Weird & Wonderful Plants

Episode 290: Saving Song Birds

Sue has been CEO at SongBird Survival for the last three years leading the charity in its ambition to protect the amazingly diverse but sadly declining songbird populations across the UK. With its growing body of scientific research which is fuelling solutions, SongBird Survival is advocating that we can and should take action to protect these ecologically threatened creatures. Campaigns including Gardens for Birds provide accessible and rewarding opportunities to play a part in much needed practical ways to reverse the drastic declines many species are facing. Charlotte has been the research and engagement manager at SongBird Survival for over two years, and her passion is in bringing science to the public. By overseeing the research programme at SBS, she hopes to create the greatest impact on UK songbirds possible. Prior to her role at SBS, she worked as a scientific researcher and wanted to do more to connect scientific research and conservation. Links SongBird Survival www.songbird-survival.org.uk Advice on the optimum methods for protecting birds in your garden Downloads of plant lists and hints and tips to support birds through gardening Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, see our tips for some ideas to get gardening with wildlife in mind. Other episodes if you liked this one: Britain’s Birds with Benedict Macdonald  - This episode, I’m talking BioChar with Craig Sams, the co-founder of Carbon Gold, a company that produces a range of BioChar products for the garden but also for agricultural use. I interviewed Craig in his beautiful garden in Hastings, so please excuse the cries of the seagulls who tried to get in on the act around halfway through the interview.… 
Garden Birdwatch - This week I’m speaking to Sue Allen of Microbz, which produces and distributes probiotics for gardens. The concept of probiotics in gardens is new to me, but it dovetails nicely with previous episodes looking at soil health and mycorrhizal fungi so I was delighted to speak to Sue and find out more about how probiotics work in gardens and what we can do to encourage them. Support the podcast on Patreon