The Podcast for nature nuts from wildlife cameraman Jack Perks. Jack interviews celebrities, artists, scientists and conservationists giving a light hearted look into their specialisms, stories and backgrounds seeing what drives people to become so utterly fascinated by the natural world.
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
When you think of Wales three things come to mind, rugby, rolling green hills and iolo Williams in worryingly short shorts. For those that don’t know iolo he is currently one of the main presenters for the hit BBC nature show spring watch and has also appeared in many other programmes including rugged Wales, great welsh parks and welsh language programmes for S4C.
Iolo also isn’t shy to stand for nature from raptor persecution to egg collectors he’s a vocal activist for the natural world.
Today we talk about what wildlife encapsulates Wales, starting out with the watches and how surprisingly egg collecting still goes on today. One of the obvious things with iolo is how much of a all rounder he is whether its birds, mammals, plants whatever they’ll be something he’s deeply interested in.
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
This week I’m talking to prolific nature writer & biologist Amy Jane-beer who is based in Yorkshire and writes columns for the Guardian, BBC Wildlife and Countryfile Magazine. She currently has two books coming out with A Tree A Day in September and The Flow: a return to the river going to take a little bit about those and nature writing in general.
We discuss how she picks stories to write about, wild swimming and planting tree to offset carbon.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
All to often I focus on the living things on this podcast but thought it was be great to delve into the past and what many animals leave behind, bones and there’s one person who sprung straight to mind to speak about them and that’s Ben Garrod. Ben is a professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia and also a primatologist. You may of seen him on one of the many tv programmes he’s featured on like secrets of bones, Attenborough and the giant dinosaur and baby chimp rescue. He’s also got a book coming out.
Today we talk about how closely related we are to chimps, the science of bones and dispelling some myths from dinosaur films like jurassic park.
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Tuesday May 18, 2021
Today I’m joined by Sally Le Page who is a biologist and full-time science YouTuber you may of seen some of her content including shed science, nature dates and the secrets of sex but there’s loads of content to explore on her channel which if you want to check it out is her name. PhD from the University of Oxford and specialises in breaking science to appeal to wider audience.
We talk about what prompted her to start making science films for YouTube, the downsides of being a YouTuber and touch upon diversity in nature programmes like spring watch.
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
I’m chatting with MNHP tutor Adrian Brown he is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography and heads the third year of the degree course. He also runs the professional photographic practice modules during the student's second year.
In this episode we talk about the course, what it takes to get on it and what percentage of students make it into wildlife photography.
Adrians Website - http://adrianbrown.com/
Monday May 03, 2021
Monday May 03, 2021
In this episode I’m chatting to German biologist Katrin Linse of the British Antarctic Survey who has spent the last 25 years researching biodiversity and in particular looking at what’s living deep in out oceans.
We talk about giant squid, megaladon, the mysterious "bloop" and how animals adapt to live down in the depths.
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
In todays show we’ll be looking at how wolves got domesticated, if dogs and wolves are the same species and how dogs have changed are own evolution.
One thing I wanted to find out was how we got from the might wolf to a walking sausage so I got in touch with Greger Larson. He studied at Oxford and the University of Colorado before receiving his PhD in Zoology in 2006. He is now the Director of the Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network Greger where he is continuing his focus on the use of ancient DNA to study the pattern and process of domestication.
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
This week I’m speaking to Hannah O’Regan who is an Associate Professor in Archaeology at the university of Nottingham. We discuss when bears roamed the UK, when they died out and if there’s a possible future for bringing them back.
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Wednesday Apr 14, 2021
Celebrating one year of podcasting I decided to release an extra episode on the subject of dogs and UK wildlife which can come into conflict. I also talk about the past year for the podcast, some stats and where it's heading.
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Today I’ve got an old friend on, Jacky Poon. We went to college and university together and its been great watching his career go from strength to strength. He lived in Nottingham for a few years before moving back to china in the yuan province. He’s a camera operator, director and drone pilot having worked for then blue chip BBC series such as Seven Worlds One Planet, Disney nature, National Geographic you name it and we talk about the emerging wildlife film industry in china, what its like working on these major series and how he dressed up as a panda to film them and to be blunt if pandas are fucked?
Jacky's Website - www.jackypoon.org/
© www.jackperksphotography.com
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
In this weeks podcast I’m speaking to fellow East Midlander Jack Baddams. He’s worked as a bird ringer, volunteered at sherwood forest and currently works on Springwatch as researcher. So we discuss a bit about Jacks career but also look are all non native species bad? Are we at the point of no return with some alien species and discuss a new type of conservation gaining momentum compassionate conservation where you don’t kill any thing.
Jack's Insta - https://www.instagram.com/jabaddams/
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Today I’m talking to a childhood hero of mine I remember growing up in the 90’s and watching all the wildlife programmes on animal planet and two people really stood out to me the late great Steve Irwin and todays guest mark o’shea who hosted o’shes big adventure where he’s go around catching dangerous reptiles to collect data, venom and help people understand them. He’s now taken up the role of Professor of Herpetology at the University of Wolverhampton and previous to that was working with reptiles at the west midland safari park for 33 years not to mention all the other tv work he’s done.
We talk about his fascination with snakes, what it's like to be bitten by a venomous snake and how o’sheas big adventure started.
Mark's Website - http://www.markoshea.info/home.php
Britains Hidden Fishes -
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
This week I have Megan McCubbin who is a zoologist, conservationist, photographer and recent addition to the Springwatch presenting team we talk about what it was like joining the watches, going uncover in Asia to expose the bear bile industry and setting up the self isolation bird club. We also talk about what its like being Chris Packhams step daughter and if theres a feeling of stepping out of his shadow or not?
Megan's Insta - www.instagram.com/megan_mccubbinphoto
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418#/
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
In todays podcast I’m going down the rabbit hole of podcasting and talking to fellow wildlife podcaster Ryan dalton who runs the successful podcast into the wild. We talk about what prompts people to start podcasts, how we pick guests, are pet hates in podcasting and tips for making one here’s the chat. Ryan is a stand up comedian, self confessed eco freak and of course podcaster.
Ryan's Podcast - https://intothewild.podbean.com/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418#/
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
This week I’m chatting to legendary tv angler Jeremy wade, This the last in of a series of podcasts this month talking to influential and celebrity anglers. I’m also working on a crowd funder this month Britains hidden fishes which I’m aiming to make a 1 hour long film on British fish, think blue planet but a much smaller budget and coincidentally Jeremy is narrating that film, there’s a link to that in the description.
I remember watching Jeremy in jungle hooks a few years before he blew up on river monsters and it was such breath of fresh air seeing all these weird and wonderful fish being caught by someone who was engaging and clearly invested in these animals. Jeremy has spent nearly 40 years trailing around the world catching fish and has since written books and started in many tv shows like river monsters, dark waters and mighty rivers.
We talk about about the monsters that eluded him, his break into television and a catfish that swims up your penis along with loads of other adventures he’s been on.
Jeremy's Website - https://jeremywade.co.uk/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418?create_edit=true#/
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
In todays show I’m talking to ace fly angler Marina Gibson and this is part of a series of podcasts all month talking to influential and celebrity anglers. I’m also working on a crowd funder this month Britains hidden fishes which I’m aiming to make a 1 hour long on british fish, think blue planet but a much smaller budget and there’s a link to that in the description.
Marina has got to be the most well known female angler in the country. she runs on the northern fishing school which helps people of all ages connect with fishing. She’s appeared on multiple tv shows, YouTube videos and magazine articles not to mention being a brand ambassador for Orvis fishing company.
We chat about what drives people to go fishing, how women anglers are perceived in the sport and if women are indeed better anglers along with quick fire questions at the end like favourite fish, venue and methods.
Marina's Website - https://marinagibsonfishing.com/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418?create_edit=true#/
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
I chat to TV angling star Matt Hayes who is one the most recognised names in British angling having been on TV for more than 20 years and appeared in over 200 programmes. Whether he’s on his solo adventures or paired up with Mick Brown he’s programs are widely regarded as some of the best angling tv programmes made with the great rod race, lake escapes and total fishing being highlights. I speak Matt about his start in angling tv, how its changed over the years and how salmon fishing has taken up a lot of his time in recent years along with quick fire questions at the end like favourite fish, venue and methods.
Matt's Website - https://www.matthayes.tv/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418?create_edit=true#/
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
In this Podcast I speak to John Bailey who has written more books then I can count on angling and been writing for anglers mail for 45 years which sadly stoped publishing last year. He’s traveled all over the world catching fish and is an avid river conservationist. He’s also appeared on many fishing tv programmes including mr crabtree goes fishing which is where I know John from as I was a cameraman on that and recently he’s become the angling consultant for the smash hit series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
John's Website - https://www.baileyandfishing.com/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418?create_edit=true#/
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to wildlife filmmaking legend Hugh Miles as I met up with him in September. We discuss his many adventures across the globe filming for Life on Earth, Trials of Life and many other programmes. His technique of getting to know his subjects and a few hair raising moments like a polar bear smelling his soup!
We of course also chat abut Passion for Angling which is widely considered to be the best angling series ever and a few listeners questions.
Hugh's Blog - https://hughmiles9.blogspot.com/
Britains Hidden Fishes - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/britain-s-hidden-fishes/x/15889418?create_edit=true#/
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to Nick Baker a wildlife tv presenter having been on many programmes such as Weird Creatures ,The Really Wild Show & Springwatch Unsprung to name a few. Here's also a incredibly passionate and knowledgable naturalist with a interest in the creepy crawlies.
We talk about his start in wildlife presenting, what ticks him off in the industry, how presenting has changed and many other topics!
Nick's Website - www.nickbaker.tv
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to Charlie Hamilton James a professional wildlife cameraman, presenter and award winning photographer. We talk about how he started his career with kingfishers and otters, what really pisses him off in wildlife photography and that time he bought a rainforest in the amazon.
Charlies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chamiltonjames
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
Saturday Jan 23, 2021
I enjoy another little rant in this podcast as I go why some people give away images for free and read out a few examples of people asking me for free images and my responses!
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
Tuesday Jan 19, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to James Harding-Morris of Back From The Brink which is a collection of nature groups trying to bring back 20 or so species that are near to extinction in the UK. We talk about how they choose which species to save, how covid has affected the work and there success stories.
Back From The Brink - https://naturebftb.co.uk/
Tuesday Jan 12, 2021
Tuesday Jan 12, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to Dr Steve Simpson who lecturer at the university of Exeter and worked on Blue Planet 2 studying the vocalisations of fish and thats the main subject of todays chat. Fish that talk!
Steves Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrSteveSimpson
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
Tuesday Jan 05, 2021
In this Podcast I chat to Matt Brierley, we talk about his film Sharks: In Deep Water which explores the over fishing of sharks in British and European waters, how shark fin soup is still legal in Britain and why the demand for shark meat is rising.
Matts Twitter - https://twitter.com/mattbrierley
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
In this Podcast I chat to Indy Greene who is a Nottinghamshire bird watcher and young naturalist. We talk about the difference between birders and twitchers, the beareded vulture that turned up this summer and what makes birders tick.
Indys Twitter - https://twitter.com/greeneindy
© www.jackperksphotography.com
Monday Dec 21, 2020
Monday Dec 21, 2020
In this Podcast I chat to Gary Moore who has worked on multiple wildlife programmes as a sound recordist. We talk about why its shunned by many wanting to work in wildlife film making and the difficulties of the job delving into Garys dyslexia and his sons interest in fishing which Gary isn't sure whether to is a good thing or not.
Garys Twitter - https://twitter.com/mooresounds
© www.jackperksphotography.com
Sunday Dec 20, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
In this Podcast I chat to Sophie Pavelle who along with being the Communications Lead for the beaver trust is also an ambassador for the wildlife trusts and general social media whizz kid. We chat about how social media effects young naturalists, her upcoming book, what species she'd most like to see and of course beavers get a mention.
News: Beavers Move To Derbyshire For The First Time in 800 Years
Sophies Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sophiepavs/?hl=en
Top 5 Autumnal Nature Spectacles
© www.jackperksphotography.com
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
In this Podcast I chat to Robert E Fuller who is a renowned wildlife artist well known for his elaborate garden set ups. We talk about wildlife art, tips on starting out and his famous weasels
News: Aquatic Beetle That Can Survive Being Eaten By Frogs
Roberts Website - https://www.robertefuller.com/
Top 5 Ways To Encourage Wildlife Into Your Garden
© www.jackperksphotography.com