TODAY’S RADIO

Natural Histories

11AM, RADIO 4

Ravens have lived close to humans for centuries because – as far as these birds are concerned – where there are humans, there is food. These intelligent birds have wingspans of up to a metre, and huge brains for their size. In Norse mythology, the god Odin kept two ravens, who would fly out each morning and report back each night. Brett Westwood hears stories and wildlife facts about these awesome birds.

Steve Earle’s Songwriting Bootcamp

11.30AM, RADIO 4

Steve Earle, the country singersongwriter whose songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless and other stars, is generous with his talent. Every year, he gives a songwriting course up in the Catskill Mountains. We listen in as Hugh Levinson joins a hundred other hopefuls trying to turn tales of methadone, guns, jail, death and betrayal into country hits. There’s not much cheer these days up in those mountains.

Iceland Rescue

1.30PM, 7.30PM, WORLD SERVICE

Despite the sometimes challenging food on offer, it’s become very fashionable to take a holiday in Iceland. The country, though, with its avalanches, earthquakes and erupting volcanoes, boils over with danger. Paul Smith travels to the rugged highlands of Iceland to hear how skilled volunteers deal with some of the emergencies that the tourism boom has brought their way.

Jamie Cullum

7PM, RADIO 2

Another edition of Jamie’s enjoyable, unpretentious programme about jazz. Tonight, he gives details of the BBC Music Jazz pop-up digital radio service, which will broadcast on DAB from November 10-14. He’ll also look back at this year’s Montreal Jazz Festival, and will be hearing from that serious jazz fan Clint Eastwood.

Mika

10PM, RADIO 2

Mika sits down at the splendid piano that Elton John gave to Radio 2, and performs tracks by both Elton and Joni Mitchell. Mika will also be playing some of his favourite hits by the likes of the Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher and Petula Clark in this first of a two-part series.

Mika (10pm, Radio 2)