I started birdwatching at around about the age of ten (1973), when I got a book for a birthday present entitled, The Reader's Digest / AA Book of British Birds. You know the book, its the one with the huge Tawny Owl on the front and is still in print today.
I am also a keen illustrator, Some of my line drawings can be found at the following link...
http://londonbirders.wikia.com/wiki/Malcolm_Riddler_(Bird_Illustrations)