The Birding Life Podcast Network

01:01:44

TBL Podcast - Season 14 Episode 7 - The Future of...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/06/15

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, and YouTuber. Despite his young age, he has already developed a deep passion for the natural world. In

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37:16

TBL Podcast - Season 14 Episode 6 - The Ultimate...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/06/08

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, Daniel shares practical advice, target species, favourite birding sites, and some of his own memorable

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53:30

YWP Podcast - Season 6 Episode 3 - Every Action...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/06/05

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 step towards meaningful action. From community gardens and citizen science to storytelling and

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50:31

TBL Podcast - Season 14 Episode 5 - The Ultimate...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/06/01

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 become one of the leading voices when it comes to birding in the region.In this first of a two part series,

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58:12

TBL Podcast - Season 14 Episode 4 - Byron Grobler....

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/26

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 would shape the way he sees birds, wildlife, and the natural world around him.This episode goes far beyond

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46:54

YWP Podcast - Season 6 Episode 2 - Jamie Smart: Just...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/22

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 world. Behind her winning image is a young storyteller with genuine curiosity, patience, and a beautifully

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39:35

TBL Podcast - Season 14 Episode 3 - Junior Gabela....

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/18

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 people and places that shaped his journey. For those who may never have visited Zululand, we also unpack

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40:46

TBL Podcast - Cameron Blair. Honeyguides, Cisticolas...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/11

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 practical value in this episode, especially if you want to grow in confidence with tricky groups like cisticolas

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01:10:29

YWP Podcast Season 6 Episode 1 - Taking Conservation...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/08

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 wildlife. But behind the adventure lies something deeper – a powerful commitment to connecting people with

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46:22

TBL Podcast - Cameron Blair. Honeyguides, Cisticolas...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/05/05

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 student. We unpack how a project he started at just 12 years old, along with where he grew up, shaped his

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59:13

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 10 - The Warbler...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/23

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 stay.In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of warblers. This is a group of birds that many

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31:28

TBL Youth Podcast - Season 10 Episode 3 - Erin King...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/20

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-storeIntro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialzaLinks from show:

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44:25

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 9 - Saving the...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/17

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 there.In this second part of the conversation, we go deeper into the conservation work around the

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50:53

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 8 - Saving the...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/09

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 food and the service is absolutely excellent.This episode is much more than just a conversation about

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36:16

YWP Podcast Season 5 Episode 3 - From Data to...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/06

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 where young voices, photographers and birders fit into the bigger picture.This episode is about

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55:31

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 7 - A Big Year and...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/02

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 full birding Big Year.We talk about how his approach to birding has changed over time. From list driven

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24:36

TBL Youth Podcast - Season 10 Episode 2 - The...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/03/01

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

en

55:33

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 6 - Southern African...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/02/23

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 chances of finding rare birds in the field, how to submit sightings, how records are assessed, and how it

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49:28

YWP Podcast Season 5 Episode 2 - Brent Coverdale:...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/02/20

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 what his role involves day to day, from field monitoring and aerial surveys to management plans and

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01:03:11

TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 5 - Ntsikeni Nature...

The Birding Life Podcast Network ·

2026/02/16

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 in the reserve. Dalu is a BirdLife South Africa accredited bird guide from the local community, and his

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