The Birding Life Podcast Network

In this episode I bring you the first of a two part conversation with Cassie Carstens, the Secretarybird Project Manager at BirdLife South Africa.
Before we begin, a big thank you to Summerveld Country Lodge for allowing us to record this episode on their premises. The lodge is located in Outer West Durban, and if you ever find yourself in the area, it’s well worth a visit. They serve outstanding food and the service is absolutely excellent.
This episode is much more than just a conversation about conservation. It’s an honest look at the journey that shaped Cassie’s love for birds, his passion for species like the Secretarybird and Cape Parrot, and the lessons and mistakes that have helped shape his work along the way.
We talk about who Cassie is, what drives him, and what it really looks like to work on the front lines of conservation. I also ask some important questions about the conservation of the Secretarybird, the wider role of BirdLife South Africa, and how decisions are made within the organisation.
Along the way, we also get a fascinating glimpse into the world of research. How data is collected, how it is organised, and how it ultimately helps guide the decisions that shape conservation work.
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:
If you would like to support the work Cassie is doing, you can reach him at [email protected]
BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird Conservation work website
Summerveld Country Lodge https://summerveldcountrylodge.com/

In Part Two of my conversation with Brent Coverdale, we shift the focus from what is being done to what still needs to change.
Building on Part One, this episode explores the challenges facing threatened species conservation - from funding and land-use pressures to public perception and policy. Brent reflects on the role of people in conservation, the responsibility that comes with knowledge, and where young voices, photographers and birders fit into the bigger picture.
This episode is about perspective, accountability, and hope, and why conservation isn’t just the job of scientists, but of everyone who cares enough to get involved.
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’m joined by Anton Schultz for an honest and wide ranging conversation about birding, passion, and personal growth.
Anton’s journey began like many others. A love for nature as a kid, a family trip to Kruger, and a field guide placed in his hands that opened up a whole new world. What started as curiosity quickly turned into deep commitment, eventually leading him to take on a full birding Big Year.
We talk about how his approach to birding has changed over time. From list driven birding and chasing lifers, to slowing down and finding real joy in everyday species. Anton shares what it’s really like to attempt a Big Year on a budget, including the planning, pressure, setbacks, and emotional highs and lows that come with it.
We also explore how birding shaped his identity, influenced his academic path, and helped him grow as a person beyond the birds themselves.
This is a reflective episode about why we bird, how we mature through the process, and what we learn along the way.
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:
Follow on Anton on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bird_the_world/
Red Lark photo credit Dylan Vasapolli
https://www.birdingecotours.com/

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:

In this episode we dive into the fascinating world of rare birds in Southern Africa. There is really only one person who could join me for this conversation, Trevor Hardaker.
Together, we look back at some of the best rare bird sightings from Southern Africa in 2025, as well as the birders who found them. But this episode goes beyond the highlights. We get practical and unpack how to improve your chances of finding rare birds in the field, how to submit sightings, how records are assessed, and how it is decided which birds make it onto the Southern African Rare Bird News report.
This episode will bring back memories of some unforgettable Southern African sightings from 2025, while also giving you the tools and confidence to add a few rare birds of your own in the year ahead.
If you would like to sign up for the SA Rare Bird News Report, email Trevor at [email protected] and he will add you to the list.
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