Episode Details

Gemma brings the Birdsong button-book and Lewis plays “name-that-tweet.” From ravens’ office gossip to goldcrests in conifers, we derail into MI6 recruitment, chicken nappies and phone-based surveillance – but somehow loop back to purposeful listening outdoors.

• 🚗 Apple “steps & floors” chat, blocked noses and elevation paranoia

• 🕵️‍♂️ Lewis’ totally-real MI5 recruitment story (“Do I have to kill people?” – “Yes.”)

• 💸 Tech eavesdropping: teeth-whitening ads & sperm-donor pop-ups

• 🎤 BIRD QUIZ:

  • Raven (social geniuses, imitate speech)

  • Jay (egg-thief, acorn forester)

  • Wood warbler (roots-nest, African migrant)

  • Great tit (“teacher-teacher!”)

  • Goldcrest (smallest UK bird, squeaky bike)

  • Wren (loudest tiny shouter)

• 🌳 Why birds make such good “gateway wildlife” for kids

• 🐔 Honiton “Hot Pennies,” chicken sacrifices & indoor-hen nappies (!?)

• 🔊 Active listening outdoors – and why Gemma abruptly stops mid-sentence when a bird calls

• 📚 Book used: Birdsong – 150 British & Irish Birds and Their Amazing Sounds (Jonathan Elphick & Lars Svensson) – now hard to find, so scour eBay/charity shops

00:00 – iPhone step-count rabbit hole
09:50 – MI6 recruitment & tracking paranoia
15:00 – Bird-quiz round 1: Raven, Jay
23:40 – Bird-quiz round 2: Wood warbler, Great tit
28:45 – Bird-quiz round 3: Goldcrest, Wren
35:00 – Why birds are the safe wildlife to notice
38:00 – Indoor hens, nappies & sacrificial chickens
42:00 – Courses plug & wrap-up

Birdsong · Ravens · Jays · Great Tit · Goldcrest · Wren · Active Listening · Outdoor CPD · Tech Surveillance

#ForestSchoolPodcast #BirdQuiz #OutdoorLearning #ListenUp #CPD

How many birds did you name? Drop us a voice-note or email admin@theforestschoolpodcast.com and tell us your score (and favourite bird fact).