A book chronicling the sketches and observations of ornithologist Robin Prytherch, who studied the habits of buzzards in the Gordano Valley, North Somerset has just been published.

Robin Prytherch, died aged 81 in 2021 and friends and those who appreciated his work have funded the book. It includes buzzard sketches and observations made by the former BBC Natural History Unit researcher and founding member of the Bristol Ornithological Club.

Called Robin Prytherch A Life with Buzzards (Bristol Books, £12) the hardback publication is beautifully illustrated with sketches many drawn in the field. It has been compiled and edited by Lyndon Roberts, who often accompanied Mr. Prytherch when he was ringing buzzard chicks in order to study them.

Said Mr. Roberts: “He became known as the buzzard man. He would climb trees and tie himself to the trunk and lower chicks down to me for ringing and taking measurements. He made detailed notes; wrote countless articles and appeared on radio and television passing on his knowledge.

“He identified 120 buzzard territories in North Somerset and for over 40 years, rain or shine, armed with a cheese sandwich, a flask of coffee, a pair of binoculars and a telescope, he headed out to watch them.”

The bulk of the book is made up of the sketches and descriptions of buzzards that he sent to friends in home made Christmas cards each year. He produced 26, between 1995 and 2020.

Each card contained a pen-and-ink drawing of individual buzzards and in the writing he named them and commented on their life histories. The book provides a unique record of buzzard activity over a 75 square kilometre of countryside south of Bristol.

Family, friends, the Bristol Naturalists Society and Bristol Ornithological Club clubbed together to make the book possible and provide a permanent record that recognises his work and provides an insight for bird lovers.

It is available online at www.bristolbooks.org.

Photo Credit: Ken Hall