Bobby Tulloch was a Shetlander whose fame spread far beyond the isles of his birth. Born on Yell in 1929 he died in 1996. For many of us his name will ever be associated with the Snowy Owls which nested on Fetlar from 1967 to 1975. To those of us who never knew the man he still impinged on our lives as a writer, broadcaster and lecturer. The name Bobby Tulloch immediately conjures up the image of a bearded man in a jumper (and possibly in a boat too) talking about exciting birds (Red-necked Phalarope, Bonxies, Whimbrel and those Snowy Owls) in a soft accent.
This book is a true celebration of the man with a large number of pen portraits, anecdotes and affectionate tales from people who did know him. They paint a very consistent picture of a great naturalist and a kind man who was at home in a boat or with a fiddle in hand.
One of the first tales I read was by Frank Hamilton, a former RSPB Director of Scotland. It made me smile because I know Frank, I know the RSPB and I although I didn’t know Bobby I can just imagine the incidents described. But there are lots and lots of amusing and touching stories here. It’s a lovely book of a seemingly lovely man.
Bobby the Birdman: an anthology celebrating the life and work of Bobby Tulloch by Jonathan Wills & Mike McDonnell (editors) is published by Berlinn.
Remarkable Birds by Mark Avery is published by Thames and Hudson – for reviews see here.
Inglorious: conflict in the uplands by Mark Avery is published by Bloomsbury – for reviews see here. Updated paperback edition now out.
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