Birding for Mental Health

In this episode, we’re exploring the connection between birds, nature and mental wellbeing — and why spending time outdoors can help us feel calmer and more connected.Host Sean Bean is joined by singer and actor Will Young, who reflects on rediscovering nature, gardening and the comfort birds have brought him through difficult times. Nature beatboxer and composer Jason Singh shares how birdsong creates a living symphony, while Kings College Professor Andrea Mechelli explains the science behind nature’s positive impact on stress, mood and loneliness.Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions, as Sean and Will reflect on creativity, grief, childhood memories and the peace that birdwatching can bring.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production.Wild Minds Substack by Andrea Mechellihttps://andreamechelli.substack.com/The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join The Flock for exclusive content: https://getbird.ing/starling-payment-form/In this episode, we’re tuning into one of nature’s greatest performances—the Dawn Chorus—and the remarkable reasons birds fill the early morning with song.Along the way, host Sean Bean is joined by singer and actor Will Young, who reflects on rediscovering his love of birds, and sound artist Alice Boyd on finding inspiration in listening closely to the natural world.Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions, and Jenny Shelton from the Wildlife Trusts shares how changing landscapes are reshaping the soundscape of Britain—and what that means for the future of birdsong.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. Wildlife Trusts Dawn Chorus Eventshttps://www.wildlifetrusts.org/dawn-chorus-dayThe podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re following the vast, invisible highways that birds carve across our skies each spring, and the extraordinary journeys that bring them back to us.We’ll learn how birds navigate thousands of miles using scent, memory and instinct—and what these epic journeys reveal about survival in a rapidly changing world.Along the way, Sean is joined by actor and RSPB ambassador Samuel West, broadcaster Johnny Vaughan on the thrill of a fleeting kingfisher sighting, and Chris Hewson from the British Trust for Ornithology tracking cuckoos across continents.Plus, Dr Mya-Rose Craig answers your birding questions and Zoologist Megan McCubbin shares important new advice on feeding birds safely as seasons change.Beyond the birds themselves, conservationist Nadia Shaikh and birding instructor George Joseph dig into the deeper story—how our relationship with land shapes who gets to experience nature, and why reclaiming that connection could be key to protecting it.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. BTO Cuckoo Tracking Projecthttps://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-trackingRight to Roam https://www.righttoroam.org.uk/Decolonising Birdinghttps://goldengatebirdalliance.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/goldengatebirdalliance/event.jsp?event=14193The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break.  The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we’re turning our ears—and our attention—to birds in danger, and the thinning of our skies.From the unmistakable, haunting call of the curlew to the growing gaps where birdsong used to be, we explore the story behind one of the UK’s most threatened species, and why World Curlew Day matters now more than ever.Along the way, we’ll be exploring how art, music and storytelling can help us reconnect with the natural world—and maybe even change the way we care for it.Sean will be joined by artist and big time birder, Jim Moir, ornithologist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, Singer David Gray, Founder of World Curlew Day, Mary Colwell and the writer Robert Macfarlane.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. Curlew Recovery Partnershipwww.curlewrecovery.orgCurlew Actionhttps://www.curlewaction.org/The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Bean’s love of birding began when he was a lad growing up on an estate in Sheffield. Long before he was an actor, he was a boy fascinated by books on dinosaurs and Sunday nights watching The World About Us with his Dad. From discussing the magic of the iconic film Kes to debunking myths about helping fledglings, this episode explores how a childhood connection to nature stays with you for a lifetime. Sean is joined by a flock of guests who discovered their passion at a young age: TV and Radio Presenter, Johnny Vaughn, Wildlife Biologist and Broadcaster, Dan O’Neill, Ornithologist and Environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, ​​12 year old, artist, naturalist and member of the Youth Council, Benji Fallow and our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh,Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As spring arrives, the skies begin to shift. Birds are on the move—and their journeys tell us what’s changing around us.To take a closer look (and listen) Sean is joined in his garden by artist, comedian and keen birder, Jim Moir and ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig.From the return of the chiffchaff to deeper conversations around conservation, this episode explores the ties between birds, the places they pass through, and the people who care for them including our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh, zoologist and conservationist Megan McCubbin and nature writer Lucy Lapwing, author of Love Is a Toad.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. “Love Is A Toad: Exploring our relationship with nature” by Lucy Lapwing is available for pre-order now.The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spring’s on the turn, and the birds are getting busy.From the surprisingly wild love life of the dunnock to bowing and puffed-up chests on city balconies — we explore what courtship really looks like in the bird world. We’ll also get practical about nestboxes — where to put them, who they’re for, and how even a balcony can help the next generation fledge. With expert advice from the RSPB, we look at the small changes that can make a real difference as breeding season begins.Sean will be joined by ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig with guests including  Lucy Lapwing on her coastal patch, City Girl in Nature in South East London, comedian Toussaint Douglass making the case for our feathered city-dwelling friends, and Jason Singh on the unmistakable rhythm of the wood pigeon.Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The RSPB Guide to Nestboxes Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material runs from Thu 26 – Sat 28 Mar 26 at the Soho Theatre, London. “Love Is A Toad: Exploring our relationship with nature” by Lucy Lapwing is available for pre-order now.The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Sean Bean swaps the perfectly pruned for the beautifully wild, discovering how ponds, hedgerows and a little untidiness can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife.Along the way he's joined by broadcast legends and keen gardeners Zoë Ball and Jo While, ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, and NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan to explore why “messy” gardens are better for birds — and for our own heads too.We head to the Forest of Dean with a Forest Holidays ranger, hear from our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh on the great mimics of the sky, and dig into the science behind starling murmurations with Professor Anne Goodenough and artist Steve Geliot — exploring how these vast winter gatherings can lift us through life’s hardest moments.Follow Get Birding on Instagram.This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.ukAn open access publication on starling murmurations (using citizen science) by Professor Anne Goodenough is available here https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0179277 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the distinctive whistle of the Blackbird to the drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, in this episode we’re tuning into the soundscape of the natural world.Host Sean Bean is joined by an all-star chorus of birders, broadcasters, and musicians to discover how listening to birdsong doesn't just lift the soul—it physically lowers your blood pressure.With contributions from NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan, music broadcast legends Zoë Ball and Jo Whiley, Elbow frontman and keen birder Guy Garvey, ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, YouTuber City Girl in Nature, beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh and folk musician, nature activist and the founder of Singing with Nightingales, Sam Lee.Follow Get Birding on Instagram. This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.ukSinging With Nightingales events are hosted by nature lover and folk singer, Sam Lee. Each event is joined by a different special guest musician. The evening includes musical performances by the campfire, an ecological tour of the woods, and post-dinner tales of this majestic bird’s life, songs and folklore, culminating in the now-famous finale: a silent walk in the dark to hear our signature human-avian musical collaboration under the stars before returning to the campsite.Tickets for Singing with Nightingales are available now https://www.singingwithnightingales.co.uk/tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get Birding is back for a brand new, fortnightly season—hosted by actor and longtime birder Sean Bean. In this opening episode, Sean grabs his binoculars and invites listeners into his garden to slow down, look up, and join the UK’s biggest citizen science event, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.He is joined by NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan, fellow birder, Elbow frontman and BBC 6 Music DJ Guy Garvey; ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig; YouTuber City Girl in Nature; and beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh.The Big Garden Birdwatch runs from 23–25 January. All you need is one hour, a view outdoors, and a kettle on.Follow Get Birding on Instagram.This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.This is a Get Birding Production. The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.