Tweet of the Day

Latest Episodes:

Andy Radford on the Robin Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

The variety of sounds produced by Robins has long fascinated Professor Andy Radford, a Behavioural Biologist at the University of Bristol.

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: Laurie Robinson.

Andy Radford on the Curlew Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

Professor Andy Radford, a Behavioural Biologist at the University of Bristol recalls how the evocative cries of the Curlews on the Yorkshire Moors first captivated him as a child and inspired his interest in bird vocalisations.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Rachel Walker.

Doug Allan on the Giant Petrel Jan 05, 2018

Show notes

Wildlife cameraman Doug Allan recalls his encounters with Giant Petrels in Antarctica with mixed feelings as he recalls their baleful stare, steely grey blue eyes and predatory intent!

Producer: Sarah Blunt

Doug Allan on the Wandering Albatross Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

In the fourth of five recollections about his encounters with birds in Antarctica, wildlife cameraman Doug Allan recalls his excitement at lying under the outstretched wings of a Wandering Albatross.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Richard Witham.

Doug Allan on the Snowy Sheathbill Jan 03, 2018

Show notes

In his recollections about his encounters with birds in Antarctica, wildlife cameraman Doug Allan recalls watching an opportunistic Snowy Sheathbill taking advantage of a young Adelie Penguins to get an easy meal.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Murray Foubister.

Doug Allan on the Snow Petrel Jan 02, 2018

Show notes

Recollecting about his encounters with birds in Antarctica, wildlife cameraman Doug Allan recalls ringing Snow Petrels with mixed feelings.

Producer: Sarah Blunt

Doug Allan on the Emperor Penguin Jan 01, 2018

Show notes

Wildlife cameraman Doug Allan recalls hearing a Emperor Penguin chick for the first time.

Tweet of the Day has captivated the Radio 4 audience with its daily 90 seconds of birdsong.

Producer: Sarah Blunt Photograph: Christopher Michel.

Alison Steadman - The Twelve Tweets of Christmas 12 of 12 Dec 31, 2017

Show notes

During this season of goodwill our thoughts turn to crackling fires, being with the family and for many a song or a carol to bring merriment to the colder days. Tweet of the Day has been entertaining early morning listeners to the Radio 4 schedule every day since 2013, but this Christmas we will delight in an avian offering of the well known song the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Reaching the the final verse of the song brings a requirement for twelve drummers drumming. As actress Alison Steadman recalls, is that the sound of drumming a distant drum-roll I can hear? Or maybe just a male snipe on an amorous fly by?

Producer : Andrew Dawes Photograph: Steve Waddingham.

Alison Steadman - The Twelve Tweets of Christmas 11 of 12 Dec 29, 2017

Show notes

As the song hints at, no festive party for a true love would be complete without eleven massed pipers piping. And possibly the best pipers of the British bird world can be found down on the coast. For actress Alison Steadman two species which come to mind are the redshank and the oystercatcher.

Producer : Andrew Dawes Photograph: Tim Marlow.

Alison Steadman - The Twelve Tweets of Christmas 10 of 12 Dec 28, 2017

Show notes

As actress Alison Steadman recounts, while the original song called for ten Lords a Leaping, in the bird world a there are a number of species which could be thought of as able to leaping about. Choosing which birds come to mind from that list brings to mind the pied wagtail and the common crane.

Producer : Andrew Dawes. Photograph: Deanne Wildsmith.