In this episode, we explore one of the most exciting and impactful initiatives in African birding for 2026: The Big Year of African Sounds.

Joining me are two key voices behind the project – Ian Davies from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and John Kinghorn, BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Manager. Together, we dig into the heart of this ambitious collaboration that aims to capture the continent’s birdlife through sound.

We’ll talk about how this project helps conservation, how it supports guides and local communities, and why even your basic phone recording can make a difference. We'll also share some practical advice on how you can get involved, and how recording bird sounds can transform your own birding journey.

This episode is more than a conversation about apps and recordings – it’s about community, purpose, and building something together that could impact African birding for years to come.

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 Sounds https://www.africansounds.org/

eBird https://ebird.org/

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 festive bonus episode, Gabby reflects on an unforgettable 2025 - the growth, the lessons, the support, and the moments that made the year meaningful. She talks about YWP, the podcast, her two unexpected awards, and the family traditions that matters more than gifts.

A warm thank-you message to everyone who listened, supported, and shared this journey. Wishing you a safe, joyful festive season.

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:

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

In today's episode, Decklan tells us about reaching the birding milestone of 750 species in Southern Africa !

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:

Snakes. Fear. Fascination. And one man determined to change the way South Africa sees them.

In this episode, Gabby sits down with Marik Orrin, better known online as Wild Marik, a snake rescuer, educator, storyteller and myth-buster whose days are filled with cobras in kitchens, puff adders on pathways, and the huge task of replacing fear with understanding.

From heart-stopping rescues to the 2200-kilometre journey he took just to see one dream species, Marik opens up about the world of reptiles, the ethical line that content creators must walk, and the responsibility that comes with holding one of nature’s most misunderstood animals.

This episode is equal parts wild adventure and grounded conservation wisdom. If you’ve ever been afraid of snakes, curious about them, or simply fascinated by people who dedicate their lives to the creatures others run from, this conversation will stay with you.

Welcome to a world where fear becomes fascination and where every rescue is a story worth telling.

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

In this final episode of the season, I’m joined by someone who’s become a regular voice on the show — and honestly, he could probably be considered a co-host at this point. John Kinghorn, the Avitourism Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa, returns for what is possibly his most important episode yet.

Over the last five years, we’ve followed John’s journey — from full-time bird guide, to law student, and now into his dream role at BirdLife South Africa. This conversation is a powerful, honest look at his personal growth, the role of avitourism in conservation, and the deep responsibility that comes with being a voice for birding in South Africa.

We talk about the massive economic value of birding tourism, how it supports conservation work on the ground, and why sustainable tourism isn’t just a buzzword — it’s essential for protecting the birds and habitats we love. John also shares about the accredited birding guides project and how it’s creating real change in communities across the country.

It’s passionate. It’s personal. It’s packed with important insights for anyone who loves birding and wants to see it thrive.

So whether you’re new to the podcast or have been with us since the start, thank you for being part of the journey this season. Let’s wrap it up with a conversation that ties everything together — conservation, community, tourism, and heart — with one of birding’s most committed voices, John Kinghorn.

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:

Donate to the Training of BirdLife South Africa’s Accredited (Community) Birding Guides here: https://www.birdlife.org.za/support-us/donate/

Read more about BirdLife South Africa’s crucial conservation work: https://www.birdlife.org.za/

Interested in qualifying as a professional bird guide? BirdLife South Africa endorses and adheres to the professional standards set by the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), and you can read more about these here: https://www.fgasa.co.za/

Contact BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Project Manager, John Kinghorn, using the following: [email protected],za

The highlight for many birders every year is BirdLife South Africa's Birding Big Day. On Saturday the 6th of December, birders will be racing across different parts of the country, trying to see as many species as possible in just 24 hours. It’s a day that’s not only packed with fun and excitement, but also contributes meaningfully to the vital conservation work done by BirdLife South Africa.

In this episode, we dive into what Birding Big Day is all about and how you can take part. More importantly, you’ll get practical tips and advice on how to maximise your bird count—straight from some of the country’s top-performing teams. From planning routes to managing team dynamics and identifying key habitats, we cover everything you need to smash this year’s Birding Big Day!First up, I chat with Dr David Ehlers Smith, the Science and Spatial Planning Project Manager from BirdLife South Africa. Then I’m joined by two of South Africa’s top birders, Jody de Bryn and Duncan McKenzie, who generously share their insights and experience.

RETURN Africa invites birders to join them for Birding Big Day on 6 December 2025, or to book a stay during the wet season when Pafuri’s migrants expand the birding list to over 450 species. Rare and special birds can be found in Pafuri’s spectacular riverine and fever tree forests, flood pans, river systems, and in the mopane and sandveld habitats that make this region the most diverse and bird-rich corner of the Kruger National Park. RETURN Africa partners with community-led conservation to deliver measurable local benefits. Spaces are limited—visit returnafrica.com and experience Pafuri’s birding brilliance.

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:

Birding Big Day information https://www.birdlife.org.za/support-us/events/birding-big-day-2025/

In this episode of the YWP Podcast, Gabby chats with Kennedy Vorster, a young conservation storyteller raised in the heart of the wild. From growing up on Phinda Private Game Reserve to surviving a Mozambique spitting cobra bite, Kennedy shares her unforgettable childhood memories, close encounters, and thoughts on what it means to live a life rooted in nature. They talk conservation, content creation, and how youth without bush access can still get involved. Honest, heartfelt, and filled with adventure, this one’s not to be missed!

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

In this episode, I’m joined by the legendary Elsa Pooley, one of the co-authors of the stunning new coffee table book, South African Indigenous Garden Plants – The Gardener’s Guide.

This fascinating episode was recorded outdoors in Pennington, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, with a beautiful soundtrack of local bird songs in the background. While recording on location comes with a few audio challenges, it adds an authentic touch that makes this conversation all the more special.

If you're a birder wanting to bring more birds into your garden—no matter how big or small—this episode is packed with practical, experience-based advice. Elsa shares tips on what to plant, how to create a garden that works in harmony with nature, and how indigenous gardening can support biodiversity.

We also dive into Elsa’s incredible journey—from her early years in the heart of Zululand to her deep-rooted connection with the KwaZulu-Natal landscape. You’ll get a glimpse of the passion and knowledge that went into creating this beautiful book—and why it’s a must-have for every South African birder and gardener.

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:

Order your copy of South African Indigenous Garden Plants – The Gardener’s Guide from our online store