Eddie flies in for bird's eye views
Ornithologist Eddie Maguire follows sea birds on their flight south after spending the summer studying them off the coast of Scotland.
But his migration stops 450 miles away in Wolverhampton while they wing it to slightly more exotic locations off the coast of Africa. Mr Maguire is warden at the Machrihanish seabird observatory, set on a promontory jutting out into the Atlantic near the Mull of Kintyre.
But for the past six years he has wintered in Wychall Drive, Bushbury, where he stays with long-time friend Anne Tyler.
However the 63-year-old continues his passion for bird life after landing in the West Midlands.
He spends hours studying the feathered visitors to the region and said: "I find it more exciting photographing the species around the reservoirs and lakes of the region because they are very different to the ones I see up north. Cannock Chase is one of the best bird watching areas in the country."
He has even produced a DVD filmed at Northycote Farm in Bushbury entitled Wildlife Showcase. It carries a backing track recorded by the Bushbury-based group the Gallaghers.
Mr Maguire studies and records the habits of over 200 different species including unusual visitors to these shores such as Leach's Petrel, Balearic Shearwater, and Grey Phalarope.
In the West Midlands he is more likely to see Pintail, and Great Crested Grebe.
Mr Maguire added: "I love it down here. Between March 10 and mid-November I only had one and a half days off and so it is great to have a rest.
"I still enjoy bird watching but probably only do it a couple of days a week in Wolverhampton while it is a 24/7 job in Scotland."
He also spoke out in support of his winter home after the travel bible Lonely Planet named it as the fifth worst city in the world, reported in yesterday's Express & Star.
"That is ridiculous, " said Mr Maguire. "It is a fine place."
