Lockdown: Bringing the world of birds to you instead

You may not be able to leave your home right now during lockdown in South Africa. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still experience the magical world of birds – from your couch.

The Coronavirus is also playing havoc with bird lovers across the Overberg. Whereas we’d love to be out experiencing the region’s birdlife (including the return of the Temminck’s Courser to our partner, the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area), instead we’re helping to stop the spread by staying home.

So instead of heading out to experience the world of birds, we’ve been scouting for opportunities to bring the world of birds to you. Here are some of our favourites – on telly, podcast, apps and social media.

TV: Netflix and DSTV

Dancing with the Birds

This Netflix original documentary, narrated by Stephen Fry, is filled with mesmerizing colours and calls of the birds of paradise, and how they go about attracting their mate.

more info

Our Planet

This well-known series on Netflix, narrated by David Attenborough, is a multi Emmy-award winning series on some of the richest habitats on earth (this limited series also includes bird species, but goes far beyond).

more info

Rooted

While this show, on DSTV Catch Up, is actually about trees, it’s also about those bird species that make use of trees, such as the White-backed vulture and Sociable weavers.

more info

Strangest Bird Alive

This show starts on 10 April on NatGeoTV (DSTV 181/182).

more info

Podcasts

These podcasts do not refer to our local birds – but they’re interesting nonetheless.

Birdnote

This podcast tells rich stories of the natural world, and especially birds. It connects the ways and needs of birds with the lives of listeners. www.birdnote.org

Out there with the Birds:

This podcast is presented by Bird Watcher’s Digest, and provides trends and anecdotes on wild birds and the bird watchers who enjoy them. www.birdwatchersdigest.com