The author Bo Beolens, to many likeminded birders and twitchers also known as the ‘Fat Birder’ or the ‘Grumpy Old Birder’, was born in Brighton, UK, in 1949. He grew up in Kent in the south-east corner of England and was introduced to birding by his late father. He has lived in Scotland, Lancashire, Buckinghamshire and London pursuing a career as the Director of various charities before moving back to Kent in 1995. His interest in birds led Bo to travel the world, either under his own direction or accompanied by his wife Maggie. Bo is known worldwide for his various informative websites, such as www.fatbirder.com, an attempt to put as many birders in touch with each other throughout the world as possible to encourage friendship and conservation.