There is a direct link between mumps, PG tips and my interest in birds. As a small boy I avidly collected the cards of British birds to be found in packets of tea and used to make my parents endless cups of tea. While lying in bed with mumps, my mum bought me ‘The Observer Book of Birds’ and there began a life-long passion for birds.  I have been fortunate to have been involved with wildlife, conservation and birds for most of my working life, having worked for 4 years at Dinton Pastures Country Park near Wokingham and then arriving at the Sussex Wildlife Trust in 1985 and enjoying over 30 years of working for this wonderful organisation before retiring in 2016.

I now work freelance and spend much of my life showing people birds, which is a very nice way to spend my retirement! I still run courses and bird trips for the Trust as well as running my own day trips and longer weekends further afield in the UK. I also lead wildlife holidays to many places across the globe for a company called Wildlife Travel who donate all their profits to wildlife conservation organisations. In 2019, for my sins, I became Chairman of the Sussex Ornithological Society.

I formed Henfield Birdwatch in 1999 and am very proud to have seen it evolve into one of the most widely recognised local community wildlife projects in the UK with a current membership of over 200. In 2011 we received the British Trust for Ornithology Marsh Award and £1,000.00 for our 2010 bird report.

Links

Wildlife Travel – Wild Flower Tours and Natural History Holidays

www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/whats-on

Russell’s Tours – mailto:mikerussell51@yahoo.co.uk