The Birding Blog — The Birding Blog

This blog is not really about birds. Ironically, speaking to bird lovers is preaching to the converted anyhow! But it is a call to action. There are presently about 50 birds per human being on planet earth. This sounds like a large number, but upon analysis one has to be concerned. Bear in mind that it includes poultry being bred for slaughter and egg production. At the height of the black death, (an extreme example perhaps, but only 600 years ago), there were about 1000 birds per human being. By the end of the century, we will see about 30...

Many years ago, I performed military service in the SAAF. An enduring memory was the range of equipment and weaponry with names implying power and bravery. We had Ratels, Buffels, Olifants, Bateleurs, Mambas (later as I remember), Jakkals, and Hippos (for some reason mainly Afrikaans names). The sole exception that I remember was the “Kwêvoël” (Grey go-away-bird that can scarcely be described as either powerful or brave). Even the non-animal named items conveyed a threat e.g. “Cactus”. You never heard of the “Rabbit” artillery system, or the “Field mouse” mortar. Certainly, small birds did not make the cut. And yet,...

Feeding wild birds is a privilege. The human actually receives more than the birds. When one considers the release of endorphins, we tend to think exercise, or chocolate, or great music. Relaxing near your feeding zone, and observing your wild birds will do the same. Tragically, we are able to cause harm. Here are ten cautionaries to ensure mutual benefit: Beware of mycotoxins. The golden rule is that you should never provide food that has a risk of fungal contamination. Unfortunately, many of the “normal” foods we use are at risk. Examples include maize, wheat and peanuts. The toxins typically...

Isn’t spring a great season in the Highveld? Today began by being woken by two Burchell’s Coucals. We often hear one, but two in perfect harmony – a rarity. They competed with each other for about 20 minutes, and they sounded as though they were no more than 30m away. All the same, they did not get us out of bed – a quest for coffee and dogs whining for food and attention did. But in making the coffee, there before us on the closest light pole was the definitive bird that made our morning. This Brown-Hooded Kingfisher simply sat...

Being an animal lover does not make you a “good” person. After all, Adolf Hitler loved dogs. But my personal conjecture is that people who abuse animals are universally “bad” people. And people who love one class of animals so often seem to love others. At Nature’s Heart we absolutely love them all from leguaans in the water to scarabs in the dung. A simple observation is that you will never find a bird enthusiast shooting rhinos – bird watching is incompatible with poaching. This is where the youth become so important. If we can capture a curiosity and enthusiasm...