Feathered Stories: Meet Tam & Laur from England

Meet Tam and Laur

In this heartwarming edition of Feathered Stories, we sit down with Tam and Laur — two passionate bird lovers from the English countryside — for an intimate interview about their journey into birdwatching. What began as peaceful family walks soon blossomed into a lifelong connection with birds, nature, and photography.

From quiet gardens to international travels, Tam and Laur have turned everyday encounters with wildlife into unforgettable memories. In this conversation, they share the birds that sparked their passion, the rare sightings that took their breath away, and the quiet joy of earning a robin’s trust.

How It All Began: A First Spark and a Favorite Bird

For many bird lovers, a single moment or encounter can ignite a lifelong passion. For Tam and Laur, that spark came from a series of family walks that opened their eyes — and hearts — to the avian world around them. They recall:

“Back in 2010, we started local walks with our Dad, and from them our interest in birds and enjoyment of birdwatching has only grown stronger. We purchased our first cameras in 2012 and have not looked back since!”

Among all the birds they’ve come to know and love, one species still holds a special place in their hearts, because it was the very first that drew them into the wild:

“We would have to say the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) is our favorite species, as this is the first bird that got us interested in wildlife and bird watching. We had a local pair nesting nearby, and we loved visiting them.”

Unforgettable Encounters and the Songs of the Wild

For Tam and Laur, birdwatching has gifted them with countless special moments — some tender, some unexpected, all unforgettable. One of the most heartwarming has been forming bonds with wild birds in their everyday surroundings.

“There are so many, but we would say having birds feed from your hand is pretty special. We get little Robins in the garden and out on walks, who we have built trust with, they will allow you to feed them from your hand.”

Their adventures as sisters have also led to rare and remarkable sightings in faraway places.

“Our most special experience was when we were visiting San Diego on a Dolphin & Whale Watching trip, my Dad and I spotted a Red-Billed Tropicbird. It wasn’t until we showed our pictures to the deckhand that we realized how special that sighting was. The following day, the boat went back out — this time with a boat full of bird watchers who managed to relocate the bird and see it for themselves!”

Beyond these sightings, the two also find joy in the sounds of the natural world. With the help of birding apps, they’ve added a new dimension to their hobby by learning to recognize birds through their calls.

“We use birdwatching apps that use sound recordings to ID different bird sounds. It really helps when out in the field to boost your species list and ID further birds.”

Acts of Care and the Wonders of Bird Behavior

Caring for birds sometimes means stepping in when they’re most vulnerable — and for Tam and Laur, one such moment left a lasting impression.

“A few years ago, a local cat caught a baby Great Tit. We managed to get the cat away and capture the bird, hand-feed it, and warmed it back up in a quiet/dark area. We then later released the bird back into the wild.”

Beyond rescue efforts, their adventures have given them a front-row seat to incredible natural behaviors — sometimes playful, sometimes ingenious.

“We love watching Magnificent Frigatebirds when in the Caribbean on cruises, seeing how they capture flying fish.”

Everyday Life with a Backyard Haven

For Tam and Laur, birdwatching isn’t just something they do on distant adventures — it’s woven into the fabric of their daily life, starting right in their own backyard.

“We have a Wildlife Pond and lots of bird feeders. We now have over 46 species of birds recorded within our little urban garden.”

Creating a welcoming space for wildlife has transformed their relationship with nature and even how they approach well-being.

“Birdwatching has impacted our daily life massively. It helps reduce stress and keeps us fit and healthy as it gets us outside and walking.”

From Local Favorites to Global Dreams

Every birdwatcher has their favorite spots — places that feel like home, or that hold special memories. For Tam and Laur, some destinations stand out above the rest.

“We have too many to name, but the WWT Slimbridge in the UK would be in the Top 5, as this is where we started our birdwatching journey. We also really enjoy visiting Central Park in New York during the Spring Migration.”

But their curiosity doesn’t stop there. When asked where their ultimate birdwatching adventure would take them, their dream is clear.

“We would love to go to Costa Rica as there would be so many new birds to observe and photograph there!”

Birds We Dream About

Some birds capture our imagination long before we ever spot them in the wild. For Tam and Laur, there’s one particular species that tops the list.

“We would love to observe a Blue-footed Booby in the wild, it’s always a bird that has fascinated us!”

Their love for birds also sparks a playful curiosity — if they could live as a bird for a day, what would they become?

“We would transform into a Robin, as this is a species that is considered really special to come across in the wild.”

And if communication were possible, there’s a question they’ve always wanted to ask: “We would ask them how they can fly for thousands of miles on migration and how they return to the same place every year!”

Unexpected Guests at the Feeder

Even though smart bird feeders are designed to help track and observe our feathered friends, sometimes they capture surprises that go beyond birds. As Tam and Laur shared: 

“Yes, this isn’t bird-related, but we captured a Hedgehog and a Red Fox feeding in our garden at night, something we would never have known visited our garden otherwise!”

Supporting Birds, One Action at a Time

For Tam and Laur, birdwatching is more than just a peaceful pastime — it’s a way to connect with the natural world and give back to the wildlife they cherish.

“We are a member of some local birdwatching organizations, which help support Nature Reserves, etc.”

They believe that anyone, even in the heart of a city, can create a welcoming space for birds. A bit of care, a touch of patience, and a little corner of your garden can become a haven full of life.

“Leave clean drinking water and a safe place for them to feed/rest in your gardens. We have an urban garden and wouldn’t have expected to see as much as we do! Build it and they will come!”

To Tam and Laur, and to You

We’re deeply grateful to Tam and Laur for taking the time to speak with us in this interview. Their stories and experiences remind us of the magic that lies in simply looking up and paying attention. Through their shared journey, we glimpse not just birds, but the quiet beauty of connection — with each other, and with the wild.

If you’d like to follow more of their adventures, you can find them here:

• YouTube: @OurAdventures2019
• Facebook: @OurAdventures2
• Instagram: @OurAdventures2
• X: @OurAdventures2

If their story has moved you, you’re warmly invited to explore more in our Feathered Stories series — a growing collection of interviews with bird lovers from around the world, each sharing their own memories, voices, and wingbeats.

And if you have your own bird tale to tell, we’d love to hear it.