I first became interested in birds when I spotted a nuthatch in my garden several years ago. Having learned to identify the more common garden birds, I began heading out into the countryside near Wythall where I live to see what I could find.

A chance encounter with a group of birders in Devon four or five years ago opened my eyes to the world of waders and seabirds, but it was a trip to Islay in May 2006 that prompted me to get some decent binoculars and a scope, and to start listing the species I had seen.

Although not immune to the odd twitch, I try to avoid chasing totals and instead concentrate on honing my birding skills and enjoying the simple pleasures of being out in the field.

In 2008 I set up Worcestershire Source, a free reference point for bird sightings in the county of Worcestershire, which I now run with the help of my good friend Kay Donaghy. I also have a blog called Eye To The Telescope, where I write about my birding adventures.