« Back to Leaders & Staff

Rob Sheldon

Rob started birding at the age of seven on Sunday afternoons around a local patch in Wombourne, South Staffordshire. Whilst at the University of Hertfordshire he undertook a one year placement at the National Avian Research Center in the United Arab Emirates to study wintering Houbara Bustards. This began a lifelong interest in the birds of the Middle East. After completing a PhD on the breeding ecology of the Northern Lapwing, Rob joined the RSPB as an agricultural adviser before spending many years in the Reserves Ecology department that took him to many of the RSPB’s famous nature reserves. During this time Rob was seconded part-time to the Conservation Science department to study Sociable Lapwings in Kazakhstan. His final job at the RSPB was as the Head of International Species Recovery which involved projects on globally threatened species such as Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Vultures and Eurasian Curlew. After two years based in Saudi Arabia, Rob now works as a freelance conservation consultant. Rob has been a Council member of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia (OSME) since 2011 and the Chairman since 2013. Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, UAE and Scotland are Rob’s favorite birding destinations.

Upcoming Tours with Rob

Testimonials for Rob

Rob generously shared his exceptional experience as a scientist and avid birder. He was professional and patient with all experience levels, relished the search for targets any time of day or night, dealt easily with the unexpected, kept us on track with dry British humor, and was responsible and timely with management duties. I learned so much on this trip thanks to Rob! It was wonderful.

- Georgia E. on Scotland

Rob is an excellent guide with great people skills. I enjoyed having him as our trip leader. He definitely knows his stuff.

- Deborah A.

Rob’s knowledge and professionalism was best in class, even when he was challenged! Rob was a superior guide and birder. I can only hope I’m able to bird with Rob again the future. He’s set a high bar for future guides I meet.

- Jennifer L.

Rob was a great tour leader. He was very knowledgeable about the birds of course, but also about the areas, the plants, the culture, etc. He answered all of our questions and did a good job of keeping the group informed and on the same page. Rob was great at spotting the birds and quickly getting everyone on it to make sure we all had a chance to really see the bird. 

- Marissa B.