In July 2016, Robin Doughty published The Purple Martin, his tenth conservation-related book. A longtime Austinite, Robin joined the Department of Geography and the Environment at UT Austin in 1971. Jordan Price, Travis Audubon’s Director of Administration and Membership interviewed Robin for Signal Smoke.

Jordan Price: What is your bucket bird?
Robin Doughty: My current bucket bird is the Ivory Gull. I’m going to Greenland next year and hope to spot it. A previous bucket bird of mine was the Cream-coloured Courser. I had been curious about this courser for decades after seeing it in a bird book during my childhood.

JP: Where did you grow up?
RD: I grew up in a small town named Hornsea. It was located on the North Sea coast of England. The town has a freshwater lake, Hornsea Mere, about two miles long. It is the largest lake in Yorkshire and a great place to bird. I had four siblings, and to escape the house, I had two options, either birding or rugby. I chose both. I didn’t know much about birds, and fortunately, some local boys took me under their wing. They were 4-5 years older than me and had a keen interest in birds and nature. It was with this group that I learned the basics of birding. Once I became a known as a birder, people would contact me about strange birds in the neighborhood. I remember seeing puffins and gannets positioned on rocks near the road. Severe storms off the North Sea would drive these and other birds to my little town. When I was still a child, I remember being thrilled when my name appeared in print as a “recorder” for the Yorkshire Naturalist’s Union.

JP: What inspired you to study geography?
RD: I had an excellent high school geography teacher. He planted that seed of curiosity that led me to a lifelong study of the environment and geography.

JP: Why did you immigrate to the United States?
RD: I decided at a young age that I needed to study hard and get out of my town as soon as I was able. My father used to take the train to work, and I remember old men in town occasionally dropping dead on the train station platform. They would simply collapse, and fall to the ground while smoking. I did not want my future to consist of a predictable death in my hometown.

When I eventually applied for university, I sought a joint degree in geography, Italian, and philosophy. I was told my preferred course of studies was not permitted and chose geography. After completing my B.A. at Reading University and a second degree in Philosophy at the Vatican University in Rome, I was presented with a great offer and teaching assistantship from the University of California, Berkley. I left England and moved to California to pursue my PhD. My dissertation was titled, “Feather Fashions and Bird Preservation: A Study in Nature Protection.” While in central California, I did some excellent birding on Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands. As a side note, a Golden-cheeked Warbler was once banded on the Farallons.

JP: What is the favorite class you’ve taught?
RD: My favourite class was a graduate level course titled, “The Nature Essay and the American Experience.” I was able to incorporate all of my ideal nature authors and their work into the course.

JP: Why did you decide to rewrite the 2002 editions “The Purple Martin” and republish it over the summer?
RD: So much has happened with Purple Martins in recent years! This incredible creature is so dependent on humans and Austin has become an epicenter for its conservation! Rob and I decided to do a complete rewrite of the 2002 to reflect all of the changes that have occurred in the protection of this bird. The Purple Martin is an astonishing creature. Its centuries-long engagement with humans has made it quite dependent on us.

JP: When you were young, did you a have a nature mentor?
RD: Henry Bunce and Ralph Chislett were two early mentors of mine. Chislett authored three bird books and also received the medal of the Royal Photographic Society. When I arrived in Austin, Ed Kutac was very welcoming! He introduced me to Hornsby Bend and also to the big white cranes on the coast. Ed was a great bird mentor in Texas and always had good cheer. He is missed.

JP: There seems to be a disconnect between kids and nature. How do we fix this problem?
RD: I agree. I think this situation can be improved by giving the youth citizen science projects where they have firsthand interactions with birds and the natural world. For example, children should be involved in projects about the breeding and migration cycle.

JP: What exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
RD: I’m working on two books! I’ve co-authored a book on all invasive species within Texas. That project is quite exciting. The second book I’m developing is a bird poetry book. It will contain poems that I have written about birds that I have seen in my travels.

JP: Do you like bovril?
RD: I have a strong hatred for bovril and its sibling, marmite.