Rock 'n Roll Birder

This one’s a special episode. I’m out birding in a Surrey forest with my dad. Early mornings, crisp woodland air, and that feeling that anything could happen… and it absolutely did.We spent the day deep in the forest tracking down some serious woodland heavyweights. From the explosive power of Goshawks crashing through the canopy, to the subtle magic of Hawfinches quietly feeding high in the trees.Add to that the distinctive calls of Crossbills overhead, Marsh Tits flitting through the undergrowth, and plenty of classic father-son birding moments, and you’ve got a proper wholesome, high-energy day out in the woods.This episode is all about connection — to nature, to birds, and to where it all began.If you love UK birding, woodland species, and those unpredictable magic moments… you’re in the right place.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Rock n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the forests of Shropshire in search of one of Britain’s most elusive birds of prey — the mighty goshawk.Joining me is Charlotte Griffiths, a raptor expert, BTO monitor, and organiser of the Welsh Raptor Convention. Charlotte leads the Cudyll Cymru Welsh Raptor Monitoring Project for the British Trust for Ornithology, coordinating the monitoring of raptor populations across Wales and working with a network of field volunteers studying birds of prey.We spend the morning scanning the skyline and woodland edges, talking about the secretive life of Northern Goshawks, how raptor monitoring works in the UK, the challenges facing birds of prey today and why Shropshire is such an important landscape for raptors. Along the way we discuss everything from fieldcraft and conservation to the thrill of seeing a goshawk powering through the forest canopy.If you love raptors, woodland birding and the science behind bird conservation, this is a fascinating insight into one of Britain’s most exciting birds of prey.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Rock ’n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the fantastic Oare Marshes Nature Reserve in Kent, one of the best birdwatching sites in the UK, for a brilliant day birding with comedian, artist and passionate birder Jim Moir and the wonderful Nancy Sorrell.Joining us on the adventure are Sarah and Baby Birder, turning the trip into a proper family birding outing as we explore the marshes, looking for winter waders and coastal birds.During the walk we encounter a fantastic mix of species including Rock Pipit, Water Pipit, Curlew, Turnstone, Avocet and Greenshank, while chatting about bird names, finding robins, and a game he played with Bob Mortimer during the final series of Vic and Bob's Big Night Out. Oare Marshes is famous among UK birders for its huge numbers of waders and wildfowl, and it’s the perfect place for a relaxed but bird-packed conversation with Jim.I'm so excited to share this episode with you.See the amazing birds Jim painted from our walk here!Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder Podcast, I head to the legendary WWT Slimbridge with top birder Billy Heaney — and it turns into one of those unforgettable days.It’s the 80th anniversary year of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, founded by the iconic conservationist Sir Peter Scott, and there’s no better place to celebrate than this world-famous reserve on the Severn Estuary.Highlights from the day:FOUR lifers including the elusive Jack SnipeStunning winter views of Bewick’s SwansAnd a surprise encounter with wildlife legend Michaela StrachanIf you love UK birding, rare waders, wildfowl spectacles and proper conservation heritage — this one’s for you.Don’t forget to follow the podcast and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV for the full Slimbridge adventure.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder.Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder podcast, I head over to Wintringham with Sarah and Baby Birder to explore something a bit different — a brand new housing development project, and the wildlife that’s already starting to move in. Wintringham is a fascinating example of how nature can begin to reclaim and adapt to fresh landscapes, and we wanted to see what birds are finding a home among the new habitats being created. From farmland species and garden birds, to early signs of wetland and scrub specialists moving in, it’s a brilliant look at how biodiversity can build from the ground up.There’s also a full YouTube episode from the trip, so if you want to see the birds and the site for yourself, make sure you check that out too.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock ‘n Roll Birder, I’m joined by The Early Birder for a winter UK birding adventure at Deeping Lakes (Lincolnshire) — searching for one of Britain’s most secretive birds: the Long-eared Owl.We talk owl roosting behaviour, what makes Long-eared Owls so hard to find, and why Deeping Lakes has become a brilliant spot for birdwatchers hoping for a proper owl encounter. But it’s not just about owls — we also dive into the obsession that takes over every birder at the start of the year: year lists, big years, target species, patch birding, and how you stay motivated when you’re chasing new birds and the list slows down. Whether you’re planning your own big year, trying to build a stronger year list, or just love real birding chat from the field, this episode is for you.Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a guest we have for you this week! Natural historian, author, and television producer, Stephen Moss sits with Matt in his garden and discusses all things birds, Birding with Bill Oddie and Global Birdfair. It's an enthralling chat with a man who has stories for days. You're going to love this one. Do keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back for a brand new series of Rock 'n Roll Birder Podcast! We did promise we'd be back in January and we've got SUCH a brilliant series lined up for you with some mega guests. But we had to start the year of with our annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch from our garden hide. As Matt is terrible with admin please do send us more Birding Questions [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts and beanies are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello! And sorry! It's been too long but we're back with a special winter episode ahead of the brand new series that starts in 2026. Matt and Sarah head do some birding at RSPB Farnham Heath to try and spot the Crossbill. Is it a Christmas special? Who knows! But we're very happy to be back with a new episode at Christmas time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You wanted more chaos?! Well, Day 2 is here. Join us for another special episode as Matt and Sarah answer Birding Questions live on the Winchat Podcast Stage at Global Birdfair 2025! Thank you to everyone who came down to the recording. Enjoy this second dose of madness!Please do send us Birding Questions for Series 5 to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirder. We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Our t-shirts are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for this very special episode as Matt and Sarah answer Birding Questions live on the Winchat Podcast Stage at Global Birdfair 2025! Thank you to everyone who came down to the recording. Enjoy this 30 minutes of madness!Please do send us Birding Questions for Series 5 to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder.  We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Our t-shirts are finally a reality! Buy the Rock 'n Roll Birder merch here!Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Sarah are back after an unexpected break from the podcast. They head off for a walk around the beautiful RSPB Pulborough Brooks on a scorcher of a day. Will they see a White-Tailed Eagle? Or will the heat hide the birds away?Please do send us Birding Questions for our live episode to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder. You can find the schedule for the podcast stage at Global Birdfair here.  We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! The feature-length special from the Isle of Mull will be out very soon! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Buy the Rock 'n Roll Bird-er Food Suet Tubes here!Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt goes for a solo walk around Somerset to see what he can find. We love going out for walks with friends or family but it's also fun to go it alone!Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt heads to the Isle of Mull with Mike Phelps. They boys are treated to quite the range of birds but they are in particular search of White Tail Eagles and Hen Harrier. Mike shares the powerful story of how he got into wildlife photography and became an advocate for nature's positive impact for your Mental Health.Follow Mike on Instagram and YouTube. Listen to The WildX Podcast. And check out Apex Adventures.Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Sarah finally stay at Elmley Nature Reserve after promising themselves they'll go for ages and ages. There should be Marsh Harriers, Owls and Waders. Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food. And a final thanks to Gareth and Georgina for the stay! Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt and Sarah go off in search of Warblers. It's an episode heavy with birdsong!Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt goes for a walk with ecologist Akash Barua. They chat about his allotment, being a young urban ecologist and his Instagram series, 'Wild Endz'. They also see quite the spectacle right at the end of their time together, so stay tuned for that! Follow Akash on Instagram. Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] DM @rocknrollbirder We'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if youhaven't already! Thank you to this week’s sponsors GreenFeathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David Joseph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week it's Red Kite-fest with Photographer, YouTuber and Podcaster Adam Juckes.Follow Adam Juckes on Instagram and YouTube. Book your trip with Apex Adventures here. And make sure to check out The WildX Podcast.Keep your Birding Snacks and Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirderWe'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David JosephFor Wren Productions Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt goes for a walk around Hampstead Heath with naturalist, nature podcaster and professional dog walker, Ryan Dalton. Follow Ryan on Instagram and check out his podcast, Into the Wild. Keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirderWe'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David JosephFor Wren Productions Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Matt and Sarah head outside their house for a birdwatching walk. You don't need to go to a reserve or beauty spot to appreciate the birds... just put your trainers on and see what you can see outside your front door!Let us know how many species you spot and if there's anything of note!Keep your Birding Questions coming to [email protected] or DM @rocknrollbirderWe'd love it if you'd go and subscribe to Rock 'n Roll Birder TV on YouTube if you haven't already!Thank you to this week’s sponsors Green Feathers and Eco Bird Food.  Hosted by Matt SpracklenProduced by Sarah SpracklenMusic by David JosephFor Wren Productions Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.