Two Kens

I'm blessed with two mates called Ken. The longest-standing is retired university colleague and fellow ecologist Ken. We have spent much time participating in field courses (mainly on Exmoor) and birdwatching at Rutland Water. Once or twice a year we'd go off for a couple of days in "firm's time" to have a bed and breakfast overnight stop at Cley (Norfolk) or Minsmere. We were easily able to justify these jollys on academic grounds: a biochemist, microbiologist or geneticist should enhance their personal academic skills in a laboratory. Ecologists must develop theirs (taxonomy, identification, etc.) in the field. Though we never claimed expenses, only the time.

One feature of our friendship was that once a week (ok, maybe sometimes twice) Ken would join me in my flat on the university campus after work for a beer. We'd take it in turns to buy the four-pack of McEwan's Export. Therefore he is referred to as "Drinking Ken".

Ringing Ken (left) and Drinking Ken (right) have supper at Maalie Court

On moving to Cumbria in 2001 I joined the Walney Bird Observatory and found other sites to pursue my bird-ringing interests. It wasn't long before I caught up with Ken from Barrow-in-Furness, also retired and a licensed bird ringer. We quickly became ringing colleagues and in particular Ken has been an invaluable partner in my study of Marsh Tits in the Roudsea Wood National Nature Reserve . In July 2005 we spent a week ringing seabirds on Bardsey Island, lying off the Lleyn Peninsular in North Wales. To avoid confusion, this Ken is referred to as "Ringing Ken".

I felt privileged that both Kens were able to join me at home yesterday (Dec 13th) for a birthday supper.