May 6

Silicon Planet

Like a typecast actor who can’t escape the blockbuster franchise they’re known for, the element of silicon is inescapably associated with Silicon Valley. But that association undersells just how important, how foundational silicon is for human civilization. It’s another edition o ... Show More

33m 23s

Apr 29

A Dry Hot American Summer

In the spring of 1936, the producer of King Kong hauled a film crew to the desert of Arizona to shoot a sweeping romantic epic. But the heat was so punishing that it melted film stock, caused the lead actress to pass out, and killed the production’s mascot – a baby camel. It was ... Show More

31m 22s

Apr 22

Like a Dirty Rotten Whale

We’re cleaning out the proverbial fridge, but instead of old food, it’s fantastic and forgotten questions from the Outside/Inbox. Conversation topics include Taylor’s humiliatingly old headlamp, the olfactory experience of a dead whale and, of course, the answers to the following ... Show More

39m 20s

Dec 2023

Is the pigeon the weirdest animal on earth?

It is related to the dodo, makes milk and even played a role in the French Revolution. Surely this bird deserves some recognition?Featuring:Rosemary Mosco, Science writer and author of 'The Pocket Guide to Pigeon Watching'.Nathan Finger, Host of 'Bird of t ... Show More

26m 4s

Mar 2018

Andy Clements on Pink-footed Geese

Andy Clements of the British Trust for Ornithology explains why he finds the sound of Pink-footed Geese so exciting as they fly overhead calling to one another. Tweet of the Day has captivated the Radio 4 audience with its daily 90 seconds of birdsong. Producer: Sarah Blunt

1m 41s

Oct 2021

Honey, we shrunk the birds

A recent study of tens of thousands of birds has shown that birds are growing smaller over time. It could be due to climate change, and if so, we ought to consider: How else might humans be altering the literal shape of life on Earth — now and in the future? For more, go to http: ... Show More

27m 19s

May 2024

Birds of Paradise

Alison Világ pays attention for a living. She counts migrating ducks at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Michigan. It's key to getting a pulse on different bird populations. But for Alison, counting ducks is more than just science – it's an escape from the expectations of othe ... Show More

17m 9s

Apr 2023

What's That Bird Song?

Have you ever wondered what bird you’re hearing? We’re going to discover how to recognize birds by their sound - and what that means for science. Trevor Attenberg is an environmental scientist and science communicator who learned to identify birds without sight, by their sound al ... Show More

22m 26s

Jun 2019

Why do birds sing?

"What happens to the human voice as we age? If I hear a voice on the radio, I can guess roughly how old they are. But singer's voices seem to stay relatively unchanged as they age. Why is this?" All these questions were sent in by Jonathan Crain from Long Island in New York.Docto ... Show More

27m 56s

Apr 2023

Le ver de terre, à la fois mâle et femelle, digère 300 tonnes de terre par an !

Aujourd'hui, destination... le parc (ou le jardin, si tu en as un) ! Nous partons à la rencontre du ver de terre !De son petit nom « lombric terrestre », tu l'as peut-être déjà vu se tortiller dans la terre</str ... Show More

11m 32s

Jun 2023

The Seagulls

In the 1970s, as LGBTQ+ people in the United States faced conservatives whose top argument was that homosexuality is “unnatural,” a pair of young scientists discovered on a tiny island off the coast of California a colony of seagulls that included… a significant number of fema ... Show More

38m 12s

Apr 2023

Peep The Delightful Science Of Chickens

When Tove Danovich decided to dabble in backyard chicken keeping, she embraced a tried and true journalistic practice — reading everything there is to find on the subject. In her search, she found plenty of how-to guides, but what she really wanted was to know more about the scie ... Show More

12m 40s

Pigeons are weird