Patron – Tim Appleton MBE
I am delighted and honoured to become Patron of the Andalucía Bird Society.
I first visited Andalucía in 1984 and that first visit laid a foundation for some of the most memorable birding experiences in that region. Since those early days, I have made repeated visits and fallen in love with Andalucía, its birds, its culture, its people, it’s gastronomy and the amazing range of wildlife habitats.
So, to become the Society’s Patron is a dream come true!
I will ensure that, in my role as Patron, I will endeavour to help the Society grow and become an organisation recognised throughout the Country and beyond as a shining example of friendship, active in conservation and promoting the birds of Andalucía”.
President – Peter Jones
Peter Jones, author, naturalist, co-founder of Spanish Nature, Worldwide Birding Tours and founder of the Andalucia Bird Society. Peter has been involved in a great many environmental projects and has had several works published over many years. Peter has a passion for birds, having also been involved in scientific research into birds for over 45 years, but his many interests also extend to flora and fauna. Peter has lived in Spain since 2003.
Vice President -Raaland Burke
Raaland has been a passionate birder for over 40 years, with a strong interest in conservation and sustainability. Originally from Liverpool, he now lives in Riogordo in the Axarquía region of Málaga, where he can often be found birding both locally and further afield. He currently works as an English teacher, specialising in Business English. Prior to moving to Spain with his family in 2019, Raaland spent more than 20 years in a senior management role.
Treasurer – Kris Shanks
Kris moved to Spain in 2025 from California, and now lives in Torrox. He is a former biology teacher and has been a passionate birder for over 35 years starting with the wetlands of the San Francisco Bay Area, and has a special fondness for waders and other shorebirds. He is now retired and enjoying getting to know the birds of Andalucia. In addition to birding, Kris is also interested in sewing and has created award winning quilts.
Secretary – Pieter Verheij
Pieter is a nature photographer and owner of a nature tour company. Although he enjoys general nature, his great passion is birds and bird photography. Pieter’s passion for birds frequently takes him to exotic places in the world, but he is always the first to admit that Andalucia still holds his interest more than anywhere else in the world. A native of Holland, Pieter is bi-lingual and a great organiser, his attention to detail is what makes him so successful a nature tour operator
Membership Secretary – Louis Darrant
I moved to Spain in 2017 after discovering the joys of birding while living in Essex and London. I’m a priest in the Church of England and would often spend my free days at Minsmere or Rainham Marshes. Closer to home, while a parish priest in Maldon, Essex, I would take a daily walk along the estuary of the River Blackwater and will never forget the rush of joy when spotting my first avocet. Some years later and Malaga is now home. I serve as the Chaplain of St George’s Church in Malaga and consider both the English Cemetery and the woods on Gibralfaro Castle as my local patches. I’m looking forward to meeting fellow international and Spanish birders and improving my fieldcraft while supporting the work of ABS.
Field Trips – Frank Hair
Frank has been watching birds for most of his life, he started when he was 8 years old when he moved from London to south Devon. He has lived in Spain since 2006 and has found some of the best birding sites in his area. His passion for birds is a joy to others at any level of birding.
Public Relations – Linda Moore
Lin was introduced to birdwatching and conservation from her father when they were living at RAF North Front Gibraltar. And has been fascinated by birds ever since. Seeing a Hoopoe for the first time was a very memorable experience for her. Before recently moving to Gibraltar, she lived in Essex along the Thames Estuary, where she became a Volunteer for the RSPB. Helping with various conservation projects. Lin was also a Volunteer Gardener with them, helping create a Wildflower Meadow to encourage nature to thrive. She is passionate about encouraging new members, especially Juniors.
Committee Member – John Brooks
I moved to Spain on retirement from international management business 16 years ago and took the opportunity to renew my interest in birding, living initially in Madrid before moving to Sabinillas on the Costa del Sol.
I have travelled extensively throughout Spain as well as worldwide birding and have organised tours for friends. I would describe myself as a social birder, definitely not a twitcher.
Committee Member – Mike Lumber
69 years young and now retired. I was born and brought up in Exeter, graduated in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Essex. After Uni I travelled for a couple of years, and then trained to teach English as a Foreign Language, which was my work for 41 years, including spells with the British Council and the University of Granada Language Centre, taking me to Madrid, Bangkok, Bilbao, London, Granada, Seoul and Jakarta. I returned to Granada in 1998 and have lived there ever since. I’ve lived in Spain for 35 years and my wife is Spanish. I first became interested in bird watching during travels in my early thirties, and have been a member of the ABS for 9 years.