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Last broadcast on Tue, 22 Sep 2009, 15:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
There's a distinctly avian hue to this programme as we reveal the results of our summer-long house martin survey. Just how have these birds fared in 2009? How do they manage to live alongside the apparently similar swifts and swallows, are they competing for a limited supply of food, or is there something else going on? And just why did one listener's house become a magnet for little owls?
We also keep our gaze upwards to answer two astronomical queries. Does the Moon appear different to observers in the southern hemisphere and are there really more stars in the universe than grains of sand on the beach?
On the panel are astronomer Dr Carolin Crawford, ornithologist Graham Appleton and Prof Philip Stott, an environmental scientist from the University of London.
As always we want to hear your comments on the topics discussed and any questions you might want to put to future programmes.
Guest: Dr Carolin Crawford
Dr Carolin Crawford is the Outreach Officer at the Institute of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge.
Guest: Graham Appleton
Graham Appleton has been working for the BTO since 1997 and was Head of Fundraising and Publicity until 2008.
Guest: Professor Philip Stott
Philip Stott is Emeritus Professor of Biogeography in the University of London, where he taught at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
A Parliament of Things - a collection of essays on nature and society
British Trust for Ornithology House Martins Survey
The results of the Home Planet and British Trust for Ornithology house martin survey can be found here ...
Do swifts, swallows and house martins compete within the same ecological niche?
Useful Links: Swifts
"Swifts feed almost exclusively on the aerial plankton of flying insects and airborne spiders of small to moderate size. They mainly feed at around 50-100 m, but sometimes weather conditions force them down to lower levels."
Useful Links: Swallows
Information on the swallow including a description of how its feeding habits differ from house martins.
Useful Links: ecological niches
"Ecological niche characterizes the position of a species within an ecosystem, comprising
species habitat requirements as well as its functional role."
An academic report describing the concept of an ecological niche (.pdf)
Does the Moon appear different in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres?
Useful Links: Astronomy in the Southern Hemisphere
An introduction to Astronomy in the Southern Hemisphere.
Useful links: the phases of the Moon
A web page showing the phases of the Moon as seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Useful Links: images of the Moon
Images of the Moon as seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Are there more stars in the Universe or grains of sand on the Earth?
Useful links: calculating star numbers
A web page from the European Space Agency explaining how the number of stars in the Universe are calculated.
How many stars are there in the Universe? (from the European Space Agency)
Useful Links: Hubble Deep Field observations
Information on the Hubble Deep Field observation.
Hubble's Deepest View of the Universe (from the American Astronomical Society)
Useful links: calculating grains of sand
The formula and calculations used to estimate the number of grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.
The number of grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth (from 21st Century problem solving)
Why was one listener invaded by little owls?
Useful links: Little Owls
Information on the little owl from the BBC.
Useful Links: Little Owls
"The smallest owl in Britain, it is often seen during the day perched on a post, telegraph pole or exposed branch."
Useful Links: Little Owls
"The little owl is a diminutive species, which possesses a plump, round body, bright yellow eyes and spotted plumage."
More detail, video and pictures of the little owl (from Arkive.org)
Broadcast
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Tue 22 Sep 200915:00
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