The robin and the nutcracker

Welcome to episode 23 of The BirdGuides Podcast! Ed, Ian and Josh are in the booth to catch up on the recent big stories in birding, from species splits and rare British breeders, to jet-lagged shearwaters and a bumper spell for eastern warblers, wheatears and buntings, plus much more.In this episodeIs Britain heading for a Waxwing winter?!Bumper redpoll numbers arriveWhat the new AviList splits mean for your listA new breeding species for Britain?Black-winged Kite edges closer to BritainTracking migrating turtle dovesJet-lagged seabirdsNovember patch goalsRecent rare and scarce sightingsEpisode timestamps01:30 – Waxwing winter incoming?09:27 – Bumper redpoll numbers17:23 – AviList's recent splits24:20 – A new British breeding species29:20 – Black-winged Kite breeding in Britain?31:41 – RSPB's bird of the year34:07 – Turtle dove tracking40:41 – Jet-lagged seabirds44:00 – Wallcreeper winter range expansion49:10 – November patch goals57:37 – Rarity round-upLinksEnjoy our special Black Friday deal with 61% off Bird News Pro until the end of November.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show.How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Coues's Arctic Redpoll photo by Ian Howard. Waxwing recording by Stanislas Wroza. Hawfinch recording by Lars Edenius.

Welcome to this bonus episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Brian McCloskey and Josh Jones are in the booth to talk about the Bridges of Ross, one of the best seawatching destinations in Ireland and Europe.In this episodeWhere is the Bridges of Ross and why is it so good for seawatching?Some of the classic species seenThe best conditions for seawatching at the BridgesBrian's 2026 seawatching efforts including some mega seabirds!Episode timestamps01:00 – Bridges of Ross intro13:00 – Brian's first visits20:30 – 2026 at Bridges42:15 – Future goalsLinksEnjoy our special Black Friday deal with 61% off Bird News Pro until the end of November.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Have you been to the Bridges of Ross? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Desertas-type Petrel photo by Brian McCloskey.

Welcome to episode 21 of The BirdGuides Podcast! David and Josh are joined by Arjun Dutta, Bioacoustics Support Officer at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), to discuss bird acoustics, sound recording, noc-mig, the BTO's Acoustic Pipeline and much more.In this episodeArjun's birding beginnings and early interest in acousticsThe BTO's acoustic pipeline – what is it and how does it work?Noc-mig addiction!Sound recording field highlightsFavourite birdsongHow perfect can AI sound recognition models become?Episode timestamps01:20 – Arjun's birding beginnings and early interest in acoustics10:23 – The BTO Acoustic Pipeline30:32 – Noc-mig and field recording42:03 – Future outlookLinksEnjoy our special Black Friday deal with 61% off Bird News Pro until the end of November.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Have you experimented with noc-mig or other sound recording before? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.

Welcome to this bonus episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Two rarities, the Rufous-tailed Robin in East Yorkshire and Slender-billed Nutcracker in Norfolk, have made major headlines this autumn. Josh and Sam are joined by Brian McCloskey to talk about these birds, their British rarity context and the twitches they sparked.In this episodeBritain's first twitchable nutcracker for decadesJosh and Sam tell the stories of their twitch to NorfolkMainland Rufous-tailed Robin draws massive crowds to Flamborough HeadBrian describes twitching the robin from Ireland.More nutcrackers to come?Episode timestamps01:15 – Nutcracker in Norfolk09:30 – Rufous-tailed Robin in Yorkshire13:45 – Tough viewing at FlamboroughLinksBirdGuides 30% off offer.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Did you see the robin or the nutcracker? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Rufous-tailed Robin photo by Ian Curran.

Welcome to episode 19 of the BirdGuides Podcast! Lots of birders keep lists – but what counts, what doesn't, and who gets to decide? In this episode, David, Ian, Josh and Sam debate the various grey areas within the hobby.In this episodeDifferent lists for different birdersWhat counts as seeing – or identifying – a bird?Does a heard-only bird count in the same way as one seen?Where does a bird have to be for it to count?Is there a difference between seeing a bird in a place and seeing it from that place?Should a bird count if it has been assisted by a ship, either deliberately or accidentally?Why do people keep Britain and Ireland lists?Episode timestamps02:10 – The most important lists for the guys04:03 – Observation type24:10 – Boundaries33:28 – Human intervention52:30 – The British recording area58:18 – Final thoughts and dream list additionsLinksBirdGuides 30% off offer.Get in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. What list is most important to you? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Ruddy Shelduck photo by Mark Woodhead.

Welcome to episode 18 of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, David, Ed, Ian and Josh catch up over the latest news from the birding world, recent British and Irish sightings and Ian's week on Scilly.In this episodeIan's week chasing rarities on Scilly!Chestnut Bunting in Shetland and other recent megasSpectacular Redwing vis-mig as autumn finally gets goingGrim Hen Harrier news from Co DurhamThoughts on the new banknotes featuring wildlifeBlackbirds hunting fish?Episode timestamps03:53 – Ian's week in Scilly11:50 – Chestnut Bunting in Shetland and other megas29:38 – Exciting vis-mig as Redwings arrive34:00 – Hen Harrier persecution in Durham?37:38 – Wildlife on banknotes42:03 – Blackbirds eating fish?LinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. What do you think should be done about raptor persecution in the UK? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Sora photo by Richard Stonier.

Welcome to the 17th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today is the first episode in our bonus Extra series, with David Campbell kicking things off by taking a look at typical flight calls of autumn thrushes. Now is the peak time to enjoy visible migration, including thrushes on the move, so in this episode David talks you through six species and explains how to learn their vocalisations.In this episodeHow to pick out Redwing and Fieldfare flight calls.Learn the sounds of two underappreciated autumn migrants: Song Thrush and Blackbird.Get familiar with fly-over Mistle Thrush.Tune in to the calls of autumn Ring Ouzel.A look at the very rare Black-throated Thrush!Episode timestamps02:51 – Redwing04:49 – Fieldfare07:55 – Song Thrush10:15 – Mistle Thrush13:20 – Blackbird16:39 – Ring Ouzel20:38 – Black-throated ThrushLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. What other calls would you like us to showcase? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Redwing photo by Andew Moon, Redwing recording by Paul Kelly, Fieldfare recording by Jarek Matusiak, Song Thrush recording by Phillipe Grange, Mistle Thrush recording by Lars Edenius, Blackbird recording by Stuart Fisher, Ring Ouzel recording by Benjamin Drillat and Black-throated Thrush recording by Cedric Mroczko.

Welcome to the 16th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, David, Ed and Ian are joined by Brian McCloskey for the first show in our new Travel series. Today's destination is Georgia, a small country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia that is renowned for dramatic alpine landscapes, massive raptor migration and rare regional endemics.In this episodeThe species that draw birders to Georgia.The wide variety of habitats.Twitching Great Rosefinch on horseback.Spectacular raptor migration at Batumi.Epic encounters with Wallcreeper.Episode timestamps03:00 – Brian's Great Rosefinch quest14:00 – David's two visits to Georgia19:29 – Spectacular raptors at Batumi29:00 – Chasing wild pheasants36:37 – Brilliant Georgian birdingLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Have you birded in Georgia before? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Great Rosefinch photo by Imran Shah.

Welcome to the 15th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, David, Ed and Ian catch up on some of the recent big stories, including the Northern Nutcracker irruption and some exciting megas, as well as good breeding news for Hen Harrier.In this episodeWhy are Northern Nutcrackers irrupting into Western Europe?Could a bird possibly reach Britain?A look back at the last records of the species on British shores.Good news for Hen Harriers at Geltsdale RSPB, but what's the outlook like for the species in Britain?A round-up of the rare and scarce news for late September and early October.Analysis of the latest BBRC report.Episode timestamps01:16 – Ian's weekend at Flamborough06:06 – Nutcracker invasion into Western Europe. Britain next?19:29 – Hen Harrier success in Cumbria and their UK status28:15 – Recent rarities, from Shetland to Scilly45:58 – BBRC report thoughtsLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Have you seen any of the recent rarities discussed in the show? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Northern Nutcracker photo by Ian Wells.

Welcome to the 14th episode of The BirdGuides Podcast! Today, Ian and Josh are joined by Lucy McRobert to chat about the Isles of Scilly and, specifically, five things that make the islands one of Britain's premier birdwatching destinations.In this episodeWhere are the Isles of Scilly and why is it so good for birdwatching?The joy of not having to use a car to go birding.Scilly's spectacular seawatching.The archipelago's famous track record of rare North American species.Memorable food on the islands!Scilly's special community.Episode timestamps06:50 – Being able to bird on foot16:30 – Scilly's special seabirding24:08 – Epic food!30:00 – North American vagrants41:35 – Scilly's community spiritLinksGet in touch by emailing [email protected] our range of field guides in the BirdGuides BookshopStay updated with the latest news at www.birdguides.com/podcastEnjoyed this episode? Please subscribe or follow on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help other birders discover the show. Have you been to Scilly before? Let us know!How to stay connected📱 Download the BirdGuides app: Real-time bird news in the palm of your hand. Get the BirdGuides app for iOS on the App Store / Android on Google Play.💻 Visit the website: For sightings, breaking news and other birding content, visit www.birdguides.com.📧 Newsletter: Sign up to our award-winning weekly newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.Follow us on social media:📸 Instagram: @_birdguides👥 Facebook: BirdGuides🦋 Bluesky: @birdguides.bsky.social🐦 X (Twitter): BirdGuidesSupport the showPlease take 30 seconds to rate and review us. Your reviews help other birdwatchers find the show!The BirdGuides Podcast is brought to you by Warners Group Publications.Red-eyed Vireo photo by Kit Day.