Andy Holmes

I have been bird watching in the North London area for some thirty years (off and on!). My local patch is Hilly Fields and Whitewebbs Wood (plenty of woodland species with a chance of kingfisher, grey wagtail and mandarin). Best spots here include marsh tit, bullfinch and brambling.I also regularly visit the Lea Valley (particularly Fishers Green area and Rye Meads).

I am currently at Capel Manor College completing a qualification in Countryside Manager (a mid-life career change!) and regularly do volunteer conservation work at Rye Meads nature reserve. I am also working on a survey of the birds of Forty Hall farm (leased to Capel Manor) to be compared to a previous survey completed in 2000.