Step into the avian world with Begijn Le Bleu, the charismatic Flemish stand-up comedian whose stage brilliance is only matched by his deep-rooted passion for birding. As the host of the acclaimed podcast "Fwiet Fwiet", he invites audiences to join him on a captivating journey, sharing his profound passion for birds. In this exclusive blog interview, learn more about Begijn's deep-seated love for the natural world that surrounds us.
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| Birdwatching enthusiast Begijn Le Bleu |
Good day, Begijn, where are you from?
I’m from Sint-Niklaas, a city in Flanders, Belgium.
Can you tell us how you got started birdwatching?
When I was about eight or nine years old, my uncle gave me a pair of 16x50 Falco binoculars. A massive instrument, almost like a telescope, making me end up with a serious headache after using them. Later my dad gave me a pair of 8x40 Pallas, those were more comfortable.
In your opinion, what makes birdwatching such a pleasurable activity?
Because birds are just beautiful! They’re fun to watch. I can spend hours observing their behaviour. It’s also healthy to go out and be in nature and it creates mental welfare. Birds are so intriguing. I remember I was doing a radio show and I wanted to talk about the cuckoo for an hour. The program makers thought it was impossible to talk about one single bird for so long and wanted to cancel it, but about this species in particular I could go on for days! Apart from their behaviour, you can talk about feathers, eggs, what they eat, their songs… it never stops!
Do you know how many bird species you have observed so far?
Not exactly, but well over 200. I’ve only recently started to keep a list. A while ago I visited Georgia, I didn’t even write down what I saw, and now I regret that. Very recently I saw a Bearded Vulture, I still have to add it to my life list.
Do you have any professional link with birdwatching?
Actually I earn a living from my guided walks and the publishing of the Fwiet! magazine. I also offer talks about the topic. I see a lot of interest among people who take their first steps into birdwatching. I try to guide them with that, then later if they want to further expand their knowledge some of them join a birding club or go out into the field.
Do you also spend time watching birds in your free time?
My job and my free time are very closely related to one another, I am happy to say. I’ve managed to convert my passion, my hobby, into my job. Currently I am looking into buying a new camera body, because I need it to take better photos to display for my professional activities. Or in my free time, that is.
You also have a popular Podcast called ‘Fwiet Fwiet!’
There is no real economic benefit involved in that, but it’s great to get people interested and to build a community. It’s also a great opportunity to meet lots of interesting people! It has allowed me to meet one of my favourite writers, the British ornithologist Tim Birkhead. In the next podcast episode, I will also interview a remarkable person, but I can’t reveal the name yet, you’ll have to listen yourself.
One of the people I would love to interview in the future is Lars Jonsson, a Swedish ornithological illustrator. He has published several books showcasing his absolutely stunning drawings.
Which bird species in Flanders are you predicting a dire future?
Fortunately, some species here are doing well, but I foresee real problems for several others: farmland birds are facing an uncertain future. Take for instance Lapwing or Skylark. Already, there aren’t hardly any Corn Buntings left. Action has to be taken by the government to turn the situation around, and I must say the current Environment Minister is doing a great job. It’s a difficult matter, because sometimes unpopular decisions have to be made. You know, it takes a lot of political courage. Often times, people don’t realise a drastic change is necessary. We really have to give up a big part of our wealth if we are to offer a chance to nature, especially in the Western World, more specifically in Europe. We have to learn to see more than meets the eye, but that’s easier said than done. The government can lead us in doing so, but in the end it’s us, citizens, who have to act. We have to face reality and scale back our assets, by stopping overproduction and overconsumption for example.
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| Northern Lapwing, facing a precarious future |
Which place near your hometown do you like visiting for birdwatching?
Near to where I live we have Doelpolder, a wetland area with a lot of waders and meadow birds, near the river Scheldt. Slightly more up north, just over the border with the Netherlands, there is Saeftinghe, a huge salt marsh, where thousands of coastal birds go to breed. There are several comfortable hides from which you can take nice photos. Another place I can recommend is Molsbroek, a nature reserve in Lokeren.
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| Molsbroek nature reserve - © DirkVE |
You go out on birding trips a lot and meet a lot of fellow birders. Have you ever had an embarrassing experience?
I remember one day I was out birding with a large group of renowned ornithologists of different nationalities. At the very beginning of our trip, I was convinced I had seen a unique brown bird species in the bushes, so I shouted out I had spotted a rarity for sure! Excitedly they all grabbed their telescopes, but only to calm me down assuring me that I had just seen the very common Blackcap. During the rest of the trip I tried to make up for my blunder, but they didn’t pay any attention to what I said (laughs).
Begijn, you are also a well-known stand-up comedian, world-famous in Flanders. Which bird species do you find the funniest?
I’d say the Stone Curlew, with its big, flashy eyes. I mean, look at the way it moves, seconds later safely hiding in the fields. It also looks out of proportion, have you noticed?
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| Stone Curlew |
Is there a bird you have any resemblance with?
For sure! The Woodpecker: loudly knocking on wood all the time, so everyone can hear and see him. A real attention seeker! But then at times I am more like the Stone Curlew that I just mentioned, quietly hiding.
Is there any bird whose call you can copy perfectly?
I am well-established for my imitating skills of the Mediterranean Gull. Sometimes when I go out birding I have some kind of conversation with these birds. When passers-by see me do that, they think I’m completely out of my mind, but I don’t care. Sometimes when I want to impress my family members, I take a go at the Great Black-backed Gull, a massive species with a spectacular roar.
If you could have a conversation with any bird species, which one would you choose?
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| Short-eared Owl |
That’s easy: the Short-eared Owl! An absolute zen bird, very serene. It would probably not be a real conversation, but rather provoke self-reflection. Or maybe, staring at you with its mesmerizing eyes, it would just utter ‘Hi. I’m an owl. Who the hell are you?’
Thank you so much for your time, Begijn! Good luck with your magazine and we hope to see you soon.
Check out another interview here!