David Attenborough: My Life in Sound
4 Extra Debut. In the midst of Birds of Paradise, David Attenborough talks to Chris Watson about his sound recording escapades. From 2013.
**** Sir David Attenborough joins 麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra's 100 CLUB as he celebrates his 100th birthday on 8th May 2026
In an 麻豆社 exclusive interview, the wildlife legend talks about his life in sound. One of his first jobs in natural history film making was as a wildlife sound recordist.
Recorded in Qatar, Sir David is with sound recordist Chris Watson, there to make a film about a group of birds he is passionate about, The Bird of Paradise.
Qatar is home to the world's largest captive breeding population and it's in this setting that Chris chats to Sir David.
They look back to the 1950's and Sir David鈥檚 early recording escapades, right through to his narration for a series of Tweet of the Day for 麻豆社 Radio 4.
Producer: Jamie Merritt
First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in December 2013.
Last on
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A selection of programmes from the Radio 4 archive
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Tweet of the Day
British birds through their songs and calls. 265 programmes of 90 seconds, over a year.
Clips
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Filming Birds of Paradise
Duration: 01:57
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"I took a lot of trouble to record music"
Duration: 01:02
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鈥淏ack in 鈥�54, I wanted to make some films in Africa鈥�"
Duration: 00:53
David Attenborough in action
Preparing to record and film
David Attenborough crouched down next to a parabolic reflector and recording equipment, with cameraman Charles Lagus - both primed ready to catch the object of their attention.听 Image courtesy of David Attenborough.
Sir David Attenborough with WTT founder Sir Peter Scott
Sir Peter Scott founded the Severn Wildfowl Trust (later Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust - WWT) in 1946. He was also a founder and the first chairman of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1961, and founder of many local and regional bodies from the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation to Falkland Conservation.
This picture was taken in May 1962. Image courtesy of David Attenborough.
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(Information source: )
Gazing over a Slimbridge lake
Radio Times article about Chris Watson recording a solitary ant.
Wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson, is always searching for new and innovative ways to record sound.听 A explored Chris' remarkable insight into sound recording; including the capture of the sound of a solitary ant.听 The article also has听some exclusive audio clips and his feelings about music in wildlife shows.
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Download the programme for free
Broadcasts
Mon 16 Dec 2013 11:00麻豆社 Radio 4- Sun 19 Jan 2014 13:30麻豆社 Radio 4
- Monday 10:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Monday 16:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
- Tuesday 00:00麻豆社 Radio 4 Extra
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