I've been fascinated by birds ever since I was a kid. I was part of the delinquent generation that used to collect eggs - I was very good at it - but fortunately rapidly realised being out there and getting to know bird songs was more important.

I feel quite nostalgic about the Cairngorms in Scotland as I went up there in the 1960s to see the first ever pair of ospreys bred in Britain. In those days it was a pilgrimage from down south to what was a bit of a tin-pot set up - there was only a small hut with a slot that you could put your telescope through.

Now it's far more sophisticated and they've even installed CCTV cameras so you can see live pictures of the birds. The ospreys came back every year from west Africa and it's like they passed the message on to the others, as now there are 160 pairs.

The area is a great place for birds of prey, like kestrels, golden eagles and peregrines. Their eggs - worth £2,000 on the black market - have to be protected as people steal the chicks and whisk them over to Germany and Saudi Arabia.

There are a whole bunch of birds that you can only see in Scotland, including the crested tit - which is a lovely little thing and does exactly what it says on the tin. Also the capercaillie - it's not easy to see, which is strange as it's as big as a turkey and fans its tail out like a peacock. It's truly one of the greatest wildlife sights - and makes the silliest noises, sounding like someone pouring out a bottle of champagne, with a pop at the end.

To see birds where they really belong is very special. The context is everything. I just love the fact that around the Cairngorms you can see something as huge as a capercaillie down to something as tiny as a crested tit and in-between you have huge flying machines like kestrels and golden eagles.

There's no birdwatcher in Britain who doesn't plan a trip to Scotland every now and again. I've been there around 50 times.

Interview by Gavan Naden