December Newsletter 2025

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” content_placement=”middle” bg_type=”bg_color” type=”vc_default” bg_color_value=”#000000″][vc_column][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner][smartslider3 slider=”10″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_section full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1655545929659{background-color: #2568b3 !important;}”][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1716389046661{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story1″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326357″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” css=”” el_class=”lessspace”][vc_single_image image=”326358″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” css=”” el_class=”lessspace”][vc_single_image image=”326359″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” css=”” el_class=”lessspace”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]CapeNature, BirdLasser & SABAP2

On 29 October, BirdLife South Africa’s Science and Innovation Programme led a one-day bird monitoring and BirdLasser training session for CapeNature’s Garden Route field ranger teams at Witfontein Nature Reserve, just outside George. The training formed part of the growing partnership between BirdLife South Africa and CapeNature to strengthen bird monitoring and citizen-science participation across protected areas.

After an introductory session that clarified the difference between BirdLasser and SABAP2 and briefed the participants about finding birds in their habitats, the rangers were divided into teams and tasked with visiting as many habitat types as possible. From fynbos and forest to rural areas and plantation edges, they recorded bird species using the BirdLasser app, which feeds directly into SABAP2 (the Southern African Bird Atlas Project 2). Three hours of spirited, good-humoured competition followed as teams honed their identification skills and worked together to log their sightings in the different habitats of the lower Outeniqua mountains.

By the end of the morning the top teams had each recorded an impressive 52 species, reflecting the rich diversity of birds in the Witfontein area and the keen observational skills of the participants. Memorable highlights included a few elusive species such as Knysna Warbler, threatened species such as Forest Buzzard, and even a convincing mimicry of the ‘forest phantom’ Striped Flufftail call that provided some comic relief!

The morning’s work not only refreshed bird identification skills, but also reinforced the importance of citizen science in conservation and for reporting activities within CapeNature. Each record the rangers submitted to SABAP2 contributes valuable data for monitoring bird populations and understanding environmental change, and illustrates the conservation value of the provincial reserves in CapeNature’s domain.

It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and teamwork of the CapeNature rangers. Their local knowledge makes them vital contributors to our national bird-monitoring network.

Thank you to Natalie Baker, Barend le Roux and Witfontein Nature Reserve for hosting the event and for their continued commitment to biodiversity conservation. With such passion in the field, the birds of the Garden Route are in good hands. As Natalie says, ‘Tune into birds. They always sing a happy song.’

Thank you also to BirdLife South Africa’s sponsors of the Science and Innovation Programme who make these activities possible, including Italtile and Ceramics Foundation Trust, FirstRand Foundation Trust and Mapula Trust.

DR ALAN LEE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1716389221087{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story2″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]Buzz off!

Beneath the crow’s nest and crusty eyes is a weary child. ‘Mom, the mozzies kept me up all night.’ Thankful it’s not chicken pox, I declare war on these insidious insects. But chemical warfare is prohibited under international law and, similarly, our house has long since retired the chemical cavalry. Those gaseous guns don’t discriminate, they target mosquito-fighting frontline species too. The battle plan will require a multi-pronged approach if we are to succeed.

• The Battlefield. Sources of stagnant water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, constantly recruiting enemy soldiers. Flip buckets upside down, clear your gutters and empty your bird bath weekly. Some plants even gather water and may provide micro-nurseries. On the other hand, it has been scientifically proven that certain plant species repel mosquitoes. Popular examples include citronella, geranium, basil, rosemary and marigolds, although it’s usually their essential oils that are more effective.
• Personal Protection. To deter mosquitoes, use natural oils in infusers, burners or sprays and wear loose-fitting clothes that cover your skin. Consider taking a shower to remove sweaty smells, which the enemy can detect from up to 60m away! But don’t use products that may ring the dinner bell, either.
• Additional Artillery. Mechanical means such as electric shock rackets, a slap (make sure to shout ‘Mosquito!’ first to avoid retaliation from within the ranks), nets and fans are all useful weapons to bolster your chances of success.
• Allies. The power of nature’s air force targeting mosquitoes cannot be ignored. Bats, birds, dragonflies, damselflies, hangingflies (which resemble giant mosquitoes) are but a few common garden guardians you can encourage to join your frontline. Of course, we must not forget the aquatic assassins targeting the mosquito larvae in ponds!

Remember, a pesticide in this scenario may win the battle, but not the war. You will weaken your natural defences and may even strengthen the enemy, which can develop resistance to some compounds.

DR LORINDA HART, BIRDS AND AGROCHEMICALS PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”326360″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”img_link_large” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1719817052360{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story3″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326361″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326362″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326363″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Secretarybird Bob is breeding!

Since 2012, as part of a long-term study investigating Secretarybird movement ecology and behaviour, 24 tracking devices have been fitted to young Secretarybirds still in the nest. From them we learned when they leave the nest and how they find their proverbial feet and disperse away from their natal areas. Based on this knowledge, we developed the first practical conservation action for the species: establishing a buffer zone around nest sites where they are located near proposed developments to allow the young birds to move freely.

Understanding how adults move around is a crucial part of updating those mitigation strategies. To achieve that we had to wait for several years while hoping that the birds, and their tracking units, would survive long enough for them to start breeding.

The first successful breeding event, by a male named Taemane, was recorded in 2017 near Memel in the Free State. Ekapa followed suit six years later, nesting near Jagersfontein in the southern Free State. The first attempt by this male in 2023 was unsuccessful, but another one a year later resulted in the fledging of a single chick. Nico, a male moving along the Vaal River near Sasolburg, produced a single fledgling earlier this year. And in early November, it was the turn of another stalwart named Bob! This male was fitted with a GPS unit in late 2021 and has spent the past year or so in the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields region of KwaZulu-Natal.

Secretarybird movements take on a specific pattern before breeding and Bob’s started to reflect that in the first few months of 2025. An initial trip to survey the potential nest came up empty-handed, although it was determined that a small tree regularly used as a roost (not a nest) was the focal point of his movements. On another visit, on 1 November, the nest was discovered, and photographs taken showed two bright white eggs on the bed of grass. It will be revisited in a month or so to check if they have hatched. Until then, each data point collected by the small GPS unit on Bob’s feathered back will add to our knowledge of adult Secretarybird movements when they are breeding.

CASSIE CARSTENS, SECRETARYBIRD PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1719817042965{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story4″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”” el_id=”roller”]Subaru helps to ‘follow the flight’

Each spring, South Africa’s skies burst into life with the spectacular flight and familiar calls of migratory birds returning from across the world. From the acrobatics of swallows to the distinctive songs of cuckoos, these seasonal visitors remind us that nature connects us all.

South Africa is home to more than 100 migratory bird species, but few have captured hearts quite like the European Roller, a bird about the size of a dove that has recently been found to migrate from South Africa as far as China and Uzbekistan. Thanks to BirdLife South Africa’s European Roller Monitoring Project, satellite tracking is revealing the incredible stories of these brilliant blue travellers’ journeys between Asia and southern Africa.

Until recently, little was known about where European Rollers from South Africa stopped to rest, feed or breed during their migrations, which can be 15 000km long. Now BirdLife South Africa’s ongoing tracking work is uncovering vital migration routes and identifying key stopover sites. We are gaining a better understanding of the challenges these birds face on their epic travels and are developing better conservation strategies to help protect them.

One such traveller, ‘Rory’, has already flown further than 20 000km this year! Fitted with a tracker in South Africa in 2024, he made his way to the deserts of China and is now returning to South Africa via the Middle East and East Africa. Named in honour of the grandson of the late BirdLife South Africa patron Pamela Isdell, Rory is undertaking a journey that vividly reminds us of the extraordinary connections that link distant parts of our planet – and how the fate of one small bird can span continents. In only a few weeks, with his return journey completed, he will have provided valuable insights into how European Rollers navigate across more than 20 countries and three continents.

Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 season, the project – now proudly supported by Subaru Southern Africa – aims to expand monitoring sites across the country and deploy additional satellite trackers to build a more complete picture of the species’ migration and habitat use. More European Rollers will also be colour-ringed to strengthen population data, and bird enthusiasts will be encouraged to report sightings of any ringed or tagged individuals.

Equally important is the continued effort to establish partnerships along the species’ migration route, particularly within key breeding grounds. To protect the European Roller, we must collaborate across its entire range: from South Africa through East Africa, Somalia and Central Asia. The project will also continue raising awareness about the conservation of European Rollers and other migratory species that share our skies.

BirdLife South Africa is thrilled to welcome Subaru Southern Africa as an official partner of the European Roller Monitoring Project; a project that blends science and storytelling. There’s still so much to learn about these birds, but this long-term monitoring initiative, supported by partnerships grounded in shared purposes, enables us to continue uncovering the mysteries of bird migration and to ensure that this grandest of nature’s miracles persists far into the future.

With a shared passion for exploration, endurance and respect for nature, Subaru Southern Africa and BirdLife South Africa are united in their mission to protect these incredible travellers and the wild places they call home.

We can’t wait to hit the road in our new Subaru Forester to welcome back Rory and the other European Rollers we’re tracking!

JESSICA WILMOT, FLYWAY AND MIGRANTS PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326366″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326364″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326365″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1719817030002{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story5″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326367″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326369″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326368″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Spotlight on the arid zone

The Arid Zone Ecology Forum (AZEF), held in Calitzdorp this October, brought together an exciting mix of researchers and conservationists exploring the science and future of southern Africa’s drylands. Hosted at the NG Kerk Hall, with field excursions into surrounding areas, the event offered an inspiring snapshot of arid-zone research, community engagement and conservation innovation.

Representing BirdLife South Africa, I gave a talk titled ‘Birds on the brink: threatened birds of the arid zone (and beyond)’ that highlighted how the recently completed Regional Red List of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini reveals mounting pressures on arid-country species such as the Red Lark, Sclater’s Lark and a suite of raptors and vultures. Drawing from Birds on the Brink, the popular companion volume to the scientific Red List, the presentation linked citizen-science data from SABAP2, CAR and CWAC to real-world conservation outcomes.

I also took the opportunity to present a copy of Birds on the Brink to long-time AZEF committee member Dr Doug Harebottle of Sol Plaatje University in recognition of his service to the AZEF and his enduring contributions to ornithology in southern Africa. Doug’s own talk, which examined Pied Crow and raptor abundance along road transects, was the only other bird-focused presentation of the event.

Session 2 of the conference showcased fascinating fauna-focused research, featuring presentations by Joh Henschel (diversity patterns of tenebrionid beetles in the Namib Desert), Tara Naeser (regional variation in rock hyrax calls), EWT’s Samantha Mynhardt (using scent-detection dogs to study the Critically Endangered riverine rabbit) and Timm Hoffman presenting on behalf of Joe McAuliffe about a remarkable open-access guide to heuweltjie landscapes.

Beyond the conference sessions, Doug and I helped guide an excursion into the Red Hills, where delegates braved 40°C heat for some rewarding birding among rocky ridges and Karoo scrub. A welcome stop at a local wine estate provided shade and refreshment before the return to Calitzdorp, as well as an opportunity for more birding. A bonus was contributing bird lists to SABAP2 from both destinations.

The 2025 AZEF programme was as rich and diverse as the flora and fauna of the Succulent Karoo, with sessions ranging from succulent ecology, rangeland restoration, climate-sensitive biomonitoring and conservation genetics to socio-ecological innovation. The final day’s ‘Threats to the arid zone’ session was particularly memorable, featuring Pieter van Wyk’s passionate keynote on the extraordinary biodiversity of the Richtersveld and the serious threats facing this global hotspot from mining, poaching and climate change.

The conference concluded with the Student Awards Dinner at Tuinateljee, where delegates were treated to succulent-inspired cupcakes. The Best Full Presentation was awarded to Maryam Burger for her study on shrubland responses to altered rainfall, with Demi-Leigh Martin as runner-up for her talk on ethno-veterinary knowledge in Namaqualand. The Best Poster prize went to Jordan Arendse for work on donkey grazing distribution, with Tallulah Glasby named runner-up for her study on biocrusts as biodiversity hotspots. These awards were generously sponsored by the WWF Green Trust and the Gouritz Biosphere Reserve.

Events such as AZEF remain essential for connecting disciplines, sharing lessons and celebrating those working to secure the future of our unique arid landscapes, with our participation reminding all attendees of the extraordinary birdlife and biodiversity that continues to inspire and unite the conservation community. For more about the event, visit facebook.com/aridzoneecologyforum

DR ALAN LEE, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”signup”][vc_column][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1668171482666{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”center”][ultimate_heading main_heading=”Sign up for our informative monthly newsletter”][/ultimate_heading][ultimate_spacer height=”20″]

Oops! We could not locate your form.

[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][ultimate_spacer height=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1719817017303{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story6″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326409″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]2026 is almost here!

BirdLife South Africa’s 2026 calendar features photos of some of our country’s most eye-catching bird species, all taken for our 2025 Photography Competition. The variety of species ensures that each month will bring a new and delightful photograph to brighten your wall and lift your spirits.

Buy your 2026 calendar now – stocks are getting low! shop.birdlife.org.za/product/calendar/[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”325762″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1719817004516{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story7″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326400″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326402″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326401″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326403″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=””]World Migratory Bird Day at the Berg River

To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in October, BirdLife South Africa hosted an environmental education and awareness event at the Berg River estuary on the west coast, welcoming Grade 7 learners from Noordhoek Primary. This event, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) through the Climate Resilient East Atlantic Flyway (CREAF) project, attracted an impressive 124 learners, accompanied by their teachers and support staff.

BirdLife South Africa was represented by Giselle Murison and Philipp Grundlingh from the Landscape Conservation Programme; Nandi Thobela and Thandulwazi Ndaba from the Empowering People Programme; and Jessica Wilmot from the Regional Conservation Programme. They were joined by recently qualified local nature guide John van Rooyen, whose training was supported by the CREAF project. Local CapeNature staff Ashlyn Klein, Gasan Moses and Marx-Lenin Nagan, along with SANCCOB first responder Etienne Swanepoel, also participated, and Ian Barber from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) contributed as part of his annual visit to RSPB-supported projects in South Africa.

Learners rotated among six interactive stations, each highlighting a different aspect of estuarine ecology. They discovered the Berg River estuary’s importance for birdlife and learned birding skills using binoculars, telescopes and field guides, then took part in a guided bird walk, identifying local waterbirds from checklists with photos. Other stations introduced how estuaries function and their vital links to local livelihoods; how to identify fish and invertebrates; how to respond to injured or sick birds, including guidance on avian flu; and hands-on exploration of salt marsh vegetation, its role in supporting biodiversity and its importance for carbon sequestration. Each station offered a fun, immersive experience that combined learning, observation and active engagement with the estuarine environment.

The day was a great success and learners showed tremendous enthusiasm and curiosity. Events like these play a vital role in inspiring the next generation of conservationists and building awareness of the importance of South Africa’s estuaries.

PHILIPP GRUNDLINGH, WEST COAST ESTUARIES CONSERVATION OFFICER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632181982{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story8″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326371″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326372″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Vulture awareness in schools

As BirdLife South Africa’s Ingula Conservation and Education Officer, I recently led learning programmes in five schools around Ingula Nature Reserve to raise awareness about vultures and their role in the environment. This initiative was undertaken to celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day, which is held on the first Saturday of September annually to emphasise the importance of vultures and draw attention to their declining populations around the world.

Learners and educators were engaged in activities that included a word search puzzle, a presentation and videos to ensure participation and understanding. Indigenous knowledge was also shared to highlight how cultures have used vultures to demonstrate social cohesion and created idioms involving vultures that are still relevant today. About 230 learners were reached in all the schools, and we hope that they will share what they have learnt with the wider community to encourage a change in attitude about vultures and an appreciation for these scavengers and other birds.

Vultures across the globe are threatened and underappreciated, even though they play an important role in cleaning our environment and keeping us free from rabies, avian influenza, parasitic diseases and food-borne illnesses. Vulture populations in South Africa face various threats from colliding with and being electrocuted by powerlines to being killed for traditional medicine and being poisoned. It is important to raise awareness about vultures and take action to protect them and ensure balance in the ecosystem. Especially in recent years, vultures have been cruelly killed, even in protected areas.

BirdLife South Africa and other conservation organisations are working together to protect these treasures while trying to stop their decline. Awareness and education are vital so that learners and communities understand the realities that vultures face and the work being done to protect them, as well as the contribution they can make to save these important birds.

STEVEN SEGANG, INGULA CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION OFFICER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632257562{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story9″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326328″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]South Africa’s national bird takes centre stage

When BirdLife South Africa embraced the country’s national bird in its new logo, it was natural that the organisation’s flagship magazine should highlight the undeniably elegant – and superbly photogenic – Blue Crane. Yet it didn’t neglect the continent’s other bird species. The African Pitta features prominently, as do the birds of the Tankwa Karoo and north-western Zimbabwe – and all those that caught the attention of the winners in the BirdLife South Africa Photography Competition 2025.

The November/December 2025 issue of African Birdlife celebrates the Blue Crane and so many other African species – and even one that may, or may not, exist.

To find your nearest retail outlet, visit birdlife.org.za/media-and-resources/blsa-african-birdlife/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632269974{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story10″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326373″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]A triumph for Botha’s Lark and grassland conservation

From 24 to 26 October, the open grasslands between Amersfoort and Harrismith came alive with the energy of dedicated birders and conservationists during the Botha’s Lark Atlas Bash. More than 40 participants, organised into 11 teams of four, took part, including ornithologists, citizen scientists and conservationists. Together, they put in a monumental effort to survey some of South Africa’s most important grassland habitats.

The results were remarkable. Over the three days, teams recorded 5644 observations spanning 227 bird species, including 31 species of conservation concern. Perhaps most exciting was the discovery of another Botha’s Lark population, which offers new insight into the species’ distribution and strengthens hope for its long-term survival.

The atlas bash was part of the ongoing Botha’s Lark Project, which aims to map the species’ range, monitor population trends and guide targeted conservation action. It provided an invaluable opportunity to collect robust scientific data while fostering collaboration between landowners, communities, birders and bird experts. Participants worked side by side across remote grasslands, and although they sometimes faced challenging terrain and unpredictable weather, they were driven by a shared commitment to protecting this Critically Endangered species.

We extend heartfelt thanks to the landowners who generously granted access to their properties. Your support is essential for bird research, monitoring and conservation in these critical grassland areas.

Beyond the data, the atlas bash highlighted the power of collective action. Every observation contributes to a better understanding of Botha’s Lark and its fragile grassland ecosystem. The event also raised awareness of the broader biodiversity in these grasslands, emphasising the importance of protecting habitats for multiple species, many of which are also threatened.

Thanks to the dedication of all participants and the generous support of Birding Ecotours (birdingecotours.com), together with the Afromontane Research Unit, the atlas bash strengthened ongoing monitoring efforts and fostered meaningful connections among people and landscapes committed to conserving South Africa’s grasslands. Each sighting and record brings us closer to securing a future for Botha’s Lark and the remarkable ecosystem it represents.

MATTHEW OROLOWITZ, BIRDING ECOTOURS FELLOW OF GRASSLANDS CONSERVATION[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326376″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326374″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326375″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326377″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632285622{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story11″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326378″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Roberts raptor plates for sale

The US Peregrine Fund has stated, ‘Raptor populations are facing unprecedented challenges, with over half of all birds of prey experiencing population declines.’

To help combat these declines, the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund is offering for sale a range of hand-painted raptor plates from the second edition of the Roberts Bird Guide. BirdLife South Africa receives 25% from each sale for its sterling work, while the Trust benefits with further publications going forward.

For those who are not ‘hawkish’, there are several dove plates for sale too, and much else besides. To find out more, please visit robertsbirds.co.za[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632297481{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story12″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]A boost for AI penguin monitoring

DeepAlert is a sophisticated AI-powered video analytics service provider that has sponsored a system at De Hoop Nature Reserve since 2021. Its machine learning algorithms detect African Penguins and potential predators on the CCTV cameras that monitor penguin activity and the fence around the De Hoop penguin colony. This reduces the human workload of going through hours and hours of footage manually. Rather than using its standard algorithms, which are more focused on the security of homes and businesses, the service provider has recently implemented a new algorithm that is better tailored to detect the kinds of animals likely to be seen at De Hoop.

Seven members of the DeepAlert team recently joined me on a field trip to the colony. This was to enable them to learn more about the project and better understand the environment in order to improve the algorithm being used. The team discussed some of the challenges of monitoring the colony, including when penguins are stationary in the camera’s field of view, which generates multiple alerts. DeepAlert has also sponsored a new processing hub and installed it at the colony, which allows us to connect more cameras to the system. It was helpful for me to learn more about how DeepAlert works and share insights into the daily monitoring of the penguins and predator fence.

While there weren’t many penguins at the colony on the day, the team was excited to get to watch a penguin coming ashore! Some of them also assisted with some minor repairs to the electric fence. We are extremely grateful to DeepAlert for all the support and engagement it offers.

Learn more about DeepAlert at deepalert.ai/

CHRISTINA HAGEN, PAMELA ISDELL FELLOW OF PENGUIN CONSERVATION[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326381″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326379″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326380″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632310975{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story13″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326382″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326423″ img_size=”large” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Sign up for BBD 2025!

On 6 December 2025, teams around South Africa will gather at dawn (or at midnight, if they’re really ambitious) and set out to record as many birds as possible in either a six-kilometre or a 50-kilometre radius from a given point. Some will search the regular haunts around their home with renewed intensity while others will venture further afield in search of precedent-breaking records and perhaps a lifer or three. Will your team be among them?

Register at birdlife.org.za/bbd

For those who may not be sure what Birding Big Day is all about:

• It’s a coordinated effort to learn where South Africa’s birds are and in what numbers, and to track changes to this knowledge over time;
• It’s free to enter (although donations in support of the Science and Innovation Programme are greatly appreciated) and birders of all skill levels are welcome to participate;
• It’s a fun day out with friends, to test your birding skills in friendly competition with birders across the country;
• And, for the first time, thanks to our sponsor RETURN Africa, those who register stand a chance to win a 4-night stay for four people at its Pafuri Camp!

RETURN Africa also invites you to visit the Pafuri Camp for Birding Big Day on 6 December 2025 or to stay there during the wet season, when Pafuri’s migrants expand the camp’s species count to more than 450. Rarities reveal themselves in riverine and fever tree forests, across flood pans and river systems, and within the mopane and sandveld habitats that make Pafuri the most diverse and bird-rich corner of the Kruger National Park.

Rates start at R3199 pppn for Birding Big Day (valid 1–9 December 2025) or R3667 pppn under the ‘RETURN to purpose’ rate during the wet season (valid until 31 March 2026).

RETURN Africa partners with community-led conservation to deliver measurable local benefits. Spaces are limited; book at returnafrica.com and experience Pafuri’s birding brilliance.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326426″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326424″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632325583{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story14″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Uniting for the planet

In October, I flew to Abu Dhabi to represent BirdLife South Africa, an NGO member of the IUCN, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. The Congress provided a valuable forum for engaging with international peers on a wide range of conservation issues that align with BirdLife South Africa’s priorities.

As well as being Head of Conservation at BirdLife South Africa, I serve as Chair of the IUCN South Africa National Committee and was able to spend time collaborating with the South African delegation, strengthening relationships and advancing joint initiatives. On behalf of the committee, I gave a presentation about improving collaboration within South Africa and across the African continent.

Among the sessions I participated in was the Convention on Migratory Bird Species Energy Task Force, at which I highlighted BirdLife South Africa’s Birds and Renewable Energy Project. I also attended discussions on biodiversity credits, wildlife economy and global and regional IUCN engagements. During the final four days I took part in the Members’ Assembly plenary session, contributing to decisions that included the approval of motions and the election of IUCN leadership.

Among the 10 000 participants at the congress were 80 BirdLife International delegates from 45 partner organisations, the largest BirdLife delegation at a global event. It was thus a valuable opportunity to reconnect, collaborate and strengthen our BirdLife International Partnership. The congress concluded with the adoption of 147 resolutions to advance environmental action for the future of our planet.

DR HANNELINE SMIT-ROBINSON, HEAD OF CONSERVATION[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326384″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326383″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326386″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632337416{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story15″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326388″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326389″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326391″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Collaborating for healthy estuaries

The Elandsbaai Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) team has been an invaluable asset to BirdLife South Africa’s West Coast Estuaries Conservation Project. Employed through our partner, the West Coast District Municipality, the team receives some financial support from BirdLife South Africa, along with opportunities for a broader workload and ongoing skills development.

Its efforts are central to the piloting of estuarine bank restoration work, including the planting of reed cuttings along the banks of degraded and rapidly eroding sections of the Berg River estuary. It will soon assist with additional habitat restoration trials using other estuarine plant species, once large-scale propagation is established through our partnership with Bokmakierie Nursery.

The EPWP team has also played a crucial role in the installation of informational and instructional signage around the Berg and Verlorenvlei estuaries, helping to raise awareness of the importance of these sensitive environments and guide responsible use of them. They have made significant progress in clearing invasive alien plants in the Moutonshoek Protected Environment, successfully restoring more than 500ha in the Verlorenvlei catchment. In addition, the team is assisting with the development of a new plant propagation area at Bokmakierie Nursery, where a greenhouse is being refurbished to support the large-scale propagation and maturation of estuarine plants.

Other important aspects of the EPWP team’s work is its removal of bird carcasses infected with avian flu around the Berg and Verlorenvlei estuaries, and monthly waterbird counts at Verlorenvlei.

BirdLife South Africa extends its sincere gratitude to the West Coast District Municipality and the Elandsbaai EPWP team for their dedication, hard work and vital role in conserving the west coast’s estuarine ecosystems.

PHILIPP GRUNDLINGH, WEST COAST ESTUARIES CONSERVATION OFFICER, AND GISELLE MURISON, WESTERN CAPE ESTUARIES CONSERVATION PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326390″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632357308{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story16″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Vulture monitoring continues

Dronfield Nature Reserve, near Kimberley, is a crucial breeding ground for the Critically Endangered White-backed Vulture and an important site for studying the species. For the past 33 years, the White-backed Vulture Monitoring Project has sampled the entire cohort of chicks on the reserve.

BirdLife South Africa’s Vulture Project established a long-term monitoring project to investigate the impact of lead poisoning on the movements and survival rates of juvenile White-backed Vultures. In October, we monitored 108 active nests, recording the status of each. Chicks from active nests were carefully brought down, ringed and fitted with a wing tag. Their weight and wing length were recorded and blood samples were collected to measure lead levels and to determine sex. Failed nests were investigated and signs such as eggshell fragments or fresh grass lining were included with monitoring data.

To study the impact of lead levels on post-fledging movements, five chicks were selected to be fitted with GSM tracking units. Four birds with elevated lead levels and one with below background exposure were selected. A portable blood lead test kit was used to analyse blood levels in the field. The chicks had to have a wing length of more than 450mm to qualify, and the tracking unit was fitted with a pelvic mount and secured with Teflon ribbon. Each tracking unit, weighing just 87g, collects movement data that are then compared to the recorded blood lead level.

The monitoring week was led by Angus Anthony, a committed conservationist and ornithologist who has been involved with the project since its inception in 1992. Angela Bruns, a wildlife veterinarian for SANParks, assisted with blood samples, and Brent Coverdale from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife provided expertise in ringing, tagging and fitting the tracking units.

Increasing the sample size of tracked birds in the region is important as device failure and mortalities from previous studies are high. Data collected during this long-term project will bolster mitigation efforts to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning by advocating for the use of non-lead ammunition in hunting, culling and game management activities in the region.

JUSTIN HENRY, VULTURE PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”326393″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326392″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326394″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632385597{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story17″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326395″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326396″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=””]Mapping KBAs in southern Africa

What are Key Biodiversity Areas?

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are recognised as globally significant sites for the persistence of biodiversity. The global KBA Standard provides a robust science-based approach for mapping sites of particular importance for biodiversity consistently across countries following a process that is objective, repeatable and transparent.

At a national level, KBAs can be used to inform conservation action, such as the expansion of protected area networks and other area-based conservation measures. At a global level, they enable donors to guide conservation funding, and financial institutions and corporations to identify areas of critical habitat where biodiversity safeguards are needed. They are also used to measure progress towards meeting the targets in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 1 (spatial planning) and Target 3 (protected and conserved areas), which emphasise the need to focus on areas of particular importance for biodiversity.

KBAs are identified using criteria designed to capture elements of biodiversity across genetic, species and ecosystem levels. Collectively, the criteria aim to capture the various ways in which a site can be important for the global persistence of biodiversity: because it holds threatened or geographically restricted biodiversity; has outstanding ecological integrity; maintains key biological processes; or is shown to be irreplaceable.

An important step in the KBA assessment process is confirmation of the recent presence at the site of the species or ecosystem(s) that trigger the KBA criteria. This can be challenging, but is essential given the many ways in which KBAs are used to inform policy and planning at national and global levels.

KBAs are identified and mapped by national biodiversity experts, usually coordinated by a KBA National Coordination Group. The whole approach builds on decades of experience in identifying and mapping Important Bird Areas (IBAs) by BirdLife Partners around the world, but expands that approach to encompass all taxonomic groups as well as ecosytems. BirdLife International is a leading partner in the global KBA Programme, and BirdLife Partners are lending their experience and expertise to the process of mapping KBAs around the world.

At the KBA workshop

Early in November, a regional KBA workshop held in Windhoek was co-hosted and co-facilitated by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and BirdLife South Africa. It formed part of the Spatial Biodiversity Assessment Prioritisation and Planning (SBAPP) regional project, which is funded by the Agence Française de Développement and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial.

Dr Charlotte Boyd (Regional Conservation Programme Manager) and Keenan Meissenheimer (SANBI intern hosted by BirdLife South Africa) participated in the workshop on behalf of BirdLife South Africa. It provided a platform for regional capacity-sharing and collaboration among experts from South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia.

The workshop aimed to ensure a common understanding of the roles of KBAs in biodiversity conservation within the southern African region, promote regional collaboration across the four SBAPP countries, enhance technical capacity and share experience and lessons learned on the roles of KBA National Coordination Groups.

The workshop was held in Namibia as this country has recently established a KBA National Coordination Group and is now embarking on the process of assessing sites to see whether they qualify as areas of particular importance for biodiversity for a wide range of species and ecosystems based on the KBA Standard. An important outcome from the workshop was a broadly agreed roadmap for KBA assessment in Namibia, informed by experience from other countries within the region.

Looking ahead

BirdLife South Africa will continue to support colleagues in Namibia to map their KBAs as part of the SBAPP regional project, noting that many of these sites are important for biodiversity that is shared between the two countries (including seabirds and migratory shorebirds, inland waterbirds and land birds). Over the longer term, we envisage a network of KBAs that extends across southern Africa and further north throughout the African continent.

DR CHARLOTTE BOYD, REGIONAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMME MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632399123{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story18″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”326397″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Conservation Conversations

Conservation Conversations has been running continuously since April 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and BirdLife South Africa wanted a way to keep people entertained and connected to the world of birds, birding and conservation. Even when life went back to (relative) normality, our audience stayed loyal and 300 people tune in regularly every second Tuesday evening. The hosts have changed, but the content has stayed relevant and engaging.

In 2025, the hosting team was boosted by two new hosts to help balance the load and provide some new faces for the audience. Kurt Martin, Communications Manager, and Jessica Wilmot, Flyway and Migrants Project Manager, joined John Kinghorn (Avitourism Project Manager) and Christina Hagen (Pamela Isdell Fellow of Penguin Conservation) in the hosting seat. Behind the scenes, Mpho Magidi (Communications Officer) ably assists with creating the adverts and other communication material for the webinars. In September, we sadly said goodbye to Valery Phakoago (Conservation Intern), who was responsible for editing and uploading the recordings to YouTube for the past three years or so. Thank you very much Val!

So far this year, we’ve hosted 21 webinars on topics such as wind turbine blade patterning to prevent bird collisions at wind farms, the issue of lead poisoning in vultures, and how we’re working to save Botha’s Lark. There was also a range of more birding-related talks, including an overview of the birding spots in eastern South Africa and an update on the official South African bird list. For the full list of presentations, visit our YouTube channel.

There is just one webinar left for the year. On 25 November at 7 pm, BirdLife South Africa’s Head of Conservation, Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson, will present the conservation highlights for 2025. If you haven’t already registered, please do so here. We will then be taking a break, but we’ll be back on your screens again on 13 January 2026 with a talk on the Bird of the Year for 2026: the Black Harrier.

To help us keep these webinars going for the seventh year, we are running a donation drive. If you donate at least R200 before midday on 25 November, you will be entered into a draw for the Ultimate Companion for Birding in Southern Africa by Peter Ginn and Geoff McIlleron. We have three copies generously donated by Peter and Irene Ginn, so your chances of winning are good! Each multiple of R200 gets you an additional entry. Donate via our website and don’t miss out on this amazing prize!

As we begin wrapping up the year, the Conservation Conversations team would like to thank all our loyal viewers and all the amazing presenters who have helped make Conservation Conversations such a success!

CONSERVATION CONVERSATIONS TEAM[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”vc_default” css=”.vc_custom_1763632410251{background-color: #ffffff !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}” el_id=”story19″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”326398″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][vc_single_image image=”326399″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” onclick=”link_image” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Makuleke, birding paradise

EcoTraining and BirdLife South Africa are inviting you to immerse yourself in the magic of Pafuri in 2026. You’ll see hundreds of bird species in this fabled landscape of ancient baobabs, fever tree forests and riverine woodland. Whether you are an experienced birder or just beginning the birding adventure, you’re bound to expand your birding knowledge.

There’s a moment just before dawn in the far north of Kruger National Park when the fever trees glow with a faint green shimmer and the air hums. It’s a moment that triggers the bush orchestra into action, encouraging the first notes of the morning’s dawn chorus to drift across the gently flowing Luvuvhu River.

This is Makuleke, the wild and soulful corner of northern Kruger, where range-restricted birds and untamed wilderness are the order of the day. It’s here, among the baobabs and floodplains of Pafuri, that BirdLife South Africa and EcoTraining, a globally acclaimed safari guide academy, have joined forces to create something truly special: a chance for birders to enjoy birding in Makuleke like never before, expand their knowledge and deepen their connection to nature – and support BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Project.

EcoTraining has been in operation since 1993 and has become a respected provider of high-quality training for safari guides and wildlife experts across Africa. In the safari industry, EcoTraining’s courses and accredited nature guide training are well known for their high standards and credibility. The company runs unfenced bush camps in some of the most pristine wilderness areas of South Africa, Botswana and Kenya, where all courses, including field guide training and other FGASA and CATHSSETA-accredited courses, are presented. It also hosts our famous birding weekends, during which birders are given an opportunity to experience nature in ways they could only have imagined.

More than merely ‘birding trips’, these weekends are rather a gathering of kindred spirits: people drawn by a shared love of nature and a curiosity to learn. They provide a space to improve your skills, to see the world through a sharper, more attentive lens and to be reminded that conservation starts with connection. And while the sightings and birding will no doubt be spectacular, it’s the sense of belonging to the landscape, to a purpose and to a community of birders who care that will linger.

If you’ve ever dreamt of birding in a place that feels untouched, authentic and alive with possibility, this is your invitation. Come to Makuleke, where EcoTraining and BirdLife South Africa welcome you to experience birding as it’s meant to be: immersive, soulful and deeply rewarding.

Book now, as spaces for 2026 are selling fast!

3–6 April

3–6 July

9–12 October

20–23 November

4–7 December

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

JOHN KINGHORN, AVITOURISM PROJECT MANAGER[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”5″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_spacer height=”10″][vc_column_text css=””]You can access previous newsletters from 2024/5 using the buttons below

[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”December 2024″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fafrican-birdlife%2Fnovember-december-2024%2F|title:December%202024%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”January 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fjanuary-2025-newsletter%2F|title:January%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”February 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fjanuary-2025-newsletter-2%2F|title:February%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”March 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fmarch-2025-newsletter%2F|title:March%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”April 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fapril-newsletter-2025%2F|title:April%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”May 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fmay-newsletter-2025%2F|title:May%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”June 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fjune-newsletter-2025%2F|title:June%20Newsletter%202025″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”July 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fjuly-newsletter-2025%2F|title:July%20Newsletter%202025″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”August 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Faugust-newsletter-2025%2F|title:August%20Newsletter%202025″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”September 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fseptember-newsletter-2025%2F|title:September%20Newsletter%202025″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”October 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Foctober-newsletter-2025%2F|title:October%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_btn title=”November 2025″ color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.birdlife.org.za%2Fnovember-newsletter-2025%2F|title:November%202025%20Newsletter”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]If you’d like to read our archive, you can visit our e-newsletter archive.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]