Tony Norris

For the professional wrestler, see: Anthony Norris

Cuthbert Antony (Tony) Norris (2 January 1917 in Cradley, Worcestershire - 25 February 2005 in Worcester) was a notable British ornithologist.

Ornithology

He was BTO President from 1961-64 and was awarded their Tucker Medal in 1959.

He was a member of the RSPB's council in the 1950s and 1960s, chairing its finance and general purposes committee. During that time, he persuaded the organisation to move from London to its current headquarters at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire. Using his own money to facilitate the transaction he was, for one day, owner of the Lodge.

He was Secretary and Chairman of the West Midland Bird Club from 1953-1975 and its president from 1975-1999.

He was a personal friend of Peter Scott and assisted him in setting up the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

He was the instigator of the Bardsey Bird and Field Observatory.

He was the youngest member of the British Ornithologists' Union.

Other activities

He ran a garden nursery and specialised in growing South African Nerine lilies, for which he was awarded an RHS gold medal.

He was an accomplished archer.

Family life

In 1940, he married Cecily Hurcomb, daughter of Lord Hurcomb, and they had two daughters.

Bibliography

(incomplete)

• The Distribution and Status of the Corncrake
• Notes on the Birds of Warwickshire, Cornish Brothers, 1947
• West Midland Bird Distribution Survey West Midland Bird Club, 1951 (published for private circulation)

External link

"West Midland Bird Club obituary, linking to others.