Stephen Message is one of the UK's foremost bird artists and an experienced birdwatcher. He studied natural history illustration at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and has worked as a freelance artist ever since. He has twice been runner up for Bird Illustrator of the Year and was also the runner up for 2017's Birdwatch Artist of the Year. Stephen has illustrated many books, including Waders of Europe, Asia and North America and the Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia. Marianne Taylor is a freelance writer, illustrator, photographer and editor. Marianne worked in publishing for seven years before taking the plunge as a freelancer in 2007. Since then, she has written more than 25 books for adults and children on a range of natural history subjects, including RSPB Garden Birds, RSPB British Birds of Prey, RSPB Seabirds and The Way of the Hare. A passion for all wildlife, but especially birds, has always been a driving force in Marianne's life.