OBSERVING
CONSULTING
GUIDING
Observing - Consulting - Guiding
I am Stuart Elsom MSc ACIEEM MRSB LRPS. Owner and Director of Stuart Elsom Ecology. I’m a professional ecologist, tour leader, and photographer dedicated to the observation, conservation, and celebration of the natural world.
Whether you need protected species surveys for a UK based development project, a bespoke international birding tour, or want to explore the exciting world of wildlife photography, I will bring my 40+ years of experience and a lifelong passion for all taxa to all projects — from birds and invertebrates to amphibians and reptiles.
Based in Ellington, Cambridgeshire, I've spent my career surveying protected species and habitats across the UK and Europe, leading birding tours through 65+ countries, and capturing the natural world through my lens.
Whether you need ecological survey work, an expert tour guide, or wildlife photography, I'd love to help.
Services
Ecological Surveys
Birds.
With extensive knowledge of all resident UK and European species I can deliver a full range of standard breeding, wintering and species specific surveys for all habitats:
- Nocturnal feeding wintering waders such as Golden Plover and Lapwing (including use of thermal imaging equipment).
- Species specific surveys for Peregrine, Stone Curlew, Skylark and Black Redstart.
- Vantage Point (VP) and walkover surveys (onshore wind and solar projects).
- Natural England CL29 survey class licence holder for Barn Owl.
Great Crested Newt.
I hold a Natural England Class Licence for Great Crested Newts for undertaking surveys (3 standard methods) and eDNA.
Reptiles.
I can offer both targeted and refugia surveys for reptiles, and can deliver translocation programmes.
Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).
Management of habitat clearance, destructive searches and plant/machinery driver/contractor supervision. Nesting bird checks and watching brief deployment. Planning and delivering amphibian/reptile translocation projects using pitfall traps and other methods of capture.
This list is not exhaustive, and if there’s a specific survey you require which is not listed please contact me.
International Birding & Wildlife Tour Leader
I am passionate about sharing my experience and knowledge as a tour leader for Rockjumper Birding Tours. We can help you design your bespoke birding tour with me as your guide. Contact me for information
Wildlife Photography Services
With over 800 images published in journals, books and magazines worldwide I have a stock image library of over 15000 images and can lead and organise environmental photo shoots and bespoke photographic tours. Book your shoot.
Ecology Clients Include
Quick Links
about stuart
With 40 years field experience I am an accomplished field ecologist, birding & wildlife tour leader, lecturer and wildlife photographer.
I founded Stuart Elsom Ecology in 2012. Travelling overseas in search of birds and wildlife for over 35 years and leading international birding tours for over 25 years, during which time I have visited over 60 countries across six continents.
Memberships
- CIEEM (Associate member)
- Royal Society of Biology
- Royal Photographic Society
- RSPB
- British Trust for Ornithology
Accreditations
Natural England Licence for Barn Owls
Natural England Licence for Great Crested Newt
Birding and Beyond
Primarily an ornithologist with a long-standing interest in insects, I studied hoverflies of the genus Eristalis for my MSc in Biological Recording at Manchester Metropolitan University.
After 20 years as a senior leader with UK operator Sunbird, I'm now a freelance tour leader, having led for Rockjumper, Naturetrek and WINGS.
By 2026 I've led over 150 tours across over 65 countries on six continents, seeing at least 5,500 bird species plus hundreds of mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians — the vast majority photographed.
I serve on the governing council of Cambridgeshire Bird Club as Indoor Meetings Secretary, and am a former council member of the Neotropical Bird Club and past chairman of St Neots Bird & Wildlife Club.
I've participated in international conservation projects including the Peru Birding Rally Challenge, Champions of the Flyway (Israel) and Concurso Fotografia Avistar Brasilia, raising both awareness and funds for habitat and species conservation.
On a lighter note: I am the 2016 winner of the Birdbrain of Britain Quiz and I am trying to see all of the new world warblers (Parulidae), and to date have seen 94 of the 116 species but this number is constantly changing due to developing taxonomy and associated changes, keeping track keeps me on my toes.
Gallery
Contact
From ecological surveys to guided birding tours or wildlife photography, I bring the same passion and expertise to every project. Let's talk about what you need.
