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.

Listen to Rock ‘n Roll Birder on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

Article wording adapted from Rock ‘n Roll Birder press release

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I Am A Runner by Amanda Plomp
Wow, I didn’t realise how hard it is to look back over your work and pick your Divine 5! But this narrative episode holds a special place in my heart. It was the first story written specifically for a podcast format. Amanda’s passion for running eclipses any concerns she might have around heading into the backcountry with epilepsy. Listen to this for a great story that teaches just a little bit about epilepsy. The music by Kev Rowe was such a perfect match to the story as well. Listen now on Acast >>

Adventurers Talk Epilepsy
This episode is a great place to start for both people who don’t know about epilepsy, and for people who do. Most of the chats on Seize Your Adventure are with people living with epilepsy, and we learn about how they do adventure sports with the condition. This episode flipped it around and I talked to people who work in the outdoor sector and asked what they knew about the condition. It was a great way to correct a few epilepsy myths, and reassure people with epilepsy that they can safely access the outdoors, and will be welcomed. Listen now on Acast >>

A Chat with Jade Nelson: Keto for Epilepsy, Camping and her Seizure Story
I have spoken to so many interesting people with epilepsy about their passion for adventure sports: runners, hikers, surfers, climbers, triathletes and extreme adventurers. I wish I could pick all of their episodes! But if I can only pick one, I think it’s fair to pick my very first chat. Jade is based in Texas, so it was about 7am for her when we were recording. This is a pretty in-depth conversation for that time of the morning, about mental struggles due to epilepsy, but also the fun sports and challenges Jade has done over the years. So memorable and such a good sign of what was to come… Listen now on Acast >>

The Outdoor Mindset
The episode I am most proud of is The Outdoor Mindset. It was a big story to tell – not just about the organisation Outdoor Mindset, but also sharing some information about neurological conditions, and talking about my own trip to Colorado. I interviewed several different people in many different locations, made some on-site recordings, did a lot of research and scripting. It all took much longer than I thought it would! But I hope the end result is entertaining, informative and an easy listen. Listen now Acast>>

Can I Do Adventure Sports with Epilepsy?
Spoiler – the short answer is yes! But this episode is definitely worth a listen for anyone who is interested in adventure sports, what epilepsy is, how to adapt activities and assess risks. This gets to the essence of the Seize Your Adventure podcast, so if there is one podcast about epilepsy you listen to today – this is the episode to head to. Listen now on Acast>>

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You can listen to Seize Your Adventure on Spotify, Acast and your favourite podcast app. Read more OH. MY. POD. recommendations in the Pod Bible magazine, which you can read online or buy in our shop. And get in touch on social media or by email to share your own podcast recommendations!

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