Jonah Lafferty shares why Cairns is kingfisher heaven - from Little Kingfishers at the Botanic Gardens to Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfishers up on the Tablelands - plus his favourite local hotspots for birdwatching in Far North Queensland.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/136-kingfishers-in-cairns

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Blue-faced Parrot-Finch, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Little Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Silvereye, Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Bird illustration: Little Kingfisher

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From its eyebrow to its shimmering wing panel, there is lots to learn about the Pacific Black Duck. Scientist and conservationist Jason Graham does a deep-dive (pun intended) into this impressive bird and provides insights into a large conservation story unfolding in Tasmania.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/135-pacific-black-duck

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Little Wattlebird, Pacific Black Duck, Mallard

Bird illustration: Pacific Black Duck

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Artists Jane Rusden and Bridget Farmer share the story behind The 700 Birds Project - a long-term plan to travel in short trips and draw every bird they encounter. From Gluepot to Hattah-Kulkyne and Chiltern, they talk birding misadventures, advice about field sketching and why birds keep pulling them back into new places.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/134-the-700-birds-project

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

If you want to help the people and wildlife affected by the 2026 Victorian bushfires:

Trust for Nature Bushfire Recovery Appeal - https://trustfornature.org.au/campaign/bushfire-support/

Harcourt Progress Relief Fund - https://www.gofundme.com/f/harcourt-progress-relief-fund

Zoos Victoria Emergency Wildlife Fund - https://www.zoo.org.au/donate/emergency-wildlife-how-we-help/

Birds mentioned in this episode: Gang-gang Cockatoo, Regent Parrot

Bird illustration: Regent Parrot

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Dr Gráinne Cleary explains what birds are really doing when they sing. Along the way, she shares simple ways to tune your ear and hear birdsong as communication, not background noise.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/132-wingmate

🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Magpie-Lark, Noisy Miner, Superb Fairywren, Zebra Finch

Bird illustration: Noisy Miner

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Brandon Chapman chats about how birdwatching and game design come together in Wingmate, an app that helps people notice birds, build life lists and turn everyday walks into moments of curiosity and connection.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/132-wingmate

🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Comb-crested Jacana, African Jacana

Bird illustration: Comb-crested Jacana

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Shane and Kayte Cheney share how birds became part of their love story, from noticing backyard species to building shared rituals, travel memories and a joyful first year of birdwatching together.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/131-falling-in-love-with-birds

🎵 Recordings by Marc Anderson, licenced from https://www.wildambience.com

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Boobook, Green Catbird, Rufous Whistler

Bird illustration: Rufous Whistler

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Revisit one of Weekend Birder’s most loved episodes. Dr Mandy Ridley shares what research reveals about Australian Magpies, including their intelligence, communication behaviours and how we can help them to thrive.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/encore-magpies

🎵 Australian Magpie recording by Eddy Smith (XC747690) - https://xeno-canto.org/species/gymnorhina-tibicen

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Australian Magpie, Arabian Babbler, Pied Babbler

Bird illustration: Australian Magpie

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Angela Savage shares how books and birdwatching shape the way we notice the world. From crime novels to picture books to non-fiction guides, Angela has a generous reading list for bird lovers of all ages.

🎧 All links here - https://www.weekendbirder.com/podcast/130-birds-and-books

📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/weekend.birder

🦆 More at - https://www.weekendbirder.com

Birds mentioned in this episode: Arctic Tern, Barking Owl, Magpie, Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Spotted Pardalote, Swamp Harrier

Bird illustration: Spotted Pardalote

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