Simon Davey was born in Kent and educated at the King’s School, Ely and Selwyn College, Cambridge. Natural history was his passion from his earliest days. After teaching biology and chemistry, he entered the museums profession as a biologist. For many years, he was Keeper of Biology at the Hampshire County Museum Service, as well as curator of the Red House Museum in Christchurch. In 1988, he became an independent consultant ecologist, specialising in botanical surveys and leading natural history holidays to various parts of the world. This also allowed him time to follow his love for birds and travel the length and breadth of Britain in pursuit of them.

Colin Whittle originally studied English Literature. In his youth he developed an interest in the outdoors and natural history. After some years working in forestry he became a free-lance lecturer in natural history studies in the West Midlands, as well as throughout Cumbria for the Extra-Mural Studies departments of both Liverpool and Newcastle Universities. Later, with his wife Audrey, he opened an art gallery in Elterwater, Cumbria, specialising in wildlife, landscapes and flowers. He also wrote poetry, short articles and kept an almost daily journal exploring wildlife around his home. This journal, maintained for over 50 years, forms the basis of ‘Walking with Birds’.

After obtaining an English degree, John Lee worked for the Royal Hong Kong police force before returning to the UK to complete an MBA. Currently he is Head of International Security at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg….and still goes birding whenever possible!

Stuart Medland was a Primary School Teacher in Norfolk for most of his life. Now retired, he continues to follow his passion for poetry and natural history, from which his interest in photography has sprung. After having lived in north Norfolk for nearly thirty years, he has now moved with his family to the Lake District. Stuart also enjoys painting and making music with friends as well as visiting the Lake District, Dartmoor and North Wales, where his daughter is a vet. His son lives in Australia, a country he is looking forward to exploring in the future!

Jenny Steel, a plant ecologist and natural history writer, grew up in the middle of Oxford surrounded by her five brothers and sisters and an ever-changing collection of creatures including frogs, budgerigars, fish, a pet magpie and, for a short while, a privet hawk-moth caterpillar.  She has been passionate about wildlife and gardens ever since she was a child and has created wildlife gardens and ponds wherever she has lived. Her current wildlife garden in Shropshire is now home to a huge range of native birds, mammals, amphibians and invertebrates.