Born in London, from an early age I developed a passionate interest in birds, particularly breeding birds. One of my first jobs after my education involved working for a small company importing birds from all over the world, back before we became aware of the need to control such activities. Since then I have travelled widely in my search for exciting new species to add to my birding 'life-list', including North, Central and South America; North, East, West and Southern Africa; much of Australia, a small part still of Asia and of course much of Europe. I think it safe to say that of all the numerous groups of birds, worldwide, for me the parrots stand out as being number one. They are attractive and noisy, they love (indeed need) each other's company, and of all birds, they are the most likely to interact socially with us whilst in captivity. Following twelve years in the London Fire Brigade, I switched to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds where for sixteen years I headed up the Criminal Investigations Section. That work took me to just about every part of the UK, nearby Europe, both coasts of North America plus Mexico and Israel. Several of the cases I prosecuted set legal presidents that remain in force today. If asked for my views on the most serious pressures working against wild birds world-wide, I have no doubt it comes down to two things, loss of habitat (which reduces populations) and international trade (which tends to polish off what's left of the species). But you have to be close to the action to fully realise what's happening; I have seen cars literally stripped down to the chassis in the hunt for concealed live birds that the search-dogs insisted were there (and they were there), live humming birds transported inside cigar tubes, and viable bird of prey eggs intended for hatching transported in people's undergarments (on twelve hour flights!). However, we should not forget that many other creatures are suffering from this same illegal trade. Survival of the African elephant is not expected to exceed 2050, primarily due to the world demand for it's ivory, and the black rhino is in even greater trouble, partly down to the mistaken belief that its horn can somehow improve human virality. Neither should we underestimate the commitment and resources of those driving this illegal trade. My book character, Phillip Royle, in The Consequences of Finding Daniel Morgan, is probably matched by very few real wildlife trade specialists, those that there are probably feeling overwhelmed by the general lack of appreciation of the size of the problem. Hopefully, though, all that is about to change, as world governments finally begin to accept their responsibilities. Though I do not recommend holding your breath until that happens.