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Professor Richard Fuller

Richard Fuller is a Professor at the University of Queensland. He studies how people have affected the natural world around them, and how some of their destructive effects can best be reversed. The research group works on pure and applied topics in biodiversity and conservation, with a strong emphasis on building collaborative conservation to save migratory species. He is also an incurable birder.
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Mark D. Anderson

Mark D. AndersonMark D. Anderson has been the Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife South Africa since 2008, where he has been instrumental in transforming the organisation from near bankruptcy into a financially stable and internationally reputable NGO. His leadership has ensured the organisation's growth and resilience, even amidst challenging economic climates.

Under his 15-year tenure, BirdLife South Africa has achieved significant conservation successes:

  • Reduced albatross fatalities: Implemented mitigation measures that reduced albatross deaths in South Africa's trawl fishery from approximately 9,000 to fewer than 100 per year, earning international awards.

  • Birds & Renewable Energy Project: Secured funding from Investec to establish a project focused on minimizing the impact of wind and solar developments on birds and biodiversity.

  • African Penguin habitat protection: Nurtured donor relationships to secure funding for dedicated staff focusing on African Penguin research and conservation.

  • Vulture conservation: Initiated research into lead poisoning in vultures, identifying bullet fragments as a significant issue, and is now working with government, manufacturers, and hunting organisations to promote non-toxic ammunition.

  • Key Biodiversity Areas and Biodiversity Stewardship: Facilitated significant funding to protect approximately 200,000 hectares of priority grassland and estuary habitat.

  • Mouse-Free Marion Project: A tireless champion of this major initiative to eradicate mice on Marion Island, which are threatening 19 bird species. He oversees expert appointments, provides management guidance, and is pivotal in raising the projected R620 million budget for the 2028 implementation.

Prior to his CEO role, Mark was a Specialist Nature Conservation Scientist in the Northern Cape, joining in 1991 after completing his MSc (cum laude) on aardwolf eco-physiological adaptations. He is particularly renowned for his work in conserving the Lesser Flamingo population at Kamfers Dam, where his proposal for the construction of an island led to several breeding events: the first in South Africa. He also played a crucial role in advocating against a development that threatened the breeding site, ultimately saving it. His work also led to Eskom implementing measures to protect Ludwig's Bustard and Blue Crane from power line collisions.

Mark is a prolific writer of both popular and scientific articles and a sought-after speaker on environmental issues. He has held numerous prestigious positions, including as a Director on the Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa’s Board, Chairman of the BirdLife Africa Regional Committee, and a BirdLife International Global Council Member.

He has a strong focus on fundraising and governance, transforming BirdLife South Africa's foundational structures. He initiated the BirdLife National Trust, which now holds an endowment of approximately R41 million, ensuring sustainable funding. He oversaw the purchase and renovation of BirdLife South Africa's head offices, established the highly successful African Birdlife magazine, and innovated fundraising through MSC cruise ship voyages, with the recent "Flock-to-Marion" cruise raising over R7 million.

Mark Anderson is recognized for his vision, commitment, and integrity, and his collaborative approach to conservation, extending support to other South African NGOs.

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LO Chun Fai

LO Chun Fai is a birder based in Hong Kong, China. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Biology and Masters in Environmental Health and Safety. He started birding in 2008 when he was a secondary student. With his passions for birding overseas, and active eBirding, he is one of the reviewers in eBird for the Hong Kong region. Although he is currently a masters student in social science, he is always willing to be your birding-pal in Hong Kong and provide birding information about mainland China.
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Pietman Muller

Pietman Muller is currently a retired Avocado farmer in Levubu, Limpopo. He developed an interest in photography during high school and bought his first camera 49 years ago. With experience, his passion and expertise grew as he captured true wildlife scenes, whether it's landscapes, animals, birds, or their interactions. Over the years, he developed a deep understanding and love for the unrivalled uniqueness and diversity of the Northern Kruger. His interest in bird photography leans more towards larger species, especially raptors, with a special passion for owls. During the last 17 years, he spent hundreds of hours in specially built hides at owl and other raptor nests, photographing and studying these remarkable birds. Several of his images and articles were featured in magazines such as Weg/Go and African Birdlife. A very special photograph of a Wahlberg’s eagle on her nest with a chick graced the cover page of African Birdlife magazine. In 2012 and 2014, he had the privilege to be part of two aerial censuses of white-backed vulture numbers along the entire length of the Limpopo River. Several of his photographs taken on these trips were published in River of Gold – Narratives and Exploration of the Great Limpopo, written by Peter Norton, Michael Gardner and Clive Walker. For the past 15 years, Pietman has served as a SANParks Honorary Ranger with a special focus on Shingwedzi. He also provides photography support at birding events hosted in Kruger by the Limpopo Region of the Honorary Rangers. He frequently gives talks on photography and shares his knowledge of owls at bird clubs and other events. He also educates the community about owls and reunites young owls with their parents in the Levubu and Louis Trichardt area.
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Prof Adrian Craig

Adrian Craig is a retired professor of zoology, who spent his working career lecturing at Rhodes University in South Africa. He has also given many talks to school groups and other audiences. His research has always focused on African birds, involving field studies, museum specimens, and historical records. Apart from formal scientific publications, Adrian has written many popular articles for birdclub magazines, and contributed to handbooks such as “The birds of Africa” and “Handbook of the birds of the world”.

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Elizabeth Szekeres

Elizabeth SzekeresElizabeth 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 intact wetland in the Greater Toronto Area, was her playground. Since Elizabeth retired from full time work in 2017, she has spent a lot of time traveling the globe to explore the natural world and observe birds. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she visited New Zealand, Southern Africa, Hungary, Spain, Ecuador, California, Oregon, The Galápagos Islands, Costa Rica, Newfoundland, Baja California, Mexico and the Sea of Cortez. Once lockdowns were over, she returned to travel, visiting Newfoundland, and then second visits to New Zealand and Costa Rica. She continued with Antarctica, Iceland, Greenland and Costa Rica again in 2023, and then Belize, Guatemala and southern Alberta in 2024. Elizabeth writes the newsletter for her local naturalists’ club and loves to share her stories and photographs of the birds she observes. She presents regularly for nature clubs and seniors' centres in the Greater Toronto Area, and has been a previous contributor to the Learn The Birds webinar series.
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Hugo Sampaio

Hugo Photo Hugo was born in Coimbra, central Portugal, and holds a degree in Biology. From an early age, he developed a passion for nature and outdoor activities, especially birdwatching. Professionally, he has worked on various conservation projects with SPEA, BirdLife International in Portugal, including monitoring the Azores Bullfinch population, assessing the impact of power lines on birds, and contributing to the Portuguese Atlas of Wintering and Migratory Birds and the Atlas of Breeding Birds. Additionally, he was involved in the conservation of Obô Natural Park and the study of its endemic species for more than a decade in São Tomé and Príncipe. He is currently working on the conservation of threatened steppe birds such as the Great Bustard, Little Bustard and Montagu’s Harrier. With his extensive field experience, Hugo began working as a nature guide a decade ago and has led birdwatching tours in Portugal, the Azores, Spain, Greece, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Bhutan.
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Dr Derek W. Keats

Derek was biology professor for over 20 years, and discovered several species new to science (not birds, alas), and even has a species named after him. His studies have encompassed ecology, systematics and phylogeny, as well as technology in education. He has published around 80 academic papers, and more than 100 magazine articles in which he has brought science and nature to lay persons. He has also been a university Deputy Vice Chancellor, held various technology roles in university and business, and is a technology geek. Derek is an accomplished nature photographer on land and under water, with his photos appearing in over 20 books, hundreds of magazines, several mobile apps, and museum exhibits. Today he works in FinTech, but prefers to spend time photographing birds  and unravelling their stories so he can re-tell them to humans. He is co-founder and looks after the technology and arrangements for Learn-the-Birds.
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Ground-hornbill researchers

Kyle and CarrieDr Kyle-Mark Middleton and Carrie Hickman are researchers at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town – Kyle as a post-doctoral fellow and Carrie as a PhD candidate. Since 2016, they have co-managed the APNR Ground Hornbill Project, dedicating their work to uncovering the complex ecology and behaviour of this iconic species. Their research is aimed at not only advancing scientific understanding, but also directly informs conservation and management strategies to safeguard Southern Ground-Hornbills in the wild.
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Etienne Marais

Etienne is one of South Africa's most experienced birders, a veteran guide and has been training birders for 15 years in an array of skills and specialities. He thinks deeply about the experience of birding.
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Dr Mark Brown

Dr. Mark Brown is an ornithologist and conservationist based in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. With over 25 years of experience, he has conducted extensive research on avian physiology, pollination ecology, and the conservation of nectar-feeding birds. He has published over 100 scientific papers and is a recognized expert in the field. Mark has supervised over 40 postgraduate students and mentored dozens of South African and international students in the fields of ecology, conservation and marine biology. He is passionate about finding solutions to local conservation issues in the greater Plett region, and runs a conservation NPO Conserve Eden and a conservation travel company Discover Eden. Dr. Brown is the lead author of the recently published Roberts Sunbirds and Sugarbirds of Southern Africa, a comprehensive book on these birds, featuring scientific insights and stunning artwork. His work focuses on understanding bird ecology, particularly sunbirds and sugarbirds, and their roles as pollinators.
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