The Birding Life Podcast Network

In this episode we highlight a birding event that has been growing into something very special, the Bitou Birding Festival in Plettenberg Bay.
The festival runs from 23 to 30 October and brings together great birding, beautiful habitats, conservation, community and a slightly different way of experiencing birds, summed up perfectly in this year’s theme: Slow Down. Look Up. Reconnect.
My guest today is Stephan van Wyk, the person behind the festival. We’re going to chat about how the festival started, why Bitou is such a special birding area, what makes this event different, and what visitors can look forward to this year.
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:
Website https://www.bitou.birdingfestival.co.za/

Wildlife photography gives us an incredible opportunity to connect people with the natural world, but where do we draw the line between capturing a moment and interfering with it?
In this special panel discussion, we explore the often complicated subject of wildlife photography ethics across mammals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife.
Joined by Dr Stephanie Klarmann, Devon Kerr and Marik Kilian, we unpack topics including disturbance, handling, call playback, captive wildlife, ethical field practices, permits, research, rescue situations and the growing pressure to create increasingly dramatic content for social media.
Ethics are not always completely black and white. Context matters, species respond differently, and there are legitimate circumstances where intervention or handling may be necessary. But there are also moments when getting the photograph simply should not come first.
This conversation asks an important question for every wildlife photographer and content creator: at what point is the shot no longer worth taking?
The views shared by our panellists reflect their own professional experience and perspectives and are intended to encourage thoughtful, responsible discussion around how we photograph and interact with wildlife.
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:
Marik Kilian - https://www.instagram.com/wildmarik/
Dr Stephanie Klaarman - https://www.instagram.com/bloodlionsofficial/ & https://www.instagram.com/youthforlions/
Devon Kerr - https://www.instagram.com/zoologic.za/ & https://www.instagram.com/actnaturallyy/

Today's episode is going to be a little bit different. Normally, I have a guest joining me on the podcast, but today I've decided to do something that I've actually been putting off for quite some time, and that is recording a solo episode!
I must admit, I'm a little bit nervous about doing this, so please be kind! But I thought this would be a great opportunity to share something that I'm really passionate about, and that is local birding.
I've written quite a bit about this recently in my Daily Birder articles, but I thought it would be nice to have a bit of a relaxed conversation about it here on the podcast. I want to share some of my own experiences, how my approach to birding my local area has changed over the years, and some of the things I've learned along the way.
Although I'll obviously be drawing on my own experiences as a South African birder, I want to make sure that what we chat about today is useful to birders wherever you are in the world.
And really, the main idea I want to explore today is quite simple. You don't necessarily need to travel further to improve your birding. Sometimes you just need to get to know the places close to home a little bit better.
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

Juan van den Heever is a wildlife photographer, birder and conservationist who has made quite a name for himself in the world of wildlife photography. Having been named a runner-up in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and had one of his photographs featured on the cover of a David Attenborough book, Juan has already achieved some incredible milestones in his career. But his journey doesn’t stop behind the camera!
Juan has recently moved into the world of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), taking his passion for the natural world into the field of conservation and environmental management. In this episode of the SnA Youth Birders podcast, we chat about his journey so far, his experiences as a wildlife photographer, and what it’s like to have your work recognised on the international stage. We also explore his move into EIAs and what this career path looks like for young people passionate about the environment. There’s plenty to unpack in this episode, from photography and conservation to finding your place in the world of wildlife — so settle in and enjoy!

Spring Fling Challenge Link: https://www.birdlasser.com/private/events/lyl2026
Socials:
Instagram-
Juan: https://www.instagram.com/juanvandenheever_photography/
SnA Youth Birders: @SA_Youthbirders
Tristan: @tspurway.wildlife
Youtube-
Tristan: https://www.youtube.com/@spurofthewild?sub_confirmation=1
Website-
Tristan: tspurwaywildlife.com
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 of The Birding Life Podcast, I sit down with Barry Forbes for a conversation about sound recording and the way it can completely change how we experience birds.
Rather than a formal interview, this episode is a relaxed discussion about Barry’s journey into birding, how he became interested in recording bird sounds, and what he has learnt along the way.
We chat about how sound recording can improve your ability to recognise and remember bird calls, how it encourages you to slow down in the field, and how it can change the way you approach birding altogether. Barry also shares some of the lessons he learnt during the Big Year of African Sound workshop, including mistakes he was making before, practical recording tips, and some of the things that helped improve his recordings.
We also look at recording with a phone compared with using a dedicated recorder and microphone, Barry’s editing process, some of his favourite recordings, and moments where sound recording has helped him discover something new about a bird.
Of course, we also touch on the Big Year of African Sound and the incredible role it has played in getting more birders across Africa to start recording and contributing bird sounds.
Whether you already record bird sounds or you have only ever thought about giving it a try, this episode is really about learning to listen a little more closely and discovering how much more there is to hear when we are out birding.
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:
Big Year of African Sound Website http://www.africansounds.org/
Barry's eBird profile https://ebird.org/profile/MzU3MzQ5Ng
Adam's eBird profile https://ebird.org/profile/MzI1MzIzOA