Author: David Johnson

David Johnson began his career in South Africa in 1978 lecturing at Wits, but subsequently worked as ornithologist for the Natal Parks Board for 20 years. Much of his work there was research on rare and endangered species, and devising habitat management plans for land outside nature reserves. He contributed to the South African Bird Atlas, the regional Bird Red Data Book, the Important Bird Areas Directory, and to the forthcoming Roberts 7 project. He is a regular public speaker, and for several years was a panel member of the popular radio program "Talking of Nature". He now works as a freelance naturalist.

Birding Blog June 2018

Posted on 16 June, 2018 by David Johnson

Scolopia mundii is fruiting prolifically, and is a scene of conflict. The yellow fruits are […]

Birding Blog January 2018

Posted on 30 January, 201813 February, 2018 by David Johnson

Another new bird has turned up at The Cavern – the Dark-crowned Yellow Warbler. It’s […]

Birding Blog June 2017

Posted on 14 June, 2017 by David Johnson

The aloes were at their best, and so were the Gurney’s Sugarbirds and Greater Double-collared […]

Birding Blog May 2017

Posted on 23 May, 2017 by David Johnson

The big game was good value. Elands in ones and twos were seen often, as […]

Birding Blog April 2017

Posted on 3 April, 201729 March, 2017 by David Johnson

Pre-breakfast walks are never the same. We may walk roughly the same short routes, but […]

Birding Blog B March 2017

Posted on 29 March, 2017 by David Johnson

The highlight of this weekend was the return of the Fiery-necked Nightjar. It’s long been […]

Birding Blog March 2017

Posted on 7 March, 201720 February, 2017 by David Johnson

It’s not always what you see that is interesting – sometimes it’s what you don’t […]

Birding Blog B February 2017

Posted on 21 February, 20177 February, 2017 by David Johnson

Birding weather was hot and windy, but the birds didn’t mind. Thirty-nine species in the […]

Birding Blog February 2017

Posted on 7 February, 2017 by David Johnson

We don’t look just at birds. All sorts of little creatures lurk underfoot. Bibron’s Blind […]

Symbiotic bacteria

Posted on 19 December, 201619 December, 2016 by David Johnson

A visit to the Silent Woman is always interesting, recounting the story of Willie Chalmers […]