Looking, listening #1
What I'm enjoying right now
Who doesn’t love a recommendation? I thought I’d share with you what I’m reading, listening to or looking at right now. You can expect this style of newsletter popping into your inbox once a month.
Think books, podcasts, Substack articles and anything else that peaks my interest be it a funky looking mushroom or a quote, song or great piece of advice I’ve received.
This week we’re starting with some bird themed recommendations:
Merlin - Did bird song just go mainstream?
Me and a friend were trying to identify a small yellow bird (spoiler…it was a Goldcrest) in Glendurgan gardens the other weekend when we decided to download the app Merlin. We then spent the next 40 minutes wondering around identifying birds from their calls. It was amazing and magical and like we’d just been gifted a secret power to see and hear all of the birds hidden in trees and shrubs all around us.
That night we went out to a gig in town, to balance out our middle-aged activities of the day (welcome to your 30’s), and a Stroud duo took to the mic -
“Even though I’m a nature girl I don’t know what that bird is…”
We felt seen! Except since downloading Merlin just a few hours earlier we actually do know what that bird is.
(If you haven’t come across the talented and unapologetically creative duo Mermaid Chunky here’s your cue to indulge)
Now is possibly a good time to mention that my Dad is doctor of zoology and my Uncle an acclaimed ornithologist who have both passionately dedicated their lives to writing, researching and making films on birds. Despite my Dad’s best efforts and continual quizzing, my knowledge of bird song is embarrassingly poor. But since downloading Merlin I’ve learnt more in one month than I have in the 30+ years prior! Sorry Dad…
If you want to get even more birdy like me this month, have a click:
A documentary made by my parents exploring David Attenborough’s top 7 animal songs he’s heard in his life time. Think Desert Island Discs for wildlife.
(I promise that’s all for the family shout outs)
Sidetracked with Annie & Nick - Is bird song the original music?
I love Annie Mac, even more so for her writing and chat than her music, her honest and relatable Substack post are some of my favourites. I particularly enjoyed this podcast episode debating whether bird song is actually the original music.
When design meets birding. An Instagram account created by a friend of mine.
That’s all for now. See you next month!
I really loved reading this Ellie 🐦⬛