Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz

Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz owns and operates a bird-guiding business and lifestyle brand called BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus). With a background in biology, ecology, and outdoor education, Benny has worked for over 13 years as a naturalist guide, expedition trip leader, and international bird guide. Benny offers guided birding outings in Southern California and small-group […]
Elizabeth Szekeres

Elizabeth Szekeres (pronounced Sek-e-resh, all of the e’s are short) is a geographer with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies. Born in England, she grew up in Canada with parents who were great walkers and nature lovers. Elizabeth was a free-range child, living close to the north shore of Lake Ontario. Rattray Marsh, the last […]
Dr Alex Robbins

Dr Alex Robbins is a marine ornithologist with NatureScot providing advice to industry and government on the impacts of marine renewable energy developments on Scottish seabird populations. Alex started working in conservation policy and advice in 2005. Since 2006 Alex has undertaken seabird fieldwork in Prince William Sound, Alaska and Shetland, UK for her Masters […]
Oscar Thomas

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Oscar Thomas spent his high school years volunteering for conservation organizations, advocating and raising awareness of New Zealand’s unique wildlife, and travelling the country in search of as many different birds as he could observe and photograph. His interest in birds began on a school visit to Tiritiri Matangi Island […]
Tharanga Herath

Tharanga is an acclaimed birder and tour leader with about 25 years of Birding experience who co- founded Ornithvacations birding & wildlife holidays. He is a key member and instructor of national organizations, volunteering in research and creating awareness in birdlife and conservation. He is a member of the expert panel of National Red List […]
Michael Mills

Michael Mills grew up in the Kalahari and Kruger National Parks, and it wasn’t long before the birding bug bit. After school he studied ornithology and conservation biology to masters level a the University of Cape Town’s Percy FitzPatrick Institute. Since then, for the past 20 years, he has been dividing his time between guiding […]
Dr Ravinder Kaur

All creatures in the sea and on land have always fascinated Ravinder Kaur since her childhood days. Thus, she pursued a degree in Conservation Biology at University Malaysia Sabah. Upon graduation, she began her career in conservation in Malaysian Nature Society as a Conservation Officer. She then went on her own to further her studies, […]
Dr Grant Humphries

Dr. Grant Humphries is the director of Black Bawks Data Science, lead data scientist at HiDef Aerial Surveying, and a marine ornithologist with a background in machine learning, non-parametric statistics and spatial ecology. Grant has been working with seabirds since 2006 but has experience in a number of fields focusing on ways of implementing cutting […]
Dr Susan Cunningham

Susie is a senior lecturer at the FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town. She has been involved in the Hot Birds Research Project, an international collaboration investigating the impact of climate change on desert birds globally, since 2010. She leads the team’s research on birds’ behavioural responses to heat and consequences of these. Susie is […]
Niall Perrins

Niall cut his teeth birding as a youngster in Botswana, where his father Mike taught him the ropes. Since 2013 he has been leading tours, in Southern Africa, as well as further afield, in other parts of Africa, South and Central America, Asia and Europe. Photography and nature are his passions, which he enjoys sharing […]