New Podcast Episode Now Live!

We are delighted to announce the launch of The Oakbank Pod, a new series exploring the practical realities of modern land management and conservation across the UK. We will be bringing together farmers, gamekeepers, ecologists and other specialists to share their insights, real‑world experience and stories behind successful conservation projects.

Episode 4 - All Things Waders - lapwing and redshank recovery in practice

^👉 Our third episode is available to stream here, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

For episode four, we sit down with Rupert Brewer, Game and Wildlife Ranger at Bisterne Estate, to explore what successful wader recovery can look like. Drawing on a decade of monitoring and management, Rupert explains how habitat design, predator control and detailed data collection have delivered measurable gains for lapwing and redshank, alongside wider benefits for wetland wildlife. It's a practical, evidence-led conversation about long-term thinking, collaboration and focus on conservation within a working farming and sporting landscape.

Episode 3 - Turtle Dove Conservation

^👉 Our third episode is available to stream here, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This time, we are exploring turtle dove conservation with Graham Denny at Brewery Farm in Suffolk.

Episode 2 - Predator Control

^👉 Our second episode is available to stream here, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We sat down with Alex Keeble, Game and Wildlife Advisor at the GWCT, to discuss the role of predator control in a wide range of conservation projects, from wild game to reintroduction of waders.

In this episode, Alex shares his journey in conservation, explains the science behind effective predator management and highlights practical methods for controlling predators. We explore the three-legged stool approach - habitat, feed and predation management - for boosting biodiversity, and discuss challenges like legal changes to trapping and the importance of sustainable habitat creation. In addition, we touch on the importance of baselining before making habitat changes, shift to non-toxic shot, promoting game meat consumption and actionable tips for landowners and conservationists.

As is the tradition, we also sample a selection of cheeses and discuss our favourites.

Podcast Pilot Episode 1 - Working Relationships

^👉 Our first, pilot episode is available to stream from our website here, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

We visited the Peppering Project on the Arundel Estate - one of the UK’s leading examples of collaborative game and farm management and one of the most successful biodiversity recovery projects of its kind in Europe, initially set up to save the wild Grey Partridge from local extinction on the South Downs. Head Gamekeeper, Charlie Mellor, and Farm Manager, Conor Haydon, shared their perspectives on building strong working relationships, integrating stewardship into productive farming and the realities of managing habitat and wildlife at landscape-scale.

The conversation is honest and practical, offering valuable insights for anyone working with land and wildlife. And, in true Oakbank fashion, the episode ends on a lighter note with local cheese tasting!