GOING ALL OUT

A really big birding year

- TREVOR HARDAKER

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in everyone's plans grinding to a halt and, while less restricted, 2021 was still somewhat slow as people recovered from the previous year. Happily, for me 2022 turned into a standout year as I experienced many birding highlights. My passion (or obsession, as some might refer to it) for birding forms an integral part of my life and I was able to enjoy it to the full.

A project that had kept me busy and 'birding sane' during 2020 and 2021 finally came to fruition in 2022 when Veld Birds of Southern Africa: The Complete Photographic Guide was published. Although we (Burger and Niel Cillié, Phil Penlington, Karin Wiesler and I) were all immensely satisfied with the end product, the final days before the book was sent to the printers were a whirlwind as we rushed around trying to find the last photos of a plumage, sex or age group that was still needed for a particular species. You realise just how poor your photo filing system is when there is a last-minute request to find an image of, for instance, a juvenile, an immature, a female or a non-breeding male of a particular species!

We certainly hope that everyone who has already bought a copy is enjoying the new book and feel that it is a worthwhile addition to their library shelves.