Book number 10 for Exeter author

His books have been translated into a number of languages – his last book Avian Architecture, which was published in 2011, is available in German and Dutch, while another of his works has a Japanese edition.

Peter’s interest in birds began at the age of eleven when he was guided by a family friend, and he still has his first book, which sparked his own interest. 

He came to Exeter to read English in 1954 and was able to combine his love of ornithology with his studies.

 “I regularly went birdwatching with a friend from Crossmead Hall, cycling  to the River Exe at Turf, Powderham marshes, and Dawlish Warren, and up onto Dartmoor,” he recalled. “These are all still excellent birdwatching spots.”

And Peter is an expert – he is the former Chairman of the Devon Birdwatching & Preservation Society and for several years edited their magazine. 

After graduation he initially worked for a company in Liverpool but soon opted for a new vocation as a teacher.

During his career he worked in several large secondary schools across Plymouth, as Head of English, drama and music.

“It was suggested I become a head teacher but I was happiest working with the pupils,” he said. “It was exciting when students I'd taught went on to university just as I had done, and I had great fun helping to produce and being in Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, other productions, and Christmas festivities.”

Peter’s first book, published in 1971, was about the birds living at the National Trust’s Saltram House estate on the edge of Plymouth.

A steady stream of titles followed in the years since then. His latest book will be the third published in two years.  Avian Architecture is already being reprinted.

The full list of Peter’s books:

Birds of Saltram - Past & Present 1971, National Trust
 
Projects with Birds 1973, David & Charles
 
Birds as Builders 1976, David and Charles, and USA and Dutch editions
 
Shakespeare's Birds 1983, Kestrel, reprinted 1994, with American and Japanese editions
 
Projects with Birds 1992, Crowood, completely rewritten and illustrated
 
Birds of Britain and Europe 1997, AA, book and CD Rom, (one of four authors)
 
Field Guide of the Birds of Britain & Europe 1998, AA
 
A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Britain & Northern Europe 2010, Beaufoy Books, with Swedish and Danish editions
 
Avian Architecture 2011, Princeton University Press, already reprinted, with German and Dutch editions
 
ID Guide to the Birds of Northern Europe currently in press, Beaufoy Books.