Graham Taylor of Bridlington enjoyed many happy hours with his wife, Joyce, at Bempton Cliffs.
Sadly, Graham passed away last year leaving Joyce with 36 years of wonderful memories – and a considerable collection of wildlife books.
So Joyce thought the reserve might be able to make use of them. And she was right. Graham’s ‘library’ includes guides to mammals, insects, tree and flowers as well as birds and they’re now sitting amongst the office reference books ready to help us with any tricky questions.
Long-time RSPB members, Joyce and Graham first visited the reserve around 1970. Joyce recalled it being very different from today:
‘There was no shop, no visitor centre and no viewpoints. Graham just lay on the grass at the cliff edge looking down at the nesting birds’.
After that, the couple were frequent visitors and in later years returned with their children and their grand-children too.
At home, they both enjoyed watching the birds in their garden and took part in Big Garden Bird Watch a number of times. Goldfinches currently visit the Taylor’s garden but Joyce claims she has a soft spot for wood pigeons:
‘They are such characters - the way they move their beaks make them look like they’re talking’.
We’re delighted to hear someone singing the praises of a bird that isn’t usually in the spotlight. And we’re delighted with our new-to-us books.
Thank you Joyce. And thank you Graham.
Graham with grand-daughter, Sarah.
Joyce with some of Graham's books.