The Casual Birder Podcast
The Casual Birder Podcast

The Casual Birder Podcast

Suzy shares the joy of watching wild birds, from her garden visitors in southern England to birds seen internationally.
Learn how to identify species, notice their behaviours, and recognize songs and calls.
Join Suzy for recorded bird outings, interviews with experts and enthusiasts, and stories from birders around the world.

Suzy says: “Birding is a great pastime. It can be done with others or alone. You don't need expensive equipment, your eyes or ears are enough. And best of all, the Casual Birder can do as much or as little birding as suits them. It's perfect for fitting into our busy schedules.”

Find Suzy on Twitter @CasualBirderPod
Sharing the beauty of Nature - Faraaz Abdool
17 February 2025
Sharing the beauty of Nature - Faraaz Abdool
Faraaz Abdool is a published wildlife photographer, writer, and international tour guide.
Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Faraaz's deep connection to nature led him to shift from a career in engineering to focus on wildlife and habitat preservation.
His book 'Casual Birding in Trinidad and Tobago' not only showcases the region's bird species through his stunning photography but also provides valuable insights into their behavior and habitats.
Through his work, Faraaz aims to evoke a sense of purity and connection to the natural world, encouraging others to embrace a mindful and observant approach to nature.
 
Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2024
Links
You can listen to Suzy's previous conversation with Faraaz in Episode 98
Faraaz Abdool Website
Check out Faraaz's photos on Instagram
Faraaz's book: Casual Birding in Trinidad and Tobago
Find out more about Faraaz
 
Casual Birder Community
Find out more about the new Casual Birder Community
 
The Casual Birder Bird Club
The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month. 
If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us.
Find out more here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
 
Your bird stories
Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website
 
Support the show
If you would like to help support the show’s production, by buying a virtual coffee here 
 
Keep in the Loop
Sign up here for email notifications of news, blogs and episodes
 
The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/
Don't miss an episode - follow the show!
 
My thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net
Birding diary - January 2025
10 February 2025
Birding diary - January 2025
Episode Notes
Suzy reviews her birding experiences from January 2025, starting with the final week of an epic vacation to Australia!
Back in the UK Suzy joined a local RSPB outing and went to the New Forest with the Ladybirder sub-group of the Hampshire Ornithlogical Society (HOS).
While in the New Forest Suzy spoke with HOS Chair Keith Betton about his early birding experiences and the success of HOS initiatives to increase the engagement of young people and women birders in the group.
Also: news about a new Casual Birder Community!
Links
Bird lists
Take a look at the eBird checklists Suzy made from the locations mentioned:
Bruny Island, Tasmania
Chook Dam, Tasmania
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania
Eastrop Park, Basingstoke, Hampshire
 
Casual Birder Community
Find out more about the new Casual Birder Community
 
Books mentioned in the interview with Keith Betton:
Where to Watch Birds in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight: 5th Edition
Behind the Binoculars: Interviews with acclaimed birdwatchers
Behind More Binoculars: Interviews with acclaimed birdwatchers
 
Podcast buddies mentioned:
Hannah - Women Birders Happy Hour
Kirsty - Weekend Birder
Harry - Podcast Junkies
Lance Anderson's GoFundMe
 
The Casual Birder Bird Club
The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month. 
If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us.
Find out more here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
 
Your bird stories
Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website
 
Support the show
If you would like to help support the show’s production, by buying a virtual coffee here 
 
Keep in the Loop
Sign up here for email notifications of news, blogs and episodes
 
The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/
Don't miss an episode - follow the show!
My thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net
     
The binoculars that inspired a community in Ecuador #133
27 July 2024
The binoculars that inspired a community in Ecuador #133

Host Suzy speaks with Sandra Morocho (Birdwatchers of Quijos Valley, Ecuador) and Michaela Leeb (Swarovski-Optik).

Sandra lives in the cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. In 2014 she won a pair of binoculars in the Digiscoper of the Year competition run by Swarovski-Optik.

Using the binoculars stoked Sandra’s enthusiasm for sharing views of the local birds with her friends. From there, Sandra’s engagement with the wider community led to an initiative with local leaders to promote eco-tourism alongside conservation efforts in the cloud forest in the Quijos Valley.

Michaela tells us of the part Swarovski-Optik plays in supporting conservation efforts around the world.

We also hear how Sandra and Michaela would spend a fantasy birding day.

Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2024

Links

The 12 podcasts that presented live shows at Global BirdFair - take a listen!

Find out more about Birdwatchers of the Quijos Valley on Facebook

Or email them at quijosvalley.birdwatching@hotmail.com

Find out more about sustainability projects at Swarovski Optik

Your bird stories

Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website

The Casual Birder Bird Club

    The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month. 

    Sometimes we feature guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community.

    If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us.

    Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club

Support the show

If you would like to help support the show’s production buy a virtual coffee here 

Keep in the Loop

Sign up here for email notifications of news, blogs and episodes

 

The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/

Don't miss an episode - follow the show!

My thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net

The power of finding your community - Stephen Moss
08 July 2024
The power of finding your community - Stephen Moss

Naturalist, author and broadcaster Stephen Moss joins Suzy in a wide-ranging conversation covering the importance of supporting younger members of the wildlife community, recovery from serious illness and the challenges of making individual efforts to mitigate the biodiversity crisis.

Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2023

 

Links:

Global BirdFair information and tickets: Global BirdFair website

Link to my last episode with Stephen: Stephen Moss at Global BirdFair 2022

Your bird stories

Tell me about your bird sightings - contact me on the casualbirder.com website

The Casual Birder Bird Club

    The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month.  Sometimes we feature guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community. If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us. Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
    Read more about the club here: Club FAQs

Support the show

If you would like to help support the show’s production, you can add to the show’s tip jar by buying me a virtual coffee here 

Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net

A passion for wildlife - Mike Dilger
28 June 2024
A passion for wildlife - Mike Dilger

Ecologist, writer, and wildlife presenter Mike Dilger is a familiar face from his appearances on popular shows such as BBC's The One Show and Springwatch.

With a lifelong passion for plants, insects, and birds, Mike has dedicated his career to studying and understanding wildlife. His extensive fieldwork has taken him around the world.

As a respected wildlife communicator, Mike shares his knowledge through wildlife filmmaking, writing, and public speaking engagements.

In addition, his expertise and genuine love for nature make him a perfect guide for specialist wildlife vacations where he enables others to learn about the natural world.

Mike reminisces with Suzy about the birds they have seen together, what excites him about the natural world, and how he came to write his latest book “1000 Shades of Green”. He also shares how he would spend a fantasy birding day.

Recorded at Global Birdfair 2023

Links:

Mike Dilger's website

Global BirdFair information and tickets: Global BirdFair website

 

Your bird stories

Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website

The Casual Birder Bird Club

    The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month.  Sometimes we feature guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community. If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us. Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
    Read more about the club here: Club FAQs

Support the show

If you would like to help support the show’s production, you can add to the show’s tip jar by buying me a virtual coffee here 

Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net

 

Aren't birds brilliant? Alan Davies and Ruth Miller
20 June 2024
Aren't birds brilliant? Alan Davies and Ruth Miller

Alan Davis and Ruth Miller are passionate birders.

In 2008 they gave up their jobs and sold everything to embark on an epic year-long quest to see and hear as many bird species as possible. After many adventures, on a journey taking them around the world, their final total was an amazing 4341 species, achieving a world record for the most species seen in one year.

They wrote about their adventures in their book The Biggest Twitch.

They now run a bird-watching tour company providing guided tours (with cake) in their home country of Wales and worldwide.

Ruth and Alan talk about sharing their love of birds with others, and how each would spend a fantasy birding day.

Recorded live at Global Birdfair 2023

 

Links:

Alan and Ruth's tour company: Birdwatchingtrips website

Global BirdFair information and tickets: Global BirdFair website

 

Your bird stories

Tell me about your bird stories - contact me on the casualbirder.com website

The Casual Birder Bird Club

    The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month.  Sometimes we feature guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community. If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us. Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club

Support the show

If you would like to help support the show’s production, you can add to the show’s tip jar by buying me a virtual coffee here 

My thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net

Passion & innovation in bird feeder design - with Finches Friend #129
10 January 2024
Passion & innovation in bird feeder design - with Finches Friend #129

Dick and Andrew Woods, who operate the family business behind Finches Friend bird feeders, prioritise the health of garden birds in the design of their products.

A passionate designer, Dick set out to revolutionise bird feeding practices by confronting the disease and contamination risks that exist wherever we feed our garden birds.

Not only do their feeders separate the food from contact with birds feet, they also encourage us to maintain good feeder hygiene by providing easy clean solutions through their innovative feeder design.

In this episode, Dick and Andrew, tell me about their latest product: the cleaner peanut feeder.

Timestamps & Links
    00:00:00  Opening 00:01:14  Past Episode
      Past episode: #128 Casual Birding in Panama City 
    00:01:27 Introduction 00:03:34 Conversation with Dick and Andrew Woods from Finches Friend
      Past episode with Finches Friend #119 Food, Feet and Faeces: the key to keeping our garden birds healthy Get 5% off the price of any Finches Friend product - valid until the end of January 2024
      Use the code CASBIR5PC
      Visit the Finches Friend website
    00:30:49 The Casual Birder Bird Club
      The Casual Birder Bird Club is an online bird club that meets every month.  Sometimes it features guest speakers, but most months a group of us get together to talk about the birds we've seen, share birding moments that have brought us joy, and ask questions or get help from the community. If meeting up with a group of friendly people from around the world to talk about the birds you've seen sounds like something you'd like to do, you'd be very welcome to join us. Sign up here: The Casual Birder Bird Club
    00:31:29 Wrap and Close
      The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/ Don't miss an episode - follow the show! Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show and to The Drones for the theme music Short Sleeved Shirt. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net
Collaborative leadership in conservation - Beccy Speight & Patricia Zurita #126
30 August 2023
Collaborative leadership in conservation - Beccy Speight & Patricia Zurita #126

Beccy Speight (Chief Executive of the RSPB) and Patricia Zurita (former CEO of BirdLife International and now Chief Strategy Officer of Conservation International) join Suzy to share their insight on changing perceptions and overcoming challenges as women in the conservation community.

And we hear how each would spend a fantasy birding day.

Recorded at Global Birdfair 2023

Timestamps & Links:

00:00:00  Opening

The October Big Day takes place this year on October 14th and The Casual Birder Podcast will again be entering a team.

We will also be supporting BirdLife International. Help us reach our fundraising target!

Just Giving link

00:01:12  Past Episode

Past episode: Focus on Birders: Chiara Talia

00:01:30 Introduction

00:02:32 Conversation with Beccy and Patricia begins

00:03:13 Patricia Zurita introduces BirdLife International and her path to joining the organisation.

00:05:26 Beccy Speight introduces the work of the RSPB and her background in conservation.

00:07:49 Beccy shares two birding memories that inspired her

00:09:00 Engaging with communities 

00:09:40 Patricia shares the International perspective

00:11:48 Beccy speaks of the power of documentaries like Wild Isles to raise awareness

00:14:22 Overcoming Challenges and Changing Perceptions

00:17:06 The Importance of Collaboration and Diversity in Leadership

00:20:00 A fantasy birding day: where would you go, what you see?

00:20:15 Patricia - New Hummingbird species in Ecuador   

00:20:45 Beccy - Shetland soundscapes

BirdLife International

RSPB

00:22:00 Suzy’s Birding

00:22:02 In search of a Nightjar

00:25:31 Stone-Curlew

00:27:38 Mis-identifying a Common Tern

00:28:18 Support the Show

Contribute to the show's tip jar

00:28:46 Keep in touch

Tell me about your birding

The Casual Birder Bird Club - sign up

00:29:10 Wrap and Close

Thanks to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show.

The theme music is Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones. Thanks to them for letting me use it. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net

The Casual Birder Podcast   https://casualbirder.com/