The Birding Life Podcast Network

Last week, we kicked off this conversation with Cameron Blair, and if you listened to Part 1, you’ll know just how good that was.
In this episode, we pick up where we left off and go even deeper. We continue unpacking Cameron’s thinking around birding, his approach to cisticolas, and how to move from guessing to actually understanding what you are looking at in the field.
There is a lot of practical value in this episode, especially if you want to grow in confidence with tricky groups like cisticolas. And as the conversation unfolds, you will hear more of the curiosity and thought process that makes Cameron such an interesting birder to learn from.
If you enjoyed Part 1, this is a great follow on.
Let’s get back into the conversation with Cameron.
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 of The Birding Life Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Sacha Dench -often known as the “Human Swan” - whose work has taken conservation storytelling to extraordinary heights.
From flying thousands of kilometres alongside migratory birds to leading some of the most ambitious conservation expeditions in the world, Sacha has redefined what it means to raise awareness for wildlife. But behind the adventure lies something deeper – a powerful commitment to connecting people with nature in a way that truly inspires change.
In this conversation, we explore the stories behind the flights, the challenges of pushing physical and mental limits, and the role of storytelling in modern conservation. Sacha shares what it takes to turn bold ideas into real impact, and why now, more than ever, we need voices that can bring the natural world closer to people.
This is a conversation about courage, purpose, and the kind of passion that quite literally takes flight.
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
Sasha can be contacted via the following:
[email protected]
www.conservation-without-borders.org

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

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: