Reaching the milestone of identifying 900 bird species in Southern Africa is a significant achievement. This journey, filled with both challenges and rewards, reflects the dedication, passion, and countless hours spent observing and connecting with nature. In this reflection, Michael Mason looks beyond the numbers and shares his insights into the highs and lows of his birding experience, his most memorable sightings, and the personal joy he finds in photographing these magnificent creatures.
Reaching 900
AB: Did you ever imagine reaching this milestone when you first started birding?
MM: Reaching 900 bird species feels surreal, and the journey has been incredibly rewarding. When I started birding, I never imagined I’d see so many. From a young age, my parents (both teachers) took our family to beautiful parts of the subregion, often visiting game reserves and camping everywhere. I grew to love all things nature. I only, fairly lazily I might add, started keeping a list of birds I’d confidently identified from 1990.
If the bird was in my field guide, I really wanted to see it, and all holidays and weekends away were planned around areas where there were birds I had not yet connected with. That, along with enjoying the excitement and adventure of a twitch with friends or family, meant the total slowly added up over the years. I’m not really a good lister and hate the admin of it all, so even now, a good friend kindly keeps my two lists for me (Western Cape and Southern Africa). Connecting with birds and the photography aspect of birding is still my primary joy.
Most memorable birding moments
AB: What stands out as the most memorable or challenging find?
MM: There are some magical photographic moments which stand out. When those photographic junctures are of rare or secretive birds or rarely seen behaviours, it is extra special. And then, most rewarding is if it is a rarity that I found myself. I guess the ultimate moments are those of a self-found rarity in good light, doing something amazing that I’ve managed to capture photographically. Living in the Western Cape, which is “rarity central”, certainly has helped, but I am equally transported to a state of flow and joy when photographing the most common species in great light.
Many of the most memorable moments have a story around them: like unexpectedly standing hip-deep in human excrement while photographing the first twitchable Spur-winged Lapwing in Zimbabwe or heading home a day early from Mutare, and driving through the night to Cape Town because of a kidney stone, which ultimately meant I got to see the only Black Skimmer to visit South Africa at Rietvlei in Cape Town. Another was stopping at a lion kill on our way out of Kruger, almost a year to the day after my first sighting of an Egyptian Vulture in the park, and spotting probably the same bird a year later in the tree above the kill. All the tourists in the game vehicle, which stopped next to me, were so delighted to see the lion, and I was trying to tell them the exceptionally rare sighting was a little higher up!
Milestone bird
AB: What was the 900th bird you identified? tell us about that experience.
MM: The 900th bird was a Macaroni Penguin, which I had been hoping for! On 25th of February this year, I managed to get to one that popped out of the surf and parked off on some rocks near Bloubergstrand Beach in Cape Town. At that point, I had 899 species, so it was a mad dash to get there before it disappeared.
Toughest birding challenge
AB: Have there been any species that took you multiple attempts or years to finally see? What was the most difficult bird to add to your list?
AB: Before the era of pin-drops, Birdlasser, eBird, Google Maps, and other modern aids, birding meant a lot of time on the road, chasing phone call leads and trying to make sense of sketchy directions. One particular bird that put me through my paces was a very lost Little Blue Heron at Papendorp, a tiny town on the West Coast almost directly west of Vredendal. I made the seven-hour round trip an incredible nine times (63 hours of driving!) before I finally laid eyes on the bird and managed to get a decent photo of it standing on a small fishing boat. That was a real lesson in patience and determination.
Favourite birding destination
AB: Out of all the places you’ve visited, which location has been the most rewarding for birding?
MM: Living in South Africa, I’m incredibly lucky to have access to some of the world’s best birding spots. Pelagic birding off the Cape, the unique diversity of Strandfontein Sewage Works, and the spectacular landscapes of West Coast National Park stand out. Each offers a different experience—whether it’s tracking terns and waders, spotting elusive rarities, or enjoying a long, rewarding day at sea with seabirds. But what I truly love about birding is that you never know what you might find, no matter where you go. Every place holds its own surprises.
Conservation views
AB: After 900 species, what are your thoughts on bird conservation?
AB: My deep love for birds has made conservation an issue close to my heart. Seeing how much habitat has been lost over the years is a stark reminder of what’s at stake. While I care deeply about all birdlife, my two biggest concerns are the future of pelagic birds, particularly the iconic African Penguin, and the Mouse-Free Marion project — a vital effort to eradicate invasive mice that are devastating seabird populations on Marion Island. Conservation is an uphill battle, but I am encouraged by the incredible work many organisations are doing to protect birds and their habitats across the subregion.
Next milestone
AB: Now that you’ve reached 900, what’s next on your birding bucket list?
AB: My big goals were 900 bird species in the subregion and 500 in the Western Cape (which I have reached at 900 and 520, respectively). Having chased some very special species with friends over the years, I still have about 15 target birds left (mostly in Mozambique). But rather than chasing numbers, I’m more interested in quality encounters. The sheer thrill of bird photography and the pursuit of a self-found rarity in excellent light keeps me going. I’m looking forward to where this passion takes me next.
Advice for fellow birders
AB: What advice would you give to those who are just starting out in birding?
MM: Take your time. Birding is an experience, not just a checklist. Read as much as you can, study the birds and their behaviors, and enjoy every step—yes, even the frustrating ones. The dips will happen, but so will the joys of discovery and shared moments with other birders. The excitement of seeing a bird for the first time never gets old, no matter how many you’ve seen before. Learn to love the process, and you’ll never stop having fun.
