It’s rare to come across a snake in the British countryside. They are seldom seen, and often feared and demonised, with most of us basing our views on what we see in cartoons, movies and myths. Britain has three native species of snake and whilst elusive, they are not impossible to find if you know how. In this episode Jo and Cathy set out in search of these secretive reptiles, travelling to a dry heath in East Dorset in the south of England to meet herpetologist Harry Ward-Smith. A very long snake hunt ensues across two nature reserves managed by the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC). Along the way we get to understand and appreciate the lives of these amazing creatures and the many challenges they face in today’s fragmented landscape. Check out ARC’s website for photographs of the three British snake species and so much more.

Join Cathy and Jo on Norland Moor with moth expert Anthony Arak as we leave a moth trap out overnight and return in the morning to see who’s arrived. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series devoted to exploring the life cycle of the majestic Emperor Moth. We listen to the experiences of four Bridestones Rewilded volunteers weaving their lives around some very hungry Emperor Moth caterpillars as they moult, grow, change colour and each spin themselves a silk cocoon.

What is the difference between butterflies and moths? What’s it like to bring up caterpillars? How does a caterpillar transform itself into a moth? And what are moth experts witnessing on the moors of Calderdale as climate change brings warmer conditions across England?

See the podcast website page for the pictures of moths seen in this episode, and more resources on moth identification and trapping. With thanks also to Ian Curley, Sheila Tilmouth, Wren and Greta.

This episode is a departure from the usual format and is an immersive listening experience of the sounds of Dobarz. Earlier in the year Jo and Cathy visited Eastern Poland, returning to an area near the Biebrza Marshes with an intense abundance and diversity of birds and other wildlife. Made from a series of continuous soundscapes recorded by Jo in a variety of habitats around the hamlet of Dobarz, the podcast begins with the dawn chorus, and continues through the day, including a chorus of fire-bellied toads and the underwater sounds of pond life, ending with a windy late afternoon soundscape featuring insects stridulating incessantly. You’ll hear many birds familiar to the British landscape, but also some unusual species: check out our website for more details. Enjoy!