BBC plans ‘Tweet of the Day,’ radio for birds
FILE - In this Thursday, May 17, 2012 file photo British television personality Sir David Attenborough stands with a floral sculpture of himself at Kew Gardens in London. The BBC is hoping to revive a simpler time with “Tweet of the Day” _ an early-morning radio program dedicated to British birdsong. Veteran naturalist David Attenborough will host the 90-second show, which begins in May 2013, which will feature the song of a different bird each weekday, along with background on the species’ behavior and habits. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
LONDON (AP) — Remember when tweeting was for the birds?
The BBC is hoping to revive that simpler time with “Tweet of the Day” — an early-morning radio program dedicated to British birdsong.
The broadcaster announced Wednesday that veteran naturalist David Attenborough will host the 90-second show, which will feature the song of a different bird each weekday, along with background on the species’ behavior, habits and place in literature and folklore.
Attenborough, who has traveled the world for documentary series including “Planet Earth” and “Frozen Planet,” said he was delighted to be involved in something closer to home.
“I’ve seen some of the most incredible animals on my travels around the world, but ‘Tweet Of The Day’ is a nice reminder of the teeming world of birds on my doorstep,” he said.
The show on the BBC’s main speech station, Radio 4, may be best appreciated by those who rise with the birds. “Tweet of the Day” will be broadcast at 5:58 a.m.
The BBC said 265 different birds will be featured during the year-long series, which begins May 6 with a recording of the cuckoo and moves on to song thrushes, swifts and wood warblers.
Attenborough will host for the first month, and be followed by other BBC presenters.
As this is the 21st century, “Tweet of the Day” will be available online — and will be promoted on Twitter, under the hashtag “r4tweet.”
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Online:
Tweet of the Day: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01s6xyk
