Neil Phillips Victoria Hillman Podcasts

The concluding part from episode 63.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

It is 2 years since the 1st episode of this podcast was released so we decided to do something a bit different, and interview each other! As we asked all the questions that were sent in, it lasted a bit longer than intended so here is part 1 of 2…By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to Eleanor Colver, Conservation Officer at the British Dragonfly Society, who gives us an update on the State of Dragonflies report, talking about the results and future plans informed by the results, while we chat about dragonflies in generalBy Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to Lee Davies, mycologist and Fungarium Curator at the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, all about Fungi! We finally talk about this whole kingdom of life so far largely ignored by this podcast, discussing what fungi are, their different ecologies, the mycorrhiza fungi and their symbiotic relationships with trees, and how many are poisonous……

We talk to 2 young naturalists Mya Bambrick and Ben Rumsby abut their experiences being a young naturalist in the UK today. We discuss what got them into wildlife, the upsides of social media from a young naturalist’s perspective, bird camps and Mya’s work with the Cameron Bespolka Trust, Vlogging and what Noc-Mig is.…

We talk Craneflies with Pete Boardman, national organiser for the UK Cranefly Recording Scheme. We talk about what craneflies are, the confusion when using the name daddy long legs, the diversity and lifecycle of the craneflies, and why there are so many about at this time of year.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to Dr Isla Hodgson about the sharks found in UK waters, including Basking Sharks. We answer your questions on sharks and talk how little we do know about these often misunderstood and unfairly maligned creatures. We also discuss Isla’s work with Basking Shark Scotland and the Save Our Seas Foundation which includes their……

We talk to Jack Wootton, Aquatic Ecologist for the Forth Rivers Trust, about European eels We discuss their lifecycle, diet and issues threatening their survival, and talk about the Forgotten Fish Project he started and the work they do to help eels and other fish.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

A slightly different episode talking about Neil’s recent trips to Yorkshire, one with Zeiss to test out their Victory SF binoculars while enjoying the wildlife of Flamborough Cliffs and hoping to see the Albatross that had been seen there, and a 2nd trip to….well listen to find out! We also take a closer look at……

We talk to Fiona McKenna and Dave Smallshire of the British Dragonfly Society (BDS) and the work they and the BDS do to engage people, record and conserve dragonflies and damselflies. We also find out what their favourite species of this fascinating group is!By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

In this episode we look at the Emerald damselflies, the Lestidae, found in the UK. The Common, Scarce, Southern and Willow Emeralds, looking at how to identify them, their habitat preferences, egg laying and larva habits, the recent arrival and spread in the UK of the Willow and Southern Emeralds and some more geeky info……

Vic and Neil talk about our 9 resident Blue Butterfly species, looking at each species and their preferred habitats, larval food plants and their relationship that some have with ants, including how they trick the poor ant hosts into caring for their caterpillars.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

The Legal Protection for some of the UK’s most vulnerable Wildlife, including adder, pine martens and mountain hares, is under threat from new proposals by the JNCC to only allow those that are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered, or a European Protected Species (EPS) to be protected by law. Neil and Steve Allain look……

Just a heads up In this episode we talk about women being subject to harassment and worse. We talk to Lucy McRobert about the subject of her ‘Call it out’ article she wrote for Bird Guides (do have a read if you haven’t already), how birding or simply being out in nature alone can make…By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to Jack Greenhalgh, who is studying a PhD on the wonderful underwater acoustic world of ponds & rivers. We talk about his research and listen to some of the noises made by freshwater invertebrates underwater.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

Something a bit different for episode 50, we invited 7 other wildlife podcasters onto the show: Susy Buttress from Casual Birder , Ryan Dalton from Into the Wild, Emma Bridson from For What is Earth, Jack perks from the Bearded Tit, Rachael Horowitz from Hidden Wings and Bloodlust and Ellie and Ben from the Wildlife……

In this episode we talk to Dr Jenni Stockan about Wood Ants, which are 3 of our largest and arguably most interesting species of ants. We discuss how they live, what effect they have on the habitats they live in and the somewhat bizarre stories of people relocating them, sometimes to some far off places!…

Our first ever in the field interview, and it is with Mike Coates, warden for RSPB Farnham, where we discuss the Back from the Brink backed Field Cricket reintroduction project and these wonderful insects. In news I cover dogs chasing deer, a bad few weeks for BOP persecution and a project to help the Twaite……

In the second of our spring flowers episodes we talk about the the Bluebell and the Wood Anemone; how and where they grow, why they spread so slowly and the neat trick bluebells use to get phosphorous. In news we talk about the Big Garden Birdwatch results, Large Marsh Grasshopper being reintroduced to Norfolk, the……

In the first of 2 spring flower episode we take an in depth look at the Pasque Flower and Snake’s-Head Fritillary, their ecology, native status and uses in history. In news we discuss Freddie the seal being attacked by a dog, Puffin numbers booming to 1940s-level high on Skokholm, Buglife’s investigation finding ‘I’m a Celebrity’……

We discuss cuckoos with Professor Nick Davies, field naturalist and author of the book ‘Cuckoo: cheating by nature’. We talk about the cuckoos diet, migration and their extraordinary nest parasitism. Over many years of study Nick and his colleagues have answered many of the questions around how the cuckoo gets away with laying it eggs……

We talk about bee-flies, the cute brown fuzzy flies that start to appear in Early spring. As guest host we have the only person we could have asked, the woman Nick baker that described as “the best thing that has ever happened to flies, Dr Erica McAlister! (Who was a great guest back in Ep26).…By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We are joined by Prof. Helen Roy, President of the Royal Entomological Society, to discuss ladybirds. We talk about what ladybirds are, what they eat and their lifecycle. We also ask Helen some of your questions on the value of recording and impact of invasive ladybirds, and finally we talk about who the Royal Entomological Society are and……

Steve joins us again for another herpetological episode, this time we cover the Uk’s snake species: Adders, Grass Snakes, Smooth Snakes and Aesculapian Snakes.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to Nick Gates, naturalist and natural history TV producer, vlogger and writer. We discuss the Ancient or Traditional Orchards, the topic of the book Orchard, which he co-authored. These orchards can hold a wealth of wildlife, including rare and declining species such as the noble chafer, lesser spotted woodpeckers and redstarts. We also, an…

We are joined by James Harding-Morris, who is the Communications Manager for the Back from the Brink project, a large collaboration of UK nature conservation bodies which aims to save 20 species from extinction and benefit over 200 more through 19 projects that span England. We discuss the aims and achievements so far, some of the many……

We talk about tawny owls which are very active and calling at this time of year. In news we discuss The badger cull ‘halting’, using birth control to control squirrels, more raptor persecution and a strange arrangement between Natural England and BASC, a study showing half of all bird biomass in August is non native……

We talk to the fish twitcher himself, Jack Perks, about how he ended up filming freshwater fish and other wildlife, his quest to film every species of British freshwater fish and many other things. In news we cover the call by conservationists to monitor our smaller streams and ponds, andJack also gives his insights on……

We talk to entomologist and museum curator Ashleigh Whiffin, discussing how she got to being a museum curator and entomologist, the need for taking specimens in entomology and how entomological displays have changed over the years. We also discuss Carrion Beetles, their wonderful behaviours of this group, (which include a surprising amount of paren…

We talk about the 2 main winter flowers Snowdrops and Winter Aconites. Looking at the natural history of these 2 plants that are not native, but found in the wild of the UK We choose our favourite nature moment from 2020 and share some of yours. In news we discuss the last welsh Golden Eagle…By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

A bit of a different episode, with just Neil and he is talking about a much maligned group of animals, the leeches, and how his fear turned to fascination. With some cool facts and his personal experiences of these largely misunderstood creatures.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We chat to Kate MacRae about teaching children outside, about wildlife/nature (including remotely during the lockdown!), the remote wildlife cameras in her garden, tips on using trailcams and a host of other things!By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We discuss Wildlife Photography Competitions and Ethics with our guest Rob Read who runs the Wild Art photography competition. We also talk about wildlife writing with his Purple Crow subscription service. We talk through how to set rules in competitions and how this links in with ethics of getting the shot and navigating the grey……

For our 1 year anniversary special we are joined by entomologist and wildlife presenter George McGavin, discussing how he got into entomology and then broadcasting, bot flies, the important conservation role that has been played by Scottish midges and what happened when he was left alone in a dark cave among many other subjects! Here……

We discuss the 2 British winter thrush species – Redwing and Fieldfare. Their identification, migration, feeding and breeding habits. In news we talk about the charging of an owner who let their dog kill a deer in Richmond Park, the rediscovery of the Great Fox-Spider and concerns about government interference of the post Brexit environmental……

We are joined by Cian Gill for a bit of a fun episode for Halloween. We discuss some of the weird and bizarre fantastical creatures (and monsters) that people claim to have seen in the UK. We delve into the world of Cryptozoology talking about sightings of Nessie the Loch Ness monster, Morgawr (the Cornish……

We are joined by Dr Amir Khan GP, known from Channel 5’s GPs Behind Closed Doors, BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, and ambassador for the Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation, to discuss health benefits of wildlife, getting under represented groups access to nature and these benefits, the wonderful wildlife in his garden and Yorkshire,……

In this autumnal episode we discuss the changing colours of tree leaves and the science behind it. In news we cover the successful saltmarsh creation at Fingeringhoe Wick in Essex, pheasants wiping out adders, yet more raptors being killed and some swearing parrots!By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

In this species special we look at the social wasps. We discuss all 9 resident species (and the Asian Hornet), their habits, feeding, nest building, predators and parasites, along with their sting and what exactly is the point of wasps?By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

In this episode we talk flies with Dr Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera (true flies) at the Natural History Museum in London. She is also president of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society, and author of the The Secret Life of Flies and her new book The Inside Out of Flies.Erica answers listener questions on flies and tells……

We talk to Derek Gow about Beaver reintroduction and the story behind it, which is the topic for his book ‘Bringing Back the Beaver’ (available at all good bookstores).He tells the story of well evidenced projects that were stopped by the actions of an influential few, and the success that was won to keep the……

In this species special we look at the Wasp Spider Argiope bruennichi, discussing their feeding behaviour, the males struggling to not be cannibalised while trying to mate with females, the possible function of both their striped body markings and the zig-zag of silk in their web, which is known as a ‘stabilimentum’. We also look at……

We talk to Iolo Williams about raptor persecution and the wildlife found in Wales. We also discuss and Iolo answers questions on how he ended up as a wildlife presenter, his favourite wildlife encounter, the effects of cats and pheasants on wildlife, Mya Bambricks plan to get more wildlife habitat in schools, where to look……

Neil and guest host herpetologist Steve Allain discuss the UK’s Newt species. They talk about smooth, palmate and great crested newts, their habits, feeding and breeding and also look at the non native alpine and Italian crested newts, and neotony that sometimes occurs in UK species. In news they look at the pollution spill kills……

A (very) short episode where Neil talks about our freshwater Cnidarians, the usually marine group that include corals and sea anemones, which focuses on the freshwater Hydra species. With a brief look at the alien freshwater jellyfish that occasionally turn up in the UK as well.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk about Rockpools; the wildlife found there and the extreme environment in which they have to survive. In news we cover yet more BOP being killed in North Yorkshire and numerous cases of dogs attacking wildlife.By Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk about the cetaceans, whales and dolphins, found around the UK’s shoreline, discuss the species found there with details on the 4 most common species and where to see them. In news we discuss a bearded vulture appearing in the UK, restoring meadows at the white cliffs of Dover, and 200,000 incidents of sewage……

In a special short episode we talk about Stag Beetles and Lesser Stag Beetles. We discuss their life cycle, distribution, behaviour and how Neil determined if the males could bite or not! The links mentioned in the podcastPTES websiteStag beetle.infoStag beetlesBy Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman

We talk to ‘Ant Boy’ Xander about all thing Cairngorms and invertebrates included narrow headed ants, capercaillie, shining guest ant and pine hoverfly. We also discuss getting younger people into wildlife. In wildlife news we talk about the peregrine nests raided for their eggs/chicks, the better news that mountain hare culls are to be subject……

We look at the wonderful world of odonata: Dragonflies and damselfliesBy Neil Phillips + Victoria Hillman