Weekend Birder

Most of us live closer to owls than we realise. Beth Mott introduces us to Australia’s owls and their unique behaviours, and what we can do to help them survive. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/140-australian-owls 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com 🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com Birds featured: Australian Boobook, Barking Owl, Christmas Island Boobook, Eastern Grass Owl, Eastern Barn Owl, Greater Sooty Owl, Lesser Sooty Owl, Masked Owl, Powerful Owl, Rufous Owl and Tawny Frogmouth (not an owl). Bird illustration: Australian Boobook -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Powerful Owl was there the night Ben Cullen lost everything. He shares his deep commitment to birds, and the work he now does with Trust for Nature to protect habitat on private land. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/139-making-space-for-birds 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com 🎵 Recording by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com Bird illustration: Powerful Owl -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your questions kept coming! Dr Claire Greenwell returns to answer listener questions about leg colour, juvenile plumage, and how to photograph fast-moving seabirds with confidence. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/137-terns 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com Bird illustration: Fairy Tern -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia’s terns are fast, fascinating and full of subtle differences. Dr Claire Greenwell shares how to tell Fairy Terns from Little Terns, what makes seabirds so unique and why community action is critical for their conservation. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/137-terns 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Arctic Tern, Bridled Tern, Caspian Tern, Crested Tern, Fairy Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Lesser Crested Tern, Little Tern, Roseate Tern, Sooty Tern, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Black Tern Bird illustration: Fairy Tern -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonah Lafferty shares why Cairns is kingfisher heaven - from Little Kingfishers at the Botanic Gardens to Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers up on the Tablelands - plus his favourite local hotspots for birdwatching in Far North Queensland. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/136-kingfishers-in-cairns 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Blue-faced Parrot-Finch, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Little Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Silvereye, Yellow-billed Kingfisher Bird illustration: Little Kingfisher -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From its eyebrow to its shimmering wing panel, there is lots to learn about the Pacific Black Duck. Scientist and conservationist Jason Graham does a deep-dive (pun intended) into this impressive bird and provides insights into a large conservation story unfolding in Tasmania. 🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/135-pacific-black-duck 📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder 🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Little Wattlebird, Pacific Black Duck, Mallard Bird illustration: Pacific Black Duck -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artists Jane Ruston 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.com If 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-fund Zoos Victoria Emergency Wildlife Fund - https://www.zoo.org.au/donate/emergency-wildlife-how-we-help/ Birds mentioned in this episode: Gang-gang Cockatoo, Regent Parrot Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Magpie-Lark, Noisy Miner, Superb Fairywren, Zebra Finch Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Comb-crested Jacana, African Jacana Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Boobook, Green Catbird, Rufous Whistler Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Arabian Babbler, Pied Babbler Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Arctic Tern, Barking Owl, Magpie, Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Spotted Pardalote, Swamp Harrier Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Australia’s five cormorants Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: European Starling, Superb Fairywren, Wompoo Fruit-dove Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: White-faced Storm-Petrel, Grey-headed Albatross Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Pied Currawong, Golden-shouldered Parrot Bird 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.com Birds mentioned in this episode: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Bird 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.com Bird 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.com Bird 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.com Bird illustration: Forty-spotted Pardalote -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.