Bird watcher lands dream warden job

THIS bird watcher is flying in the right direction.

Toby Collett, 32, of Queens Parade, Cleethorpes, has landed the top job at one of the UK's most famous bird reserves.

Toby will become warden of Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore reserves in Lincolnshire managed by the RSPB.

He started bird watching aged just five years old, and has travelled the world caring for birds of all shapes and sizes.

He says growing up in Cleethorpes, looking out across the Humber estuary, inspired his interest in nature.

He said: "I grew up on Queens Parade, seeing the estuary every morning.

"My father has always been an avid bird watcher and as a family we often go for walks along the Fitties and Tetney marshes seeing all the birds and creatures around us."

Becoming the warden is a dream come true for Toby, who became a sensation after spotting only the second Glaucous-winged Gull ever to have been recorded in the British Isles.

He said: "It is the job I have been dreaming of ever since I decided in my teenage years that I wanted to work with wildlife for a living.

"I travelled out to Australia, Asia and South Africa, where I helped on Robin Island checking the health of the African 'Jackass' penguins after an oil spill.

"That was a fantastic experience and confirmed to me that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

"The move has come at the perfect time for me as I am expecting my first son with my partner Anna, who I have known since school. She has been living down in Lincolnshire and so it has been something of a long-distance relationship and I couldn't have done any of this without her support."

He added: "My job as warden will see me ensuring the environment in the reserve is preserved for the wildlife and helping visitors."

Toby says bird watching is a hobby anybody can pick up.

"In Cleethorpes and North East Lincolnshire as a whole, bird watching is such an easy hobby to pick up.

"The estuary and the Tetney marsh is full of life. You don't have to be an expert on bird names, make up your own, just have fun.

"Even in your own garden you will see a range of wild birds, go out and enjoy nature."