Book Robin Prytherch A Life with Buzzards

Robin Prytherch  A Life with Buzzards

Like so many, we were privileged to know Robin, who died aged 81 in 2021. It is a fitting tribute by his friends and those who appreciated his work that this book has been published to mark his fascinating work and contribution to our understanding of Common Buzzard.

Robin studied the habits of Buzzard in the Gordano Valley, North Somerset, identifying 120 territories and building up a detailed life history of all the birds he monitored. Buzzard life was full of surprises. Over forty dedicated years, rain or shine, armed with a cheese sandwich, a flask of coffee, a pair of binoculars, and a telescope, Robin would head out to watch his beloved birds, making sketches and observations.

The bulk of this beautiful book is made up of the sketches and descriptions of the birds he observed so meticulously, many drawn in the field. He would choose a sketch to send to his friends in homemade Christmas cards each year. In his pen-and-ink drawing of the individual Buzzard and in his notes, he named them and commented on their life stories. Many of you may know Robin through the BTO, or through his ringing training work, or through CVRS and the BOC, as we did over the decades. This will be a treasured memento of a dedicated naturalist, who was always keen to share his knowledge and enthusiasm.

Available online at http://www.bristolbooks.org