SCIENCE IN ACTION - COUNTING BIRDS FROM SPACE (96kbs-m4a/19mb/26mins)
BBC World Service broadcast: 5th May 2017
For the first time conservationists can monitor and count birds from space. Using the next-generation Earth observation satellites, scientists count Northern Royal Albatrosses on their breeding grounds on the remote Chatham Islands, off New Zealand. Many of these large, majestic seabirds are threatened, not least by long-line fishing. But they are rarely on land, and often nest in difficult to get to places. But because they’re big and white, high-resolution satellite images can spot them.
Insect Flight
With wings that flap up to 600 times per second, watching the precise movements of mosquitos in flight is impossible for the human eye. Somehow, these and other tiny insects are able to fly through the heavy turbulence of wind and rain. Research out this month has uncovered unexpected aerodynamic techniques that keep the miniscule creatures airborne, the understanding of which can aid the development of smaller and better drone technology. But how do you film a 4mm mosquito’s individual wing beats in slow motion?
Cassini Reveals Saturn’s Secrets
20 years ago the Cassini-Huygens mission set off to Saturn, the gas giant with its iconic rings. Since its arrival in 2004, Saturn, its moons and its rings have been revealing their secrets to NASA-ESA’s ‘Discovery Machine’ which bristles with instruments and scientific equipment. Among the main discoveries are ice-plumes erupting from the moon Enceladus, and the identification of rain, rivers, lakes and oceans on the Earth-like Titan. From its launch to its bitter-sweet grand finale, the Cassini-Huygens mission will have racked up a remarkable list of achievements.
Image: Bobbie Lakhera © BBC
Presenter: Bobbie Lakhera
Producer: Fiona Roberts
BBC Radio 3 broadcast: 19th June 2016
A relaxing, seamless mix of British birdsong and music inspired by the natural world.
Radio 3's Birdsong Mixtape brings together the best of British birdsong with music inspired by the natural world in a seamless, relaxing mix.
As you listen, you'll hear the calls of birds who start singing before sunrise (in particular the Blackbird and Redstart) before bursting into the dawn chorus with Chaffinch and Goldfinch in starring roles. As the day progresses, we hear from the Skylark, Willow Warbler, Song Thrush and Robin. Then, as dusk descends, we eavesdrop on the peerless song of the Nightingale.
Inspired by the Birdsong on Breakfast feature (Sundays around 8.10am), some of the music in our Birdsong music was selected for its connection with birds; others for the time of day they evoke. Some tracks have been chosen simply for their beauty.
Blackbird birdsong
Franck: Sonata in A major for piano and violin - Jennifer Pike (violin) and Tom Blach (piano)
Redstart birdsong
Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 excerpt from Lever du jour - BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus, Andrew Davis (conductor)
Chaffinch birdsong
Britten: Early one morning - Elizabeth Watts (soprano) and Paul Turner (piano)
Goldfinch birdsong
Tippett: Dance, Clarion air - BBC Singers, Bo Holton (director)
Willow Warbler birdsong
Delius: In a Summer Garden - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis (conductor)
Skylark birdsong
Vaughan Williams: Lark Ascending (excerpt) - Yuri Torchinsky (violin), BBC Philharmonic and Vassily Sinaisky (conductor)
Robin birdsong
Debussy: Syrinx - Adam Walker (flute)
Song Thrush birdsong
Wilbye: Draw on Sweet Night - BBC Singers and Bo Holten (director)
Nightingale birdsong
Respighi: 3rd movt from Pines of Rome - BBC Philharmonic and Gianandrea Noseda (conductor)
