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NEWS

Rock ‘n Roll Birder returns for series two!

Published on July 25, 2024

Series two of Rock ‘n Roll Birder launches this week with host Matt Spracklen, his producer wife Sarah, and a range of expert guests…

Amateur budding twitchers and nature lovers alike are invited to join Matt Spracklen, AKA the Rock ‘n Roll Birder, on a weekly birdwatching walk and talk by tuning into series two of the Rock ‘n Roll Birder podcast which returns on the 24th of July.

In each episode of the new series, Matt will be out in the elements visiting beauty spots and nature reserves across the UK where the birds are always the stars of the show. As well as being joined by his wife, producer Sarah Spracklen, this series he will also be joined by expert guests including Jack Baddams, BBC Springwatch’s wildlife researcher; Jon Carter who works for the British Trust for Ornithology; Naomi Johns from The Bird of Prey Project; James Cook (@WildlifeWithCookie), and Paul Bennett from RSPB Coombes Valley and Consall Woods.

His contemporary perspective on birdwatching has seen Matt’s Instagram page, @RocknRollBirder, amass 69,000 followers since launch in January. With famous names including Jim Moir, Emma Freud, Sarah Millican and Tom Chaplin listening in to catch a bird song or two.

Matt says: “Whether you’re a birding novice or a seasoned twitcher there’s something for everyone on the podcast. I love talking about birds but I would also love that this could somehow be a gateway for young people to get more passionate about the things they can do to protect and conserve our wildlife and nature.”

Throughout the series, Matt interviews guests who have turned their love of birds and wildlife into their profession. When he isn’t joined by a guest, Matt and his producer and wife, Sarah, who is new to birding, go on a birdwatching walk of their own.

At the start of each episode, Matt also answers ‘Birding Questions’ sent in from the Rock ‘n Roll Birder community.

Sarah is a radio and podcast producer. She has spent the last ten years at Absolute Radio producing The Frank Skinner Show and is the producer of the critically acclaimed Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast. Sarah also spent many years at Virgin Radio working with radio greats including Edith Bowman. Sarah and Matt first met when she produced his very first radio show back in 2016 and they are loving working together again.

As for Matt, he has loved birdwatching since he was young. He said: “My mum used to let me be late for school because I was so fascinated watching the birds in the garden. My teachers got me to engage with reading work using bird books, so that’s how I learnt to read. I collected bird encyclopedias and had a real passion for birdwatching as a child.”

In recent years Matt reignited his love of birdwatching and photography after spending his 20s living a high-octane life touring in a punk band and working in the music industry.

He rediscovered the mindful mental health benefits of birdwatching during the 2020 lockdowns when feeding the garden birds became a relaxing pastime and pleasure. Matt started to take pictures of different species, cataloging them and taking walks to see how many varieties he could capture. It was on one of these walks that the Rock ‘n Roll Birder podcast was born.

Matt said: “At first, when Sarah and I talked about recording a podcast about birds I was reluctant. Music is my other passion and that is also my work so part of me wanted to keep birding separate but the format of the podcast is so relaxed and natural it doesn’t feel like work.

These are walks and conversations we would be having anyway and sharing them as a podcast feels like we are allowing people to join us – expanding our own community and enjoyment. As well as facts and information we share lots of laughs and like to keep it light and easy listening.

Hearing from listeners who say we have inspired them to buy a bird feeder or to take a walk to listen to birdsong and see what they have learned is so rewarding.”

Alongside his work on the podcast, Matt is a presenter on CountryLine Radio and an ambassador for brands such as Hard Rock Cafe and Captain Fawcett. This podcast series is sponsored by Eco Bird Food and Green Feathers.

Series one, which featured 12 episodes recorded across the UK and from Sarah and Matt’s home studio in Surrey, is available to listen back on now.

This series, Matt is visiting RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, British Trust of Ornithology HQ in Norfolk and other various birding hotspots in the Peak District and Lake District.