David Lack pioneered field ornithology. In the 1930s as a school teacher, his abiding interest in birds led to his famous study of robins and took him to the Galapagos to study the finches resulting in him being called the “father of evolutionary ecology”. Once appointed as director of the Edward Grey Institute in 1945 he initiated the study of swifts at Oxford University Museum and of great tits in Wytham wood both of which continue today. His work led to the publication of several influential books, especially the seminal The Natural Regulation of Animal Numbers (1954) and Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds (1968). He hardly used statistical tests but his intimate understanding of birds led to numerous insights that turned out to be true when studied systematically. He died in 1973 but some of his conclusions have still not been fully worked through more than fifty years later.

MEETING POINT: Main Car Park (CHARGES APPLY) SP 885 633 START TIME: 9am DURATION: Approx 4 hrs TYPICAL SPECIES: Wide range of waders, waterbirds, gulls and passerine, possible migrants. Wigeon, Pintail, Plover, Redwing CONTACT: Glen Pascoe 07856110354 outings@oos.org.uk