Weekend Birder

149 Chasing Rarity - with Justine

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Rarity can make a bird feel precious, but it can also change how we see everything else. Author and science journalist Justine Hausheer shares her thi...

148 The Nature School - with Catherine

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

At this school, it’s completely normal to stop class for a bird. Catherine Shaw shares how The Nature School helps young connect with the world arou...

147 The Birding Movement - with Natalie

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

At first, it just feels like a quiet hobby - then you realise how many people love it too. Natalie Kyriacou shares her insights into human relationshi...

146 Birds on Country - with Kai

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

You can learn a lot about a place by noticing which birds are still there. Kai Hill-Crofts shares stories of birds, ecology and growing up on Country....

145 Woodland Birds - with Emi

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

At first, it just feels like trees - then something moves. Ecologist Emi Arnold shares how to read a woodland habitats and identify the birds that liv...

144 Becoming a Birdwatcher - with Mia

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Birdwatching can quietly change how you see yourself. Mia Grundy shares how everyday birding and photography has helped her through tough times and sh...

Encore: Little Penguins - with Paula

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Little Penguins come ashore each night - but there’s a lot we don’t see. This encore episode with researcher Paula Wasiak explores penguin behavio...

143 Filming What We Miss - with Jeremy

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes the moment you miss is the one you remember most. Wildlife filmmaker Jeremy (jeremyfilmsthings) shares how filming birds has changed the way...

Feature: Superb Lyrebirds with Alex

28 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Lyrebirds are famous for their mimicry and their role in the forest is even more amazing. Here's a special feature episode from Next-Gen Hills Natural...

142 Next-Gen Hills Naturalists - with Coen

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Every bird sighting is a mystery waiting to be solved. 13-year-old bird lover Coen Pearson shares his journey from noticing little brown birds at Wils...

141 Birding Between Games

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Mitch Kenny visited a Blue Mountains lookout five times before he finally spotted a Peregrine Falcon. The Penrith Panthers player shares how birdwatch...

140 Australian Owls

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us live closer to owls than we realise. Beth Mott introduces us to Australia’s owls and their unique behaviours, and what we can do to ...

139 Making Space for Birds - with Ben

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A Powerful Owl was there the night Ben Cullen lost everything. He shares his deep commitment to birds, and the work he now does with Trust for Nature ...

138 Terns (Part 2) - with Claire

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Your questions kept coming! Dr Claire Greenwell returns to answer listener questions about leg colour, juvenile plumage, and how to photograph fast-mo...

137 Terns - with Claire

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Australia’s terns are fast, fascinating and full of subtle differences. Dr Claire Greenwell shares how to tell Fairy Terns from Little Terns, what m...

136 Kingfishers in Cairns - with Jonah

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Jonah Lafferty shares why Cairns is kingfisher heaven - from Little Kingfishers at the Botanic Gardens to Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers up on the...

135 Pacific Black Duck - with Jason

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From its eyebrow to its shimmering wing panel, there is lots to learn about the Pacific Black Duck. Scientist and conservationist Jason Graham does a ...

The 700 Birds Project - with Bridget and Jane

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Artists Jane Ruston and Bridget Farmer share the story behind The 700 Birds Project - a long-term plan to travel in short trips and draw every bird th...

133 Why do birds sing? - with Gráinne

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Gráinne Cleary explains what birds are really doing when they sing. Along the way, she shares simple ways to tune your ear and hear birdsong as co...

132 Wingmate - with Brandon

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Brandon Chapman chats about how birdwatching and game design come together in Wingmate, an app that helps people notice birds, build life lists and tu...

131 Falling in Love with Birds - with Shane and Kayte

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Shane and Kayte Cheney share how birds became part of their love story, from noticing backyard species to building shared rituals, travel memories and...

Encore: Magpies - with Mandy

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Revisit one of Weekend Birder’s most loved episodes. Dr Mandy Ridley shares what research reveals about Australian Magpies, including their intellig...

130 Birds and Books - with Angela

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Savage shares how books and birdwatching shape the way we notice the world. From crime novels to picture books to non-fiction guides, Angela ha...

Birds Between Laps - with Jenna

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Olympic swimmer Jenna Forrester shares how birdwatching fits between training sessions, the birds she notices from the pool, and why birds have become...

128 Nature People - with César

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wildlife veterinarian, photographer and podcaster Dr César Puechmarin shares how nature shapes his work, his new book Nature People, and why birdwatc...

127 Pelagics - with Holly

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pelagic trips take you far offshore to the seabirds most of us never get to see. Dr Holly Kirk shares what turns up at the continental shelf, how to s...

126 Birds, Business and Big Hearts

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

James and Josh from LYFER share the story behind their bird-loving brand, the currawong that changed everything, and how they’re supporting conserva...

125 Observe, Learn and Protect - with Spencer

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Teenage conservationist Spencer Hitchen chats with Kirsty in Melbourne’s Royal Park about birdwatching, Glossy Black-cockatoos and how young people ...

124 Parrot Evolution - with Tim

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scientist and author Tim Low unpacks how parrots evolved in Australia, why cockatoos fill the 'woodpecker' niche, and the wild truth about carnivorous...

123 Every Bird in the World - with Cob

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Birding with Cob shares how a Tawny Frogmouth sparked his passion, the global adventures that followed, and why birdwatching has become a worldwide co...

122 Pardalotes and Parrots - with Cat

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia’s 2025 Top Tour Guide, Cat Davidson, shares the magic of Inala on Bruny Island - home to Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Swift Parrots and Tasma...

121 Bird Bird Bird - with Rove

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Rove McManus shares his lifelong love of birds, from backyard Galahs to hummingbirds, and how birdwatching brings awe, laughter and connectio...

Encore: Tawny Frogmouths - with Marian

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the secrets of the Tawny Frogmouth, one of Australia’s most loved birds. Dr Marian Weaving shares their fascinating features, quirky behavi...

120 This Bird - with Astred and Holly

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This joyful chat with award-winning illustrator Astred Hicks and BirdLife Australia’s Dr Holly Parsons is about noticing everyday urban birds, playf...

Birds that Connect Us - with Amanda

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join nature guide Amanda Lamont in Broken Hill and Mungo National Park as we marvel at pink cockatoos and explore how birdwatching connects us to plac...

Season 4 Trailer

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Get a taste of what’s to come in Season 4. Our curiosity will lead us to science, community and the surprising ways birds shape our world.🎵 Laugh...

118 Season Finale - with the Weekend Birder Community

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the Season 3 finale of the Weekend Birder podcast. Hear Australian bird stories, questions, and recordings from listeners in this joyful commun...

117 Dawn Chorus - with Andrew

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the magic of the Australian dawn chorus in this conversation with sound recordist Andrew Skeoch. Explore how bird calls can teach us about li...

116 Broken Hill - with Anika

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Head to Broken Hill with Dr Anika Molesworth to meet the birds of the outback and discover how farming and conservation can work together in Australia...

115 Casual Birding - with Suzy

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Look at Australian birds with new eyes. In this episode, English birdwatcher and podcaster Suzy Buttress shares her birding adventures, her love for c...

114 Bird of Prey Q&A - with Steve

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Raptor expert Stephen Debus answers listener questions about birds of prey in Australia - from eagles and falcons to parenting, prey and plumage. A mu...

113 Birdwatching for All - with Ian and Julie

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how Ian and Julie, two passionate birders, are making birdwatching more accessible for people in wheelchairs and nature lovers of all abiliti...

112 Bird Videos - with Scot

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how to film birds in the wild with conservationist and videographer Scot from Bird Bites. Learn which cameras he recommends, what makes a goo...

111 Fairywren Quest - with Maggie

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how Maggie Galbraith's quiet approach to birdwatching led a nation-wide quest to see all of Australia’s fairywrens, and an unforgettable mo...

110 Slow Birding - with Joan

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how biologist Joan Strassmann applies the ideas of slow food to birdwatching. This episode invites you to slow down, notice your local birds,...

109 Tasmania - with Ramit

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tasmanian bird guide Ramit Singal shares stories of pelagics, rare sightings, and the rewards of showing others the beauty of Australian birds.🎧 Al...

108 Birds on Farms - with Shannon

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ecologist Shannon Creaney explains how BirdLife Australia’s Birds on Farms program is helping farmers protect habitat and support threatened species...

107 Did You Spot It - with Jason

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cartoonist and author Jason Rodgers shares how his illustrated book Did You Spot It? helps kids become birdwatchers and notice the birds in their ever...

106 Ornithology - Paperback Perfumes crossover

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore the life of Elizabeth Gould, wife of John Gould, through scent and storytelling. This crossover with Clare Presser from Paperback Perfumes pod...

105 Birding in a Kayak - with Marian

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marian Blake shares how kayaking brought her closer to birds and people. Hear how she found community, calm and a White-bellied Sea-eagle on the water...

104 Gang-gang Cockatoos - with Holly and Gee

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore the quirky charm of Gang-gang Cockatoos with Dr Holly Parsons and Gee Hounsell. Hear how science, citizen action, and love for birds come toge...

103 Thriving in the City - with Jacinta

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Urban ecologist Jacinta Humphrey shares how to make our cities better for birds and gives backyard tips, habitat design ideas and insight into what’...

102 Birds and Music - with Ruby

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Musician Ruby Gill shares how birds and nature shape their life, lyrics, and identity. A moving conversation about place, belonging, and listening dee...

101 Swallows and Martins - with Lorne

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Urban birder Lorne Johnson he shares his love of swallows, martins and the fast-paced birds that fill Sydney's skies.🎧 All links here - https://www...

100 Birdwatching Slang with Cesar, Kylie, Sean and Steph

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate Episode 100 with birding slang, hilarious moments and insights from Cesar Puechmarin, Kylie Soanes, Sean Dooley and Steph Chambers. A fun ex...

99 Emus and Cassowaries - with Luca

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Young birdwatcher Luca shares why emus and cassowaries are some of Australia’s most fascinating birds, and why we need to protect the landscapes the...

98 Bush Stone-curlews - with Paula

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wildlife researcher Paula Wasiak shares the journey of bringing Bush Stone-curlews back to Phillip Island, from radio-tracking to community science an...

97 Local Big Year Celebration - with Hugh, Jo and Sophie

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate the Local Big Year with stories from Hugh Possingham, Jo Bangles and Sophie Walker. A delightful episode about birding close to home and pay...

96 Thirmele Lakes - with Kylie

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wollondilly birder Kylie Savidge shares her favourite walk near Sydney, called Thirmele Lakes, and the birds that make it special (from robins to Rock...

95 Bushfire Recovery - with Ben

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Williams from Trust for Nature shares how East Gippsland’s birds and forests are recovering after the Black Summer fires, and what landholders a...

94 Mount Annan - with Glenn

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Wildlife photographer Glenn Smith shares why he returns to Mount Annan week after week, and the moments that keep him coming back to this beautiful ga...

93 A Game Called Birds - with Chris and Corey

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Bury and Corey Graham reveal how they turned their love of Australian birds into a cheeky board game, and why sparking playful conversations abo...

92 Bird Mimics with Vicky

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bird mimicry, learning and communication are helping us rethink the sounds of the bush. Dr Vicky Austin reveals the secret vocal world, including fema...

91 Margaret River - with Lucy

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lucy Curtin shares her love of Red-winged Fairywrens and others birds that live in Margaret River in WA. She also talks about how birdwatching has hel...

90 Avian Influenza - with Michelle

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Michelle Wille gives a gentle explanation about how avian influenza HPAI is affecting wild birds and what steps are being taken to prepare for outb...

89 Brush-turkeys with Ann

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Ann Göth describes the hidden life of Australian Brush-turkeys, from their nesting mounds to their city adventures, and why they deserve more of o...

88 Two Birders Two Bikes Return - with Cezary and Leo

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cezary and Leo, from Two Birders Two Bikes, return from their epic cycling birdwatching adventure across Australia. Hear stories of rare sightings, m...

87 Where Song Began - with Tim

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Low, author of Where Song Began, shares how Australia shaped the evolution of songbirds. He also explains why birds remain one of the best storyte...

86 Twitchathon - with Mick and Bastian

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bird lovers Mick Roderick and Bastian Fox Phelan share their love of Twitchathon - a fun and high-speed birdwatching competition in NSW and ACT.🎧 A...

85 Pigeons and Doves - with Sean

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia explains why Australian pigeons and doves deserve more love, and how birdwatchers can help track them through the ...

84 Awe and Wonder - with Karen

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Environmental educator Karen Jones shares how awe and wonder can rewire our brains, boost wellbeing and help us connect more deeply with birds and nat...

Season 3 Trailer

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Weekend Birder is back for Season 3! This quick trailer gives you a sneak peek of what’s coming - new guests, fun facts and birdwatching tips to hel...

83 Birding Stories - with the Local Big Year crew

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Birdwatchers from across Australia share their favourite moments from a Local Big Year - a challenge to connect more deeply with birds in your own bac...

82 Listening to Birds - with Vicky

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Vicky Austin shares how birds use sound in surprising ways, including female mimicry and chick learning. She also gives advice about recording bird...

81 Birdwatching in WA - with Jeremy

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jeremy Ringma shares the top birding spots across Western Australia (from arid zones to wetlands), and stories about the birds that live there.🎧 Al...

80 Two Birders Two Bikes - with Cezary and Leo

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Follow the journey of two passionate young birders, Leo and Cezary from Two Birders, Two Bikes. They are cycling 15,000km around Australia spotting bi...

79 Latham's Snipe - with Birgita

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Scientist Birgita Hansen reveals the secret and remarkable life of the Latham’s Snipe, a wetland-loving, long-distance shorebird migrant.🎧 All li...

78 Unexpected Moments - with McKinley

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the surprising moments of birdwatching with young nature photographer McKinley Moens. You’ll hear about bathing birds, foot quivering and t...

77 Plains-wanderer - with Chris

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the quirks of the rare Plains-wanderer. Chris Hartnett from Zoos Victoria chats about its unique appearance, behaviours and genetics.🎧 All...

76 Bird Walks - with Damian

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Explore birdwatching in Castlemaine, Orbost and beyond with birder and guidebook author Damian Kelly in this walk-focused episode.🎧 All links here ...

75 Kites - with Edward

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about Australia's four kite bird species through the eyes of 10-year-old Edward in this fun and family-friendly episode.🎧 All links here – ...

74 Eastern Yellow Robin - with Lana

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the life of the Eastern Yellow Robin and discover what makes this bird so special, from behaviours to genetics, with ornithologist Lana Au...

73 Eastern Osprey - with Pip

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Enter the world of the Eastern Osprey and the citizen science projects helping us understand this bird of prey, with birder and photographer Pip Grant...

72 From Dawn to Dusk - with Shelley

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to the stories of award-winning nature photographer Shelley Pearson and discover how light, patience and perspective bring birds to life throug...

71 More than Meets the Eye - with Gráinne

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Curious about feathers, eyelids or legs? Dr Gráinne Cleary explains the quirky bird features that have more in common with us than you think.🎧 All...

70 Birding in East Gippsland - with Luca

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Go birdwatching through the eyes of an 11-year old. Luca shares his love of East Gippsland, birding wishlists and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishe...

69 Silos and Sacred Kingfishers - with Geoffrey

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Explore Australia's birds through public art. Geoffrey Carran shares how kingfishers, kookaburras and endangered species inspire his massive silo mura...

68 Strength of Country - with Jack

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the connection between birds, First Peoples cultures and ecology. Dr Jack Pascoe shares stories from the Otways and the joy of listening to F...

67 Bird Feathers - with Freia

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Some bird feathers aren't what they seem. Artist Freia Noss shares the science behind colour and iridescence, and her love of Australian ducks.🎧 Al...

66 Swift Parrots - with Beau

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Celebrate the Swift Parrot - Australia’s 2023 Bird of the Year. Beau Meney from Birdlife Australia shares how to spot them and why protecting them m...

65 Birding on a Balcony - with Christine

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how birdwatching from a balcony brought joy during lockdown. Christine Parrott shares her love for everyday birds and urban birding.🎧 All ...

64 Beach Birds - with Bridget

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Australian artist Bridget Farmer shares her love of Australia’s beach birds (like oystercatchers and plovers) and how they inspire her art and child...

63 New Homes for Urban Birds - with Kylie

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Kylie Soanes shares clever and inspiring urban conservation ideas, from bird nesting hollows to floating wetlands, and the joy of spotting birds in...

62 Birding Beyond Barriers - with Richard

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paralympian Richard Cordukes shares his passion for birdwatching and the birds of northern Australia, including the Western Bowerbird and Gouldian Fin...

61 Big City Birds - with John

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr John Martin shares insights from the Big City Birds project, where citizen scientists and ecologists work together to better understand Australian ...

60 Bruny Island - with Ella

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Escape to Bruny Island in Tasmania to see rare birds like the Forty-spotted Pardalote and Swift Parrot. This chat is with Ella Roles, Bruny Island Fes...

59 Birder Beginnings - with Luke

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Teenage birdwatcher Luke Eaton shares how his love for birds began, his conservation efforts, and his admiration for the King Parrot and Red-Tailed Bl...

58 Thornbills - with Ricki

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bird guide Ricki Coughlan shares how to identify Australia’s thornbills and other Little Brown Birds, and offers tips for using binoculars with conf...

57 Birding in Darwin - with Amanda

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Explore Top End birding with Dr Amanda Lilleyman. Learn about Red Knots, Far Eastern Curlews, Kakadu and the Lee Point shorebirds campaign.🎧 All li...

56 Little Penguins - with Paula

26 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Penguin researcher Paula Wasiak shares insights into Phillip Island’s Little Penguins (also known as Fairy Penguins) from research and fieldwork to ...