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author
Graham Victor Frederick Thompson
Born in central London in 1964, it was perhaps a surprise that the author became infatuated with wildlife. His mother puts it down to his grandfather taking him to feed the pigeons and sparrows in ...view moreBorn in central London in 1964, it was perhaps a surprise that the author became infatuated with wildlife. His mother puts it down to his grandfather taking him to feed the pigeons and sparrows in the local park. This early interest blossomed through expeditions in search of birds along local canal banks, on wasteland, and in parks. Visits to zoos, membership of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' junior section (Young Ornithologists' Club), and family holidays the length and breadth of the UK (including the Pembrokeshire island of Skomer) widened his horizons. A first visit to Skokholm was made in 1982, when the author was 17 years old, the first of many visits which including weeklong stints as Voluntary Warden. Studying "Advanced level" Botany at college evening classes forced him to become more interested in plants! A degree in Ecology followed, opening up avenues in his quest to become a nature reserve Warden, with Skokholm always in mind. Working in central London on a tiny nature reserve, and then 5 years as a Countryside Ranger in East Sussex further strengthened his desire to work on Skokholm, regarded by him as an escape from all of the World's troubles! A summer as Assistant Warden on his "dream island" of Skokholm finally led to his dream being fulfilled - he was appointed as the Warden in the autumn of 1995. That's when the "behind the scenes" view led to the inception of this, his first (and certainly not his last) book about life on an island nature reserve. The story of his personal adventures there and his extensive natural history diaries have yet to be published. He now lives in the Massif Central region of France where he and his wife Theresa have established a bird-watching and natural history holiday business under the name of Massif Nature.view less