Daniel M Turner

Analyst/programmer- British Airways; amateur ornithologist

Today's Date: 07 August 2006

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

I suppose it is an accumulation of experience with birds and other wildlife over a long period rather than just one experience. Over time such things strengthen your interest. Having experiences with animals / birds close-up is extremely rewarding, as is seeing flocks of birds in the wild.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?

A couple of favourite places: The local Northeast England coast and the Northumberland countryside. My parents had a caravan near Hexham in Northumberland next to a wood, open countryside and a stream. We spent many great holidays there and I explored the locality and got to know some of the wildlife.

Now? Still the Northeast England coast, river Tyne and North Shields Fish Quay.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

I particularly like sea and wading birds – probably due to my proximity to the coast. There are always interesting things to see and record with the changing seasons as the birds come and go.

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

Now: Habitat destruction (marine, coastal, wetland, forest, etc) and plundering of resources. Unnecessary killing of wildlife: inadvertently (for example albatrosses during long-line fishing, rat introduction to islands – the rats go on to compete with and kill the local wildlife) or on purpose (for example: seal pups in the north, whales, capture of bears for bile, killing of migrating birds in the Mediterranean Sea, over fishing, etc).

In future: Global warming is going to have a major impact if things do not change so that it is brought under some sort of control – is it too late already?

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Join a nature / wildlife / countryside/ bird protection organization and take note of what is going on in our natural world – do something to help to preserve the environment.