I grew up in London and started birding when I was about 8 after being inspired by the birding Goodie Bill Oddie (see also). After completing my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in London I moved to St. Andrews to play golf everyday and to do a PhD, again, in Biochemistry. After completing my PhD I moved to Philadelphia to take up a post-doctoral position at Drexel University. I've birded throughout most of Britain and since my move to America have been from North Carolina to Maine on the east coast and to southern California and Michigan on trips.