I do believe that birding is a gift. No two birds are the same, even though they sometimes look quite similar. Every moment spent with a regularly seen bird teaches you something new about the species. The gift of birding is something so true and natural, and if applied to conservation efforts around the world, we could save many habitats from deforestation, as there are so many birds that are endemic to certain habitats.

I always watched birds as a youngster, never knowing their names, though. But I had this little-stored-away gift waiting to be opened. When I left to study at the Limpopo Field Guiding Academy, I was there with a friend of mine, Wian. He introduced me to keeping a list and encouraged me to get myself an up-to-date bird book. Wian, Iwan, and I left for Johannesburg to visit the FGASA offices, and this is where I bought my first bird book. It was from here that the gift opened itself, and I was quickly whisked away into the world of birds, never regretting a single moment!