For as long as I can remember I have had a strong interest in natural history, mostly mammals and reptiles. I spent much of my childhood unsuccessfully seeking out reptiles in the countryside and reading piles of wildlife books dreaming of far away jungles and deserts.

Not much has changed. Since finishing university I have travelled far in search of animals. Seven months in Australia, four weeks in Thailand and several holidays in the USA have done little to remedy the travel bug. Neither has a short stint in Botswana where I volunteered on a crocodile research project.

Read my trip reports - Australia / Thailand / USA / Botswana

While I was in Australia I also developed an interest in birds, although it was a couple of years later that I woke up one morning a fully fledged birder. I enjoy many aspects of this hobby and keep both a Yorkshire and a UK life list, in addition to overseas trip lists.

View my life lists

Birding also gets me out into the countryside where I see more mammals and reptiles and I have made some great friends in the hobby.

A business and mortgage has restricted my travelling in recent years, but when possible I still like to visit far away places and look for creatures in their natural habitat. For the rest of the time I am happy enough making the most of what wildlife Yorkshire has to offer.