Tony Ball

Background: Born in 1936 in Chelmsford, U.K. lived and went to school in Germany from 1947-54. At this time acquired a lifelong interest in birds through Peter Scott, the well known ornithologist and painter of birds, who was a regular visitor to our school. This interest was put on hold until 13 years ago when I went into full time birdlife field research in Bali (Indonesia) for 2 years and then finally for the last 11 years here in Thailand. My main work is keeping a database on the birds, checking on behavioural patterns, migration etc. and checking on the environment. Extensive deforestation still continues here in Thailand even though logging was banned in 1989. The Royal Forest Department and various other institutions commission me to carry out surveys and produce bird checklists for their areas. Have had many articles on birdlife in Thailand published. Also included in my work is the recording of birdcalls. In fact, I have one tape on the market which can be of great assistance in helping to identify calls heard in the field here in Thailand.