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The Seán Chorus

HeadStuff Podcasts

#43 in Science this week

Hosted by Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist Seán Ronayne, The Seán Chorus brings the beauty of the natural world directly to your ears.
Following a five-year journey to record all of Ireland's birds, Seán has built an extraordinary archive of over 40,000 recordings. From farting seals to vibrating leafhoppers, and of course plenty of birdsong, if it's natural and makes a sound, Seán has it.
Now, with his new podcast, Seán has found the perfect way to bring these sounds to life and tell the personal stories and adventures behind them.
A sanctuary of calm from the madness of daily life, the show blends unscripted field audio, studio reflections, and conversations with nature lovers.

This show is part of HeadStuff Podcasts, you can support the show, access bonus content, and ad-free listening by signing up to HeadStuff+.

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  • 6 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 37 min
  • English

Episodes 6

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  • Yesterday · 41 min

    Barefoot in East Cork

    Originally recorded Summer 2026 This very special episode is an immersive field audio essay, recorded live in two of Sean's favourite local spots in East Cork — a rewilding quarry he has known since childhood and the Knockadoon peninsula. With on-site recordings of sand martins, stock doves, blackcaps, chiffchaffs and swallows, a remarkable discovery of breeding tufted ducks, the tumbling displays of rock and meadow pipits, herring gulls overhead, by-the-wind sailors washed ashore, and the tell-tale droppings of coastal otters. The episode ends with the sound of waves on a rocky shoreline — a moment to simply listen. This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • September 17 · 44 min

    The Sounds of Summer

    Originally recorded June 2026 This episode of The Sean Chorus podcast is an immersive celebration of the sounds of the Irish summer, from birdsong and buzzing insects to coastal wildlife. With more recordings from Ireland and beyond, including owls, wrens, golden orioles, guillemots, a minke whale and the rare Roussel’s bush cricket, as well as the often-maligned ragwort and the wildlife it supports. The episode ends with a mystery sound for listeners to identify! This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • September 10 · 51 min

    A Tribute to Manchán Magan

    This episode of The Sean Chorus podcast is Sean Ronayne's personal tribute to his friend and mentor Manchán Magan, the acclaimed Irish author and broadcaster who died last October at age 55. Sean traveled to the Hill of Uisneach, the ancient mythological "navel of Ireland" - where Manchán's ashes were scattered. He spent a night recording birdsong and folklore-rich wildlife (blackbirds, chaffinches, willow warblers, a skylark, and a snipe flying overhead unexpectedly), weaving each into Irish mythology and memories of Manchán. This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • September 3 · 44 min

    The Sound of a New Home

    This week on The Seán Chorus, Seán Ronayne provides a small update along with more sounds and moments that have made his new home feel familiar. From the call of the curlew echoing through the balcony door, to capturing the hum of bees and grasshoppers in a wildflower meadow, Seán reflects on more memories and his connection to the natural world. Explore the return of Mediterranean gulls to Cork Harbour, and even a mystery sound challenge, in this latest episode. This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 27 · 40 min

    An Introduction: Becoming "Nature Boy"

    Welcome to the very first episode of The Seán Chorus! This week, our host Seán Ronayne introduces himself and shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his life and career. From childhood memories and surviving a life threatening illness to collecting over 30,000 nature recordings, Seán reflects on his lifelong bond with the natural world. The episode is packed with wild soundscapes and stories, including the mistle thrush, insect steps, rogue humans, slugs, swallows and more. If you enjoyed this episode, please support the show by telling a friend, and leaving a 5 star review. It would be greatly appreciated. 🐦‍⬛ This is a HeadStuff podcast produced by Hilary Barry and Dan Wilcox. Original artwork is by Matt Mahon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • August 20 · 1 min

    The Seán Chorus is Coming Soon!

    Episode one of The Seán Chorus is out Thursday the 27th of August! Hosted by Cork-born ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist Seán Ronayne, The Seán Chorus brings the beauty of the natural world directly to your ears. Following a five-year journey to record all of Ireland's birds, Seán has built an extraordinary archive of over 40,000 recordings. From farting seals to vibrating leafhoppers, and of course plenty of birdsong, if it's natural and makes a sound, Seán has it. Now, with his new podcast, Seán has found the perfect way to bring these sounds to life and tell the personal stories and adventures behind them. A sanctuary of calm from the madness of daily life, the show blends unscripted field audio, studio reflections, and conversations with nature lovers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Showing 1–6 of 6 episodes