The Birdy Bug Pod

The Birdy Bug Pod

by Matthew and Steve

Season 1

Birds ARE dinosaurs

Did you know that birds are dinosaurs? Not just their descendants, but the last living branch of one of the most successful animal groups to ever walk the Earth. In this episode, we sit down with paleo artist, keen birdwatcher, and lifelong dinosaur enthusiast Sean Hennessy (aka Speed Thief) to uncover the fascinating evolutionary link between modern birds and their prehistoric relatives. We dispel some common dino myths and misunderstandings, explore how dinosaurs capture the public imagination, and discuss why they remain vital ambassadors for natural history and science. We also chat to Sean about how he sees paleo art as a powerful form of science communication and learn more about his fantastic paleo comics. Sean has probably had more mentions on the podcast than anyone else, we've been wanting to have him on for ages. It was brilliant to finally have him in the studio and chat all things dinosaur (prehistoric and living). Sean's art and socials: https://linktr.ee/speed.thief @speed.thief Get in touch! Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Discussing Dragonflies

Ancient, agile, and unmatched in the air, dragonflies have ruled the skies for over 300 million years. But in today’s rapidly changing world, how are they faring? In this episode, we explore the world of these remarkable insects, from their perfectly-adapted anatomy and impressive hunting skills, to the art, poetry, and legends they have inspired across centuries and cultures. We examine the state of the UK’s dragonfly populations, where some species are in steep decline while others are on the rise, revealing important clues about the health of our ecosystems and the effects of climate change. And we of course, highlight the brilliant work of the dedicated people and organisations striving to protect these extraordinary insects and restore the habitats they need to survive. Get in touch! Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links British Dragonfly Society - British Dragonfly Society Rare dragonfly introduced into a hidden corner of Cumbria Dragonfly species are colonising the UK 'at a greater rate than ever before' | Natural History Museum UK’s dragonflies are benefiting from climate change | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Rare dragonfly introduced into remote area of Cumbria to reverse its decline | Conservation | The Guardian Rare dragonfly introduced into remote area of Cumbria to reverse its decline | Conservation | The Guardian

Cuckoos & the challenges they face

A symbol of spring with its unmistakable call, the cuckoo is one of our most intriguing birds. From their truly unique (and brutal) breeding habits to their remarkable migrations, the life of a cuckoo is absolutely fascinating and steeped in folklore. Join us as we step into their world of brood parasitism, how they trick another species to raise their young for them and mostly get away with it. We discuss which bird species are more susceptible to becoming hosts and which ones have got wiser to having a rogue egg dropped on them. It's evolutionary warfare at its most captivating. Unfortunately, our cuckoo populations are facing a variety of challenges as complex as themselves. As the climate changes, disrupting their routines, they are struggling. But there is still hope. As we always try to do, we look at the brilliant projects being carried out to help these remarkable birds and hope they succeed in saving this iconic bird. Spring without the sound of a cuckoo is unthinkable. ** And a little game, while you listen. Matthew made a slight, and rather funny, error in the episode. Can you spot it? Get in touch! Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links Cuckoo Bird Facts | Cuculus Canorus Change in host rejection behavior mediated by the predatory behavior of its brood parasite | Behavioral Ecology | Oxford Academic Cuckoo Tracking Project | BTO Epic 7,500-mile cuckoo migration wows scientists - BBC News A call for the cuckoo: how to help an endangered bird | Gardens | The Guardian Population decline is linked to migration route in the Common Cuckoo, a long-distance nocturnally-migrating bird | BTO

Our 50th episode!

We’ve hit the big 5-0, and we’re absolutely chuffed! When we started this podcast, neither of us had ever recorded one before and we had no idea what to expect. But 50 episodes in and we're absolutely loving it. In this episode, we’re taking a moment to celebrate and reflect. We chat about how it all began, where the podcast name came from, and why Steve’s all about birds while Matthew’s mad about bugs. We also talk about why we love podcasting and who our dream guests would be. Plus, we throw in a few fun facts about our favourite creatures and challenge each other with a couple of quiz questions to see how well we really know our own, and each other’s, specialties. A relaxed and chatty episode to mark hitting 50. Come celebrate with us and get to know us and the pod a little better. A huge thank you to everyone who has listened so far! Get in touch Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links Amazing! Bird Sounds From The Lyre Bird - David Attenborough - BBC Wildlife

Incredibly Important Invertebrates

They may not have backbones, but invertebrates are the unsung heroes of the natural world, shaping landscapes, driving ecosystems, and even influencing the behaviour of top predators. In this episode, we journey into their fascinating and often overlooked world. We explore how termites engineer entire ecosystems, how ant behaviour can influence lion hunting patterns, and why a specific rainforest bee is the key to every Brazil nut you’ve ever eaten. While many invertebrates are now in decline, it's not all bad news. We share some hopeful conservation stories, organisations working hard to protect our invertebrate populations, and highlight simple ways we can all help support these vital animals. Researching this episode took us down all sorts of unexpected rabbit holes, something you’ll definitely hear reflected in the conversation. We hope you enjoy listening What’s your favourite invertebrate fact, story, or encounter? Come share it with us over on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you @thebirdybugpod. Get in touch Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links 'We cannot survive without insects' – DW – 06/22/2018 How loud is YOUR penis?! The waterboatman and his mighty member! Stream Lesser Water Boatman, the loudest underwater insect by terranova | Listen online for free on SoundCloud Figs & Wasps | How Are Figs Pollinated? | FoodUnfolded Letting grass grow long boosts butterfly numbers, UK study proves | Butterflies | The Guardian Ecological feedbacks. Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change - PubMed

The Scottish Wildcat: On the edge of extinction

Mysterious, fierce, and teetering on the edge of extinction, the Scottish Wildcat is one of the UK’s rarest and most elusive mammals. Nicknamed the Highland Tiger, this striking predator once prowled across much of the UK. But today, it's hanging on by a thread. In this episode, we take a closer look at what makes this cat so special, from its huge personality and charismatic scowl to its deep roots in Scottish culture and folklore. We explore the threats it faces, uncover the reasons behind its decline, and shine a light on the passionate conservationists working to bring this iconic species back from the brink. Contact: As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram: Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links: European wildcat | RZSS Wildcat conservation in Scotland | Saving Wildcats | Saving Wildcats Wildcat Haven Wildcats | NatureScot Wildcats released in Scottish Highlands in effort to prevent extinction in UK | Rewilding | The Guardian https://treesforlife.org.uk/

The value of volunteering

Everyone can play a role in conservation, from protecting wildlife to contributing to real scientific research. Volunteering and its powerful branch, citizen science, is making a real difference for the environment. In this episode, we explore the incredible impact of these efforts across the UK. From bird counts and river monitoring to tree planting and habitat restoration, passionate people are tackling climate change, preserving biodiversity, and shaping environmental policy. We also discuss how volunteering benefits individuals and communities and share our own experiences with these initiatives. By the end, you’ll probably guess that we’re big fans of volunteering! We hope you enjoy the episode and would love to hear about your own experiences or projects you’re passionate about. Contact: As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram: Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links: The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust Home - Earthwatch Europe Take part in a project | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do Join the Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain Tidy Big Butterfly Count From farm to forest: the volunteers planting 100,000 trees in Somerset | Trees and forests | The Guardian Nature's Calendar - Woodland Trust The Conservation Volunteers

UK Species in the Red

How are the UK's animals really doing? In this episode, we dive into the IUCN Red List, the world’s most comprehensive assessment of species at risk of extinction, to uncover which of our birds, mammals, invertebrates, fish, and more are struggling. Some of the findings won't come as a surprise, but others might shock you, as a few of our most familiar and commonly seen birds are in fact on the Red list. Rather than focusing on a single species, this episode takes a step back to reveal the bigger picture of wildlife decline in the UK. But it’s not all bad news! We also highlight conservation success stories, celebrating species that are making a comeback thanks to dedicated efforts. Join us as we uncover the challenges, surprises, and inspiring efforts to turn the tide for the UK’s wildlife. Contact: As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram: Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Peoples Trust for Endangered Species UK fish and chip shops are selling endangered sharks, DNA tests prove | Sharks | The Guardian Vendace and powan | NatureScot Endangered UK crayfish released into the wild at secret river site in Hampshire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust The State Of Britain's Moths | Butterfly Conservation

2024: Positive nature news from around the world

Amid the constant stream of negative headlines, we’re keeping our annual tradition alive and spending an episode reflecting on the positive environmental strides made in 2024! From newly established marine protected areas to passionate local communities defending nature, this episode is packed with inspiring stories. We've got dam removals, flying scientists teaching birds how to migrate, species reintroductions, and much more. As we move into a new year, join us for this uplifting look back at the brilliant work being done worldwide to protect and restore our nature. We love recording these episodes as they are a reminder that dedicated people everywhere are working tirelessly to make a real difference for the environment, wildlife, and people... and that is worth celebrating. What was your favourite positive nature story of 2024? Get in touch, we would love to know 👇 Contact: As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram: Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links Denmark will plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of farmland into forest | AP News Scientists taught this once-extinct bird how to migrate by guiding them across Europe | Euronews Herd of 170 bison could help store CO2 equivalent of 43,000 cars, researchers say | Rewilding | The Guardian As Zambia schools take on climate change, one teen is spreading the word in sign language | The Independent How a tribe brought back its sacred California condors - BBC Future Japan develops plastic that disappears within hours in the sea and boosts soil health - Times of India Amazon rainforest: Deforestation rate halved in 2023 - BBC News Wild tiger population increases in Thailand

We chat with wildlife hero Reuben Martin

Passionate young conservationist, dedicated reptile surveyor and winner of the BBC Springwatch Under 18s Wildlife Hero Award 2024, Reuben Martin joins us on The Birdy Bug Pod. Grab a coffee and tune in for a fantastic chat with Reuben as we learn all about his conservation work, his love for our native reptiles, the experience of appearing on BBC Springwatch and what it was like getting recognised in public for the first time. This episode is packed with reptile facts, inspiring projects, and some brilliant stories from Reuben's surveys. In true Birdy Bug Pod style, we wrap up with some heart warming conservation stories, shining a light on the incredible efforts being made to protect and restore our wildlife. We were thrilled to have Reuben as a guest. Seeing someone so young and passionate making a real difference for nature is truly inspiring. Make sure you check out Reuben's YouTube channel: Reuben’s Reptiles - YouTube And don't forget to follow him over on Instagram: @reubens_reptiles A huge thank you to Reuben and his Dad for travelling down to record with us! Get in touch Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi! Follow us @thebirdybugpod Timestamps 00:00:00 Meet Reuben Martin 00:06:42 Reuben's wildlife heroes 00:08:40 All about our reptiles 00:15:25 Reuben's conservation work 00:24:51 Winning Springwatch's Wildlife Hero award 00:32:16 Future career & Reuben's YouTube channel 00:38:29 Positive conservation news 00:53:59 What's next & wrap up Links: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Garden Dragon Watch | Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Home | Steyning Downland Scheme https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/help-your-heaths/heathlands-reunited/

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