Julia Mottishaw​

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I have always been interested in birds and wildlife. I started young. I was told that as toddler I would look excitedly at (and identify) the birds feeding in the garden and also demanded to be taken to watch the rooks in the local rookery. This interest grew in my teens and twenties. Careers in the environmental field were quite limited at that point, so I took a first degree in Microbiology and Food Science and did a PhD in Food Microbiology. During this time I was a YOC leader in Leeds, Rochdale and Bury.  

 

Whilst volunteering for the RSPB I met and married fellow OWE member Paul Hill - together we have travelled to many European countries, the USA, Goa, Botswana and have made several visits to Gambia.  

 

After working in the Food Industry  I moved to  work in the Pharmaceutical Industry and have recently retired  from this (although I still work the occasional day). Throughout all this time I have maintained my passion for Natural History and spend most of my spare time watching wildlife, and helping others to see and enjoy it.  

 

I now lead a U3A birdwatching and wildlife group and also spend one day a week as a "Guide in the Hide" at the RSPB Burton Mere Reserve on the Wirral.  Since 2023  I have been involved in OWE, and have been on deck and lecturing on numerous cruises.

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