Richard Crossley is an internationally acclaimed birder, photographer and award-winning author of ‘The Crossley ID Guide’ series. Born in Yorkshire, England, he also lived in Japan, and birded worldwide before settling down for three decades in Cape May, NJ. He now swaps time between Southern Florida and the mountains of Southern California – both places chosen for their exciting birding prospects.

 

In his midlife, Richard decided to spend less time obsessively birding and to focus on paying it forward. Crazy, wildly passionate, and driven, are just a few adjectives used to describe his energy in pushing the envelope that challenges the way we look at birds and conservation.

 

The long-awaited The Crossley ID Guide: Western Birds continues to cross boundaries of bird ID with a “reality birding” approach to looking at connections between birds and habitats.

 

Published alongside the “Western Guide”, Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul (co-authored with Holly Merker and Sophie Crossley) bridges the gap between bird ID and the wellness benefits of observation. Both books actively promote connections to nature with a stronger appreciation and understanding of our common ground and its many health benefits.

 

While known as an author, Richard’s life’s work in conservation goes beyond books and has been driven towards conservation. Goals of connecting all people and shaping a bigger picture understanding of the links between birds and habitats are paramount. A strong supporter of youth birding, he co-founded the global birding initiatives Pledge to Fledge, Race4Birds and co-founded The Cape May Young Birders Club. Richard has served on the board of directors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and contributed to most major birding publications. Richard is frequently heard on radio, and is a sought-after public speaker known for his thought-provoking and entertaining style that helps awaken a bigger picture view of observation and ID.