I am a freelance field researcher with a particular interest in the causes of seabird population decline on Ascension Island, South Atlantic. I joined the Army Ornithological Society some 40 years ago and the society has enabled me to pursue by passion for birds. 25 years of studying seabirds on the island culminated with a PhD from Birmingham University in 2014. My work received an environmental project award from the Ministry of Defence. I have published 15 scientific papers on Ascension birds and regularly present my findings.