WOS Lifetime Achievement Award 2014

David Saunders

It seems fitting to present an Award this year to the previous President of WOS, especially as he will later today tell us about one of his passions, the islands of Pembrokeshire.

David was appointed the first warden of Skomer National Nature Reserve in 1960, living on the island until 1967. Returning to the mainland, from Pembrokeshire, he organised Operation Seafarer in the late 1960s/early 1970s. Over 1000 surveyors took part, providing the first comprehensive account of the abundance and distribution of seabirds breeding around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.

For over 20 years, David was Director of the West Wales Trust for Nature Conservation, which became the Wildlife Trust for South & West Wales. During this time, he became a prolific writer about birds, including The Seabirds of Britain and Ireland, A Guide to the Birds of Wales, the RSPB Book of British Birds and Where to Watch Birds in Wales.

David understood the value of records to the conservation cause and was consequently supportive in initiating the Pembrokeshire Bird Report and bringing about the publication of The Birds of Pembrokeshire, 1994.

He has a particular interest in the islands of Skokholm and Skomer, and for a time was Honorary Warden of Grassholm for the RSPB. In 2003 he received an MBE, awarded for his services to wildlife conservation in Wales.

David maintains a deep interest in the history of local ornithology to the point where he has been in contact with families of deceased figures like Bertram Lloyd and Ronald Lockley. He still writes and lectures extensively on the Pembrokeshire Islands, where he pioneered work that continues to this day.