with a focus on bird and butterfly biodiversity. Her art practice has become an important a way for her to re-connect with the environment after a long day in the office.Links:* Freia on Instagram - @wollemiwatercolours* Freia on Facebook - @wollemiwatercolours* Freia on TikTok - @wollemiwatercolours* Blue Mountain Bird Observers - bmbo.org.au* Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/9wQj2i6nsekRp2bH8Let's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the delights of one of Australia’s most popular birds. This episode is all about the Swift Parrot, the 2023 Australian Bird of the Year.Beau Meney has always been fascinated by wildlife and wild places, but his affinity with birds started at the age of ten when he first laid eyes on an enormous Wedge-tailed Eagle nest. Passionate about ecology and conservation, Beau later completed undergraduate studies and an Honours degree where he investigated egg predation among open-cup nesting woodland birds within fragmented Box-Ironbark forests. Now as NSW Woodland Bird Project Coordinator at BirdLife Australia, Beau works to conserve some of Australia’s most threatened birds, including one species very close to his heart – the Swift Parrot.Links:* Join the campaign for stronger nature laws - birdlife.org.au/campaign/nature-laws/* Participate in the Swift Parrot Search - birdlife.org.au/swift-parrot* Report an incidental Swift Parrot sighting using Birdata (under ‘General Birdata Survey’) - birdata.birdlife.org.au/record-survey#tab=programor email swiftparrot@birdlife.org.au* Report a Regent Honeyeater sighting (as soon as you see one) - birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater/* Beau on Instagram - @naturepriority_au* BirdLife Australia on Instagram - @BirdlifeOz* BirdLife Australia on Facebook - @BirdlifeAustralia* BirdLife Australia on Twitter - @BirdlifeOz* Swift Parrot recording by Ramit Singal (XC502302) - https://xeno-canto.org/502302* Swift Parrot recording by Vicki Powys (XC30641) - https://xeno-canto.org/30641Let's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoy the simple pleasures of watching birds through an apartment window. This episode is about Black-faced Cuckooshrikes, pardalotes and the joys of birdwatching at home.Christine Parrott works in a non-birding career and appreciates birds on the side, although many times she wishes it was the other way around! As an adult birdwatching convert, she is still full of enthusiasm for all birds, even the common ones. During the first Victorian COVID lockdown she used all the extra bird observation time to turn appreciation into a side hustle, producing illustrations of local birds.Links:* Christine’s website - redbubble.com/shop/ap/155663307* Christine on Instagram - @pforparrot* Bird recordings are by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a walk along Australia's stunning coastline to meet the birds that call the beach their home. This episode is about curlews, plovers, gulls, terns and oystercatchers.Bridget Farmer is originally from Northern Ireland. She initially visited Australia to friends but fell in love with the country (and a certain Australian man) and stayed longer than expected. She lives in country Victoria with her husband, two young sons, a whole flock of chickens and a studio rabbit. Bridget is a printmaker and her work celebrates Australia’s birdlife and her chooks. She has written and illustrated three children’s books… and there are more on the way.Links:* Bridget's website - bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com* Bridget on Facebook - @bridgetfarmerprintmaker* Bridget on Instagram - @bridgetfarmerprintmaker* Bridget on TikTok - @bridgetfarmerprintmaker* BirdLife Australia - Gluepot Reserve - gluepot.org* Eastern Curlew recording is by Nigel Jacket (XC233203) - xeno-canto.orgLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get inspired by the projects that are helping urban birds to thrive. This episode is about designing new bird habitats, an unexpected cassowary in your kitchen and the joy of seeing a Purple-crowned Lorikeet in a KFC car park.Dr. Kylie Soanes is a scientist on a mission to save nature in our cities and towns. Her research brings together the fields of urban ecology and biodiversity conservation to ask ‘How can we make cities better places for wildlife?’ A leading expert in her field, she collaborates with councils, community groups, engineers and architects to make real change for wildlife in urban environments. Her projects often explore novel approaches to nature conservation, include building rope bridges to help gliding possums cross roads, 3D-printing nesting hollows for powerful owls, and adding floating wetlands to busy city rivers.Links:* Kylie’s website - kyliesoanes.com* Kylie on Instagram - @drkyliesoanes* Kylie on TikTok - @drkyliesoanes* Kylie on Twitter/X - @kyliesoanes* Floating wetlands project - melbourne.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/shaping-the-city/city-projects/Pages/birrarung-trial-floating-wetlands.aspx* Powerful Owl project - sustainablecampus.unimelb.edu.au/biodiversity/powerful-owl-nest* Purple-crowned Lorikeet recording is by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Embark on a journey to northern Australia with Paralympian Richard Cordukes. This episode is about the Western Bowerbird, Gouldian Finch and birdwatching in a wheelchair.Richard Cordukes is a distinguished Paralympic athlete and advocate renowned for his unwavering commitment to inclusion. Despite becoming a quadriplegic in 1976, Richard swiftly immersed himself in wheelchair sports and representing New South Wales at the National Wheelchair Games just a year later. His illustrious athletic career saw him break records and secure silver and bronze medals at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics. Richard's tireless advocacy for accessibility and equality earned him accolades such as the Life Membership of Wheelchair Sports NSW in 2011 and Australian Sports Medal in 2000. And, for over 30 years, Richard has also been a birdwatcher.Links:* Richard Cordukes entry on Wikipedia - wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cordukes* ABC short film featuring Richard - youtu.be/EZ7pwsotxBM?si=ywhbhCkAQogDqetK* Western Bowerbird recording is by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gain a new appreciation for the Australian White Ibis, the Little Corella and the Long-billed Corella. This episode is about the birds that live around us in our cities and towns.Dr John Martin is a senior ecologist in the Wildlife Services branch of Ecosure, an author, and a science communicator. Through inspiring community appreciation of and connection with nature, John aims to enhance the prospects for co-existence between wildlife and humans. John joined Ecosure in 2023, he has previously worked at Taronga Conservation Society and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney where he researched wildlife ecology, including flying-foxes.Links:* Big City Birds website - spotteron.com/bigcitybirds/info* Big City Birds on Facebook - @cockatoowingtags* Big City Birds on Instagram - @bigcitybirds* Big City Birds on Twitter/X - @bigcitybirds* John on Instagram - @wingtags* John on Twitter/X - @wingtags* How to Identify Corellas - weekendbirder.com/how-to-guides/how-to-identify-corellas* Bird recordings are by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.com* Red Parka store - redparka.com.auLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adventure to an island in southern Australia that is home to rare birds. This episode is about the Bruny Island Bird Festival, the Forty-spotted Pardalote and the Swift Parrot.Ella Roles grew up camping and bird watching with her dad, and didn't realise how much she was absorbing. When she studied outdoor education at Latrobe University, she started to realise that she could turn guiding and birdwatching into a career! Ella has taken people on walks and hikes all across Victoria and Tasmania, and has worked predominantly as a hiking guide in Freycinet National Park in Tasmania. She loves to hike, mountain bike, slackline and climb - activities that are in environments where she gets to see lots of birds! Ella is the Festival Coordinator for the 2024 Bruny Island Bird Festival and wants to tell you all about it.Links:* Bruny Island Bird Festival website - brunybirdfestival.org* Bruny Island Bird Festival on Facebook - @brunybirdfestival* Bruny Island Bird Festival on Instagram - @brunybirdfestival* Bruny Island Bird Festival on Twitter/X - @birdbruny* Forty-spotted Pardalote recording is by Pieter de Groot Boersma on xeno-canto website - xeno-canto.org/species/Pardalotus-quadragintus* Swift Parrot recording is by Ramit Singal on xeno-canto website - xeno-canto.org/species/Lathamus-discolorLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet a teenager birdwatcher who loves conservation and photography. This episode is about connecting with birds during childhood, youth leadership and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.Luke Eaton has always had a passion for animals. His love of birds started when he was very young and when he was three years old he would spend hours with his family researching the birds he saw. From a young age, Luke has also contributed to conservation campaigns for endangered Victorian birds such as the Orange Bellied Parrot and the Plains-wanderer. If he had to narrow it down, his favourite bird would be the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. He considers it a birdwatching highlight to have seen one in the wild.Links:* Luke on Instagram - @l.eaton.photo* Book - Know Your Birds by Louise Egerton - goodreads.com/book/show/105538598-know-your-birds* Birdwatching Events - weekendbirder.com/events* Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo recording is by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn how to identify a range of Australian thornbills. This episode is about those tricky Little Brown Birds that live in our gardens, parks and local reserves, and also contains a refresher on how to use binoculars.Ricki Coughlan is a bird guide and nature educator with a particular interest in the behaviour and ecology of the Acanthizids - “Little Brown Birds”. She runs courses and workshops for birders and nature lovers and facilitates the occasional citizen science project, including the Boat Harbour Shorebird Study Group. She is also author of the book 'Little Brown Birds in the Sydney Region'. Ricki studied Ornithology at Charles Sturt University, has been a Warden at BirdLife Australia Broome Bird Observatory and an avian consultant for a number of NSW Coastal Councils.Links:* Aussie Wild (Ricki's website) - https://aussiewild.com.au* Ricki's book - Little Brown Birds of the Sydney Region - aussiewild.com.au/little-brown-birds-of-the-sydney-region/* Ricki on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ricki.coughlan* Ricki on Instagram - @aussie_wild_australian_birding* Ricki on Twitter - @RickiCoughlan* Guardian Australia - Birdwatching Changes the Way You Look at the World by Georgia Angus - theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/07/birdwatching-changes-the-way-you-look-at-the-world-it-truly-is-the-gateway-drug-to-environmental-awareness* Bird call recordings are by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover some Darwin birdwatching hot spots and a local community campaign to protect shorebirds. This episode is about where to go birding in the Top End, Red Knot seabirds and the Lee Point campaign.Dr Amanda Lilleyman loves the Top End environment and the Territory lifestyle. She came to Darwin from the Central Coast of NSW to study migratory shorebirds. Amanda established the BirdLife Top End branch in Darwin in 2018 (along with a team of enthusiastic birders) and then kicked off the Our Top End Birds campaign, where the community voted the Bush Stone-curlew as the top bird of the Top End. Amanda supports ongoing shorebird monitoring and protection in Darwin, and runs community events such as the inaugural Darwin-Garramilla Shorebird Festival.Links:* Amanda on Instagram - @drbird_amandalilleyman* Amanda on TikTok - @drbird_amandalilleyman* Amanda on Twitter/X - @dr_lilleyman* Darwin-Garramilla Shorebird Festival - shorebirdfestival.com.au* Places to Birdwatch in Australia - weekendbirder.com/places* Weekend Birder Local Big Year 2024 - weekendbirder.com/local-big-year-2024* White-lined Honeyeater recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.com* Red Knot recording by Mats Olsen (XC5917422) - xeno-canto.orgLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get the lowdown on the world’s smallest penguin. This episode is about the interesting world of the Little Penguins that live on Phillip Island.Paula Wasiak has worked at the Phillip Island Nature Parks since 2009. Primarily, she coordinates and conducts field data collection, supporting projects aimed at future-proofing penguin survival and unlocking the mysteries of the oceans. She also works with other seabirds when the needs arise. Paula completed her Bachelor of Science Honours looking at the role of calcium in the reproductive biology of Little Penguins. 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/* Phillip Island Nature Parks website and socials - penguins.org.au* Penguin Foundation website and socials - penguinfoundation.org.au* Fire-retardant native plants used to protect Phillip Island’s Little Penguins - abc.net.au/news/2023-12-19/little-penguins-phillip-island-bushfire-heat-stress-conservation/103227806* Little Penguin recording by Rob van Bemmelen (XC198156) - xeno-canto.org* Short-tailed Shearwater recording by Nick Talbot (XC177452) - xeno-canto.orgLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get to know the host of Death by Birding and his love of Australian owls. This episode is about the Rufous Owl, the Southern Boobook and the joys of sharing birdwatching with others.Cesar Puechmarin is a veterinary student and wildlife nurse from Mount Glorious in Queensland. He is an award winning wildlife photographer, specialising in 35mm film. His photography has been praised by Sir David Attenborough and has been printed in publications such as Australian Geographic Magazine. Cesar is also the founder of Blue Shroom Studios, a nature filmmaking and scicomm group. Credits include ‘Owls on the Line’ (a short film about the plight to save the Powerful Owl, which screened at festivals internationally), and the YouTube series ‘Pobblebonks and Kundagungans’ (about Australia's frogs). Cesar’s television appearances include Animal Planet's ‘Snake Boss’ and the WildBear production ‘Wildlife ER’. In more recent times, he has started the unconventional bird-watching podcast ‘Death by Birding’.Links:* Death by Birding on Instagram - @death_by_birding* Death by Birding on TikTok - @death_by_birding* Death by Birding website - www.deathbybirding.com* Cesar’s website and photos - cesaronsafari.com* Cesar on Instagram - @cesar_on_safari* Recordings of the Rufous Owl and Southern Boobook Owl are by Marc Anderson and licensed from www.wildambience.comLet's connect:* Website - weekendbirder.com* Instagram - @weekend.birder* Facebook - @weekend.birder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.