Along with being famous for its flora and fauna, South Africa is also renowned for its birdwatching, hailed as the “birding continent” and boasting the largest number of regionally endemic bird species of any African country. With 846 bird species nationally, South Africa is the perfect place to take up the hobby of birdwatching.
If you’re not too sure where to start, fortunately, there’s an app for that! John and Natalie White saw an opportunity to elevate the birdwatching experience in South Africa, transforming it from an individual hobby to an inclusive community activity. The pair created revolutionary birdwatching app and social media platform, Birda to ring in a new era of birdwatching in South Africa. To get started all you need is a smartphone to download the app.
Birda operates on the mission to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of birdwatching as a means of connecting people with nature, and is already soaring in popularity, seeing unprecedented success with 30% month on month growth in app downloads.
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How does the app work?
Birda turns the discovery and exploration of bird life and the outdoors into a game by using challenges, leaderboards and fun badges. This helps people enjoy, and get the most out of their birding journey. Birda brings together, and was created by, people that enjoy discovering birds, that want to connect to nature, and that want to improve their well-being.
If you’re interested in deepening your connection with nature and getting involved in birdwatching then check out this comprehensive guide on how to begin birdwatching in South Africa.
Have a reference guide on hand:
It’s important to have a reference guide in front of you to assist with identifying the correct bird species. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birdwatcher, having a field guidebook or a birdwatching app on your smartphone will not only educate you about the wildlife in your garden, but also get a conversation going between you and your loved ones. The app is also super useful when traveling to national parks and wildlife reserves where you can truly get stuck into birding.
Birda can be used as a tool to log and identify the birds in your backyard, as well as provide information on species – from the mourning dove to the bald eagle. When you record a sighting, Birda’s location-aware species list also shows you the birds that have been seen in your general location (+/- 37 miles around you), making it easier to find the correct species and avoid confusing similar ones.
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A pair of binoculars is a must-have:
However good your eyesight may be, a decent pair of binoculars can make a big difference in your viewing experience. If you don’t have a set of binoculars, then you can also use a camera with a good zoom – this is a great way to log and identify your sightings.
Attract birds by using the right tools:
You can attract birds to your garden by using bird feeders, bird baths or bird nesting boxes. There are quite a few options to buy these items online. If you don’t have a backyard, you can also get suction-cup window bird feeders or simply hang one off your balcony.
Create a challenge with your family members and friends:
One of the most important parts of birding is to be patient and wait, look and listen. However, to make this a more interactive activity with your loved ones, you can set certain goals and challenges. Try competing with your friends and family by seeing how many birds you can spot in fifteen minutes from your window or garden – you can also log your sightings in the Birda app, keep track of everyone’s sightings, and unlock new achievements.
