THE NATURAL EXPLORER

NEED AN EXPERIENCED NATURALIST? NEED A WILDLIFE GUIDE?

Known for my enthusiasm as a guide and naturalist with experience in Africa, the Americas, the Arctic, Antarctica, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Indian Ocean, I’ve encountered a wide range of wildlife, whilst my as a guide in the rainforests of Tambopata, SE Peru was an invaluable chance to improve my skills as a naturalist.

Experiences have included a close encounter with a Jaguar, swimming with Piranha, finding a 7 m Anaconda, and a close encounter with a botfly.

Other encounters at sea have included Blue Whales, breaching Right Whales, Orcas feeding on sea lions, inquisitive Humpback Whales, curious Leopard Seals, and the unique experience of swimming with dolphins and sharks. 

An experienced marine naturalist familiar with life at sea I’ve seen 4 species of turtle, 43+ species of whales & dolphins, 20 other marine mammals, and around half the species of seabird.

In summary, my experiences as a naturalist include.

• Surveying seabirds as the ship’s naturalist on ’marine expeditions’.
• The ship’s naturalist on cruises, including Antarctica, exploring the spectacular UK coastline, Iceland, the Tropical Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean with Noble Caldedonia, and also Norway and the high Arctic around Svalbard with GAP expeditions.
• Also check out my lectures for wildlife cruises.
• Other expeditions as the ship’s naturalist have included sailing a yacht from the UK to South Africa and back on Enterprise Neptune and sailing from Hong Kong to Shanghai and back on a junk in the South China Seas on The Marco Polo Voyage.
• Experience at producing trip reports and expedition CDs.
• Member of the 1982 UEA/ICBP St. Vincent Parrot expedition in the Caribbean.
• Leading some of the ultimate whale watching tours for Discover the World.
• Guide at Explorer’s Inn Tambopata in the Peruvian Amazon in the mid 80’s and 1997 - one of the most diverse places in the world and an invaluble experience as a guide in this demanding 'hidden realm'. I am also a founder of TReeS - the Tambopata Reserve Society.
• Looking at the ecotourism potential in the Gambia in the early 90’s.
• Running ecotourism workshops.
• Whale watching surveys.
• Behind the original concept of ’SEALIFE: A Complete Guide to the Marine Environment’ and one of the contributors. Based on my experience at sea I worked with the artist to have ilustrations that shows dolphins as seen from above - the view you get when they are bow riding.
• Experience at photographing wildlife.
• Experience of diving abroad.
• Studying amphibians in Europe including a study of the genetics and distribution of the Pool Frog across Europe and assistance with a amphibian survey in the Ukraine.
• Talks on wildlife
• Leading a range of wildlife holiday walking tours throughout the UK for HF holidays, a company that has organised walking holidays in the UK, Europe and Worldwide for almost 100 years (it was originally set up by Thomas Arthur Leonard, the 'father' of the open air movement who also helped to set up the YHA). 
• Looking for whales, dolphins and seabirds as a co-leader on the Bay of Biscay tour with WildWings and WildOceans.
• Advice on observing marine life to various sailing expeditions.
• BSAC advanced diver and also Aida 2 star (open water) free diver.
• Qualified BSAC Dive Cox’n (RYA level 2 + equivalent) for driving zodiacs.
• Trained rifle handler in relation to safeguards relating to Polar Bear with experience as a rifle handler in regions with Polar Bears (Svalbard) with relevant practice at a shooting range in Trondheim, Norway (Trondheim Jeger og Fiskeforening diploma). Have also completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, and the BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) Rifle Firearms Awareness training course in relation to handling, firing, cleaning and storing rifes. Have handled and fired (accurately) rifles from .17 calibre to .30-06 calibre.
• Familiar with IAATO and AECO guidelines relating to responsible tourism in polar regions.
• Completed St. John Amulance 'Acitivity' first aider course and BSAC first aid for divers.

With my enthusiasm, sense of humour, and gregarious nature, I work well leading a group, or working with a team. Also read some of my referrals about my skills as a lecturer and wildlife guide.