1 00:00:19,059 --> 00:00:21,870 KATE MARTIN: Hello and welcome to the National Trust Podcast. 2 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:26,040 I'm Kate Martin, lead ranger in the Northwest. And in this 3 00:00:26,049 --> 00:00:29,030 episode, I'm going to be picking up lots of tips about 4 00:00:29,040 --> 00:00:33,319 birdwatching but as I discover some of these avian residents 5 00:00:33,330 --> 00:00:36,200 have more metropolitan tastes when it comes to making their 6 00:00:36,209 --> 00:00:36,680 home. 7 00:00:44,770 --> 00:00:47,349 When you think of places synonymous with bird watching 8 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,900 and avian encounters, I usually think of the sort of wide open 9 00:00:50,909 --> 00:00:54,130 wetlands, of Wicken Fen, or maybe the wooded valleys of the 10 00:00:54,139 --> 00:00:57,750 Lake District or even some nice rugged coastline somewhere like 11 00:00:57,759 --> 00:01:00,979 Cornwall. So when I was told I was making a bird watching 12 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:05,410 episode and the location was Central Leeds, I was more than a 13 00:01:05,419 --> 00:01:06,769 little confused. 14 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:12,779 But I'm currently headed towards the city centre to meet Keen 15 00:01:12,790 --> 00:01:16,489 bird watcher Paul Wheatley, who tells me he has the perfect spot 16 00:01:16,500 --> 00:01:18,389 for the early morning twitching. 17 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:22,760 But to be honest, amongst the rubbish collections and the road 18 00:01:22,769 --> 00:01:25,629 sweepers and the early morning deliveries that you can hear 19 00:01:25,639 --> 00:01:30,279 going past as we speak, there's an odd pigeon and a gull bobbing 20 00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:33,389 around, but bird life here is pretty non-existent. 21 00:01:33,889 --> 00:01:36,389 And just ahead to me, though, there is a guy who just looks 22 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,269 completely out of place. He stood on the side of the road 23 00:01:39,279 --> 00:01:43,110 with a puffer jacket and a flask of tea, I’m assuming that's got 24 00:01:43,120 --> 00:01:43,989 to be Paul Wheatley. 25 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:50,760 So let's head over and see if it's him. 26 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:51,656 Hello. You must be Paul? 27 00:01:51,656 --> 00:01:53,870 PAUL WHEATLEY: Hi Kate! Good to meet you! 28 00:01:53,870 --> 00:01:56,900 KATE MARTIN: You weren't exactly difficult to spot. So at the 29 00:01:56,910 --> 00:02:00,269 moment I can see a scope pointing at what appears to be 30 00:02:00,279 --> 00:02:03,199 nothing, I can't see anything at all up there. 31 00:02:03,209 --> 00:02:04,959 PAUL WHEATLEY: Actually, you've come to one of the best places 32 00:02:04,970 --> 00:02:06,149 in Leeds for a bit of urban birding. 33 00:02:06,149 --> 00:02:06,269 KATE MARTIN: Really? 34 00:02:06,269 --> 00:02:07,620 PAUL WHEATLEY: Have a Look at the screen. 35 00:02:08,529 --> 00:02:10,085 KATE MARTIN: Oh, my word! I Are they what I think they are? 36 00:02:10,085 --> 00:02:10,135 PAUL WHEATLEY: Peregrine Falcon! 37 00:02:10,135 --> 00:02:13,710 KATE MARTIN: Oh, that's amazing! 38 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:15,660 PAUL WHEATLEY: Fastest bird in the world. 39 00:02:16,729 --> 00:02:19,750 KATE MARTIN: So why have they chosen to make Leeds their home? 40 00:02:20,039 --> 00:02:22,050 PAUL WHEATLEY: So out in the countryside they'll nest on 41 00:02:22,059 --> 00:02:25,580 cliffs and craggy areas. But over the last 10 or 20 years, 42 00:02:25,589 --> 00:02:28,830 Peregrines have been moving into cities and towns where they've 43 00:02:28,839 --> 00:02:31,250 got plentiful supply of pigeons to eat. 44 00:02:31,479 --> 00:02:34,380 Here in Leeds at the University, we've got the clock tower here 45 00:02:34,389 --> 00:02:37,139 up on the hill overlooking the city centre. It's the highest 46 00:02:37,149 --> 00:02:39,369 place, and that's where the Peregrines have chosen to come 47 00:02:39,380 --> 00:02:39,750 and nest 48 00:02:39,850 --> 00:02:42,000 KATE MARTIN: I suppose for a Peregrine it just an inner city 49 00:02:42,009 --> 00:02:42,429 crag. 50 00:02:42,630 --> 00:02:45,259 PAUL WHEATLEY: That's the location to look for them high 51 00:02:45,259 --> 00:02:45,270 up. 52 00:02:45,270 --> 00:02:48,940 Good way to start is to just buy a pair of binoculars that gets 53 00:02:48,949 --> 00:02:51,419 you straight into accessing what's out there to be able to 54 00:02:51,429 --> 00:02:52,589 see the birds well. 55 00:02:52,820 --> 00:02:56,009 To step up a little bit and go for a telescope, you can get a 56 00:02:56,020 --> 00:02:57,949 decent scope for a few hundred pounds. 57 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:02,160 I'm really into phone scoping and I combine that with the 58 00:03:02,169 --> 00:03:04,000 camera on my mobile phone. 59 00:03:04,229 --> 00:03:07,360 So with a little adapter I can attach my phone to the scope and 60 00:03:07,369 --> 00:03:10,940 then suddenly your iPhone's got a 70x zoom. And that really 61 00:03:10,949 --> 00:03:13,899 transports you from ground level up to the level of the 62 00:03:13,910 --> 00:03:14,779 Peregrine. 63 00:03:14,779 --> 00:03:16,369 I've got a replay here. 64 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,070 KATE MARTIN: So vivid isn’t it when you can get that close. Oh 65 00:03:20,070 --> 00:03:21,220 look at that. 66 00:03:22,059 --> 00:03:26,110 You can see every detail of the feather and the colouration. 67 00:03:26,119 --> 00:03:28,139 Absolutely wonderful! 68 00:03:30,729 --> 00:03:31,369 PAUL WHEATLEY: Did you hear that? 69 00:03:32,250 --> 00:03:33,240 KATE MARTIN: Yes, I did. 70 00:03:33,740 --> 00:03:38,701 PAUL WHEATLEY: That's Falcon calling, falcon’s calling to the 71 00:03:38,701 --> 00:03:38,710 tercel, to the male. 72 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:39,139 Can you see the falcon? 73 00:03:39,139 --> 00:03:40,539 KATE MARTIN: I can. I can see her very clearly. 74 00:03:40,669 --> 00:03:42,419 PAUL WHEATLEY: And this is what's fantastic about an urban 75 00:03:42,429 --> 00:03:44,880 birding location. You can get really close. We've got the 76 00:03:44,889 --> 00:03:48,720 falcon now, coming round now, making a fantastic shape, this 77 00:03:48,729 --> 00:03:51,149 sort of jet fighter shape, swept back wings. 78 00:03:51,149 --> 00:03:52,399 KATE MARTIN: They’re Unmistakable, aren't they? 79 00:03:52,399 --> 00:03:54,880 PAUL WHEATLEY: If you've got the optics, obviously great to be 80 00:03:54,889 --> 00:03:56,710 able to watch the Peregrines from the street. But there are 81 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:59,619 other ways that you can watch Urban Peregrines. If you come 82 00:03:59,630 --> 00:04:01,509 with me, we can go and check it out. 83 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:02,610 KATE MARTIN: Oh, fantastic! Let's go! 84 00:04:04,949 --> 00:04:06,259 So where are you taking me? 85 00:04:06,270 --> 00:04:08,100 PAUL WHEATLEY: Just around the corner to the engineering 86 00:04:08,110 --> 00:04:13,360 department. 87 00:04:13,369 --> 00:04:14,169 Here we are. 88 00:04:16,869 --> 00:04:17,534 Kate this is Les Arkless 89 00:04:17,534 --> 00:04:18,179 KATE MARTIN: Hello Les! 90 00:04:18,179 --> 00:04:19,970 LES ARKLESS: Hello! 91 00:04:19,970 --> 00:04:22,279 KATE MARTIN: So I hear you're the person who's helped to make 92 00:04:22,290 --> 00:04:23,729 these peregrines famous. 93 00:04:23,729 --> 00:04:25,314 LES ARKLESS: Yes. Yes. Yeah! 94 00:04:25,314 --> 00:04:28,619 KATE MARTIN: Oh, wow! A web cam! So this is live now? 95 00:04:28,630 --> 00:04:29,399 LES ARKLESS: That's live! 96 00:04:29,399 --> 00:04:31,869 KATE MARTIN: So we can see. I'm guessing this is the Falcon is 97 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:32,670 it on the nest? 98 00:04:32,679 --> 00:04:35,079 LES ARKLESS: She’s sitting on four eggs. There’s another two 99 00:04:35,089 --> 00:04:37,413 weeks and about three days before they hatch. 100 00:04:37,413 --> 00:04:40,244 KATE MARTIN: Is she literally just laying directly onto those 101 00:04:40,255 --> 00:04:40,785 gravels? 102 00:04:41,285 --> 00:04:44,195 LES ARKLESS: They make a little scrape, they lay down on it and 103 00:04:44,204 --> 00:04:47,114 kick the feet out backwards and just make a shallow depression. 104 00:04:47,265 --> 00:04:49,345 KATE MARTIN: It must be a great relief when they hatch and you 105 00:04:49,355 --> 00:04:51,385 can actually see the youngsters in there. 106 00:04:51,385 --> 00:04:53,295 LES ARKLESS: While they’re incubating eggs it's like about 107 00:04:53,304 --> 00:04:56,144 five weeks when not very much happens. And then three will 108 00:04:56,154 --> 00:04:59,505 hatch within 24 hours. The last one will hatch a day later. 109 00:05:00,579 --> 00:05:02,315 KATE MARTIN: This is the Peregrine folder is it? 110 00:05:02,315 --> 00:05:03,779 LES ARKLESS: It is yes. 111 00:05:03,779 --> 00:05:05,739 KATE MARTIN: These are great photos. aren’t they? 112 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:07,420 LES ARKLESS: One little hatch! 113 00:05:08,190 --> 00:05:10,390 KATE MARTIN: They look like little white cotton wool balls 114 00:05:10,399 --> 00:05:11,260 of fluff. 115 00:05:11,649 --> 00:05:13,549 LES ARKLESS: As it is, it's only about the size of a chicken egg. 116 00:05:14,869 --> 00:05:16,910 KATE MARTIN: So this is where they start to lose that white 117 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,739 fluff and start getting their proper feathers through? 118 00:05:19,739 --> 00:05:21,660 LES ARKLESS: Well, when the fledging they'll get big enough, 119 00:05:21,670 --> 00:05:24,160 they'll flap the wings, get stronger, they'll go off, and 120 00:05:24,170 --> 00:05:28,890 then hopefully they'll fly off and make it a across to a 121 00:05:28,890 --> 00:05:30,959 building or somewhere to land on. 122 00:05:31,010 --> 00:05:31,669 KATE MARTIN: And if they don't? 123 00:05:31,669 --> 00:05:32,947 LES ARKLESS: They end up on the ground! 124 00:05:32,947 --> 00:05:33,200 KATE MARTIN: Oh, dear! 125 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:37,179 LES ARKLESS: So there's one time that really stands out. 126 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:39,709 I had Paul ringing me up... 127 00:05:40,459 --> 00:05:42,679 PAUL WHEATLEY: So the first year they had breeding success was 128 00:05:42,690 --> 00:05:46,239 back in 2018, but they laid their eggs really late in the 129 00:05:46,250 --> 00:05:46,670 year. 130 00:05:46,859 --> 00:05:49,959 So it was into July before the birds actually fledge from the 131 00:05:49,970 --> 00:05:50,440 nest. 132 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:54,359 And it was at that point that I found myself on duty. Les 133 00:05:54,369 --> 00:05:57,049 himself was unfortunate on holiday, and that was when the 134 00:05:57,059 --> 00:05:58,630 first Peregrine fledged the nest. 135 00:06:00,869 --> 00:06:04,450 On this occasion, the Peregrine ended up on a low building but 136 00:06:04,459 --> 00:06:06,179 wasn't a fed by the parents. 137 00:06:06,510 --> 00:06:09,230 The Peregrine tried to build its strength through the day and I 138 00:06:09,239 --> 00:06:12,269 actually saw it take a second flight about five o’clock that 139 00:06:12,890 --> 00:06:15,609 and it flew for the church spire just opposite the Parkinson 140 00:06:15,619 --> 00:06:16,220 Building. 141 00:06:16,230 --> 00:06:19,290 It got about halfway up, crashed right into the side of the 142 00:06:19,299 --> 00:06:22,779 building, scrambled with its talons, wasn't able to catch 143 00:06:22,790 --> 00:06:26,100 onto anything and fell all the way to the ground and 144 00:06:26,109 --> 00:06:29,339 immediately was up on its feet and was running towards the main 145 00:06:29,350 --> 00:06:29,850 road. 146 00:06:30,980 --> 00:06:33,929 So straight away I grabbed my telescope, ran across the road, 147 00:06:33,970 --> 00:06:37,040 just narrowly avoided getting knocked down and managed to get 148 00:06:37,049 --> 00:06:38,549 between the Peregrine and the road. 149 00:06:38,850 --> 00:06:41,153 And with quite a few other people, we sort of corralled the 150 00:06:41,153 --> 00:06:43,640 Peregrine around the corner away from the road. 151 00:06:44,359 --> 00:06:47,160 I knew that the Peregrine needed to go up on the roof. There's a 152 00:06:47,170 --> 00:06:51,040 lot of urban foxes in the area, so it was a real sort of welfare 153 00:06:51,049 --> 00:06:54,970 situation. Straightway I was on the phone and I talked to Les 154 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:56,595 and Les said... [ 155 00:06:56,595 --> 00:06:59,179 LES ARKLESS: On Phone] "There’s a box left with security throw 156 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,029 something over it’s head, calm it down, put it in the box and 157 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:06,359 get them to go up onto the roof and just let it out." 158 00:07:06,359 --> 00:07:08,420 PAUL WHEATLEY: They were the words of encouragement I needed. 159 00:07:08,420 --> 00:07:11,670 When we got up on the roof of the Parkinson Building, you want 160 00:07:11,679 --> 00:07:12,980 to be really careful. 161 00:07:12,989 --> 00:07:15,790 So the worst situation is to release the Peregrine from the 162 00:07:15,799 --> 00:07:17,239 box and spook the bird and straightaway it's off the roof 163 00:07:17,250 --> 00:07:19,899 and on the ground again. 164 00:07:20,279 --> 00:07:23,559 Just try to really take our time to gradually open the box and 165 00:07:23,570 --> 00:07:26,299 let the Peregrine just wander out, giving it lots of space, 166 00:07:26,309 --> 00:07:28,940 and straightaway the bird, was up onto a perch on the side of 167 00:07:28,950 --> 00:07:31,420 the building, at which point, you know, everything's okay. 168 00:07:32,470 --> 00:07:34,829 LES ARKLESS: This is not things the public should be doing. It 169 00:07:34,839 --> 00:07:37,220 should be getting a qualified person to do it. 170 00:07:37,220 --> 00:07:41,570 It was just the welfare of the bird, the time, the location and 171 00:07:41,579 --> 00:07:45,100 Paul, he was being guided by qualified people to actually do 172 00:07:45,109 --> 00:07:45,769 it safely. 173 00:07:46,299 --> 00:07:48,450 The camera is great thing really, because we don't have to 174 00:07:48,459 --> 00:07:49,130 disturb them. 175 00:07:49,140 --> 00:07:52,399 We can watch it all remotely where it is and great thing for 176 00:07:52,410 --> 00:07:53,309 public engagement. 177 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:55,890 And it is the most popular university web page apparently. 178 00:07:55,950 --> 00:07:57,790 KATE MARTIN: That doesn’t surprise me actually, there's 179 00:07:57,799 --> 00:08:02,329 just something so wonderful about seeing wildlife like that. 180 00:08:02,489 --> 00:08:03,983 And they're so beautiful aren’t they? 181 00:08:03,983 --> 00:08:04,387 LES ARKLESS: Oh, yeah. 182 00:08:04,387 --> 00:08:06,329 KATE MARTIN: They’re just beautiful birds. 183 00:08:08,989 --> 00:08:12,029 Inspired by this morning's encounter, I've driven 9 minutes 184 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:15,049 north of the university to Meanwood Park to meet Linda 185 00:08:15,059 --> 00:08:17,130 Jenkinson, who's an urban birder. 186 00:08:17,140 --> 00:08:19,760 And I'm told she'll be able to open my eyes to a hidden but 187 00:08:19,769 --> 00:08:24,769 thriving urban avian world. It's a beautiful park. 188 00:08:24,779 --> 00:08:27,440 And the area in front of me, sort of grassy with paths 189 00:08:27,450 --> 00:08:30,380 crisscrossing and looking over. there's a lot of really nice, 190 00:08:30,390 --> 00:08:31,529 mature trees. 191 00:08:31,750 --> 00:08:34,700 And behind that is a bank of daffodils that Wordsworth would 192 00:08:34,710 --> 00:08:36,049 be very excited to see. 193 00:08:36,359 --> 00:08:38,640 There's a lady standing over here by the cafe. 194 00:08:38,700 --> 00:08:40,010 Hello. You must be Linda? 195 00:08:40,039 --> 00:08:41,229 LINDA JENKINSON: I am. Hello, Kate. 196 00:08:41,239 --> 00:08:42,919 KATE MARTIN: Lovely to meet you You too. 197 00:08:44,239 --> 00:08:46,169 This is a glorious spot. 198 00:08:46,429 --> 00:08:48,968 LINDA JENKINSON: It's absolutely wonderful. Lots of people use 199 00:08:48,979 --> 00:08:53,299 the park here. People running, cycling, dog walking. But most 200 00:08:53,309 --> 00:08:55,198 people don't realize how fantastic it is for 201 00:08:55,208 --> 00:08:56,008 birdwatching. 202 00:08:56,119 --> 00:08:58,609 KATE MARTIN: My day job's outdoors, so I know a little bit 203 00:08:58,619 --> 00:09:03,598 about birds, but probably not as much as I should! So I'm hoping 204 00:09:03,669 --> 00:09:05,568 you might be able to teach me something today. 205 00:09:05,689 --> 00:09:07,888 LINDA JENKINSON: Okay, well, if we go sit over there, maybe I 206 00:09:07,898 --> 00:09:11,098 can give you a whistle stop tour of one of my workshops. 207 00:09:11,109 --> 00:09:12,983 KATE MARTIN: Great. Let's go. 208 00:09:12,983 --> 00:09:17,270 LINDA JENKINSON: Okay, well, if you're a complete beginner, 209 00:09:17,770 --> 00:09:20,869 there's four things I really need to advise people on to 210 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:21,860 start off with. 211 00:09:21,860 --> 00:09:24,510 That's books, maybe get yourself a decent book. 212 00:09:24,510 --> 00:09:25,239 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. 213 00:09:25,239 --> 00:09:27,539 LINDA JENKINSON: Binoculars, of course, because you can see 214 00:09:27,549 --> 00:09:29,539 birds flying around all of the time. 215 00:09:29,549 --> 00:09:30,774 But you need to see the detail. 216 00:09:30,774 --> 00:09:31,099 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. 217 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,059 LINDA JENKINSON: And then one fantastic thing that you can get 218 00:09:34,070 --> 00:09:37,750 now is a decent app. There are some that are very good for 219 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:41,109 reference, especially for things like birdsong as well. 220 00:09:41,500 --> 00:09:44,440 And the last thing is, is you really need to know what to wear 221 00:09:44,770 --> 00:09:47,599 because the last thing you want is to be freezing cold or 222 00:09:47,609 --> 00:09:51,640 soaking wet. So gloves, scarves, hats, that kind of thing. 223 00:09:52,780 --> 00:09:55,940 Okay. So I think I've just given you the heads up on what you're 224 00:09:55,950 --> 00:09:58,460 going to need to get started. So shall we have a little walk? 225 00:09:58,469 --> 00:09:59,210 KATE MARTIN: Oh yeah, let's! 226 00:09:59,219 --> 00:09:59,919 LINDA JENKINSON: Fantastic. 227 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:09,130 With this particular park, we've got some conifers, Yew Trees and 228 00:10:09,140 --> 00:10:14,150 some Pines and that means that we get even more diversity. 229 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,940 So things like Coal Tit, which got nice little stripe down the 230 00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:20,869 back of it’s head and Goldcrest as well. 231 00:10:21,010 --> 00:10:22,500 KATE MARTIN: And they’re teeny tiny aren’t they Goldcrest? 232 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:23,695 LINDA JENKINSON: They’re our smallest bird! 233 00:10:23,695 --> 00:10:27,875 Very, very fidgety and fluttery and does lots of fly catching. 234 00:10:27,875 --> 00:10:31,979 Oh did you hear the Blackcap then? It's the one that's 235 00:10:31,989 --> 00:10:35,097 going [imitating bird call] 236 00:10:35,097 --> 00:10:36,419 KATE MARTIN: Yes. Just! 237 00:10:36,419 --> 00:10:38,169 LINDA JENKINSON: I cant do a very good impression. But it's 238 00:10:38,179 --> 00:10:45,020 very, very, flutey very fast. And they've only just arrived! 239 00:10:45,020 --> 00:10:48,530 Believe it or not, this is probably one of the best places 240 00:10:48,539 --> 00:10:49,607 to find birds. 241 00:10:49,607 --> 00:10:52,460 KATE MARTIN: There’s bramble, there’s lower sort of scrubby 242 00:10:52,489 --> 00:10:54,440 stuff. There's obviously a bit of cherry in there. But it is, 243 00:10:54,450 --> 00:10:55,559 It's really, really dense. 244 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:58,229 LINDA JENKINSON: This is what birds need in order to be able 245 00:10:58,239 --> 00:11:03,039 to thrive. So these brambles, they contain lots of insects, 246 00:11:03,059 --> 00:11:05,869 but as soon as you clear all away, then you're not going to 247 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:06,690 get birds. 248 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:12,090 This is Chiffchaff that’s singing here. This is one of our 249 00:11:12,099 --> 00:11:13,059 earliest migrants. 250 00:11:13,070 --> 00:11:15,599 You can just see it right above us. 251 00:11:15,599 --> 00:11:21,468 That likes really tall trees. It sings this chip chip chip sound 252 00:11:21,468 --> 00:11:22,780 Yeah Chiffchaff! 253 00:11:22,780 --> 00:11:27,440 But it's actually nesting in this bramble scrub really low 254 00:11:27,450 --> 00:11:28,070 down. 255 00:11:29,830 --> 00:11:32,359 We're going to go walk over to the stream. 256 00:11:33,650 --> 00:11:37,599 So this is one of the good places to see Kingfisher. 257 00:11:37,609 --> 00:11:38,400 KATE MARTIN: Oh, wow! 258 00:11:38,650 --> 00:11:41,669 LINDA JENKINSON: So we sit down on this bench here, we might be 259 00:11:41,679 --> 00:11:42,250 lucky. 260 00:11:42,710 --> 00:11:44,239 KATE MARTIN: To see that flash of blue! 261 00:11:44,849 --> 00:11:48,280 LINDA JENKINSON: So kingfishers are potentially going to be on 262 00:11:48,289 --> 00:11:52,400 this spot here because we've got some still water that you can 263 00:11:52,409 --> 00:11:53,645 actually see the bottom. 264 00:11:53,645 --> 00:11:53,940 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. 265 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,640 LINDA JENKINSON: It will sit on a little perch that's 266 00:11:56,650 --> 00:12:00,080 overhanging the water to wait for the fish to come by and then 267 00:12:00,090 --> 00:12:02,400 plop straight in and then out again. 268 00:12:02,570 --> 00:12:05,960 Why don't we just have a few seconds of quiet and see if we 269 00:12:05,969 --> 00:12:07,239 can see one flying by? 270 00:12:10,190 --> 00:12:12,409 KATE MARTIN: Those Kingfisher seem to be eluding us. 271 00:12:12,869 --> 00:12:15,340 LINDA JENKINSON: Why you might not see a Kingfisher unless it's 272 00:12:15,349 --> 00:12:17,809 right in front of you is that they're not really blue. 273 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:21,719 There's no blue pigment in the Kingfisher feathers at all. 274 00:12:21,719 --> 00:12:22,010 Wow! 275 00:12:22,369 --> 00:12:26,133 The way that the feathers are made up, it refracts the light, 276 00:12:26,133 --> 00:12:30,340 and you actually see the blue spectrum as you're looking at 277 00:12:30,349 --> 00:12:30,763 them. 278 00:12:30,763 --> 00:12:35,715 KATE MARTIN: That's amazing, I did not know that! 279 00:12:35,715 --> 00:12:37,849 It's great to be able to come out to a park like this, but 280 00:12:37,859 --> 00:12:41,059 obviously not everybody can get out to places like this. 281 00:12:41,159 --> 00:12:44,859 So if you're stuck at home or you know, you're in a flat, is 282 00:12:44,869 --> 00:12:47,679 there ways you can still get involved and watch the birds 283 00:12:47,690 --> 00:12:48,590 that are local to you? 284 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:51,260 LINDA JENKINSON: If you just put up things like bird boxes, site 285 00:12:51,270 --> 00:12:53,780 them in the right place so they're not going to get too hot 286 00:12:53,864 --> 00:12:57,664 during the summer months. Have some nice, untouched areas where 287 00:12:57,674 --> 00:12:58,914 birds can nest. 288 00:12:59,265 --> 00:13:02,994 So a typical example of that is one of my urban birding 289 00:13:03,005 --> 00:13:07,034 colleagues, Mary-Beth, who's managed to change a two meter 290 00:13:07,044 --> 00:13:13,679 square piece of concrete into a fantastic wildlife haven. 291 00:13:14,510 --> 00:13:16,729 KATE MARTIN: I've made my way to the other side of Leeds, and as 292 00:13:16,739 --> 00:13:21,109 Linda suggests, I've come to meet Mary-Beth, and I'm assuming 293 00:13:21,119 --> 00:13:24,880 this is probably her garden because it looks like a lovely 294 00:13:24,890 --> 00:13:26,520 little haven for wildlife. 295 00:13:27,820 --> 00:13:30,640 It's quite a small space, but there's loads packed into it. 296 00:13:30,650 --> 00:13:35,809 There's trees and bird feeders everywhere, a little hedgehog 297 00:13:35,820 --> 00:13:39,227 house, and it's absolutely gorgeous. 298 00:13:39,227 --> 00:13:42,882 Hello Mary-Beth! 299 00:13:42,882 --> 00:13:44,909 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Hello, Kate! 300 00:13:44,909 --> 00:13:46,416 KATE MARTIN: What a lovely, lovely garden you’ve got! 301 00:13:46,416 --> 00:13:47,313 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Thank you so much! In you come, would 302 00:13:47,313 --> 00:13:47,762 you like a drink? 303 00:13:47,762 --> 00:13:51,289 KATE MARTIN: Tea would be grand, thank you. 304 00:13:52,289 --> 00:13:53,450 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: I'll put that on for you now! 305 00:13:55,250 --> 00:13:57,510 KATE MARTIN: I have to say I absolutely love the décor of 306 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:01,729 your house. There's just nature everywhere. Bees and birds and 307 00:14:01,739 --> 00:14:03,349 everything. It's absolutely amazing. 308 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,419 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: It's a back to back house, which is 309 00:14:05,429 --> 00:14:08,669 quite a traditional house in Leeds, in Yorkshire. It's a 310 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:11,349 really small space and as a consequence we don't have like 311 00:14:11,359 --> 00:14:14,020 lots of gardens in these houses. But as you can see with my 312 00:14:14,030 --> 00:14:17,510 neighbours and myself, we make the most of the small space. 313 00:14:18,460 --> 00:14:19,344 There you go, cup of tea. 314 00:14:19,344 --> 00:14:21,030 KATE MARTIN: Perfect. Thank you. 315 00:14:21,710 --> 00:14:24,549 It's lovely sitting here on your very comfy couch, but it's a 316 00:14:24,559 --> 00:14:27,869 really perfect view you’ve got to set up of the feeders and the 317 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,669 birds outside. It does make you feel like you're in a sort of 318 00:14:30,679 --> 00:14:34,520 cinema watching a wildlife documentary in front of us. So 319 00:14:34,530 --> 00:14:35,522 what species do you get? 320 00:14:35,522 --> 00:14:35,969 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: I'm really lucky, actually. I get 321 00:14:37,340 --> 00:14:39,849 lots of different birds visiting. I have like a little 322 00:14:39,859 --> 00:14:42,722 colony of House Sparrows that visit, and I’ve got the 323 00:14:42,722 --> 00:14:45,419 Blackbirds, the Robins, the Great Tits. 324 00:14:45,429 --> 00:14:48,919 So quite common really, but still very much appreciated. 325 00:14:48,929 --> 00:14:51,869 I've also had a Common Whitethroat visiting, which I 326 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:56,070 never expected to see, and I've also had a flock of Redpolls 327 00:14:56,080 --> 00:14:58,890 visiting which are really striking little finches. 328 00:14:59,039 --> 00:15:02,369 Then again, I never expected to see those in my, you know, my 329 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:07,770 little Leeds yard. 330 00:15:07,770 --> 00:15:11,880 For the last couple of years. It's really had a very profound 331 00:15:11,890 --> 00:15:16,359 effect on me having this small green space. The first lockdown 332 00:15:16,369 --> 00:15:19,229 in 2020, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 333 00:15:21,229 --> 00:15:23,359 When you've kind of been presented with something like 334 00:15:23,369 --> 00:15:27,260 that, you really do start to consider your mortality a lot 335 00:15:27,270 --> 00:15:32,200 more. And in doing so, you start to really think about what 336 00:15:32,210 --> 00:15:34,979 matters to you the most and what what you want to do with your 337 00:15:34,989 --> 00:15:35,869 life. 338 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:39,250 And for me, what mattered to me the most was being outside and 339 00:15:39,260 --> 00:15:41,440 being around nature. But I couldn't do that because we were 340 00:15:41,450 --> 00:15:42,260 in a lockdown. 341 00:15:43,570 --> 00:15:47,239 I had my first of two surgeries, followed by a few months of 342 00:15:47,250 --> 00:15:49,510 chemotherapy and then followed by radiotherapy. 343 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:54,150 So I kind of lost that year to cancer treatment, which meant 344 00:15:54,159 --> 00:15:56,830 that there was days when I physically was so unwell I 345 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:58,359 couldn't really move off the settee. 346 00:15:58,780 --> 00:16:02,659 But I had my birds visiting. So, you know, it was so important to 347 00:16:02,669 --> 00:16:03,780 me to have that view. 348 00:16:04,849 --> 00:16:07,609 My mum actually was the one who got me my window bird feeder 349 00:16:07,619 --> 00:16:10,479 because she said, While you're on the sofa, you know, 350 00:16:10,489 --> 00:16:12,334 recovering from surgery, you can watch the birds more clearly 351 00:16:12,334 --> 00:16:14,144 when they're right there on the windows. 352 00:16:14,144 --> 00:16:18,630 Me, and my mum have our shared passion for birding and that was 353 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,909 a present from her that was very appreciated and her way of 354 00:16:21,919 --> 00:16:24,750 connecting back with me as well because we couldn't see one 355 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:29,164 another and that was very, very tough. 356 00:16:29,164 --> 00:16:32,940 Straight away, It was kind of really obvious to me that if I 357 00:16:32,950 --> 00:16:36,669 continue to get out as much as I could on my good days and be 358 00:16:36,679 --> 00:16:41,909 around nature, that would keep me, keep me going and keep me 359 00:16:41,919 --> 00:16:43,580 kind of feeling positive. 360 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,940 And then even on those days when I was too unwell to move really, 361 00:16:48,239 --> 00:16:50,700 I could still see the birds in the garden. 362 00:16:54,690 --> 00:16:56,840 KATE MARTIN: It was a hard time for everyone then to add 363 00:16:56,849 --> 00:16:59,340 something like that on top of it and then as you say, then not 364 00:16:59,349 --> 00:17:02,940 being able to connect with your real family, for want of a 365 00:17:02,950 --> 00:17:07,469 better word I suppose having a sort of little avian family was 366 00:17:07,479 --> 00:17:10,849 kind of the best thing you could have in that situation when you 367 00:17:10,859 --> 00:17:13,130 can't actually physically meet your human family. 368 00:17:13,140 --> 00:17:15,030 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: The birds in my garden, these sorts 369 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:18,163 of feel like family in a way. You know, I was seeing them 370 00:17:18,163 --> 00:17:19,729 every day. I was putting food out for them. We had that 371 00:17:19,739 --> 00:17:22,614 relationship. It's that connection with nature, it does 372 00:17:22,624 --> 00:17:23,744 feel very personal. 373 00:17:23,774 --> 00:17:26,784 Every night, I would be up sometimes very late making sure 374 00:17:26,793 --> 00:17:29,264 the hedgehog had visited. Things like that. It's so silly. It's 375 00:17:29,274 --> 00:17:31,213 like, I need to go to bed now, but I want to make sure the 376 00:17:31,223 --> 00:17:32,404 hedgehog has had it’s tea. 377 00:17:32,894 --> 00:17:35,104 KATE MARTIN: It is, it’s just such a nice thing to have 378 00:17:35,114 --> 00:17:38,770 literally so close to home right outside your doorstep. 379 00:17:38,770 --> 00:17:40,250 So, can you give me a tour of your garden? 380 00:17:40,420 --> 00:17:40,839 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Of course. 381 00:17:40,839 --> 00:17:41,319 KATE MARTIN: What have you got? 382 00:17:44,390 --> 00:17:45,949 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: The favourite food here is usually 383 00:17:45,959 --> 00:17:48,949 the sunflower seeds. All kind of the birds really enjoy those, 384 00:17:48,959 --> 00:17:50,300 particularly the Blue Tits and the Great Tits. 385 00:17:50,300 --> 00:17:53,989 There’s also the suet feeders for the Robins and the 386 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:56,680 Blackbirds. I also put mealworms out. 387 00:17:58,050 --> 00:18:00,640 We have the little suet bowls here which the Long-Tailed Tits 388 00:18:00,650 --> 00:18:01,189 really like. 389 00:18:02,630 --> 00:18:03,997 I've also got a little bee house. 390 00:18:03,997 --> 00:18:04,431 KATE MARTIN: Oh yeah! 391 00:18:04,431 --> 00:18:05,083 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Just over there. 392 00:18:05,083 --> 00:18:06,459 KATE MARTIN: For solitary bees? 393 00:18:06,489 --> 00:18:08,510 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Yes, my favourite type of bees. I even 394 00:18:08,520 --> 00:18:11,199 have some Red Mason Bees in some of the brickwork. A couple more 395 00:18:11,209 --> 00:18:13,239 weeks and they'll start to emerge as well. 396 00:18:13,329 --> 00:18:14,959 KATE MARTIN: It's amazing what you can do in such a small 397 00:18:14,969 --> 00:18:15,260 space. 398 00:18:15,290 --> 00:18:17,160 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: It really is. Yeah. I would never 399 00:18:17,170 --> 00:18:19,760 have imagined we could have all of what we have here in this 400 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:21,640 little, little concrete box. 401 00:18:22,359 --> 00:18:24,260 KATE MARTIN: Mary-Beth, thank you so much for showing me 402 00:18:24,270 --> 00:18:26,889 around this beautiful little oasis of calm. 403 00:18:26,889 --> 00:18:28,239 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: It’s been lovely meeting you, an 404 00:18:28,250 --> 00:18:29,060 absolute pleasure. 405 00:18:29,390 --> 00:18:29,952 KATE MARTIN: Oh, you too. 406 00:18:29,952 --> 00:18:30,277 MARY-BETH WHITTINGSTALL: Take care. 407 00:18:30,277 --> 00:18:31,280 KATE MARTIN: Thanks very much. 408 00:18:38,099 --> 00:18:40,530 When I was told I was coming to Leeds for the day, you don't 409 00:18:40,540 --> 00:18:42,609 really think about it as somewhere to come to see 410 00:18:42,619 --> 00:18:46,520 wildlife. But what's been really special today is meeting people 411 00:18:46,530 --> 00:18:49,790 who not only are really passionate about the city that 412 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,680 they live and work in, but are really passionate about the 413 00:18:52,689 --> 00:18:53,760 nature that's here. 414 00:18:53,849 --> 00:18:58,469 From seeing the peregrines, to listening to the black caps and 415 00:18:58,479 --> 00:19:00,795 the chiffchaffs, and then obviously coming out with 416 00:19:00,805 --> 00:19:04,744 Mary-Beth and listening to her talk about how important that 417 00:19:04,755 --> 00:19:07,964 connection with nature has been to her personally, and the very 418 00:19:07,974 --> 00:19:10,655 difficult journey that she's been on the last few years. 419 00:19:11,094 --> 00:19:15,015 It really makes you appreciate that no matter where you are, 420 00:19:15,885 --> 00:19:19,185 nature is literally at your fingertips. If you make a home 421 00:19:19,194 --> 00:19:21,885 for it, you make space for it. If you take the time to look for 422 00:19:21,895 --> 00:19:25,084 it, you'll find it. And that connection with nature is just 423 00:19:25,094 --> 00:19:26,925 so important to all of us. 424 00:19:37,140 --> 00:19:40,660 Thanks for listening to the National Trust Podcast. If 425 00:19:40,670 --> 00:19:43,410 you've been inspired by this podcast, and would like to find 426 00:19:43,420 --> 00:19:46,680 out more about bird watching, or ways to encourage wildlife into 427 00:19:46,689 --> 00:19:49,650 your garden, follow the links in our show notes. 428 00:19:50,319 --> 00:19:52,930 To make sure you're notified of every new episode of the 429 00:19:52,939 --> 00:19:56,319 National Trust Podcast. Please follow us on your favourite 430 00:19:56,329 --> 00:20:00,300 podcast app where we appreciate your ratings and reviews too. 431 00:20:01,229 --> 00:20:04,609 Find out more about audio programs from the National Trust 432 00:20:04,619 --> 00:20:09,150 at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts 433 00:20:09,750 --> 00:20:21,847 And until next time from me, Kate Martin. Goodbye.