British ornithologist John MacKinnon reflects on 40 years of birdwatching and conservation in China, from field research to his influential bird guide.
“In my own garden, watching an Eurasian robin build a nest and raise its chicks brings the same joy of life. That appreciation for ordinary living creatures is where birdwatching truly begins.”
British ornithologist John MacKinnon shared this reflection during an interview with China News Service on the 3rd.
Recently, MacKinnon visited Fuzhou, where he joined local birdwatchers and readers at a Book House by West Lake. They sat together in a small circle and exchanged stories. During the meeting, he spoke about his 40 years of work in China. He also reflected on changes in ecology and conservation.
MacKinnon first came to China in 1986. At that time, he worked with the World Wildlife Fund and China’s forestry authorities. The goal was to support a conservation plan for the giant panda and its habitat.
Over the next three years in Sichuan, he worked in remote mountain areas. There, he observed many endemic bird species. However, he also noticed a clear gap. China did not yet have a practical and systematic birdwatching guide.
That gap led to a long-term collaboration. He worked with illustrator Karen Phillipps. Together, they collected scattered ornithological records and literature. After more than a year of work, they published A Field Guide to the Birds of China in 2000.
The book covered over a thousand bird species. It also included detailed illustrations. As a result, it quickly became a key reference for birdwatching in China. More importantly, it helped birdwatching grow from a niche interest into a wider public activity.
Over time, MacKinnon continued his fieldwork across China. He visited many provinces and nature reserves. He also took part in environmental impact assessments. In addition, he supported several regions in applications for UNESCO World Natural Heritage status.
Meanwhile, China’s conservation landscape began to change. More nature reserves were established, investment in ecological protection increased, and birdwatching communities expanded rapidly.
“In these years, I have witnessed a tremendous transformation in nature conservation in China,” he said.
Around 2018, MacKinnon returned to the field guide project. He was already in his seventies, yet he began working on a revised edition. In 2022, A Field Guide to the Birds of China (Revised Edition) was published.
During the Fuzhou event, a reader handed him a handwritten letter. The letter thanked him for his lifelong work on China’s birds and landscapes. MacKinnon responded simply. He said that love for nature has no borders and also described himself as just another birdwatcher.
He emphasised that birdwatching is more than a hobby. It reflects a changing relationship between people and nature and plays a practical role in ecological conservation.
For example, he mentioned rare species such as the Chinese crested tern and the spoon-billed sandpiper. These species depend on scientific monitoring and coordinated protection efforts.
Therefore, he encouraged birdwatchers to go beyond personal “checklists.” Instead, they should contribute real data to conservation work. In his words, birdwatchers can become “citizen scientists.”
“A field guide, countless birds,” he said. “Each of us can—and should—take part in protecting nature.”
Reporting by Qiuyun Ye.
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