The Seán Chorus

Hosted by Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist Seán Ronayne, The Seán Chorus brings the beauty of the natural world directly to your ears.Following a five-year journey to record all of Ireland’s birds, Seán has built an extraordinary archive of over 40,000 recordings. From farting seals to vibrating leafhoppers, and of course plenty of birdsong, if it’s natural and makes a sound, Seán has it.Now, with his new podcast, Seán has found the perfect way to bring these sounds to life and tell the personal stories and adventures behind them.A sanctuary of calm from the madness of daily life, the show blends unscripted field audio, studio reflections, and conversations with nature lovers.

This show is part of HeadStuff Podcasts, you can support the show, access bonus content, and ad-free listening by signing up to HeadStuff+.

Latest Episodes:

From the Heart Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Seán recalls his beginnings and how a Catalan woman walked into a Cork city bar and changed the trajectory of his life forever.
Interwoven with more sound recordings, Seán details his move to Catalonia, including encounters with roe deer, flamingos recorded over Barcelona's skyscrapers, screaming neighbours and amateur trumpeters
This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

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The Sounds of Autumn Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

This episode is a celebration of autumn bird migration — the great movements of birds that arrive on Irish shores each year from Scandinavia, Siberia, and beyond.

With field recordings of yellow-browed warblers, redwings, fieldfares, ring ouzels, and mixed flocks of chaffinches, goldfinches, bramblings, redpolls and siskins visibly migrating over East Cork. Plus the nasal calls of bramblings arriving off the sea in West Cork, the high-pitched trill of waxwings, the roding displays of woodcock, short-eared owls calling after their sea crossing, and the distinctive chuwit of a spotted redshank in Ballycotton.

As mentioned in the episode, please check out the "YouTube of Birdsong" website https://xeno-canto.org/

This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barefoot in East Cork Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Originally recorded Summer 2026

This very special episode is an immersive field audio essay, recorded live in two of Sean's favourite local spots in East Cork — a rewilding quarry he has known since childhood and the Knockadoon peninsula.

With on-site recordings of sand martins, stock doves, blackcaps, chiffchaffs and swallows, a remarkable discovery of breeding tufted ducks, the tumbling displays of rock and meadow pipits, herring gulls overhead, by-the-wind sailors washed ashore, and the tell-tale droppings of coastal otters.

The episode ends with the sound of waves on a rocky shoreline — a moment to simply listen.

This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

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The Sounds of Summer Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Originally recorded June 2026

This episode of The Sean Chorus podcast is an immersive celebration of the sounds of the Irish summer, from birdsong and buzzing insects to coastal wildlife.

With more recordings from Ireland and beyond, including owls, wrens, golden orioles, guillemots, a minke whale and the rare Roussel’s bush cricket, as well as the often-maligned ragwort and the wildlife it supports.

The episode ends with a mystery sound for listeners to identify!

This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Tribute to Manchán Magan Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

This episode of The Sean Chorus podcast is Sean Ronayne's personal tribute to his friend and mentor Manchán Magan, the acclaimed Irish author and broadcaster who died last October at age 55.

Sean traveled to the Hill of Uisneach, the ancient mythological "navel of Ireland" - where Manchán's ashes were scattered. He spent a night recording birdsong and folklore-rich wildlife (blackbirds, chaffinches, willow warblers, a skylark, and a snipe flying overhead unexpectedly), weaving each into Irish mythology and memories of Manchán.

This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sound of a New Home Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Seán Chorus, Seán Ronayne provides a small update along with more sounds and moments that have made his new home feel familiar.
From the call of the curlew echoing through the balcony door, to capturing the hum of bees and grasshoppers in a wildflower meadow, Seán reflects on more memories and his connection to the natural world. Explore the return of Mediterranean gulls to Cork Harbour, and even a mystery sound challenge, in this latest episode.
This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Introduction: Becoming "Nature Boy" Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the very first episode of The Seán Chorus!

This week, our host Seán Ronayne introduces himself and shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his life and career.

From childhood memories and surviving a life threatening illness to collecting over 30,000 nature recordings, Seán reflects on his lifelong bond with the natural world. The episode is packed with wild soundscapes and stories, including the mistle thrush, insect steps, rogue humans, slugs, swallows and more.

If you enjoyed this episode, please support the show by telling a friend, and leaving a 5 star review. It would be greatly appreciated. 🐦‍⬛

This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Seán Chorus is Coming Soon! Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Episode one of The Seán Chorus is out Thursday the 27th of August!

Hosted by Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist Seán Ronayne, The Seán Chorus brings the beauty of the natural world directly to your ears.

Following a five-year journey to record all of Ireland's birds, Seán has built an extraordinary archive of over 40,000 recordings. From farting seals to vibrating leafhoppers, and of course plenty of birdsong, if it's natural and makes a sound, Seán has it.

Now, with his new podcast, Seán has found the perfect way to bring these sounds to life and tell the personal stories and adventures behind them.

A sanctuary of calm from the madness of daily life, the show blends unscripted field audio, studio reflections, and conversations with nature lovers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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