The Birdy Bug Pod

Matthew and Steve

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NATURE
EVERY TWO MONTHS

Just a father and son who are passionate about wildlife, photography and the environment. Grab a coffee and join us as we chat about threatened species and habitats, interesting news stories and the incredible work being done around the world that gives us hope. Oh, and we'll probably have a good natter about our photographic escapades from time to time too.

15 JAN

Positive Nature News from 2025

With so much bad news in our daily feeds, it’s easy to forget that people around the world are working tirelessly to protect nature, wildlife, and the environment. So, before 2025 fades completely in the rear-view mirror, we’re taking one final look back at the year’s good news for the planet. From species making remarkable recoveries and long-lost wildlife being rediscovered, to major habitat protections and hard-won environmental policies, there’s far more hope than the headlines often suggest. Join us for a relaxed and chatty episode featuring some brilliant wins for nature, many mispronounced place names, and a hopeful start to 2026. Our annual positive news roundup is always one of our favourite episodes to research and record, we hope you enjoy listening. 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 Thermal Cameras and AI Help Protect Rhinos in Kenya | World Wildlife Fund Nepal Reports Stable Snow Leopard Population | World Wildlife Fund Devon pine marten kits born in 'historic moment' on Dartmoor - BBC News Smallest otter in the world rediscovered in Nepal after 185-year absence | Discover Wildlife Gorongosa Conservation Progress and Success 2025 Rediscovered in a Forgotten Park: The Elusive Upemba Lechwe - African Conservation Foundation Mountain Gorillas: Rising From the Brink of Extinction | World Wildlife Fund Seal Greece: 1,000 Miles for the 1,000 Mediterranean Monk Seals Left on the Planet - Seal Greece

1h 8m
12/12/2025

Release the beavers!

We've mentioned them a lot but now it is time they get their very own episode. They're ecosystem engineers, climate change protectors, master builders, and have a tail with more functions than you'd think. You can't help but love them. So, join us as we dive into the fascinating world of beavers. From their unrivalled ability to shape landscapes and support entire ecosystems, to their extinction in the UK and the inspiring efforts to bring them back, we cover it all in this deep dive into one of our favourite animals. 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 https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/beavers https://beavertrust.org/beaver-basics/beaver-impacts/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/11/beavers-save-czech-taxpayers-by-flooding-ex-army-training-site https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/events/cornwall-beaver-project https://www.norfolkriverstrust.org/case-studies/returning-beavers-to-the-glaven https://rewildingeurope.com/blog/beaver-benefits/ https://news.westernu.ca/2020/08/ancient-beavers-cut-trees-for-food-first-not-to-build-dams/ Beavers: How and why they build dams - YouTube

1h 2m
20/11/2025

Much (more) ado about Curlews

If you’ve been listening to the pod for a while, you’ll know we have a real soft spot for curlews. They were even the topic of our second ever episode back in September 2022! Since then, lots has happened in the world of curlews. There’s been some sad news about the slender-billed curlew, but also lots to celebrate, with some great conservation projects underway. And on The Birdy Bug Pod front, Steve has a very exciting curlew update of his own. So, grab a drink and join us as we explore the latest curlew developments and chat about Steve’s new curlew venture. 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 Curlew Action – Action Now for Curlews Tomorrow HOME - Curlew LIFE Slender-Billed Curlew: The Latest Bird Extinction Explained Resources | Curlew Recovery Partnership Man treks 53 miles in bird costume costume to raise awareness about endangered Eurasian Curlew | New York Post

48 min
22/10/2025

Help the humble bumble bee

Big, round, and adorably fluffy, is there a more charming visitor to our gardens than the bumble bee? We don’t think so! Sadly, these incredible and vitally important pollinators are in trouble. 2024 was the worst year for British bumble bee populations since records began, with many species facing growing pressures from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Grab a drink and join us as we explore the fascinating world of bumble bees. From their remarkable adaptations and surprising cultural impact to the threats putting them at risk. We also highlight the crucial work being done to protect them and share simple ways that each of us can help our bumble bees thrive, right in our own gardens and communities. And of course, we tackle the big question: do they really defy the laws of physics when they fly? We had a great time recording this episode, we hope you enjoy 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 The UK's bumblebees are in crisis - Bumblebee Conservation Trust The national monitoring BeeWalk scheme - Bumblebee Conservation Trust UK bumblebee numbers fell to record low in 2024 - Agriland.co.uk Multiple habitats need protecting to save UK bumblebees, finds 10-year citizen science study - BES Genus-Wide Characterization of Bumblebee Genomes Provides Insights into Their Evolution and Variation in Ecological and Behavioral Traits | Molecular Biology and Evolution | Oxford Academic

56 min
18/09/2025

How the UK's largest bird of prey came back from extinction

Once widespread across the UK, the white-tailed eagle was driven to extinction by the early 20th century, but now, they are making a comeback! 2025 marks 50 years since the first reintroduction, when young eagles from Norway were released on the Isle of Rùm. Since then, the population has steadily grown, with birds now breeding across Scotland, and more recently even returning to raise chicks in England for the first time in over two centuries. Join us as we look back at the decline and disappearance of these magnificent birds, uncover the story of their return, and celebrate the dedicated organisations and tireless individuals who worked to bring the sea eagle back. 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! Have you seen a white-tailed eagle? We'd love to hear about it. Follow us @thebirdybugpod Links Return: Our White Tailed Sea Eagle Reintroduction Documentary White-tailed eagle reintroduction project | Forestry England White-tailed eagle reintroduction & conservation | Rewilding Britain White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction on the Isle of Wight - Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation White-tailed eagle saga - Dave Sexton

51 min
28/08/2025

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

1h 19m
14/08/2025

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

46 min
31/07/2025

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

56 min

Just a father and son who are passionate about wildlife, photography and the environment. Grab a coffee and join us as we chat about threatened species and habitats, interesting news stories and the incredible work being done around the world that gives us hope. Oh, and we'll probably have a good natter about our photographic escapades from time to time too.

Creator

Matthew and Steve
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

58
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© The Birdy Bug Pod 2022
Show Website

The Birdy Bug Pod