David is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Cambridge. His research looks into how the interpretation of climate science affects biodiversity conservation policy-making and practice in England. He is a keen birdwatcher and has a strong interest in British wildlife conservation. I have been very interested in recent weeks to read…
Category: BLOGS by guest authors
Guest Blog – What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding? by Colin Williams
Colin Williams is a writer who explores our relationship with the natural world. He is also a conservationist and for many years worked with cetacean conservation organisation ORCA surveying whales and dolphins in northern Europe. He’s also worked for Planet Whale as a whale watching guide and in 2012 was writer-in-residence at WhaleFest. The…
Guest Blog – ‘Muzzled Watchdog’ to ‘Toothless Terrier’? by Helen Kirk
Helen Kirk has been described as ‘an indefatigable and tenacious environmental campaigner and amateur naturalist’. For more than 30 years she has championed and helped safeguard the Humberhead peatlands, and the special plants and creatures that depend on them. She is the executive secretary of the Thorne and Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum and has recently…
Guest Blog – Not the BTO winter thrush survey by Hugh Brazier
Hugh Brazier was at school with Mark Avery a long time ago. He then spent many years in Ireland, where (among other things) he frequented seabird colonies off the west coast, ringed lots of puffins and storm petrels, and edited the journal Irish Birds. He is now based in York, where he works as a…
Guest Blog – A Christmas Greeting for a Climate Sceptic Council Leader by Sarah Whitebread
Sarah Whitebread is an environmental campaigner and Lib Dem councillor from Cambridge. She has an Mphil in Environmental Policy and works for an MP in Westminster. Cambridgeshire is currently being run by a climate sceptic. Councillor Nick Clarke, leader of the County Council, declared on his blog a few months ago that “it is now clear…
Guest Blog – Is the future in safe hands? by Findlay Wilde
Hi, my name is Findlay Wilde, I am ten years old. I live in a small village in Cheshire with my mum, my dad, my brother and dog. I am fascinated by wildlife, in particular birds. The reason I got involved in nature is because of the vast wonder it has to offer. I only…
Guest Blog – Why we need to change if we really care… by Ralph Underhill
Ralph Underhill worked on planning casework and water policy at the RSPB for seven years, before joining the Public Interest Research Centre where he is working on the Common Cause for Nature project. He would like to hear your thoughts on this piece and would like anyone interested in the project to get in touch….
Guest blog – A natural history GCSE? by Mary Colwell
Mary Colwell is an award winning radio, TV and internet producer winning 14 awards over the last 5 years, including a Sony Gold in 2009. She is also a radio presenter and feature writer for The Tablet. She now produces Saving Species on Radio 4 which covers a wide range of environmental and wildlife issues….
Guest Blog – RSPB science by David Gibbons
Dr David Gibbons is the RSPB’s Head of Conservation Science, a post he has been privileged to hold for the last 14 years. The previous incumbent in this post was a well-known environmental blogger, not a million miles from this site. Mark’s blog last week, comparing the quantity and quality of the scientific output…
Guest blog – BTO science by Andy Clements
Dr Andy Clements was trained as a scientist with a PhD in animal behaviour from the University of Wales, and has spent 30 years as a professional nature conservationist. He is currently the Chief Executive of the BTO. It was great to see science for nature conservation discussed in Mark’s blog last week, and…