They may not have backbones, but invertebrates are the unsung heroes of the natural world, shaping landscapes, driving ecosystems, and even influencing the behaviour of top predators.

In this episode, we journey into their fascinating and often overlooked world. We explore how termites engineer entire ecosystems, how ant behaviour can influence lion hunting patterns, and why a specific rainforest bee is the key to every Brazil nut you’ve ever eaten.

While many invertebrates are now in decline, it's not all bad news. We share some hopeful conservation stories, organisations working hard to protect our invertebrate populations, and highlight simple ways we can all help support these vital animals.

Researching this episode took us down all sorts of unexpected rabbit holes, something you’ll definitely hear reflected in the conversation.

We hope you enjoy listening What’s your favourite invertebrate fact, story, or encounter? Come share it with us over on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you @thebirdybugpod.

Get in touch

Don't forget to follow The Birdy Bug Pod over on Instagram. And please do feel free to contact us with any questions, feedback, comments, or just to say hi!

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links

'We cannot survive without insects' – DW – 06/22/2018

How loud is YOUR penis?! The waterboatman and his mighty member!

Stream Lesser Water Boatman, the loudest underwater insect by terranova | Listen online for free on SoundCloud

Figs & Wasps | How Are Figs Pollinated? | FoodUnfolded

Letting grass grow long boosts butterfly numbers, UK study proves | Butterflies | The Guardian

Ecological feedbacks. Termite mounds can increase the robustness of dryland ecosystems to climatic change - PubMed

Mysterious, fierce, and teetering on the edge of extinction, the Scottish Wildcat is one of the UK’s rarest and most elusive mammals.

Nicknamed the Highland Tiger, this striking predator once prowled across much of the UK. But today, it's hanging on by a thread.

In this episode, we take a closer look at what makes this cat so special, from its huge personality and charismatic scowl to its deep roots in Scottish culture and folklore. We explore the threats it faces, uncover the reasons behind its decline, and shine a light on the passionate conservationists working to bring this iconic species back from the brink.

Contact:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links:

European wildcat | RZSS

Wildcat conservation in Scotland | Saving Wildcats | Saving Wildcats

Wildcat Haven

Wildcats | NatureScot

Wildcats released in Scottish Highlands in effort to prevent extinction in UK | Rewilding | The Guardian

https://treesforlife.org.uk/

Everyone can play a role in conservation, from protecting wildlife to contributing to real scientific research. Volunteering and its powerful branch, citizen science, is making a real difference for the environment.

In this episode, we explore the incredible impact of these efforts across the UK. From bird counts and river monitoring to tree planting and habitat restoration, passionate people are tackling climate change, preserving biodiversity, and shaping environmental policy.

We also discuss how volunteering benefits individuals and communities and share our own experiences with these initiatives.

By the end, you’ll probably guess that we’re big fans of volunteering!

We hope you enjoy the episode and would love to hear about your own experiences or projects you’re passionate about.

Contact:

As always, please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions, feedback, comments, or just want to say hi! The easiest way to get in touch is to ping us a message on Instagram:

Follow us @thebirdybugpod

Links:

The Big River Watch | The Rivers Trust

Home - Earthwatch Europe

Take part in a project | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology

https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/what-you-can-do

Join the Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain Tidy

Big Butterfly Count

From farm to forest: the volunteers planting 100,000 trees in Somerset | Trees and forests | The Guardian

Nature's Calendar - Woodland Trust

The Conservation Volunteers