Theres been a lack of blog posts and some apathy of late. On 5th March Alan Tilmouth rang to say that our great friend Andy McLevy had passed away that morning. I wrote this bit on our WhatsApp bird group the following day...
It would be around early 1985 when I met ADMc.
I would get the bus to Widdrington and walk down the coal road to Druridge and Cresswell . At the Cresswell Pond outlet wall ( no hides or reeds then) a motley combination of individuals, Nigel Foggo, John Rutter, Marty Anderson, Frank Hopkin, John Hallowell, Alan Jack, Richard Dunn and Andy would be viewing the pond. I knew straight away these were ‘my people’!
One day soon after, as I was on route along the road, a car pulled over, it was Andy. The lads were having a day trip across to Haweswater at the weekend to look for Eagles, Peregrines and Ravens and did I want to go? All mythical creatures to me back then so I jumped at the chance.
From that day on Andy was a great friend and mentor to me. I could write a book of tales, gags, crack, commentary and birders nicknames that have passed between us since then.
It wasn’t just ‘the Bay’ either. We covered Northumberland, enjoyed Newbiggin Seawatches, fall migrants on Holy Island, Raptor watches at Harwood and Kielder and walks up the Cheviots etc. There were many twitches across the UK with Andy as well as trips to places like Fair Isle, Norfolk and beyond to China and the States. Andy even helped me move in to my current house.
Writing this now at work I am struggling to hold it together. I’ll think of my friend Andy chatting to Frank below a great harrier moor in the sky. We have lost a true icon.
In the days since then Andy's loss has hit me more that I would realise. Even as I write this today I am still struggling to hold it all together and am not even sure what to write. It all just seems futile.
I wish I could explain eloquently what Andy meant to us all who watch birds in Northumberland. Being a full time birder for the last 40 years, he spent most of the week out at Northumberland spots where he could be found chatting to all who passed his way. Rest assured no one who has spent more than a passing glance at our county's birds will have failed to meet ADMc. The Druridge Bay reserves were his place, Cresswell Pond in particular.
He was a Richard Richardson like figure but with a South East Northumberland accent!
I cant think of much more to add so I will leave it here. Maybe I can say more after his funeral.
Rest easy Andy old mate, remember, they're birders, but not like us!
