Tasty fried mushrooms with your breakfast may be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word fungi, but did you know that they are essential to mitigating climate change?

In fact, the fungi kingdom is far more diverse and vital than we could have imagined. From incredible carbon storage and ability to improve the health of forests to even providing sustainable packaging and breaking down plastics!

Grab a coffee and join us for a chilled chat about the remarkable world of fungi. We couldn't dive too deeply into any one aspect, or we would probably still be recording the episode. But we wanted to provide an introduction to an easily overlooked group of organisms that are truly fascinating and absolutely essential to the health of our planet.

We had a great time recording this episode and hope you enjoy listening.

Get in touch:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Timestamps

00:00:00 Catch up

00:03:00 Introduction to the world of fungi

00:18:09 Fungi and the environment

00:39:28 Innovative fungi technologies

00:48:31 Wrap up

Links

https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/whats-a-fungi

https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/what-is-microbiology/fungi.html

https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/the-fungus-that-makes-zombie-ants-could-use-biological-clocks-to-control-their-minds.html

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/fungi-stores-third-carbon-fossil-fuel-emissions-and-could-be-essential-reaching-net-zero

https://news.mongabay.com/2023/06/mycorrhizal-fungi-hold-co2-equivalent-to-a-third-of-global-fossil-fuel-emissions/

https://www.conservation.org/blog/study-fungi-could-be-vital-for-reaching-climate-goals

https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2023/04/14/fungi-makes-meal-of-hard-to-recycle-plastic.html

Every time we discuss a struggling species or an environmental issue that needs overcoming, we try to finish the chat with some hope. Highlighting the incredible work of tirelessly dedicated people who are out there trying to make a difference.

Hope is essential if we are to overcome the monumental challenges facing nature and our planet, a sentiment that is at the heart of Dr Jane Goodall's inspiring book of hope.

So, join us for an uplifting episode as we delve into the four reasons that give her hope. From nature's remarkable resilience to the incredible power of young people, we showcase examples from around the world that embrace these four reasons and should give us all hope that we can prevail.

We had a brilliant time recording this episode and really hope you enjoy it. The Book of Hope truly resonated with Steve, and we implore everyone to read it.

Jane Goodall is a legendary primatologist and conservationist and is still fighting for nature, still lecturing and educating at the age of 90. Structured as a series of discussions between herself and co-author Douglas Abrams, Goodall's argument for hope in these troubling times is uplifting, inspiring, and definitely something we all need a lot more of.

What stories give you hope? We would love to know!

Get in touch:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:08:22 The amazing human intellect

00:27:17 The resilience of nature

00:38:39 The power of young people

00:49:31 The indomitable human spirit

00:59:07 Wrap up

Links:

The Book of Hope - the Jane Goodall Institute UK

the Jane Goodall Institute Homepage

Educational and Environmental Charity | Roots and Shoots

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/innovations-protect-cities-climate-change/

https://www.boredpanda.com/nature-reclaiming-civilization/

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190701-why-plants-survived-chernobyls-deadly-radiation

https://earth.org/young-climate-activists-leading-the-way-on-global-climate-action/

They mitigate the impacts of climate change, support a plethora of species (including the largest animals on earth), and are often called the linchpin of the Antarctic. Krill may be small, but they are massively important.

Grab a coffee and join us as we dive into the frosty waters of the Antarctic and explore just how and why these small crustaceans are so vital and the worrying challenges they are facing.

We were blown away during our research by what we learnt about krill and of course concerned about the future of their populations.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro & catchup

00:03:08 The world of krill

00:16:35 Threats & challenges facing krill

00:34:18 Possible solutions & positives

00:48:07 Wrap up

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/antarctica/wildlife/krill/

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/facts-about-krill

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/krill

https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/latest-news/antarctic-krill/

https://news.mongabay.com/2022/08/climate-change-and-overfishing-threaten-once-endless-antarctic-krill/

Study warns sharp decline in Antarctic krill by 2100 | Patagonia´s Magazine: Patagon Journal

https://earthsky.org/earth/the-sad-fate-of-krill-in-the-southern-ocean/

https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/latest-news/ccamlr-decision/

With their mind-boggling wingspans and entrancing mating rituals, albatrosses are certainly birds with some charisma. However, facing a variety of pressures, these majestic birds are in decline, an issue that can be all too easily missed due to their remote oceanic lifestyle.

So, grab a drink and join us for a chilled episode where we delve into the challenges facing these remarkable birds, featuring some different issues from the usual suspects. We of course also shine a light on the promising solutions and the organisations working hard to protect the world's magnificent albatrosses.

Also in this episode, Matthew actually has some catch up and Steve finally gets his revenge on Matthew for making him guess the weight of a curlew way back in episode 2.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro & catchup

00:04:50 All about albatrosses

00:22:20 Threats to albatross & their decline

00:29:43 Solutions & conservation

00:40:32 Wrap up

Get in touch:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

Albatross courtship dance - https://www.birdlife.org/birds/albatross/

https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/celebrating-albatrosses

https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/so-many-ways/explore/defend-the-albatross

https://www.treehugger.com/albatross-facts-5073421

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306202531.htm

https://www.bas.ac.uk/data/our-data/publication/albatross/

Zoologist, ecologist, wildlife photographer, and very well-travelled, we've mentioned Josh in a few previous episodes, it was about time we had him on!

Not long back from 5 weeks in the jungles of Sumatra, we delve into his experience, covering the incredible species he saw, the challenges facing both wildlife and conservationists, some good signs of ecotourism, and what would be great to see going forward. And, in true Birdy Bug Pod fashion, we hear about some of the passionate and dedicated people working hard to protect Sumatra's truly invaluable habitats.

From surreal encounters with orangutans and elephants to illegal orchid hunters and falling into a river whilst looking for a crocodilian, this episode really does have it all!

We appreciate that it is quite a long episode (you can use the timestamps to hop about), but with his experiences and absolute wealth of knowledge, we could have easily chatted to Josh for another 3 hours.

We had a fantastic time recording this episode, we really hope you enjoy it.

Check out Josh's Instagram to put pictures to the stories: @phangurha_nature

*Quick note: The Tapanuli Orangutan is the most endangered Great Ape, rather than the most endangered primate.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro to Josh

00:11:05 Why Sumatra

00:18:48 Ecotourism & habituated orangutans

00:28:01 Deforestation & seeing Sumatran Elephants

00:37:23 Conservation challenges

00:40:04 Illegal orchid hunters

00:47:25 Conservation & more ecotourism

00:51:49 Positive conservation in Sumatra

00:56:04 Seeing wild orangutans

01:01:54 Other wildlife highlights

01:14:03 Losing both cameras

01:16:58 Camera chat

01:17:52 Josh's next trip

01:22:18 Josh's bucket list places & species

01:25:01 Closing

Get in touch:

Please do feel free to get in touch if you have any questions, feedback, or just want to say hi! Ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

Learn about the passionate conservationist Pungky - Pungky Nanda Pratama - Sumatra Nature & Biodiversity Conservation (snbcf.org)

Pungky's Instagram @pungkynandapratama

Watch the orangutan grabbing a woman clip here.

Join us as we delve into the world of ecotourism, exploring what it is and whether or not it achieves its goal of providing a way to travel that benefits nature, the planet, and people.

We look how ecotourism differs from other forms of "green" travel, the potential benefits and pitfalls, and examples of it done well and when it misses the mark.

Looking for your next ecotourism/sustainable holiday? Make sure to stick around until the end for a list of a few particularly green destinations and tips on spotting potential greenwashing.

If you have any recommendations of brilliant ecotourism trips, or have perhaps had a bad experience, we would be very interested to hear about it!

Get in touch:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/human-geography/economic-geography/ecotourism/

https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/

https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-ecotourism-definition-examples-5181259

https://www.treehugger.com/costa-rica-sustainable-tourism-5120162

https://www.caminotravel.com/costa-ricas-cleanest-beaches/

Discover the story of the turtle dove, a symbol of peace and love, facing a staggering 99% decline in the UK since the 1970s.

Join us as we examine the complex issues besieging this wonderful bird, whilst also addressing pressing questions such as "what is the difference between a pigeon and a dove?" And "what on earth is pigeon milk?"

It's not all doom and gloom, as we of course shine a spotlight on the remarkable efforts of dedicated organisations working hard to halt the decline and revive our dwindling turtle dove population.

Have you been lucky enough to see a turtle dove? Let us know 👇

Contact:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/turtle-dove

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/pigeons-and-doves/turtle-dove

https://www.rspb.org.uk/media-centre/turtle-dove-moratorium

Turtle Doves under threat - British Ornithologists' Union (bou.org.uk)

Why are turtle doves in trouble? - Operation Turtle Dove

Wilding: Wilding By Isabella Tree | Used & New | 9781509805099 | World of Books (wob.com)

Join us for a break from all the negative news and enjoy an hour of uplifting stories and a reminder that people everywhere are working incredibly hard for nature.

This episode we are bringing you a collection of fantastic stories highlighting the remarkable work being done across the globe to conserve wildlife, protect nature, and look after the planet.

Connecting fragmented habitats, fighting poaching, creating protected areas, addressing deforestation, and much, much more! We had a great time researching this episode and were blown away by some of the stories we found.

What was your favourite positive nature story of 2023? Get in touch, we would love to know 👇

Contact:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Steve - @a.bird.in.the.lens

Matthew - @a.bug.in.the.lens

Links:

From wind-powered islands to urban forests: Positive environmental stories from 2023 | Euronews

Hope, but no free pass, as Pacific corals show tolerance to warming oceans (mongabay.com)

Science and culture join forces to restore 120 miles of Hawaiian reefs (mongabay.com)

Websites:

https://rewildingeurope.com

https://www.fauna-flora.org/species/

https://ctph.org/meet-the-team/

https://www.birdlife.org