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 birders find challenging, but Etienne breaks it down in a way that is simple, practical, and easy to follow.

By the end of this episode, you will have a much better understanding of warblers, and more importantly, you will have the tools to go out and find and identify them for yourself.

This episode is an overflow of years spent in the field, and it is a real privilege to learn from someone with this level of experience.

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:

Etienne Marais website https://www.etiennebirding.com/

Zaagkuilsdrift Bird Sanctuary and Lodge website https://zaagkuilsdrift.co.za/

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 there.

In this second part of the conversation, we go deeper into the conservation work around the Secretarybird. We unpack the challenges facing the species, how research and data help guide conservation decisions, and what practical steps are being taken to try and secure a future for this iconic bird.

Cassie also shares insights into how conservation projects operate behind the scenes, and how birders and the broader public can play a role in supporting the work being done.

Once again, a big thank you to Summerveld Country Lodge in Outer West Durban for allowing us to record this conversation on their premises.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:

If you would like to support the work Cassie is doing, you can reach him at cassie.carstens@birdlife.org.za

BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Conservation work website

Summerveld Country Lodge https://summerveldcountrylodge.com/

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 conservation. It’s an honest look at the journey that shaped Cassie’s love for birds, his passion for species like the Secretarybird and Cape Parrot, and the lessons and mistakes that have helped shape his work along the way.

We talk about who Cassie is, what drives him, and what it really looks like to work on the front lines of conservation. I also ask some important questions about the conservation of the Secretarybird, the wider role of BirdLife South Africa, and how decisions are made within the organisation.

Along the way, we also get a fascinating glimpse into the world of research. How data is collected, how it is organised, and how it ultimately helps guide the decisions that shape conservation work.

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:

If you would like to support the work Cassie is doing, you can reach him at cassie.carstens@birdlife.org.za

BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Conservation work website

Summerveld Country Lodge https://summerveldcountrylodge.com/

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 perspective, accountability, and hope, and why conservation isn’t just the job of scientists, but of everyone who cares enough to get involved.

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 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 birding and chasing lifers, to slowing down and finding real joy in everyday species. Anton shares what it’s really like to attempt a Big Year on a budget, including the planning, pressure, setbacks, and emotional highs and lows that come with it.

We also explore how birding shaped his identity, influenced his academic path, and helped him grow as a person beyond the birds themselves.

This is a reflective episode about why we bird, how we mature through the process, and what we learn along the way.

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:

Follow on Anton on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bird_the_world/

Red Lark photo credit Dylan Vasapolli

https://www.birdingecotours.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 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 is decided which birds make it onto the Southern African Rare Bird News report.

This episode will bring back memories of some unforgettable Southern African sightings from 2025, while also giving you the tools and confidence to add a few rare birds of your own in the year ahead.

If you would like to sign up for the SA Rare Bird News Report, email Trevor at hardaker@mweb.co.za and he will add you to the list.

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