Matt Eade

Matt Eade is originally from Sussex, where he spent many years birding his coastal patch in and near Seaford, but now lives in the Scottish Highlands, where he works as an ecologist, along with his partner, Emily. Having travelled extensively already, setting foot on all seven continents, nowadays he frequently birds locally to his home near the Black Isle, but rarely says no to foreign birding.

His travels have taken him throughout Europe, including Svalbard. In Africa and the Indian Ocean, he already knows South Africa, Madagascar, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Morocco and Western Sahara, while his experience in Asia comprises India (particularly the northwest and south), Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Borneo. In the Americas, he knows Alaska, California, Texas, Guyana, Ecuador, Brazil’s Pantanal and southwest Amazonia, and Argentina, while travels in Antarctica and the Subantarctic include the Falklands, South Georgia and Marion Island.

Some of Matt’s most momentous birding occasions during his world travels have included seeking out (solo) the highly localised Hooded Grebe in Argentina; birding the rugged Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea, where the Emperor Birds of Paradise stood out amongst the endemics; standing alongside the enigmatic Kagu in New Caledonia; and observing the wondrous displays of African River Martins in Gabon.

Matt has led many birding tours, covering destinations in Europe, Svalbard, Africa, South America and Papua New Guinea.

When not birding, Matt is a keen long-distance runner, having completed 15 marathons, and now takes on the Munros for a different taste of running.

His easy-going nature and determined drive to find those trickier species will make him a popular Birdquest leader!