Welcome to our winter solstice edition of the Seasonal Sensations Podcast.

We welcome back Rachel DeSumma from Australia to talk about what is happening where she is, as they head towards midsummer's day on the other side of the world. Discussions involve everything from Christmas trees to tapdancing squirrel-gliders, and spider-eating potter-wasps to long-necked turtles!

Of course we also have our Seasonal Observations - what we've been noticing in nature since our last podcast - as well as What to look out for between now and our next episode.

The Mindful Moment is brought to you this time by Rachel - it is 5 minutes of guided meditation for you to enjoy!

In our Fascinating Facts section, Andy explains the significance of the white mistletoe berries and the red holly ones, and why evergreen plants were used in many ancient traditions.

So, take some time out for yourself and give it a listen!

Audio credits

The following audio clips are used under the Creative Commons Attribution License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sound effects from https://freesound.org/

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234889__nebulousflynn__dawn-chorus-birdsong-london-uk

265458__gowlermusic__sleigh-bells-sound-effect

483479__astounded__wind-blowing-gusting-through-french-castle-tower

Bird songs and calls, all from https://www.xeno-canto.org/

XC134246 - White-plumed Honeyeater - Ptilotula penicillata - Marc Anderson

XC200384 - White-winged Chough - Corcorax melanorhamphos - Marc Anderson

XC314200 - Common Starling - Sturnus vulgaris - iSpiny

XC329735 - European Robin - Erithacus rubecula - David M

XC579727 - Red Kite - Milvus milvus - Ed Stubbs

XC634853 - Common Blackbird - Turdus merula - Susanne Kuijpers

XC635431 - House Sparrow - Passer domesticus domesticus - András Schmidt

XC656392 - Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos philomelos - Guy Kirwan