Mike is Head of Communications at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), responsible for science communication. Much of his work is geared towards public engagement in ‘Citizen Science’, delivering quality research through networks of keen amateurs. He has been with the BTO since 1994 and has also worked on owls, bird migration, monitoring methods, garden ecology, and mammals (amongst others) during his time with the organisation.

Mike sees a real need for scientists to communicate the results of their work in ways that engage more effectively with a wider audience. With an artistic background, he also seeks to promote experiences of the natural world, adding context to the rather dry and often formal outputs of the scientific community. He has a strong interest in the arts, culture, science interface, using multi-disciplinary approaches to take science and conservation messages to wider audiences through art, poetry, the written word and storytelling.

He is the author of various books, including the Collins New Naturalist volumes on Owls and Garden Birds, and several BTO publications, including Flight Lines. Working with Kit Jewitt. His latest project Into the Red has brought together 140 writers and artists to bring the UK’s 70 Red-listed bird species to new audiences, enabled by contributions from the likes of Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), Amir Khan, Isabella Tree, Richard Mabey, Harriet Mead and Josie George.

The UK Red List of birds