Bitou Birding Festival

02/06/2026

26/05/2026

21/05/2026

“I was only trying to help” Most people are.

But right now, many sick or struggling birds may not simply be “injured” or “exhausted.”

They may have avian flu.

That means that picking up, transporting or handling birds without proper protection can:

* put you and your family at risk
* spread the virus further
* expose pets and other wildlife
* make tracking and response efforts harder for professionals

⚠️ What should you do instead?

If you find a bird that is:

* unusually weak
* disoriented
* unable to stand or fly
* twitching or showing neurological signs
* dead without obvious cause

DO NOT TOUCH IT

Instead:
📍 Pin the location
📸 Take a photo/video if safe to do so
☎️ Report it immediately to the appropriate local stranding or wildlife response network

For Tsitsikamma/ Plett/ Knysna/ Sedgefield and surrounds contact the Plett Stranding Network 0794634837

Professionals have the training, equipment and protocols needed to respond safely.

🌍 Living With Nature

Wanting to help wildlife is a good thing ♥️

But during disease outbreaks, the safest and kindest thing we can do is let trained responders take over.

Let’s protect people, pets and wildlife

20/05/2026

Our friends at Raptor Rescue Plett was hit quite hard by the recent storms. Please support them if you can, they do such incredible work in conserving, rescue, rehab and release of raptors in our area. They now need our help. You can assist by making a financial donation or by donating any of the materials on their wishlist. Please read the attached note for their banking details and more info on how you can help.

The storms may have passed, but for many in Plett, the recovery is only beginning.

One of our Partners in Protecting Nature was hit quite badly.

Raptor Rescue suffered severe damage to infrastructure and had multiple large trees uprooted.

If you’ve been wondering how to help after the storms, this is one meaningful way.

They urgently need:
• Financial donations
• Fencing, poles, timber, wire mesh
• Cement, bricks, sand, stone
• Screws, nails, cable ties & general hardware
• Help with chainsaws, debris clearing, carpentry & construction

Even sharing this post helps connect support to the people doing the hard work of caring for injured and vulnerable wildlife in our region.

Donations can be dropped at reception or made via EFT:

Raptor Conservation NPC
FNB
Account: 63000514067
Branch: 210514
Ref: Storm Rebuild

Send us a DM if you’d like to join the volunteer WhatsApp group.

Despite the circumstances, the team remain available for wildlife rescues and emergencies:
📱 073 948 8371 / 078 135 3611

08/05/2026

Plett has weathered an incredibly challenging few days. Many of our Bitou Birding Festival partners have been hit hard by the rising floodwaters, and our thoughts are with them. We wish all our fellow residents, community members, birders, and nature lovers strength and resilience as the mop-up and rebuilding begins. We are in this together.
Birdlife Plettenberg Bay Bitou River Lodge Kwendalo Plettenberg Bay Tourism

08/05/2026

Birdwatching is on the rise! 💚

"Birdwatching is the second fastest growing hobby for generation Z after jewellery making, according to a multiyear study of more than 24,000 people.

Almost 750,000 gen Zers (16 to 29-year-olds) in Britain regularly enjoy watching birds, a 1,088% increase since 2018, according to research by Fifty5Blue published by the RSPB.

Regular birdwatching has been embraced by all generations over the past eight years, with a 47% increase overall. Among millennials it has risen by 216% alongside a 66% increase in gen X birders." - The Guardian

Have you noticed more people getting into birdwatching? What do you think on this story? 👀

Image: 'Practice Makes Perfect' by Jack Zhi, winner of 's Behaviour: Birds category.

08/05/2026

⚠️ Event Cancellation Notice ⚠️

Due to the severe weather warnings, our World Migratory Bird Day event at Café Kwendalo on 9 May has been cancelled.

The safety of our guests, team, and community comes first. Thank you for your understanding, and please stay safe and dry. 🌧️🐦

📩 [email protected]

☎️ +27 44 004 0366
🌐 https://bit.ly/3FfFfNW

05/12/2025

It is always a great occasion if rehabilitated birds can be released back into the wild! Come out and support this great fundraising event in aid of our wild birds here in Plett. Look out for the Birdlife Plettenberg Bay volunteers that will be collecting cash and card donations in aid of all the local organisations that look after the rescue and rehab of local wild birdlife.