Based in Nethybridge at the heart of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park for the past 22 years, with wife Lucka, and sons Mattias and Jakub, John has worked as a professional Wildlife Tour Guide since 2001 locally as well a freelance Field Ornithologist. He spent twelve years guiding tours for two of Scotland's leading Wildlife Holiday companies based here in Strathspey.... throughout the Highlands and Islands as well as abroad, while undertaking ornithological survey work between this and during winter months, mainly at upland Windfarm sites. He set up Highland Nature in 2012 and also began work as wildlife expert and guide for the Birdwatching and Wildlife Club (BWWC) at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey as well as being one of their approved local guides. In recent years this has also included having the pleasure to guide alongside the well known faces of Nick Baker, Iolo Williams, Mike Dilger, Steven Moss, Nigel Marven and David Lindo on the Grant Arms "Celebrity Weeks".
John has a Bsc(Hons) Degree in Environmental Science & Ecology with extensive experience of inshore (upland) windfarm survey work as well as other standard bird survey methodology, ie. VP, Brown & Shepherd, Breeding Bird Census, WeBs, Point Counts, Breeding Waders etc. This includes working in Scottish mountain environments during winter months as well as the summer breeding season.
Moving to Scotland in the early 90s, John worked for the RSPB as a volunteer at Loch Garten and Insh Marshes as well as spending a season building footpaths on the Cairngorm Mountains, before becoming Assistant Warden at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg Reserve for two years. He also worked as a seasonal Countryside Ranger for Aberdeenshire Council, before spending several years teaching and living in the Czech Republic (nothing to do with having the best beer in the world of course) before returning once again to the Highlands to become a full time wildlife guide.
John is a very competent and experienced Ornithologist as well as a keen amateur naturalist and has been an active birder for over 40 years. He also helps administer several local social media Bird Groups and is currently the SOC Bird Recorder for Highland Region.
Contact Details Below.
[email protected]
Tel. 01479 821357
Portrait Photo : Copyright Granville Davies.