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 BBC Radio 4 Extra's 100 CLUB as he celebrates his 100th birthday on 8th May 2026
In an BBC 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’s early recording escapades, right through to his narration for a series of Tweet of the Day for BBC Radio 4.
Producer: Jamie Merritt
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2013.
On radio
![]()
David Attenborough: from the archive
A selection of programmes from the Radio 4 archive
![]()
Tweet of the Day
British birds through their songs and calls. 265 programmes of 90 seconds, over a year.
Clips
![]()
Filming Birds of Paradise
Duration: 01:57
![]()
"I took a lot of trouble to record music"
Duration: 01:02
![]()
“Back in ’54, I wanted to make some films in Africa…"
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. 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.
(Information source: http://www.wwt.org.uk/about-us/history-of-wwt/our-founder-sir-peter-scott/)
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. A Radio Times online article published in Febuary 2013 explored Chris' remarkable insight into sound recording; including the capture of the sound of a solitary ant. The article also has some exclusive audio clips and his feelings about music in wildlife shows.
Download the programme for free
Broadcasts
Mon 16 Dec 201311:00BBC Radio 4- Sun 19 Jan 201413:30BBC Radio 4
- Today10:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Today16:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tomorrow00:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
Featured in...
![]()
Natural history on Radio 4—Natural Histories
A collection of programmes about natural history.
![]()
Sounds of Life
A pocketful of captivating sounds collected from science, nature and everyday life.
![]()
David Attenborough
A selection of programmes from the Radio 4 archive
![]()
Delve into the Archive
Celebrate International Archives Week with picks chosen by BBC Archive curators.
