As birders, we spend much of our time looking up—usually at the incredible soaring birds crossing The Straits of Gibraltar. But recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down (virtually!) with the fantastic team at BatAbility for their Talking Bat podcast series.
Don’t let the name fool you—while Neil and the team are the masters of all things chiroptera, they invited us on for a special “Talking Bird” episode to chat about the interconnected world of ecology, ethical travel, and the magic of migration.
What’s in the Episode?
It was a brilliant, relaxed conversation that gave us a chance to reflect on why we do what we do. If you’ve ever wondered about the “why” behind the Bustards, this is the episode for you. We delved into:
- The Roots of Inglorious Bustards:Â How we transitioned from conservation roles to setting up our base here in Andalucia, Spain.
- The Eco-Tourism Mission:Â Why we believe tourism must be a powerhouse for conservation, supporting local economies and protecting the very habitats we love to visit.
- The Miracle of Migration:Â We shared our passion for the East Atlantic Flyway and the breathtaking spectacle of bird migration that defines our lives here in The Straits.
- Giving Back to The Gambia: A deep dive into the conservation work we’re so proud of in West Africa and our partnership with the Flyway Birding Association.
More Than Just Birds
What we loved most about this chat was the “wider world of ecology” focus. Whether it’s bats or birds, the challenges—and the joys—of protecting our natural world are the same. We talked about the importance of sustainable guiding and how every trip we run is designed to put nature first.
How to Listen
Whether you’re prepping for a trip with us or you’re stuck in the office dreaming of the Spanish sun, you can listen to the full interview at the link below:
Listen here: Talking Bird with Simon Tonkin & Niki Williamson
A huge thank you to the BatAbility team for having us. It’s always a treat to talk shop with people who share a passion for the natural world!
