How and why did our most acclaimed birdwatchers take up birding? What were their early experiences of nature? How have their professional birding careers developed? What motivates them and drives their passion for wildlife? How many birds have they seen? Keith Betton and Mark Avery, passionate birdwatchers and conservationists, interview members of the birdwatching community to answer these and many other questions about the lives of famous birdwatchers.
Following on from the success of their 2015 book Behind the Binoculars, Keith and Mark are back again, taking you behind the scenes, and behind the binoculars, of a diverse range of birding and wildlife personalities.
Behind More Binoculars includes interviews with: Frank Gardner, Ann and Tim Cleeves, Roy Dennis, Kevin Parr, Tony Marr, Tim Appleton, Tim Birkhead, Dawn Balmer, Jon Hornbuckle, Tony Juniper, Richard Porter, Bryan Bland, Carol and Tim Inskipp, Barbara Young, Bill Oddie
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
The interviews:
- Frank Gardner
- Ann and Tim Cleeves
- Roy Dennis
- Kevin Parr
- Tony Marr
- Tim Appleton
- Tim Birkhead
- Dawn Balmer
- Jon Hornbuckle
- Tony Juniper
- Richard Porter
- Bryan Bland
- Carol and Tim Inskipp
- Barbara Young
- Bill Oddie
Last thoughts
Selected bibliography
Index
Dr Mark Avery is a blogger, writer, author and wildlife campaigner. He once, many moons ago, worked for the RSPB (and for 13 years was its Conservation Director). He has been prominent in the discussions over the future of driven grouse shooting in the UK – Mark hopes that its future is very limited.
Keith Betton is a media trainer, PR consultant and writer. He is a keen world birder having seen over 8,000 species in more than 100 countries. Keith has a particular passion for Africa, having been Chairman of the African Bird Club for 7 years, and now its Vice President. In the UK he is heavily involved in bird monitoring in Hampshire, where he is County Recorder. He has been a Council Member of both the RSPB and the BTO, and is currently Vice President of the latter.
"The sequel to Behind the Binoculars is here and yes, it's another series of engaging interviews with a diverse range of birdwatching personalities, but this enjoyable follow-up offers far more. [...] Whilst the questions posed frequently elicit thought-provoking responses, and it is interesting to note childhood observations of species once common that would now sadly be considered rarities, this is balanced with light hearted anecdotes and amusing tales of more carefree times. Prepare to be entertained, educated but above all inspired."
– Justin Walker, BTO book reviews