Author: Mark

Born Bristol, UK Educated: Cleeve House School Bristol, Bristol Grammar School and Downing College Cambridge Ph.D. University of Aberdeen, Winter activity of pipistrelle bats. NERC post-doctoral Research Fellow, Edward Grey Institute, Oxford University Former Conservation Director of the RSPB, 1989-2011

Globally threatened birds

Mark 20 Comments

It comes to something when four species of birds I have seen this year in the UK are added to the list of globally threatened bird species. The IUCN Red List is updated periodically, after much sucking of teeth and poring over the data (some of which are a bit ropy) and Birdlife International are…

Oscar Dewhurst – another Red Deer

Mark Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – another Red Deer

Oscar writes: Another one from Richmond Park a couple of weeks ago. On this morning there wasn’t really any mist, but the temperature was cool enough for this stag’s breath to be condensing, looking yellow as the sun shone through it. Nikon D800, Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR lens

Northampton NHS (and then Northern Ireland)

Mark Comments Off on Northampton NHS (and then Northern Ireland)

I’m looking forward to talking about Passenger Pigeons on Friday evening to the Northamptonshire Natural History Society.  I’ll have a pile of books to offer for sale at this event – it’s ‘nearly’ Christmas (near enough to start buying some easy personalised presents anyway).                     That’s…

Birdwatch birders’ awards

Mark 3 Comments

Birdwatch magazine has excelled itself in this year’s Birders’ awards. There are 10 categories in which you can vote (whether you consider yourself a birder or not).  I can imagine the voting being pretty close in some categories – in particular the ‘Guano Award for Environmental Harm’ category.  The four ‘contenders’ are the Countryside Alliance,…