About the Author

Pete Thorpe

Alumni Ranger

Pete was a Field Guide for Londolozi for 4 years, contributing to the blog as a fantastic writer as well as photographer. Right from his very first bush trip at the age of four, Pete was always enthralled by this environment. Having grown ...

View Pete's profile

18 Comments

on The REAL Benefits of Birding

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

Callum Evans
Guest contributor

Ever since I became a birder, visiting wild places has become a far richer experience than I thought possible, because when you start watching birds, you start noticing the other creatures around you besides the big guys.

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Hi Callum,

100% agree with you there… Once you start birding, even non-wild places take on another element!

Callum Evans
Guest contributor

That’s part of the reason why Cape Town isn’t half bad!! Still, I’m desperate to get up the bush!!

Joanne Wadsworth Kelley
Master Tracker

It seems all things are tied together in a inter-connected manner within nature herself. I’ve never seen more beautifully colored birds than in Africa. For all they do and for all they are, the birds there are simply a true wonder and fascinating. Good blog Pete. I’m glad Saul inspired you!

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Thanks Joanne. There are so many symbiotic relations in nature, you’re right.

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

We love birding. Many years ago we were also rushing around trying to see the of the big 5 when we went to the bush. We started realizing that you can’t always have a fantastic animal sighting, but there is most of the time an amazing bird in the next tree. We started watching birds. We are still novices but have learned a lot, mostly from the rangers at Londolozi. The best place to watch birds is my garden. Living in the Lowveld we get quite a few species that occur in the greater Kruger. We can’t wait for summer for the migrants coming through. The first woodlands. Hearing the red chested cuckoo. Got thre purple crested turaco and the burchells coucal sometimes nesting in our yellow wood.

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Hi Marinda,

Living in the lowveld is definitely a bonus for birding! We saw the first yellow-billed kites arriving back this week. Good signs!

Gawie Jordaan
Master Tracker

A big birder myself.. The Narina Trogon still evades me. Thanks Pete

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Gawie, the day will come…

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Beautiful photos!! And fascinating reading about the birds. Just like most safari goers, we went in not caring about birds. The first glance at the lilac breasted roller flying through the air cured that. Then we saw saddle billed storks, Kori Bustards, bee eaters, Bateleur eagles, etc., etc. Wow! The birds are captivating. Thanks for reminding us, Pete.

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Hi Darlene,

By the sounds of things, you have already started your bird list. I’m impressed! Thanks for the comment.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

Lovely photos (especially the Kingfisher) .

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Thank you, Ian!

Jeff Rodgers
Digital Tracker

I might suggest a future blog post on suggestions for photographing birds. In hundreds of game drives over the years I have found this to be most challenging.

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Thanks Jeff, great idea. A big lens and a lot of patience are two starting points…

Hanna Leisie
Explorer

What a cool photo of the Burchell’s Starling and the cuckoo! Our most recent trip to Londolozi opened our eyes to the amazing, beautiful birds found in the area. We look forward to learning more and growing our appreciation for this part of the safari experience.

Pete Thorpe
Alumni Ranger

Thanks Hanna! What a rare moment that Alex Jordan managed to capture there.

Anthony Goldman
Guest contributor

Awesome Pete to put birding on the forefront-I always walk around the various Londolozi camps in between game drives and am amazed at all the wonderful birds inside the camp-many of which have been featured in the blogs over the years.

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile