Forres conservationist Roy Dennis given RSPB Medal, the charity's highest award whose past recipients include Sir David Attenborough

A conservationist who lives in Forres has been given the RSPB's very highest award.

Roy Dennis MBE has dedicated his life to wildlife

His love of birds began as a child in the 1940s exploring around his home in the New Forest near the south coast of England.

After school Roy worked at the Fair Isle Bird Observatory (FIBO), between Orkney and Shetland.

Here he met his mentor George Waterston who would go on to be the first head of the RSPB in Scotland.

Together, in 1968, the two men pioneered the first trial reintroduction of sea eagles on Fair Isle.

This paved the way for Roy to carry out many more translocation and ecological restoration projects which continue to this day.

From 1963 to 1970 Roy directed FIBO before chairing the Trust and is now its President.

Then, from 1970 to 1990, he served the RSPB as its Highland Officer, represented the charity at a ciritical time in its history.

The work includes the overseeing the management of iconic nature reserves like Loch Garten, as well as protecting nesting ospreys and golden eagles from egg thieves.

In 1990, Roy became an independent wildlife consultant, forming the Highland Foundation for Wildlife, which then became the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation five years later.

He was made an MBE in 1992 for ‘services to nature conservation’.

Then, in 2004, he received the RSPB Scotland ‘Golden Eagle Award’ as the ‘person who has done most for nature conservation in Scotland in the last 100 years’.

This past weekend it was the turn for him to be given the RSPB Medal, which is the most prestigious award the UK charity confers.

Past recipients include Sir David Attenborough.

Speaking afterwards, Roy said: "I am honoured.

"My lifetime in conservation has been wonderfully rewarding, from the first pair of ospreys with the RSPB at Loch Garten to the restoration of red kites to England and Scotland and sea eagles to the Isle of Wight.

"In my middle years with the RSPB, we faced tough battles over agricultural intensification, blanket forestry, and North Sea oil, but I always refused to give up.

"Now, I’m encouraged to see great steps forward in ecological restoration.

"At this time of global crisis, it’s for the young to lead the way and be the ones who refuse to give up."

As a skilled communicator, Roy is the author of several landmark, inspirational books and is a regular on TV and radio.

Kevin Cox, RSPB Chair of Council, said: "We are delighted to honour Roy with the RSPB Medal.

"His partnership working, stamina and not letting obstacles stand in his way have achieved great things for UK wildlife.

"We’re pleased he can add the RSPB Medal to his already long list of awards and accolades.

"The boy from Hampshire who raised a brood of shelduck and collected newts and slow worms continues to drive forward for birds and wildlife at home and abroad.

"When we next see a red kite, osprey or sea eagle gracing our UK skies, we know who to thank.

"The nature and climate emergency is the biggest threat in our lifetime.

"If we do not act soon and fast some of the wildlife we see today could be lost for good.

"Roy and his amazing achievements should be an inspiration to us all."