Your Birding History And Future
How long have you been a birder, and how did you get into birding?
I have been birding for as long as I can remember. I am 62 now and can’t think of not being a birder. Family tells me I was identifying Yellowhammer by song from the pushchair (stroller) as a toddler.
Has your attitude towards birding changed with time – for example, did it get intense, do you focus on different things now, etc.?
I was quite casual until being made redundant in December 1992 and buying a copy of Bird Watching Magazine in the UK and things exploding… I have sometimes pulled back from twitching but only for short spells until the bug bites again.
What were the ornithological highlights in your life so far?
Being one of the first to see Short-toed Eagle on Scilly in October 1999, shortly after ticking Siberian Thrush. I was in the first five to see the Eagle as it flew in off the sea and over us. My best find in the UK is Swainson’s Thrush on Shetland, and the best bird has to be Wallcreeper on the cliffs in Northern France in sight of the English coast.
What are your plans for the next few years, as related to birding? For example, trips planned?
I am off to lead a tour in Northern Spain in late October, and then 2027 has plenty of trips as a tour leader.
If you had to make a living off birding, what kind of activity would you try?
I top up my pension now by leading bird tours and surveying birds.
Your Life As A Non-Birder
What do you do for work?
Retired as a nurse manager in the NHS in 2024 and now lead bird tours and do environmental surveying for a living.
Is there any link between your work and birds/birding?
Birding is work.
What’s your favourite thing to do outside of birding?
Listening to music, food and drink, and travel (I always have my bins).
How does your personal environment (e.g., partner, children, etc.) regard your interest in birds and birding?
My partner is a bit bemused, but she likes pretty birds.
Birding General Info And Advice
What are some of your birding tips for beginners?
Stop trying to identify everything by photographing it (usually badly) and posting on Facebook. Start by just watching and learning. We never had the luxury and had to learn the hard way.
How important are apps for your birding?
Very; I have a huge variety from eBird and Merlin to The Sound Approach, and ID guides like Collins and Sibley.
Do you have any favourite birding-related media (e.g., books, podcasts, websites, magazines, videos, etc.) you can recommend?
I subscribe to BirdGuides (bird news and Birdwatch Magazine), British Birds, and Dutch Birding.
Are there any aspects of birding you would like to learn more about (e.g., bird families, birding destinations, people involved in birding)?
I am always learning. I’m getting into sound recording now.
10,000 Birds
Why do you write for 10,000 Birds, other than for the fame and glory?
To share my enthusiasm.
What do you like and dislike about the site? What should change?
Nothing.
In an ideal world, who would you want to contribute to 10,000 Birds as well?
I’d love to get Ken Kaufman on board. A great writer and inspiration.
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