Artwork: Carry Akroyd
Why is Ashdown Forest, ten square miles of access land, so special? Audio producer Eka Morgan and wildlife guide Tom Forward are collaborating to find out.
Wildlife guide Tom Forward and podcast producer Eka Morgan on a dawn recording.
“Brilliant podcast. Compulsory listening for everyone – ought to be on prescription”
Charlie Rose, presenter, BBC South East Today
“This podcast is a total delight and an immersion in nature itself”
Isabella Tree, rewilding pioneer
Episode 6
In this episode: Did you know that Ashdown Forest is the home of Winnie-the-Pooh? Hear from Pooh enthusiasts visiting the Forest…. What was the real Christopher Robin like? Ann Thwaite, biographer of Winnie-the-Pooh author A. A. Milne, tells us… Dawn: how to manage the ever-increasing deer population… Dusk: how to inadvertently scare away rutting deer…
Episode 5
In this episode: Cats, bats and curlews. Dawn: bird ringing explained… Cats: how to reduce their impact on wildlife… Curlews, lynx, wildcats & the Natural History GCSE with author and campaigner Mary Colwell… Dusk: bat spotting on the Forest.
Episode 4
In this episode, Tom and Eka revel in a moth bonanza… ‘Conservation Hero’ Dave Goulson (Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex) sees a world in a cowpat… and musician Sam Lee rhapsodises about Nightingales.
Episode 3
In this episode, rewilding trailblazer Isabella Tree tells Eka about her new ‘Book of Wilding’… Clare Balding from BBC Radio 4’s Ramblings brings her ‘Tigger’ energy to the Forest… Tom joins in with the dawn chorus and Nightjars churr at dusk.
Special episode: Soundscape
This special episode is dedicated to James Adler. James was the Chief Executive of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest from January 2021 to May 2023.
Episode 2
In episode two, Eka interviews Tony Juniper, dedicated wildlife campaigner and Chair of Natural England, chats with Kari Dunbar on her new dog-focused role, and children join Tom for wildlife encounters on the dusk walk.
Episode 1
In episode one, Eka and Tom go on a dawn and dusk walk and learn some birdsong along the way. Eka interviews James Adler, Chief Executive of Ashdown Forest and Green MP Caroline Lucas.
Listen to the episodes by clicking on the players here, or search for ‘Ashdown Forest’ on your podcast platform.
Discover more about the mystery sounds in each episode:
The launch of this podcast was made possible thanks to a grant from The Ashdown Forest Foundation (TAFF) and Friends of Ashdown Forest.
Tom and Eka are making these podcasts to enhance visitors’ appreciation and understanding of Ashdown Forest. They are actively looking for sponsors for future issues, so please email them if you can help.
A donation to The Ashdown Forest Foundation (TAFF) will support the protection and preservation of the Forest.