It is with sadness that I pass on the news that Derek Moore died today.
Readers of this blog may remember the review of Derek’s book that appeared here a couple of years ago – I’ll be dipping into that book again over the next few days. He also was a regular commenter on this blog.
Derek was a birder, conservationist, raconteur, rock musician, cricketer, grumpy old man and delightful joker. He tended to call a spade a spade – sometimes a bloody spade!
He worked almost exclusively for the Wildlife Trusts over the years but was a friend to all true nature conservationists and to all nature. His trenchant views and deep chuckling laughs will be missed.
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Never had the pleasure of meeting Derek but his ‘lack of bulls**t’ reputation went before him. What a shame, conservation is a little poorer for his loss.
Derek was a great ambassador for birdwatching and nature conservation. His perfect blend of humour and straight talking enthused and inspired those who met him and heard him speak. He had a great presence about him and it was clear to see the passion he brought to nature conservation. He has left a great example for all who seek to continue the work to which he dedicated so much of his life. He will certainly be missed.
What terribly sad news. A great loss to the birding community. Derek battled with his cancer so bravely. We got to know him well when he volunteered to join our Elmley reserve management board. The many times when he stayed overnight with Elmley manager Steve Gordon were a riot of eating, drinking and banter. A really great guy.
I first met Derek when he moved to Wales to join the newly formed Wales Wildlife Trust. Whereas I met Derek through my professional role with the Countryside Council for Wales, it was our conversations about birds and natural history which I will most remember. He was a great enthusiast and immensely knowledgable too. We have lost a great advocate for nature and the natural world.
I only met Derek for an hour, a few years ago, whilst we were both stood on the Goshawk viewing point in the Forest of Dean. He had never met me before but nevertheless it was an interesting chat about birds and bird protection. A sad loss.
A really nice guy, full of knowledge, happy to share it plus some great stories about his other career in the music business…….
I never met Derek, we just had a few electronic exchanges on this blog I got the impression a a man of great knowledge, straight talking and humility. We are as they say one down but not forgotten.
Thank you for all these wonderful comments. Derek was certainly a proactive campaigner for conservation and this started at an early age. His first drawings were of matchstick birds and his first observations were on our Sunday country walks with our Dad. Such a comfort to know my big brother achieved so much and made a difference.
Janet – thank you very much for making a comment here. Derek will be missed by very many of us.
Granted that Derek did so much with his life that was important, and so valuable to his beloved birds, it seems to me that his most valuable gift was his ability to inspire others. That is rare. There might be others out there ready to carry on where he left off in other ways, but cannot in THAT way.
Derek was a force of nature.
I have a happy memory of working with Derek on a ‘pitch’ in the early days (well, the 1980s) of marine conservation. We were looking to secure both funds and the support of colleagues in other Wildlife Trusts. Knowing I was to work with Derek on the presentation a colleague created an animated slide of Jayne Mansfield that ‘Sweet , charming, shy mysterious girl’ encircled by a halo of decapods. Derek was suitably game to take the risk, which paid off handsomely.
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