The non-fiction writer Polly Atkin is particularly fond of owls. Tawny owls surround her home in Grasmere in Cumbria, and she has observed the wintering of short-eared owls at the coast. One which remains elusive is the highly secretive long-eared owl, which Polly has never seen ...Show more
George McGavin on the Gannet
As a child, the entomologist George McGavin found a dead gannet on the beach, and set about extracting the skull for his collection. He was fascinated to discover the hundreds of pointed barbs in its mouth. Now years later he marvels at this clever bit of evolution which prevents ...Show more
Juliet Vickery on the Brent Goose
CEO of the British Trust for Ornithology Juliet Vickery is particularly fond of brent geese, having studied them on the Norfolk coast for three winters. They are our smallest goose, which migrate from the Arctic Circle every year. She describes what she learnt about fluctuations ...Show more
Horatio Clare on the Rook
The writer Horatio Clare has a message from the rooks, pointing out the ways they differ from crows.Produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio in Bristol.This programme features audio from Xeno-Canto recorded by Olivier Swift (Rook - XC703729)
Tolga Aktas on the Jackdaw
Conservation biologist Tolga Aktas shares his fascination with watching jackdaws. He was struck by the contrast between its black plumage and piercing pale eyes, which they likely use as a communication tool. Jackdaws form large, noisy communal winter roosts with other species, a ...Show more