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

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

We’ve hit the big 5-0, and we’re absolutely chuffed! When we started this podcast, neither of us had ever recorded one before and we had no idea what to expect. But 50 episodes in and we're absolutely loving it.

In this episode, we’re taking a moment to celebrate and reflect. We chat about how it all began, where the podcast name came from, and why Steve’s all about birds while Matthew’s mad about bugs.

We also talk about why we love podcasting and who our dream guests would be. Plus, we throw in a few fun facts about our favourite creatures and challenge each other with a couple of quiz questions to see how well we really know our own, and each other’s, specialties.

A relaxed and chatty episode to mark hitting 50. Come celebrate with us and get to know us and the pod a little better.

A huge thank you to everyone who has listened so far!

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

Amazing! Bird Sounds From The Lyre Bird - David Attenborough - BBC Wildlife