Birding Big Day South Africa: Expert Tips, Strategy, and Free Resources
- Adam Cruickshank
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
This article originally originally featured in our Daily Birder email. To make sure you never miss a Daily Birder article, subscribe to our mailing list here.
This post is written by Nicholas Newman. If you know anything about the history of birding in South Africa, you’ll know that Nicholas’s father was the late Kenneth Newman, who impacted the lives of many of our readers.
This is a great article where Nicholas shares his personal history of taking part in Birding Big Day and why this is a day you don’t want to miss out on.
If you are thinking of taking part in Birding Big Day, make sure you don’t miss the section at the bottom of this article - we have packed in tons of free resources.
Since my very first BirdLife South Africa Birding Big Day in 2022, I’ve been hooked. That year, I started with the 50 km challenge. My team of three chose the greater Magoebaskloof area, partly because I have a base there, partly because I know the region well, and partly because the area has produced several winning teams over the years. It made logistical sense, and it gave us the chance to run several pre-tests, exploring routes and refining our plan for the arduous 24-hour challenge. We didn’t know exactly what to expect, but we knew one thing: we wanted to contend.
A 50 km radius is actually huge. If you don’t plan and rehearse your route with minute-by-minute precision, researching exactly which species you’re targeting at both primary and secondary locations, you can quickly fall behind, lose time, or end up nowhere near where you need to be. We had a great first attempt, finishing 15th, and we learned a lot about competing on the day and what we needed to improve next time.
But the 50 km format is demanding. Travelling between habitats drains energy, affects team dynamics, and requires time and money that many people simply don’t have. And honestly, that’s not the point of Big Day.
One of the biggest goals of the event is to contribute valuable bird distribution data to SABAP2 something I love doing throughout the year through atlassing. Ironically, in the 50 km challenge you rarely complete proper two-hour full-protocol checklists because you’re constantly driving.
2023: Our First 6 km Big Day
So in 2023, with less planning time available, we chose the 6 km challenge. If we were going to bird, we wanted to bird somewhere awesome. With a much smaller radius, covering at most four pentads the pressure drops (not really), and the birding becomes far more focused. We chose one of our favourite places: Punda Maria. More specifically, the Mahonie Loop, which sits almost perfectly within a 6 km radius.
We knew our species total would be lower, but trading quantity for super specials like Arnot’s Chat, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Eastern Nicator it felt like an excellent deal. We wanted quality if we were losing quantity.
Our 6 km BBD began, just like our 50 km, at 2 a.m. - listening for calls, scanning trees, exploring the camp in the dark. But this time, we weren’t rushing. We weren’t trying to beat the clock. We could even relax with another cup of tea. By the time the camp gates opened, we already had a strong list.
Our plan was to bird the Mahonie Loop three times, but there was no rush. There was nowhere else to go. We crawled along slowly, stopping constantly listening, looking, and observing every flutter, chirp, and tweet. We spent proper time with each bird, watching for behaviour that might lead us to other, more hidden species. What was meant to be a quick circuit turned into a fivehour immersion in the loop, and in the end, we only managed it once - and we wouldn’t have changed a thing.
We even managed a midday swim and a 15-minute power nap during the quietest part of the day. In that heat, it was a game-changer.
Anyone who’s done a Big Day knows that by the end your eyes are burning, if not bleeding , you think you can hear crickets breathing, and your senses are in overdrive. But when we wrapped up at 9 p.m., we still had the energy to light a fire and talk through the day together- laughing about the quirks and the chaos. We finished 10th, and, more importantly, completed three solid pentads.
Are you participating in Birding Big Day this year?
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Still deciding
2024: Upping the Ante in Pafuri
By 2024, we’d well and truly fallen in love with the 6 km challenge. For the first time, we added a fourth teammate, and we decided to go big. We chose one of South Africa’s birding meccas: Pafuri.
There is nothing quite like starting your Big Day at sunrise at Crooks Corner. Stopping along the Luvuvhu River, enjoying breakfast at the picnic site, and sipping coffee on the bridge allowed us to stretch our legs and take it all in. We sat, watched, listened, and soaked up every moment.
Once again, we prioritised quality over quantity. With Racket-tailed Rollers, Pel’s Fishing Owls, Nightingale Thrushes, Spinetails, and coursers on offer, we were absolutely buzzing. A lunchtime swim in 42-degree heat kept team morale high, and by 10 p.m. with fillet on the fire and another refreshing dip behind us we concluded the day with four full pentads, unforgettable sightings, and a deep appreciation for the sport I love. A 7th-place finish was the perfect bonus.
Why the 6 km Challenge Matters
Birding Big Day should be fun, no matter which radius you choose. The 50 km challenge might get the most attention, but the 6 km challenge is just as valuable - if not more so - when it comes to focused species recording and high-quality SABAP2 data.
Imagine how rich those 3–4 full 24-hour pentads are for the atlas. And it’s an accessible, nonintimidating entry point for anyone who wants to take part in citizen science without needing to travel far. You can do it right in the 6 km radius of your home.
Three Years, One Lesson
Over the past three years, the 6 km challenge has reminded me why I fell in love with birding in the first place: the immersion, the stillness, the surprises, the connection with place, and the joy of sharing every moment with a team.
From the sprawling forests of Magoebaskloof to the magical nights at Punda, to the sacred quiet of Pafuri at sunrise, Big Day has become an annual reminder of why we get up at 2 a.m., drink too much coffee, and chase the flutter of wings across the sky: because there’s magic in the dedication, meaning in the madness, and joy in every moment.
This year it’s Ndumo! See you out there.
So for those thinking of taking part in Birding Big Day 2025, here is a ton of material to help you make the most of the day. To make sure you leave nothing behind, we’ve put together the ultimate BBD packing list - everything you need, and probably a little more. Just cross off things you don't need. Here is a link to download it:
We’ve also gathered a range of Birding Big Day podcast episodes that we’ve done over the years. In Episode 35, Duncan McKenzie and John Kinghorn shared practical tips on how to see more birds on BBD.
In Season 2, Episode 7, we recorded a hands-on episode with Etienne Marais called How to See More Birds on Birding Big Day - one of the most successful episodes we’ve ever released, and when you listen you’ll understand why.
In Season 6, Episode 1, Jody de Bryn - who won the 2021 BBD - shared how their team managed such an incredible total.
And in Season 6, Episode 3, Emma Schenken spoke about her experience tackling BBD as a newer birder.
Finally, we have the latest episode, where three guests unpack their best tips and tricks to help you maximise your day.
For those who prefer reading, I also put together an article called Five Steps to Prepare for Birding Big Day, packed with practical, easy-to-apply advice.
If you want more information about Birding Big Day or would like to register, visit the BirdLife South Africa website.
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