David McGrath
A lifelong passion for wildlife and the outdoors led to a degree in Biology (Ecology) followed by a career of over 40 years in the environmental sector including time as a Countryside Ranger, Conservation Project officer, Nature Reserve Warden and an Environmental & Sustainability Education Officer. I am, though, now retired.
For most of my career I have been leading guided walks and giving talks to widely varying audiences from young children to pensioners, Brownies to mature students. In that time I spent time in Israel studying, birds, mammals and reptiles in various habitats, had a short spell in Malaysian Borneo following a group of orphaned rehabituated Orangutans, joined a conservation project in Western Australia, the Western Shield’ programme to protect and enhance populations of critically endangered marsupials and from that became a committee member for a private wildlife refuge and rehabilitation centre in SW Australia running wildlife events and doing talks there.
I cite my part in the successful reintroduction of endangered Sand Lizards to a nearby nature reserve as the wildlife highlight of his career.
For a bit of fun it was suggested by a friend I take part in BBC Radio 4’s 2001 edition of ‘Wild Brain of Britain’ show and eventually finished as runner-up.
A few years later, in 2009, I was chosen as a contestant for the BBC wildlife TV reality show ‘Wildest Dreams’ hosted by Nick Knowles unfortunately work commitments meant I was unable to take his place on the show.
I have also written a short wildlife adventure story for young children which is available on Kindle.
In recent years I have participated in an international photography challenge with a group of internet ‘friends’ to photograph as many species of birds in a year as possible, the challenge is now in its 9th year and has had various ‘themes’ over the years.
I am passionate about all aspects of natural history with a focus on birds, reptiles, cetaceans and marine invertebrates. My is aim to encourage everyone to look at, learn about and most of all appreciate the natural world around them.
“The magic of nature is all around us. We just need to learn how to see it."