76 episodes

From adorable fairywrens to cheeky cockatoos, welcome to the fascinating world of Australian birds. Kirsty Costa interviews birdwatchers, scientists, artists and comedians in this popular nature podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weekend Birder Kirsty Costa

    • Science
    • 4.9 • 109 Ratings

From adorable fairywrens to cheeky cockatoos, welcome to the fascinating world of Australian birds. Kirsty Costa interviews birdwatchers, scientists, artists and comedians in this popular nature podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    74 Eastern Yellow Robin - with Lana

    74 Eastern Yellow Robin - with Lana

    Get to know one of Australia’s most charming robins. This episode is about the behaviours, calls, habitats and genetics of the Eastern Robin. It’s time to get sciencey!
    Lana Austin has been working as a professional ornithologist around the world for many years. To name a few, she has been lucky enough to work with macaws in Peru, Toucans in the Ecuadorian Amazon, and Razorbills on the Isles of Scilly (UK). But in 2019 she decided to return to study to attempt to answer one of life’s biggest questions – are mitonuclear incompatibilities an under-appreciated cause of outbreeding depression? You’ve been wondering yourself, right?! In her free time, Lana moonlights as the President of Earthcare St Kilda, enjoys taking her cats for walks, and doing multi-day hikes. 
    Links:
    * Eastern Yellow Robin Project - https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/eyr
    * Monash University’s Wildlife Genetic Management Group - https://sites.google.com/monash.edu/wildlifegeneticmanagement/home
    * Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7
    * Shout out to our friends at Earthcare St Kilda - earthcarestkilda.org.au
    Weekend Birder online:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 18 min
    73 Eastern Osprey - with Pip

    73 Eastern Osprey - with Pip

    Deep-dive into the world of one of Australia’s charismatic birds of prey. This episode is all about the Eastern Osprey, and how a childhood of field trips and wildlife photography has led to a life-long love of birdwatching and citizen science.
    Pip Grant-Taylor is a retired TV Journalist Producer who concentrates largely on birds and wildlife photography. She has studied and photographed birds since she was a teenager. Pip’s absolute favourite bird is the Eastern Osprey. She is currently trying to identify the locations of as many Ospreys in the Moreton Bay area (including Sunshine and Gold Coast) as well as upper NSW. When Pip has time, she also likes to pick up the coloured pencils or paints and commit birds to paper.
    Links:
    * Pip’s website - pipwrote.wixsite.com/pipspixels
    * Pip on Facebook - @pipgt
    * Pip on Instagram - @pipgt
    * Pip’s photos on Flickr - flickr.com/photos/pipg-t/ 
    * Ospreys in Australia on Facebook - @OspreysinAustralia
    * Ospreys in Australia on Instagram - @ospreysinaustralia
    * Ospreys in Australia photos in Flickr - flickr.com/photos/ospreysinaustralia/
    * Osprey Watch (USA) - osprey-watch.org/about/ospreywatch-program/
    * Osprey World Nest Data - app.osprey-watch.org/dashboard/
    * Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7
    * eBird Hot Spots Map - ebird.org/hotspots
    * Birdwatching How-to guides - weekendbirder.com/how-tos
    Weekend Birder online:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 22 min
    72 From Dawn to Dusk - with Shelley

    72 From Dawn to Dusk - with Shelley

    Discover how patience and understanding light can create stunning wildlife photographs. This episode is about a photographer’s journey from a childhood in the Australian outback to a career capturing the beauty of birds. 
    Shelley Pearson is an award-winning wildlife photographer who immerses herself in the natural environment, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to photograph a captivating image. She believes it's all about utilising the light, different angles and perspectives to create photos that evoke emotion and tell a story. Shelley teaches and shares her passion through workshops, presentations, and trips. She is passionate about the ‘Wooleen Outback Experience’ trips she hosts with David and Frances Pollock at Wooleen Station in Western Australia.
    Links:
    * Shelley’s website - shelleypearsonphotography.com
    * Shelley on Facebook - @shelleypearsonphotography
    * Shelley on Instagram - @shelley_pearson_
    * Shelley on YouTube - @shelleypearson
    * Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7
    Weekend Birder online:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 21 min
    71 More than Meets the Eye - with Gráinne

    71 More than Meets the Eye - with Gráinne

    Answering your questions about bird bodies and behaviours. This episode is about bird feathers, eyelids and legs, and their funny little traits that are similar to humans.
    Dr Gráinne Cleary’s primary area of interest is helping to educate and work with the public to gain the best conservation outcomes for our urban wildlife. She is particularly interested in how we interact with the birds that visit our gardens, and this has been the focus of her last two books. As Australia becomes more urbanised, gardens are becoming an important sanctuary for our birds especially in terms of water, food and shelter. Gráinne is passionate about engaging with community about the birds that visit their gardens and the relationship that are formed.
    Links:
    * Gráinne’s website - grainnecleary.com
    * Backyard Birds book - allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Dr-Grainne-Cleary-Your-Backyard-Birds-9781760297350
    * Why Do Birds Do That? book - allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Dr-Grainne-Cleary-9781761067235/
    * Subscribe to the Monthly Letter - weekendbirder.com/monthly-letter
    Let's connect:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 17 min
    70 Birding in East Gippsland - with Luca

    70 Birding in East Gippsland - with Luca

    Meet an 11-year old birdwatcher who has a love for Eastern Victoria. This episode is about a unique part of Australia, birding wishlists and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.
    Luca is an 11-year old nature lover and birder who lives in Naarm (Melbourne) and feels most at home in nature. His fondness and respect for wildlife was first inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s programs. Luca’s fascination for birds began through art at the age of 7, when he started drawing birds and devouring bird identification books. This ignited a passion for birdwatching and bird photography. For Luca, drawing and photographing birds continue to be central in getting to know Australian birds and those living in other parts of the world. Luca carries his passion for birding where ever he goes, whether he is camping, hiking, surfing or on a road trip. He loves sharing his knowledge of birds with others as much as he enjoys learning from birders he meets on his nature adventures.
    Links:
    * Weekend Birder Google Map - maps.app.goo.gl/idqxtcxUDmUkDi1Y7
    Let's connect:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 14 min
    69 Silos and Sacred Kingfishers - with Geoffrey

    69 Silos and Sacred Kingfishers - with Geoffrey

    Look at Australia's birds through the eyes of an artist. This episode is about kingfishers, kookaburras and painting birds on huge grain silos.
    Geoffrey Carran has dedicated the past decade to painting explorations of Australia’s diverse bird population. Geoffrey uses his public murals to highlight endangered bird species that can be found in the artwork's locations. Using these murals and the public's interest in street and public art to raise awareness and start conversations about people's connections, memories and stories about their relationship with Australia’s birdlife and its importance. Geoffrey's paintings, murals and prints can be found in a diverse array of locations, from three massive silos as part of the Australian Silo Art Trail in the West Wimmera to murals in New York, Istanbul and London.
    Links:
    * Geoffrey's website - geoffreycarran.com.au
    * Geoffrey's projects, including silo art - geoffreycarran.com.au/blogs/projects
    * Geoffrey on Facebook - @geoffreycarranartist
    * Geoffrey on Instagram - @geoffreycarran
    * Geoffrey on YouTube - youtube.com/channel/UCYBNjbe0AV3rhmQM2FMEqQQ
    * Bird recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from wildambience.com
    Let's connect:
    * Website - weekendbirder.com
    * Instagram - @weekend.birder
    * Facebook - @weekend.birder

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 18 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
109 Ratings

109 Ratings

DWKH ,

Smooth podcast, easy listening.

Smooth podcast, passionate people talking about a subject everybody in which everyone can relate. A podcast that will motivate you into a brand new hobby!

Siouxj73 ,

Love it!

I really love this podcast, Kirsty always has great guests for are both interesting and informative. I love learning about what is going on in the bird community all over the country, and getting tips and tricks from more experienced birders and bird experts. Thanks Kirsty!!

Mojoxposed ,

Inspiring!

I just discovered this podcast, and I love it!
As bird noticer (but not an expert), I am really enjoying listening to the diversity of guests Kirsty interviews. I know a bit about the birds where I live, but it’s great to learn about birds in far flung corners of Australia. I highly recommend you give Weekend Birder a listen - especially if you’re just a bit curious about birds. It will inspire you to get out amongst nature and give you a new appreciation of our feathered friends.

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