David has been a freelance ornithologist and photographer since 1970. For 20 years he lectured for Newcastle University Adult Education Department part time and travelled the world leading groups of bird watchers to Africa, North America, South America, Europe, India and Nepal. He also lead groups sailing and birdwatching in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the West of Scotland. 

In the late 1980s he returned to full-time employment when he became Secretary of the Natural History Society of Northumbria. He still maintained his interest in lecturing with ornithology courses for LifeLong Learning at Newcastle University plus giving lectures to the Society and other organisations.

On retiring from the day job, he decided to continue lecturing on birds and started to teach classes in digital photography for the Society‘s programme of natural history courses. Details of these courses can be found on their website.