Mark Cocker is a UK-based author and naturalist who has been described as 'the nation's most observant and intuitive of nature writers'. He writes regularly for the Guardian and Times newspapers, as well as broadcasting on BBC radio. His eight books, which include Birders:Tales of a Tribeand Birds Britannica, a hugely acclaimed study of the cultural importance of birds in his home country, deal with modern responses to wilderness, whether found in landscape, human societies or in other species. His latest work is entitled Crow Country: A Meditation on Birds Landscape and Nature. He has travelled the world in search of wildlife and regularly speaks or teaches on the subject of wildlife and nature writing.
The Photographer
David Tipling is a professional wildlife photographer with an international reputation. His beautiful and highly distinctive images have earned him many awards and accolades. Recent pictures were described as "windows of wonder'. He has won the documentary award for the European Nature Photographer of the Year for his work on Emperor Penguins. He is the author or commissioned photographer for more than 30 books that include Collins Top Birding Spots in Britain & Ireland, The National Parks and Other Wild Places of Britain & Ireland, Attracting Wildlife to your Garden and most recently The RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography. He lectures regularly and holds workshops and conducts wildlife photography holidays.
The Consultant
Jonathan Elphick, has spent over 50 years watching, studying, thinking and writing about birds. As a natural history author, editor, consultant, researcher, lecturer and broadcaster he has worked on a huge number of books, magazines and other publications. Several highly acclaimed titles include The Birdwatcher’s Handbook, a guide to birds of the British Isles and Birds: The Art of Ornithology. He lives in London and travels extensively in search of birds and wild places.
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of autonomous conservation organisations that focuses on the conservation of birds. Active in 118 countries and territories, all the national NGOs and local conservation groups around the world that form BirdLife share a common concern for nature. Many work as conservationists, but the majority of members are volunteers, people who just love birds, and seek to support their conservation. Understanding the human culture surrounding birds is vital for their and our survival, not only because of the recognition they have as environmental indicators, but because of the deep-rooted place they have in all human societies. We hope that people throughout BirdLife will feel inspired to send in their own accounts, and stories, and that the Birds and People project will contribute to encouraging effective conservation throughout the world.
For further background information on BirdLife and the project, please visit: www.birdlife.org
Meet the team behind Birds and People... 
Mark Cocker is a UK-based author and naturalist who has been described as 'the nation's most observant and intuitive of nature writers'. He writes regularly for the Guardian and Times newspapers, as well as broadcasting on BBC radio. His eight books, which include 
David Tipling is a professional wildlife photographer with an international reputation. His beautiful and highly distinctive images have earned him many awards and accolades. Recent pictures were described as "windows of wonder'. He has won the documentary award for the European Nature Photographer of the Year for his work on Emperor Penguins. He is the author or commissioned photographer for more than 30 books that include Collins Top Birding Spots in Britain & Ireland, The National Parks and Other Wild Places of Britain & Ireland, Attracting Wildlife to your Garden and most recently The RSPB Guide to Digital Wildlife Photography. He lectures regularly and holds workshops and conducts wildlife photography holidays.
Jonathan Elphick, has spent over 50 years watching, studying, thinking and writing about birds. As a natural history author, editor, consultant, researcher, lecturer and broadcaster he has worked on a huge number of books, magazines and other publications. Several highly acclaimed titles include The Birdwatcher’s Handbook, a guide to birds of the British Isles and Birds: The Art of Ornithology. He lives in London and travels extensively in search of birds and wild places.