Interview: Andy Clements
In 2007, after careers in the civil service and academia, Andy Clements became chief executive officer at the BTO. Retirement now beckons – Andy will start his next life-chapter at Christmas
We talk to the BTO’s outgoing chief about his birding and work life
Tell me about where you do most of your birdwatching, please I live in Cambridge and also have a place in north Norfolk. Titchwell is my favourite place to go birding. I like it best when there aren’t too many people there – early in the morning or during the last couple of hours on a spring evening, with the sun highlighting the freshmarsh. I can leave the BTO and be there in time for that.
I’m ‘locked down’ in Cambridge where the River Cam is my patch. Being in nature is very important to me – I’m an early bird and energetic and manage one or two hours birding a day, more at the weekend. My records go on BirdTrack – last year I averaged more than one complete list a day. And I do the Breeding Bird Survey at two sites – it’s the gold standard of data contribution.
What’s your best memory of birdwatching there?
I’d been at the Spurn Migration Festival and found a Kentish Plover. A couple of days later I was at Titchwell and a summer plumage Sabine’s Gull flew in. It landed among about 2,000 Black-headed Gulls, and was there for less than a minute before it flew off; and was never seen again! Thankfully, one of the RSPB’s staff saw it, too.
If you could change one thing about these sites what would it be?
A more joined-up approach between the RSPB and the BTO at Titchwell – BirdTrack technology in the hides – more contemporary than chalk boards or white boards! People could record their sightings straight into BirdTrack.
Is there one thing about these places you’d love to show non-birders to get them interested?
A dawn chorus on a spring morning by the Cam. The Cam is easily accessible and there’s a variety of warblers as well as Robin, Blackbird and Green Woodpecker.
At Titchwell… a May evening, on a bench with the sun behind us – talking about shorebirds… “that’s a Redshank – it’s here all year round”, then pan to a Barwit or Knot – “those are heading through, on their way to their breeding grounds in Arctic Norway or Russia – this is an important stopover site on an amazing journey”. You can enthuse with the common – it doesn’t have to be rare.
How has birdwatching helped you cope with the pressures of being the BTO’s CEO?
It’s been immensely helpful. I have a very energetic and busy working life. I’m engaging with people, talking to staff and partner organisations, working in the David Attenborough Building, or networking in London. Getting out is immensely important. But I don’t think of it in those terms – I’m just excited about birding – but lockdown has made it clear why it’s important. When I’m birding, I don’t think about anything else. It feels very special and a privilege to be out early and to understand what’s going on.
Are there any stories of you being recognised when you’re birdwatching that you would like to share?
The most memorable times are when it’s youngsters. I was at Titchwell and a dad was encouraging his daughter. I showed them some birds through my scope and the dad asked what I did. He told his daughter “this person works for the most amazing organisation”. I’ve seen her since then – she tells me what they’ve seen and asks if I’ve seen it.
Binoculars, telescope, camera, field guides and phone aside, what one item would you not leave home without when you are heading out bird watching?
My New Zealand Wrybill Tours baseball cap. A friend runs the company.
What do you think is your funniest birdwatching memory?
I’d been on about 12 pelagics from Scilly for Wilson’s Petrel and not seen it. I was queueing for another trip a couple of years ago. Bob Flood saw me and said “Andy Clements is getting on this boat – if you want to see Wilson’s Petrel, don’t get on!” Then we had a fantastic encounter with six different Wilson’s Petrels – we had very close views.
Finally… do you actually read
Bird Watching magazine?
I’m not a subscriber but we have it at the BTO. I sit in the coffee area and take a look through.