Rob Hume, a freelance writer and editor for forty years, edited Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) publications from 1983 to 2009, was Chairman of the British Birds Rarities Committee, has more than thirty books to his credit and has travelled widely in search of birds. Robert Still, the cofounder and publishing director of WILDGuides, is an ecologist and widely travelled naturalist. His design philosophy and exceptional skills in computer graphics have been crucial to the concept, development and production of all the WILDGuides natural history books. Andy Swash has been involved professionally in nature conservation since 1977, and is cofounder and managing director of WILDGuides. An author, editor and renowned wildlife photographer, he leads photographic tours worldwide, and has devised, coauthored and edited many books. Hugh Harrop, an award-winning photographer and founder of the ecotourism business Shetland Wildlife, is one of Shetland's top birder and naturalists. His photographs have been published throughout Europe and North America.