The Birding Life Podcast Network

One of the things that has changed dramatically in birding over the last few years is the role that technology plays in helping us enjoy birds, keep records, contribute to conservation, and connect with other birders. Today we are going to be talking about an app that has made a significant impact on the Southern African birding community. If you've spent any time around birders recently, chances...

In this episode, Gabby is joined by primatologist Dr Paula Pebsworth from the Chacma Baboon Project for a thoughtful conversation about one of southern Africa’s most intelligent, adaptable and often misunderstood animals: the chacma baboon. Baboons are deeply social animals with complex relationships, strong learning abilities and important ecological roles, yet they are also frequently at the cen...

There are some guests who simply make you think differently about birds, conservation, and our place in the natural world. Today's episode is a special one because it marks Episode 200 of The Birding Life Podcast. When I started this podcast, I never imagined that we would reach 200 episodes. Along the way we've spoken to birders, guides, photographers, conservationists, scientists, authors, and s...

One of the things I love about birding is that there are so many different ways to enjoy birds. Some people love chasing rarities. Some people love atlasing. Some people enjoy bird photography. Others simply enjoy spending time in nature. My guest today is someone who has spent decades behind a camera. Rory Baker is a professional wildlife photographer, photography educator, and founder of Rory Ba...

Today, Gabby Sykora is joined by Dr Kelsey Skinner, Executive Director of the African Pangolin Working Group, for a powerful conversation about conservation, perseverance, and one of the world's most threatened mammals. Together, they explore the work being done to protect pangolins from illegal wildlife trade, the challenges of rescue and rehabilitation, and the growing efforts to secure a future...

If you're listening to this episode on the day it is released, tomorrow is Youth Day in South Africa. It is a day when we celebrate the young people of our country, and for this episode, I wanted to hand over the microphone to two young people who are making a difference in the world of nature and conservation. My first guest is Liam Botha. Liam is a birder, herper, wildlife photographer, artist,...

Welcome back to part two of our birding journey through Limpopo with Daniel Engelbrecht. In this episode, we continue our journey into some of Limpopo's most iconic birding destinations. We visit the forests of Magoebaskloof, explore the legendary Soutpansberg mountains, and then head north into one of South Africa's greatest birding regions, the northern Kruger National Park. Along the way, Danie...

In this episode Gabby is joined by Maru from Roots & Shoots South Africa, the youth program of the Jane Goodall Institute, for a conversation about hope, action, and the incredible role young people can play in shaping a better future. We explore what it really means to make a difference, how conservation begins much closer to home than many people realise, and why curiosity is often the first...

When many birders think about South Africa's top birding destinations, places like Kruger National Park, Cape Town, or Zululand often come to mind. Yet tucked away in the northernmost corner of the country lies a province that offers some of the most diverse and rewarding birding anywhere in southern Africa. Daniel grew up in Limpopo, has birded the province extensively for many years, and has bec...

In today’s episode, I am joined by photographer, filmmaker, conservation storyteller, and birder, Byron Grobler. Byron is the founder of WildWild Journeys, and earlier this year he announced on his YouTube channel that he would be taking on a birding big year. In this honest and thought-provoking conversation, Byron shares more about his journey, and how two significant encounters in the bush woul...

At just 10 years old, Jamie Smart has already achieved something most wildlife photographers only dream of: being crowned Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum in London. But this conversation is about far more than an award. Jamie is one of those young photographers who reminds us that age does not limit the way someone can see, feel, and understand the natural wor...

Junior Gabela is a name known to many South African birders. Those who have birded with him will tell you about his incredible birding skills and his ability to find some of Zululand’s most sought-after species. In this episode, I sit down with this well-known Zululand bird guide to hear more about his story. In this conversation, we don’t just get to know Junior the birder. We dig deeper into the...

Last week, we kicked off this conversation with Cameron Blair, and if you listened to Part 1, you’ll know just how good that was. In this episode, we pick up where we left off and go even deeper. We continue unpacking Cameron’s thinking around birding, his approach to cisticolas, and how to move from guessing to actually understanding what you are looking at in the field. There is a lot of practic...

In this episode of The Birding Life Podcast , we sit down with the incredible Sacha Dench -often known as the “Human Swan” - whose work has taken conservation storytelling to extraordinary heights. From flying thousands of kilometres alongside migratory birds to leading some of the most ambitious conservation expeditions in the world, Sacha has redefined what it means to raise awareness for wildli...

A few months ago, on an atlas bash in the Free State, I met Cameron Blair. After some great evening conversations about birding, and especially his love for cisticolas, I knew I had to get him onto the podcast. We sat down last week to record what was meant to be one episode, but it quickly turned into two. So this is the start of a special two-part conversation with a fascinating ornithological s...

In this episode, I chat with Etienne Marais. This is a really special conversation, and one that I think you are going to get a lot of value from. We recorded this episode in person at Zaagkuilsdrift Bird Sanctuary and Lodge. Not only did we get to sit down for this conversation, but I also had the chance to spend some time birding at the lodge and enjoyed some really special sightings during my s...

Join Erin and Paige as they detail there journey through Botswana and Zambia on Josh's wild birding holiday! Visit our online store to get your birding related merchandise at great prices https://www.thebirdinglife.com/online-store Intro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialza Links from show:

This is Part 2 of my conversation with Cassie Carstens, the Secretarybird Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa. In the first episode, we explored Cassie’s journey into bird conservation, what shaped his passion for birds, and some of the experiences and lessons that led him to the work he is doing today. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, I would highly recommend going back and starting th...

In this episode I bring you the first of a two part conversation with Cassie Carstens, the Secretarybird Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa. Before we begin, a big thank you to Summerveld Country Lodge for allowing us to record this episode on their premises. The lodge is located in Outer West Durban, and if you ever find yourself in the area, it’s well worth a visit. They serve outstanding...

In Part Two of my conversation with Brent Coverdale, we shift the focus from what is being done to what still needs to change. Building on Part One, this episode explores the challenges facing threatened species conservation - from funding and land-use pressures to public perception and policy. Brent reflects on the role of people in conservation, the responsibility that comes with knowledge, and...

In this episode I’m joined by Anton Schultz for an honest and wide ranging conversation about birding, passion, and personal growth. Anton’s journey began like many others. A love for nature as a kid, a family trip to Kruger, and a field guide placed in his hands that opened up a whole new world. What started as curiosity quickly turned into deep commitment, eventually leading him to take on a ful...

Visit our online store to get your birding related merchandise at great prices https://www.thebirdinglife.com/online-store Intro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialza Links from show:

In this episode we dive into the fascinating world of rare birds in Southern Africa. There is really only one person who could join me for this conversation, Trevor Hardaker. Together, we look back at some of the best rare bird sightings from Southern Africa in 2025, as well as the birders who found them. But this episode goes beyond the highlights. We get practical and unpack how to improve your...

After sharing the stage with Brent Coverdale at the 2025 BirdLife South Africa Owl Awards, it felt only fitting to sit down and continue the conversation — not under the spotlight, but behind the scenes. In part one of two episodes, we focuses on the work behind the work - what it really takes to protect threatened species like Blue Swallows, vultures, cranes, cheetah and elephants. Brent shares w...

In this episode, I’m joined by three special guests whose stories are all connected to one remarkable place. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve lies in southern KwaZulu Natal, between Underberg and Kokstad. Today we explore the people, the conservation work, and the birds that make this reserve so special. At the heart of this episode is a conversation with Dalu Ngcobo, recorded late one night at the lodge i...