Tweet of the Day

Latest Episodes:

Chris Baines on the Goldcrest Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

In another of his TWEETS about the birds which visit his 'wildlife-friendly' garden, naturalist and environmentalist Chris Baines revels in the sight of tiny Goldcrests teasing out insects from between the needles of his much maligned Leyland cypress trees. Tweet of the Day has captivated the Radio 4 audience with its daily 90 seconds of birdsong. But what of the listener to this avian chorus? In this new series of Tweet of the Day, we bring to the airwaves the conversational voices of those who listen to and are inspired by birds. Building on the previous series, a more informal approach to learning alongside a renewed emphasis on encounter with nature and reflection in our relationship with the natural world.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Jez Taylor.

Chris Baines on the Bullfinch Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

The striking-looking bullfinch is the subject of today's episode with naturalist and environmentalist Chris Baines. It is one of the birds he hears and encourages into his 'wildlife-friendly' garden. In the past, bullfinches were persecuted for their fondness for fruit tree buds but as far as Chris is concerned, this is a small price to pay to have a pair of these beautiful birds visit his garden.

Producer: Sarah Blunt

Helen Moncrieff on the Shag Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

Ever since her first encounter with a Scarf as they are known locally when she was a child and her Mum rescued a casualty of an oil spill, Helen Moncrieff, Shetland Manager for RSPB Scotland has had a particular fondness for these birds seeking them out in in the darkness of sea caves where they nest on ledges and fill the air with their strange sounds.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Paul Lee.

Helen Moncrieff on the Shetland Starling Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Ever since childhood, Helen Moncrieff, Shetland Manager for RSPB Scotland has been fascinated by the ways in which Shetland Starlings can mimic not only other birds but other sounds including a squeaky toy belonging to her own dog!

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: John Dixon.

Helen Moncrieff on the Fulmar Feb 28, 2018

Show notes

Fulmars defend their nests by launching their stomach contents at an intruder. Now this may not seem like an appealing behaviour but as Helen Moncrieff, Shetland Manager with RSPB Scotland describes, it was a tactic she used to her advantage as a child and has felt protective of these cliff-nesting birds ever since.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Andrew Thompson.

Helen Moncrieff on the Northern Wheatear Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

Known locally as Sten-shakker or Chek after their alarm call, Northern Wheatears never cease to delight Helen Moncrieff, Shetland Manager for RSPB Scotland when they return to Shetland for the breeding season.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Sonia Johnson.

Helen Moncrieff on the Black Guillemot Feb 26, 2018

Show notes

Helen Moncrieff, Shetland Manager for RSPB Scotland recalls some of her encounters with the Black Guillemot or Tystie as they are known locally in Shetland after their piercing whistle. These include watching one disappear into the jaws of an Orca.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Brian Burke.

Michael Morpurgo on the Swan Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Children's author and poet Michael Morpurgo reflects on the swan, celebrating its mysterious beauty and the wonder of its wings as they pass overhead.

Tweet of the Day has captivated the Radio 4 audience with its daily 90 seconds of birdsong. In this latest series of Tweet of the Day, we bring to the airwaves the conversational voices of those who listen to and are inspired by birds. Building on the previous series, a more informal approach to learning alongside a renewed emphasis on encounter with nature and reflection in our relationship with the natural world.

Producer: Tom Bonnett Photograph: Bryan Garnett.

David Rothenberg on the Song Thrush Feb 22, 2018

Show notes

Music professor and philosopher David Rothenberg asks a simple question, why is the song thrush with its beautiful, exuberant and melodious song not famous for this Tweet of the Day.

Producer: Tim Dee

David Rothenberg on the Robin Feb 21, 2018

Show notes

David Rothenberg on the jazz artist of the bird world - the humble robin. David explains what the song of the robin has in common with experimental free form jazz, not dissimilar to the sound of saxophonist Eric Dolphy who spent a long time listening to birds.

Producer: Tim Dee Photograph: Christine Sweet.

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