Click above to buy
Introduction
I have been interested in birds from the age of ten, when I moved from the heavily bombed area of New Cross in south London to Roehampton village, opposite Wimbledon Common; what a contrast with woods, ponds, lakes, heathland and birds.
From day one my interest had begun. Climbing very high trees armed with string and a cotton bag, eggs from a variety of birds were plundered and lowered down to a waiting accomplice. Within a couple of years, I became aware that this wasn’t the right thing to do and developed a long and lasting interest in birds and their conservation. I joined the RSPB. in my teens but never met another birdwatcher until I encountered a stall at an event in Hampton; it was run by a young lad of 17, his name was Keith Betton and he persuaded me to come along to a Local Members Group meeting the following month in Twickenham. Within one week I had become not only a member but a member of the committee, helping to put out the chairs, make the tea and any other job that needed doing. In time, I started leading group outings on coach trips and to the local park, manning stalls at fairs and events and then organizing displays at our monthly meetings.
Some years later I met Bill Kilby and Peter Greening, who both had been volunteer wardens in Wales protecting and guarding nests of both Red Kite and Peregrine Falcon. I joined Bill and Peter the following year and enjoyed every cold, wet and uncomfortable moment. The accommodation was basic, a burnt-out caravan in the middle of nowhere, no running water (unless you counted the freezing shallow river in which we washed ourselves), and no toilet ….well there was an upright box with a bucket which we declined to use ! Sitting down for hours watching a nest and jotting down observations on a notebook were the first drawings I ever made of birds, very basic and drawn with a Biro. Also, that’s were I had my first experience of tics, not very nice !
Our group produced a small newsletter that changed over the years into a small booklet, containing short articles by members about their sightings, trips, comments and experiences. I would often get a phone call, “Les can you do an article for the newsletter as quickly as possible ?” Working in the television industry I was often away on location, farms, moors, woods, and even stately homes; this sometimes provided me with unusual stories and experiences a few of which are included.
Over the years, my field notebook has gradually changed by including small sketches until the bird list has gone, being replaced with drawings and notes. I am not an artist but do enjoy trying to get the feel of a bird onto a page and therefore making a connection with a wild bird. Bruce Pearson, the artist, while looking through my notebook once said “It’s a shame more birdwatchers don’t try to draw what they see”. Well, after reading this, you too will have to have a go at sketching some of the birds that you see.
I have been interested in birds from the age of ten, when I moved from the heavily bombed area of New Cross in south London to Roehampton village, opposite Wimbledon Common; what a contrast with woods, ponds, lakes, heathland and birds.
From day one my interest had begun. Climbing very high trees armed with string and a cotton bag, eggs from a variety of birds were plundered and lowered down to a waiting accomplice. Within a couple of years, I became aware that this wasn’t the right thing to do and developed a long and lasting interest in birds and their conservation. I joined the RSPB. in my teens but never met another birdwatcher until I encountered a stall at an event in Hampton; it was run by a young lad of 17, his name was Keith Betton and he persuaded me to come along to a Local Members Group meeting the following month in Twickenham. Within one week I had become not only a member but a member of the committee, helping to put out the chairs, make the tea and any other job that needed doing. In time, I started leading group outings on coach trips and to the local park, manning stalls at fairs and events and then organizing displays at our monthly meetings.
Some years later I met Bill Kilby and Peter Greening, who both had been volunteer wardens in Wales protecting and guarding nests of both Red Kite and Peregrine Falcon. I joined Bill and Peter the following year and enjoyed every cold, wet and uncomfortable moment. The accommodation was basic, a burnt-out caravan in the middle of nowhere, no running water (unless you counted the freezing shallow river in which we washed ourselves), and no toilet ….well there was an upright box with a bucket which we declined to use ! Sitting down for hours watching a nest and jotting down observations on a notebook were the first drawings I ever made of birds, very basic and drawn with a Biro. Also, that’s were I had my first experience of tics, not very nice !
Our group produced a small newsletter that changed over the years into a small booklet, containing short articles by members about their sightings, trips, comments and experiences. I would often get a phone call, “Les can you do an article for the newsletter as quickly as possible ?” Working in the television industry I was often away on location, farms, moors, woods, and even stately homes; this sometimes provided me with unusual stories and experiences a few of which are included.
Over the years, my field notebook has gradually changed by including small sketches until the bird list has gone, being replaced with drawings and notes. I am not an artist but do enjoy trying to get the feel of a bird onto a page and therefore making a connection with a wild bird. Bruce Pearson, the artist, while looking through my notebook once said “It’s a shame more birdwatchers don’t try to draw what they see”. Well, after reading this, you too will have to have a go at sketching some of the birds that you see.