The Birding Life Podcast Network

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 journey into birding.He shares his passion for honeyguides and cisticolas, along with plenty of other great insights. There is also a lot of practical advice here, especially if you want to get better at identifying cisticolas.There were a few recording challenges on Cameron’s side, which you may hear in parts of the audio, but don’t let that distract you.This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.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/tonyofficialza

As a new season of the YWP Podcast begins, Gabby returns to the Kruger National Park under very different circumstances.Recent floods have left parts of Kruger damaged, roads washed away, and access limited and this is a powerful reminder that even places we see as timeless are shaped by nature’s force. In this opening episode, Gabby reflects on what it means to move through wild spaces on nature’s terms, drawing from a chaotic teenage camping trip to Pafuri and contrasting it with the reality of returning to a park in recovery.This episode explores resilience, uncertainty, and the uncomfortable questions around conservation, access, privilege, and patience. It asks what it really means to love a place when it is wounded and whether we, as visitors, are willing to slow down and listen.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:

In today's episode, Josh has a chat to the the University of Edinburgh Ornithological Society's committee members Annie, Luke and Rory. They enchant him with tales of birding in Scotland and university life in Edinburgh! 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:

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-storeIntro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialzaLinks from show:Big Year of African Sounds https://www.africansounds.org/eBird https://ebird.org/

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

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

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-storeIntro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialzaLinks 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: john.kinghorn@birdlife.org,za

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-storeIntro and outro music by Tony ZA https://soundcloud.com/tonyofficialza