344. A thrilling night-time quest to experience the great spring toad migration

344. A thrilling night-time quest to experience the great spring toad migration

Author: Our Media March 31, 2026 Duration: 53:26
It's night in the woods deep in the Cotswold Hills. Plodcast host Fergus joins friend and environmental writer James Fair to see if they can witness the great spring toad migration, where toads leave their winter hideouts and head across land in huge numbers to find a pond or lake to breed in. Have the daring duo left it too late? What will they find on this nocturnal ramble?Our Facebook page is back! Search "BBC Countryfile Magazine - Plodcast Community" or join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/countryfilemagazineplodcast/?ref=shareThe BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 & 2025 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews. Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: theplodcast@countryfile.com. If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team. The Plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. The theme tune was written and performed by Blair Dunlop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Each week, The Plodcast offers a gentle, immersive journey into the landscapes and stories of rural Britain. Produced by Our Media, this series is more than just a guide; it’s a thoughtful audio companion that connects the science of natural phenomena with the deep cultural roots found in villages, coastlines, and rolling hills. You’ll hear from naturalists, historians, farmers, and artists whose lives are intertwined with the land, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives on place and society. The weekly episodes, released every Tuesday, delve into specific topics, from wildlife biology and conservation efforts to the social history embedded in ancient footpaths. Then, on Fridays, the pace shifts to a reflective Sound Escape-a chance to simply listen and unwind with the ambient noises of the outdoors. This podcast serves as a regular invitation to slow down and appreciate the complexities and simple wonders of the countryside, all through carefully crafted audio. It’s a blend of curious inquiry and peaceful respite, designed for anyone with an interest in travel, nature, and the quieter aspects of British life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 644

The Plodcast
Podcast Episodes
50. A gentle springtime stroll along a stream in Monmouthshire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
Listen to delightful birdsong at the spring equinox. Fergus Collins wanders along a winding stream through a woodland in his homeland of Monmouthshire picking litter and identifying a variety of birds by their song. A lo…
48. Enjoy a marvellous otter adventure in Shetland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:14
Otters are elusive, elegant fish hunters but are becoming more common across the UK. But in Shetland, they are seen commonly all round the coast so naturalist James Fair headed to otter central to watch otters with exper…
47. National Park special: what does the future hold? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:39
Join a fascinating discussion with Corinne Pluchino of the Campaign for National Parks looking at how our most famous protected areas are faring and what needs to be done to ensure wild habitats and human inhabitants are…
46. Take a pilgrimage to an ancient shrine in a remote Welsh valley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
Discover the 6th-century saint Melangell who defied a Welsh prince and created a sanctuary for people and wildlife in stunning Cwm Pennant on the edge of Snowdonia. Julie Brominicks takes a pilgrimage across the hills to…
44. The quest to find the true source of the Thames continues… [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:51
After last episode's adventure finding the official source of the River Thames near Cirencester, the team head north deeper into the Cotswolds in search of the beginnings of the River Churn, which some people believe is…
42. On the trail of killer whales in Shetland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:27
Shetland is becoming increasingly well known for its killer whale population – learn more about them as travel writer James Fair heads to Shetland mainland to talk to Hugh Harrop of Shetland Wildlife They also chat about…