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+.

Latest episodes

The Sounds of Autumn

October 1, 2026 · 48 min

This episode is a celebration of autumn bird migration — the great movements of birds that arrive on Irish shores each year from Scandinavia, Siberia, and beyond. With field recordings of yellow-browed warblers, redwings, fieldfares, ring…
Barefoot in East Cork

September 24, 2026 · 42 min

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…
The Sounds of Summer

September 17, 2026 · 45 min

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…
A Tribute to Manchán Magan

September 10, 2026 · 51 min

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…
The Sound of a New Home

September 3, 2026 · 44 min

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…
An Introduction: Becoming "Nature Boy"

August 27, 2026 · 41 min

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…
The Seán Chorus is Coming Soon!

August 20, 2026 · 1 min

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…