Conservation
The Kruger Birds and Wildlife Challenge: Racing for Conservation
The 2026 Kruger Birds and Wildlife Challenge is a conservation race in Kruger National Park, where teams compete to record bird and mammal species, raising funds for the endangered White-winged Flufftail. This event highlights the importance of protecting wetland ecosystems and celebrates collective conservation efforts.
Interview with Matthew Orolowitz on Saving Botha’s Lark
Matthew Orolowitz highlights the urgent need to save the Critically Endangered Botha’s Lark, a small grassland bird that serves as a key indicator of ecosystem health. Recent rediscoveries and successful breeding offer hope, while citizen science and community collaboration are proving vital for its conservation.
Botha’s Lark: South Africa’s Most Endangered Bird
The dramatic plight of the Critically Endangered Botha’s Lark highlights how targeted research, collaboration with landowners, and citizen science are bringing renewed hope for its survival, while underscoring the urgent need to protect South Africa’s threatened grassland ecosystems.
Birds of a Feather: How to Raise a Common Crane
Once extinct in Britain, the common crane is making a comeback thanks to dedicated conservationists. This article shows how the Great Crane Project raises young cranes using creative methods—from crane costumes to “crane school”—to prepare them for life in the wild.
Birdwatching in the Eriskircher Ried
The Eriskircher Ried on Lake Constance is a unique natural paradise with rare reed beds, shallow water zones, and an impressive variety of birds, making the area a hotspot for nature watchers. The reserve reveals its full beauty and fascination especially during bird migration or when the Siberian iris is in bloom.
Yellow-billed Diver´s long term stay
When rare bird species are discovered, many birdwatchers and ornithologists are thrilled. If the sighting is widely communicated through the established networks, a group of passionate birdwatchers will quickly gather to see the bird and want to add it to their “life list” or “year list”. For this, trips of several hundred kilometers are regularly
The Snowy Albatross: Nature’s Feathered Fisherman
Birds play an essential role in maintaining the health of our oceans. One species that has always fascinated me is the Albatross. I fondly recall childhood films like The Rescuers (1977), which featured Orville, the lovable Albatross, bravely flew Bernard and Miss Bianca on their rescue mission. However, beyond their charming cinematic portrayals, Albatrosses are vital allies
A four hundred year hiatus: The Northern Bald Ibis returns to Europe
For four hundred years, the Northern Bald Ibis disappeared from European skies. Today, thanks to the work of conservationists, nearly 300 reintroduced birds make their yearly pilgrimage between their breeding grounds in Austria and their wintering grounds in Spain.
Christmas Bird Count
For some, the holiday season begins in earnest with gifts, festive meals, family time, new year’s resolutions, and while I love all of those things, for me the celebratory season really begins with the Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Now in its 125th year, the Christmas Bird Count is the longest running community-science monitoring surveys. The
Guardians of the Birds
The blog article “Guardians of the Birds” highlights the critical role of birdwatchers and conservationists in protecting avian species and their habitats, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and awareness in fostering biodiversity.