The Raptors of the New Forest (Day Trip)

Tommy works in the Operations team at Naturetrek and has been fascinated by wildlife since childhood, with a particular passion for raptors. This keen interest led him to read Wildlife Conservation where he gained practical skills and in-depth knowledge on habitat management and conservation methods. He achieved a C Permit in bird ringing from the British Trust for Ornithology when he was just 14-years old and has since ringed over 200 bird species, contributing to the scientific knowledge of many species. He has also been on multiple research trips to study birds and in turn has developed methods of retrieving birds and bats for scientific data collection using suspended nets over water or high up in the canopy.

Tommy cites two weeks in South Africa catching and ringing some of Africa’s most impressive raptors – including Martial Eagles, Forest Buzzard and African Hawk-eagle – as one of his favourite projects. Back home, Tommy is one of only a handful of people in the UK to acquire a tree-climbing and bird-ringing license and with this he is an integral part of multiple raptor ringing schemes. Part of this work includes monitoring and ringing Goshawks, Red Kite and Buzzard chicks along with some scarce breeders. In Spring 2023, Tommy was made the youngest ever Trustee for the Hampshire Ornithological Society.

Tommy works in the Operations team at Naturetrek and has been fascinated by wildlife since childhood, with a particular passion for raptors. This keen interest led him to read Wildlife Conservation where he gained practical skills and in-depth knowledge on habitat management and conservation methods. He achieved a C Permit in bird ringing from the British Trust for Ornithology when he was just 14-years old and has since ringed over 200 bird species, contributing to the scientific knowledge of many species. He has also been on multiple research trips to study birds and in turn has developed methods of retrieving birds and bats for scientific data collection using suspended nets over water or high up in the canopy.

Tommy cites two weeks in South Africa catching and ringing some of Africa’s most impressive raptors – including Martial Eagles, Forest Buzzard and African Hawk-eagle – as one of his favourite projects. Back home, Tommy is one of only a handful of people in the UK to acquire a tree-climbing and bird-ringing license and with this he is an integral part of multiple raptor ringing schemes. Part of this work includes monitoring and ringing Goshawks, Red Kite and Buzzard chicks along with some scarce breeders. In Spring 2023, Tommy was made the youngest ever Trustee for the Hampshire Ornithological Society.

Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who has been working as a researcher and bird watching tour leader since 2000. A keen birder and nature lover by 'nature', Byron has a vast knowledge of the neotropical and Western Palearctic avifauna, particularly in his native Ecuador and other neotropical countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia and the Caribbean region, including southern USA. His sharp ears and eyes permit him to locate the most elusive forest-dwelling birds in the field, successfully leading more than two-hundred trips so far! As a Field Ornithologist, Byron has contributed with many important discoveries for the Ecuadorian Ornithology, all published in scientific magazines and bulletins, such as the first record for Ecuador of the Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives), Feb. 2007; the rediscovery of the Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis), Aug. 2006; and the discovery of the Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri), Sep 2004, A New Bird Species for Ecuador. Byron currently works as an independant Wildlife Consultant for leading wildlife companies and conservation organisations, having also become actively involved in many birding and conservation programmes in Spain, where his birding field skills have rapidly made him one of the authorities amongst the Iberian wildlife world. He endorses Leica Optics and Gitzo tripods, and currently lives in west Dorset, England, with his daughter Isabel and fiancé Gail.

Byron is an Ecuadorian Ecologist and Field Ornithologist who has been working as a researcher and bird watching tour leader since 2000. A keen birder and nature lover by 'nature', Byron has a vast knowledge of the neotropical and Western Palearctic avifauna, particularly in his native Ecuador and other neotropical countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Colombia and the Caribbean region, including southern USA. His sharp ears and eyes permit him to locate the most elusive forest-dwelling birds in the field, successfully leading more than two-hundred trips so far! As a Field Ornithologist, Byron has contributed with many important discoveries for the Ecuadorian Ornithology, all published in scientific magazines and bulletins, such as the first record for Ecuador of the Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives), Feb. 2007; the rediscovery of the Yellow-eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis), Aug. 2006; and the discovery of the Choco Vireo (Vireo masteri), Sep 2004, A New Bird Species for Ecuador. Byron currently works as an independant Wildlife Consultant for leading wildlife companies and conservation organisations, having also become actively involved in many birding and conservation programmes in Spain, where his birding field skills have rapidly made him one of the authorities amongst the Iberian wildlife world. He endorses Leica Optics and Gitzo tripods, and currently lives in west Dorset, England, with his daughter Isabel and fiancé Gail.