My local "Hero" who got me more interested in birding and all things in wildlife, is Peter Hill. He was the Chairman of the Rochdale Field Naturalists Society at the time when I went on a nature walk at Hopwood Hall about 20 years ago. I see in bird reports he was also the Greater Manchester Bird Recorder in the late 80's prior to Judith Smith.
His knowledge and history of the birds, fungi, flowers and trees of Rochdale was fascinating on the walks and trips he led. He wrote 4 booklets about them in Rochdale, available at the time in the Hollingworth Lake visitors centre.
After his death, the society had a copy of each bound into volumes and had a copy placed in each of the libraries of Rochdale, so future generations were aware of what used to be seen. I hope they are still there!
If you are going to see the Red-throated Diver at Waterstone Reservoir there should be a tree and plaque in his memory in a memorial area on the right hand of the reservoir as you walk round.
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Richardson at Cley in 1976.
A remarkable character in his leather jacket and wooly hat during the height of the heatwave - made sense of course when I (and most of the Norfolk coast) heard him leave on his Norton.
A fabulous artist and very good birder, lay full length on the grass bank with his draw tube telescope resting on his boot. His bike and crash helmet had hand-painted bike logos and emblems demonstrating his craft.
Moss Talyors book Guardian Spirit of the East Bank is an excellent account of his life. .
I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Richardson at Cley in 1976.
A remarkable character in his leather jacket and wooly hat during the height of the heatwave - made sense of course when I (and most of the Norfolk coast) heard him leave on his Norton.
A fabulous artist and very good birder, lay full length on the grass bank with his draw tube telescope resting on his boot. His bike and crash helmet had hand-painted bike logos and emblems demonstrating his craft.
Ian lewington is an ace painter , not Lars Jonsson, would love to meet him .
I never knew Magnus was a birder! nice
Keep Birding and enjoy the dark nights reading about birds
-- Edited by Paul Heaton on Thursday 28th of October 2021 06:03:58 PM
Paul,
I'm suprised you didn't know about Magnus, as he was RSPB President for a while, although I admit that doesn't necessarily make him a birder (but it helps)!
Thats fantastic David , I never had a mentor or anyone to help me just read about other birders.
I attended the sale of some of Jack Crithley books its remains of my shelf as a treasure, the LOS team are amazing and have done so much for Birding and Conservation .
Dave Wilson is my hero; he's been a passionate birder and conservationist all his life and, at near 80 years, is still battling for wildlife. Founder member of L.O.S. in 1971 and saviour of the Flash. He's an all-round good man and an inspiration to many.
My other hero was Jack Critchley, another good un, an influential officer of L.O.S., a meticulous recorder, writer and artist. He was multi-talented, pottery, drawing, cake decoration, rugby. He was tops at it all, a man of strong character and integrity.
Out of the names you have mentioned Paul, I have Bill Oddie on my Greater Manchester list He was at Haigh Plantations and I was working at the Groundwork Trust, we took a group of schoolchildren to meet him.
Ian Lewington was in goal when I played for the Birders team in the annual match against the islanders on Scilly, back in the early 90s. He must have been decent as we won.
Though I wouldnt describe him as a hero, I had a chat to the late Magnus Magnusson in the late eighties/very early 90s. He of course had an interest in birds and was presenting a live broadcast at Loch Garten, where I was doing some voluntary work. Seemed like a decent bloke.
-- Edited by dave broome on Friday 29th of October 2021 09:08:11 AM
As kid I read Eye of a Bird by Eric hoskings , then The Little Black Bird Book Bill Oddie , two books that influenced me , further reading and names such as D.I.M Wallace are heros to me , as a result of some research I was doing a few years ago, I had an inviite to have dinner at D.I.M Wallaces house . I met Bill Oddie at the Bird Fair , and last week I was birding on St Agnes with Paul Dukes then went for tea and fruit cake
I met Ian Lewington a few years ago got him to sign my rare birds book, they say you should'nt meet your hero's but the ones I have met have been ace.
He was at Haigh Plantations and I was working at the Groundwork Trust, we took a group of schoolchildren to meet him.
Ian Lewington was in goal when I played for the Birders team in the annual match against the islanders on Scilly, back in the early 90s. He must have been decent as we won.
Though I wouldnt describe him as a hero, I had a chat to the late Magnus Magnusson in the late eighties/very early 90s. He of course had an interest in birds and was presenting a live broadcast at Loch Garten, where I was doing some voluntary work. Seemed like a decent bloke.
