The Birding Life Podcast Network

The Birding Life Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (4)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Birding Life Podcast Network brings you a mix of shows all about African birding and nature. We're here to connect you with birds, the great outdoors, and the amazing people we meet along the way. Tune in and join us on our adventures!

  1. TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 5 - Ntsikeni Nature Reserve: Where Conservation Meets Community

    1D AGO

    TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 5 - Ntsikeni Nature Reserve: Where Conservation Meets Community

    In this episode, I’m joined by three special guests whose stories are all connected to one remarkable place. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve lies in southern KwaZulu Natal, between Underberg and Kokstad. Today we explore the people, the conservation work, and the birds that make this reserve so special. At the heart of this episode is a conversation with Dalu Ngcobo, recorded late one night at the lodge in the reserve. Dalu is a BirdLife South Africa accredited bird guide from the local community, and his story alone will make you want to experience Ntsikeni for yourself. We begin the episode with Nandi Thobela, the Empowering People Programme Manager at BirdLife South Africa. She shares how Ntsikeni fits into the wider conservation and community work happening across the country. We end the episode with John Kinghorn, who speaks passionately about why this reserve is so close to his heart and why it matters for the future of bird conservation. 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: Ntsikeni Nature Reserve https://gobirding.birdlife.org.za/lower-drakensburg-foothills-ntsikeni-nature-reserve/

    1h 3m
  2. TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 4 - Level Up Your Birding with Faansie Peacock Pt 2

    FEB 9

    TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 4 - Level Up Your Birding with Faansie Peacock Pt 2

    In this episode, we bring you the second half of our two-part conversation with Faansie Peacock. In this episode, we dig even deeper into the topics that matter — from the ethics of birding, how we engage with rare birds, the role of technology in modern birding, and the importance of building community. Faansie also shares how becoming a dad has shaped his perspective on birds and life, and why curiosity, humility, and joy should always be part of the journey. This episode is proudly associated with Firefinch App. Firefinch is more than just an app. It's a celebration of Southern Africa's birds, birders and wild places. We're always adding stuff, and all updates are free. Check out our new Whistlr bird call game, sound recordings of Fynbos Buttonquail and Herero Chat, and plates for Sabine's Spinetail and Upland Sandpiper! Plus 240 Dawn Chorus articles and podcasts. Firefinch – Facts, fun, feathers. 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: Firefinch App https://www.firefinchapp.com/

    1 hr
  3. YWP Podcast Season 5 Episode 1 - When the Wild Pushes Back: Returning to a Wounded Kruger

    FEB 6

    YWP Podcast Season 5 Episode 1 - When the Wild Pushes Back: Returning to a Wounded Kruger

    As a new season of the YWP Podcast begins, Gabby returns to the Kruger National Park under very different circumstances. Recent floods have left parts of Kruger damaged, roads washed away, and access limited and this is a powerful reminder that even places we see as timeless are shaped by nature’s force. In this opening episode, Gabby reflects on what it means to move through wild spaces on nature’s terms, drawing from a chaotic teenage camping trip to Pafuri and contrasting it with the reality of returning to a park in recovery. This episode explores resilience, uncertainty, and the uncomfortable questions around conservation, access, privilege, and patience. It asks what it really means to love a place when it is wounded and whether we, as visitors, are willing to slow down and listen. 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:

    12 min
  4. TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 3 - Level Up Your Birding with Faansie Peacock Pt 1

    FEB 2

    TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 3 - Level Up Your Birding with Faansie Peacock Pt 1

    In this episode, we begin a special two-part conversation with Faansie Peacock — one of Southern Africa’s most passionate and prolific birders, authors, artists, and educators. Faansie has played a massive role in shaping how we see and understand birds in this region, from field guides to bird calls to digital tools. In this first part, we explore Faansie’s early birding journey, how his relationship with listing has changed over time, and how deepening your connection with birds can transform the way you bird. We also get into the importance of sound recording, what it means to truly know a species, and how fieldcraft and storytelling go hand in hand. This episode is proudly associated with Firefinch App. Firefinch is more than just an app. It's a celebration of Southern Africa's birds, birders and wild places. We're always adding stuff, and all updates are free. Check out our new Whistlr bird call game, sound recordings of Fynbos Buttonquail and Herero Chat, and plates for Sabine's Spinetail and Upland Sandpiper! Plus 240 Dawn Chorus articles and podcasts. Firefinch – Facts, fun, feathers. 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: Firefinch App https://www.firefinchapp.com/

    51 min
  5. TBL Youth Podcast - Season 10 Episode 1 - The University of Edinburgh Ornithological Society: Part 1

    JAN 31

    TBL Youth Podcast - Season 10 Episode 1 - The University of Edinburgh Ornithological Society: Part 1

    In today's episode, Josh has a chat to the the University of Edinburgh Ornithological Society's committee members Annie, Luke and Rory. They enchant him with tales of birding in Scotland and university life in Edinburgh! 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:

    22 min
  6. TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 2 - Exploring Kenya’s Wild Side: Josua Wenzel’s Birding Diary

    JAN 28

    TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 2 - Exploring Kenya’s Wild Side: Josua Wenzel’s Birding Diary

    In this episode, I’m joined by Josua Wenzel — a talented young birder and artist — as he takes us on a deep dive into his two-month birding and conservation trip across Kenya. From the cloud forests of the Taita Hills to the coastal habitats of Malindi and the savannas of Tsavo, Josua shares the story behind the species, the challenges of traveling on a student budget, and the people and places that left the biggest mark on him. We also talk about his volunteer work with A Rocha Kenya, the importance of community-led conservation, and why the African Birding Hub could play a vital role in protecting Kenya’s unique biodiversity. This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical tips for anyone who’s ever dreamt of birding beyond their borders. Whether you’re into sound recording, local guiding, rare endemics, or travel with purpose, you’ll find something in this conversation to take with you. 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: Josua's Website - josuawenzel.co.za

    59 min
  7. TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 1 - The Big Year of African Sounds: A Conservation Movement in the Making

    JAN 20

    TBL Podcast - Season 13 Episode 1 - The Big Year of African Sounds: A Conservation Movement in the Making

    In this episode, we explore one of the most exciting and impactful initiatives in African birding for 2026: The Big Year of African Sounds. Joining me are two key voices behind the project – Ian Davies from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and John Kinghorn, BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Manager. Together, we dig into the heart of this ambitious collaboration that aims to capture the continent’s birdlife through sound. We’ll talk about how this project helps conservation, how it supports guides and local communities, and why even your basic phone recording can make a difference. We'll also share some practical advice on how you can get involved, and how recording bird sounds can transform your own birding journey. This episode is more than a conversation about apps and recordings – it’s about community, purpose, and building something together that could impact African birding for years to come. 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: Big Year of African Sounds https://www.africansounds.org/ eBird https://ebird.org/

    1h 4m
  8. TBL Youth Podcast - Season 9 Bonus Episode - What to Buy a Birder for Christmas?

    12/12/2025

    TBL Youth Podcast - Season 9 Bonus Episode - What to Buy a Birder for Christmas?

    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:

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Birding Life Podcast Network brings you a mix of shows all about African birding and nature. We're here to connect you with birds, the great outdoors, and the amazing people we meet along the way. Tune in and join us on our adventures!

Information

  • Creator
    The Birding Life Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Birding Life Podcast Network

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