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Ep20 UK Wildlife Podcast – Rockpools

We talk about Rockpools; the wildlife found there and the extreme environment in which they have to survive. In news we cover yet more BOP being killed in North Yorkshire and numerous cases of dogs attacking wildlife.

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Ep21 – Hydra

A (very) short episode where Neil talks about our freshwater Cnidarians, the usually marine group that include corals and sea anemones, which focuses on the freshwater Hydra species. With a brief look at the alien freshwater jellyfish that occasionally turn up in the UK as well.

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Ep22 – Newts

Neil and guest host herpetologist Steve Allain discuss the UK’s Newt species. They talk about smooth, palmate and great crested newts, their habits, feeding and breeding and also look at the non native alpine and Italian crested newts, and neotony that sometimes occurs in UK species. In news they look at the pollution spill kills…

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Ep 23 – Raptor Persecution and Welsh Wildlife with Iolo Williams

We talk to Iolo Williams about raptor persecution and the wildlife found in Wales. We also discuss and Iolo answers questions on how he ended up as a wildlife presenter, his favourite wildlife encounter, the effects of cats and pheasants on wildlife, Mya Bambricks plan to get more wildlife habitat in schools, where to look…

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Ep24 – Wasp Spider Special

In this species special we look at the Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi, discussing their feeding behaviour, the males struggling to not be cannibalised while trying to mate with females, the possible function of both their striped body markings and the zig-zag of silk in their web, which is known as a ‘stabilimentum’.  We also look at…

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Ep25 – Beaver Reintroduction with Derek Gow

We talk to Derek Gow about Beaver reintroduction and the story behind it, which is the topic for his book ‘Bringing Back the Beaver’ (available at all good bookstores).He tells the story of well evidenced projects that were stopped by the actions of an influential few, and the success that was won to keep the…

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Ep 26 – Flies with Dr Erica McAlister

In this episode we talk flies with Dr Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera (true flies) at the Natural History Museum in London. She is also president of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society, and author of the The Secret Life of Flies and her new book The Inside Out of Flies.Erica answers listener questions on flies and tells…

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Ep 27 – The Social Wasps

In this species special we look at the social wasps. We discuss all 9 resident species (and the Asian Hornet), their habits, feeding, nest building, predators and parasites, along with their sting and what exactly is the point of wasps?

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Ep 28 – Autumn Colours

In this autumnal episode we discuss the changing colours of tree leaves and the science behind it. In news we cover the successful saltmarsh creation at Fingeringhoe Wick in Essex, pheasants wiping out adders, yet more raptors being killed and some swearing parrots!

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Ep29 – Nature’s Health Benefits with Dr Amir Khan GP

We are joined by Dr Amir Khan GP, known from Channel 5’s GPs Behind Closed Doors, BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, and ambassador for the Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation, to discuss health benefits of wildlife, getting under represented groups access to nature and these benefits, the wonderful wildlife in his garden and Yorkshire,…

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Ep 30 – Halloween Special: UK Cryptids with Cian Gill

We are joined by Cian Gill for a bit of a fun episode for Halloween. We discuss some of the weird and bizarre fantastical creatures (and monsters) that people claim to have seen in the UK. We delve into the world of Cryptozoology talking about sightings of Nessie the Loch Ness monster, Morgawr (the Cornish…

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Ep 31 – Fieldfares and Redwings

We discuss the 2 British winter thrush species – Redwing and Fieldfare. Their identification, migration, feeding and breeding habits. In news we talk about the charging of an owner who let their dog kill a deer in Richmond Park, the rediscovery of the Great Fox-Spider and concerns about government interference of the post Brexit environmental…

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Ep32 – Dr George McGavin

For our 1 year anniversary special we are joined by entomologist and wildlife presenter George McGavin, discussing how he got into entomology and then broadcasting, bot flies, the important conservation role that has been played by Scottish midges and what happened when he was left alone in a dark cave among many other subjects! Here…

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Ep33 – Wildlife Photography Competitions and Ethics with Rob Read

We discuss Wildlife Photography Competitions and Ethics with our guest Rob Read who runs the Wild Art photography competition. We also talk about wildlife writing with his Purple Crow subscription service. We talk through how to set rules in competitions and how this links in with ethics of getting the shot and navigating the grey…

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Ep34 – Wildlife Kate

We chat to Kate MacRae about teaching children outside, about wildlife/nature (including remotely during the lockdown!), the remote wildlife cameras in her garden, tips on using trailcams and a host of other things!

Ep35 – Leeches

A bit of a different episode, with just Neil and he is talking about a much maligned group of animals, the leeches, and how his fear turned to fascination. With some cool facts and his personal experiences of these largely misunderstood creatures.

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Ep36 – Snowdrops and Winter Aconites

We talk about the 2 main winter flowers Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. Looking at the natural history of these 2 plants that are not native, but found in the wild of the UK We choose our favourite nature moment from 2020 and share some of yours. In news we discuss the last welsh Golden Eagle…

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Ep37 – Entomology + Carrion Beetles with Ash Whiffin

We talk to entomologist and museum curator Ashleigh Whiffin, discussing how she got to being a museum curator and entomologist, the need for taking specimens in entomology and how entomological displays have changed over the years. We also discuss Carrion Beetles, their wonderful behaviours of this group, (which include a surprising amount of parental care),…

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Ep38 – Freshwater Filmmaking with Jack Perks

We talk to the fish twitcher himself, Jack Perks, about how he ended up filming freshwater fish and other wildlife, his quest to film every species of British freshwater fish and many other things. In news we cover the call by conservationists to monitor our smaller streams and ponds, andJack also gives his insights on…

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Ep 39 – Tawny owls

We talk about tawny owls which are very active and calling at this time of year. In news we discuss The badger cull ‘halting’, using birth control to control squirrels, more raptor persecution and a strange arrangement between Natural England and BASC, a study showing half of all bird biomass in August is non native…

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