Get Birding

Spring’s on the turn, and the birds are getting busy.

From the surprisingly wild love life of the dunnock to bowing and puffed-up chests on city balconies — we explore what courtship really looks like in the bird world.

We’ll also get practical about nestboxes — where to put them, who they’re for, and how even a balcony can help the next generation fledge. With expert advice from the RSPB, we look at the small changes that can make a real difference as breeding season begins.

Sean will be joined by ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig with guests including Lucy Lapwing on her coastal patch, City Girl in Nature in South East London, comedian Toussaint Douglass making the case for our feathered city-dwelling friends, and Jason Singh on the unmistakable rhythm of the wood pigeon.

Produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.
This is a Get Birding Production.

The RSPB Guide to Nestboxes

Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material runs from Thu 26 – Sat 28 Mar 26 at the Soho Theatre, London.

“Love Is A Toad: Exploring our relationship with nature” by Lucy Lapwing is available for pre-order now.

The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.
To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Sean Bean swaps the perfectly pruned for the beautifully wild, discovering how ponds, hedgerows and a little untidiness can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife.

Along the way he's joined by broadcast legends and keen gardeners Zoë Ball and Jo While, ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, and NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan to explore why “messy” gardens are better for birds — and for our own heads too.

We head to the Forest of Dean with a Forest Holidays ranger, hear from our resident beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh on the great mimics of the sky, and dig into the science behind starling murmurations with Professor Anne Goodenough and artist Steve Geliot — exploring how these vast winter gatherings can lift us through life’s hardest moments.

Follow Get Birding on Instagram.

This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.
This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.

To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk

An open access publication on starling murmurations (using citizen science) by Professor Anne Goodenough is available here https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0179277
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the distinctive whistle of the Blackbird to the drumming of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, in this episode we’re tuning into the soundscape of the natural world.

Host Sean Bean is joined by an all-star chorus of birders, broadcasters, and musicians to discover how listening to birdsong doesn't just lift the soul—it physically lowers your blood pressure.

With contributions from NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan, music broadcast legends Zoë Ball and Jo Whiley, Elbow frontman and keen birder Guy Garvey, ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig, YouTuber City Girl in Nature, beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh and folk musician, nature activist and the founder of Singing with Nightingales, Sam Lee.

Follow Get Birding on Instagram.

This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.

This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.
To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk

Singing With Nightingales events are hosted by nature lover and folk singer, Sam Lee. Each event is joined by a different special guest musician. The evening includes musical performances by the campfire, an ecological tour of the woods, and post-dinner tales of this majestic bird’s life, songs and folklore, culminating in the now-famous finale: a silent walk in the dark to hear our signature human-avian musical collaboration under the stars before returning to the campsite.

Tickets for Singing with Nightingales are available now https://www.singingwithnightingales.co.uk/tickets

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

Get Birding is back for a brand new, fortnightly season—hosted by actor and longtime birder Sean Bean. In this opening episode, Sean grabs his binoculars and invites listeners into his garden to slow down, look up, and join the UK’s biggest citizen science event, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

He is joined by NHS doctor and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan, fellow birder, Elbow frontman and BBC 6 Music DJ Guy Garvey; ornithologist and environmentalist Dr Mya-Rose Craig; YouTuber City Girl in Nature; and beatboxer and nature sound artist Jason Singh.

The Big Garden Birdwatch runs from 23–25 January. All you need is one hour, a view outdoors, and a kettle on.

Follow Get Birding on Instagram.

This episode was produced by Hana Walker-Brown. The Executive Producer is Jane Gerber.
This is a Get Birding Production.

The podcast is made in collaboration with Forest Holidays, which encourages birdwatching as part of their guests’ stays, with nature sensitive cabins available in 13 incredible locations across the UK. Use the code GETBIRDING26 when booking, for £40 off a 3-night break or £60 off a 4 or 7 night break. The code expires on 30 June 2026 and is for breaks bookable until 1 October 2026.
To find out more, visit www.forestholidays.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK is nature-depleted and degraded, and the globe is living through climate crisis. How can we get where we need to be, empowered and living as part of a flourishing ecosystem?

As Get Birding closes its third series, Kwesia learns about the citizen's assembly that created the People's Plan for Nature, which sets out a public vision for reversing declines in Britain’s biodiversity.
Meanwhile she goes on a London nature walk with The Guardian's biodiversity writer Phoebe Weston, and chats to Southwark councillor James McCash about action required to protect nature.
Finally, Nemone Metaxas - radio legend & therapist - delivers a mindful meditation for all of us experience eco-anxiety.

Follow Get Birding on Twitter & Instagram. Series 3 of the podcast was a Peanut & Crumb production, proudly supported by Canada Water.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.