Stay OR go?

Migration as an evolutionary driver

Green & gold

Birds of the oases and desert in Chad

Resetting THE system

The FitzPatrick Institute’s mandate is to conduct cutting-edge research while educating the next generation of ornithological researchers and conservation leaders.

Twitter Feed

The aloes flowering in our gar­den have proved to be a popu­lar attraction for the many birds on the wildlife estate in which we live. We planted the aloes spe­cifically to attract birds and the fact that they are water­wise is an added bonus, especially in the dry winter months here in the Lowveld.

Living In Luangwa

Zambia’s South Luangwa national park is well known in safari circles for its stunning scenery and abundance of big game. Herds of elephants drink and bathe along the riverbanks, giraffes feed from acacias in the riparian strip and lions pursue vast, dusty buffalo herds through the thickets.

Specials Overload

Photographing birds between Zaagkuildrift and Kgomo-Kgomo

Owl Awards 2021

BirdLife South Africa presents worthy recipients with Owl Awards in recognition of their outstanding efforts to help ‘give conservation wings’.

Hope For Penguins

The De Hoop Nature Reserve on the south-western coast of South Africa is one of CapeNature’s flagship conservation areas. The associated marine protected area is home to a vast array of marine species, from whales to fish and turtles. And for a short time in the mid-2000s it was home to African Penguins too. A small colony established itself there naturally and was first found on a small headland on the eastern side of the reserve in 2003. Increasing to 18 breeding pairs by 2006, with about 100 other penguins roosting there regularly, the colony seemed off to a promising start. However, penguins are particularly vulnerable to predators when on land. A local caracal soon learnt that there were easy meals to be had and the colony was abandoned by 2008.

Journey To The End Of The Earth

After being thrown from my bed for the third time, I decided to get up and find a vantage point to better enjoy the storm. As I walked down the swaying corridor and up the stairs with the gait of a drunken sailor, I began to reconsider my decision to go outside. It was a doubt quickly stubbed as I jumped through the heavy metal door leading outside moments before it smashed closed behind me with a deep roll of the ship.

Give & Take

The quest for ascendency on the predatory ladder

Montagu's Harriers Hunting In The KNP

Montagu’s Harriers hunting in the KNP

Feather Light

Leucistic White-fronted Plover – or is it?

Secret Success

South African Shelduck

Altogether Now!

Living in groups makes you clever

Hidden Pleasure

Birding the Baviaanskloof

Ice And Memory

Peregrine Falcon migration

rara avis

It’s a blustery day at Rondevlei outside Cape Town and a few hardy bird club members have come for the monthly bird outing. Peter Steyn has been birding since before the reserve was founded in 1952, yet he still returns and is as enthusiastic about seeing a Little Bittern skid across the water in front of us as the woman next to me, for whom it is a lifer. Later, as I register an African Spoonbill on my atlas checklist, Peter and I discuss his 1957 record of the first breeding colony of spoonbills in the Western Cape.

Home Invader

Diederik Cuckoo

It's A Calling

Warwick Tarboton is a true naturalist and respected as one of the country’s foremost natural history authors and bird photographers. There is little doubt that he has influenced many people to take their interest in birds in particular to the next level.

The Birds And The Beast

Addo’s bird/mammal associations

What's In A Name?

Introducing the Blue-billed Teal and Fynbos Buttonquail

The Place Of Wonder

Birding in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia

The Magic Beaks Of Stone Birds

Discovering an ancient avian superpower

true reflection

Canon’s R6 and R5 camera bodies

Where Kalahari Meets Congo

For many people, the far north-west of Zambia is both the source of the mighty Zambezi and the ‘land of pineapples’. For the country’s own naturalists this region is important for tens of other reasons – reasons that give them goosebumps and set them drooling. The districts of Mwinilunga and Ikelenge, for example, were known to be incredibly biodiverse, yet for years were barely visited on account of their extreme remoteness. A recent renaissance in exploration is confirming that there is still much to be discovered about the wealth of this little-known paradise.

Do Not Disturb

The stealth factor in photographing birds

Sex & The Single Plover

Life on earth managed without sex for more than two billion years, but it was only after sex evolved some 1.2 billion years ago that we saw the rapid diversification of life forms.

And Breathe... Rocherpan Nature Reserve

After the pandemic’s catastrophic impact on travel and finances, everyone has been constrained to look closer to home for their much-needed breakaways. Fortunately for South Africa’s birders, there are several local spots that are easily accessible, affordable and well worth a visit. One such oasis is Rocherpan Nature Reserve on the Cape’s West Coast. Managed by CapeNature, the reserve is 25 kilometres north of Velddrif and just two hours’ drive from Cape Town.

rare DEDICATION

Cape Town-based Trevor Hardaker is one of South Africa’s most active birders. He runs a highly regarded rare bird alert system and is a regular contributor to African Birdlife, compiling the rarities report for each issue. When we chatted to Trevor, it became clear that his birding transcends being a hobby and is more of a lifestyle.

sightings IN THE SUBREGION - Mid-September to mid-November 2020

As spring became early summer, local birders were finally given plenty to keep them entertained. It was a welcome relief, as most had endured a serious lack of birding during lockdown and as many people headed out into the field again, a number of reports of good birds began to filter through.