Ian Kellie Brooke
11th April 1949
– 10th June 2021
Ian Brooke was one of the stalwarts of the birding community on Islay
and it was a huge loss when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at his
home on 10th June.
Ian gained a BSc in Agriculture from Aberdeen University and spent much
of his early life involved in various aspects of farming in his home area of the
Borders in Southern Scotland. He first visited Islay on a family holiday in
1989. Both he and his wife Margaret fell in love with the island and moved here
ten years later, buying the Old Manse and a set of holiday cottages at
Kilchoman. They quickly fitted into island life and became active and
appreciated members of various organisations promoting Islay as a tourist
destination. But the move to Islay allowed Ian’s already keen interest in the
outdoors, wildlife and especially birds, to flourish. Above all, Ian was a
practical man who got involved and got things done. He became a trustee of the
Islay Natural History Trust and an active volunteer at the local RSPB reserve.
He helped produce the “Islay Walks” booklet and developed the associated, very
successful “Walk Islay” week offering guided hikes to out of the way locations
of special interest across the island.
Keen to promote Islay further Ian began sending regular birding notes to
Birdwatching Magazine. In 2007 he quietly got on with setting up the Islay Bird
Blog, posting chatty, daily accounts of the birdlife on Islay and beyond–
something many of us on Islay had talked about doing, but never got around to. He
also instigated the “Islay Bird Nerds” informal meetings once a month - open to
anyone interested – resident or visiting, to get together, meet new faces and
catch up on bird news. “The Blog” has become a greatly appreciated and valued
focus for any birdwatchers interested in Islay and from the accumulated records
Ian was able to contribute each month to the Argyll Bird Club database. Not one
to rest on his laurels, he dreamed up the great idea of Islay having a presence
at the annual British Bird Fair to further make birders aware of the island’s
great potential. Quietly canny, he realised that whisky was the other element
that made Islay special, so he convinced the distilleries to donate dozens of
bottles of whisky that he and his other dedicated volunteers could give out as
free drams at the Bird Fair. Understandably, the Islay Stand was a huge
attraction and success over many years of his hard work and organisation and
was awarded “Best Small Tourism Stand”.
Retirement for Ian and Margaret meant a short move to Shepherd’s Cottage
at Kilchoman. Although out of the way at the end of a dead-end road, his friendly,
unassuming and easy-going manner and the wonderful welcome (complete with
coffee, tea, biscuits and cake) any visiting birdwatcher would receive from Ian
and Margaret, turned this into something of a social hub for all visiting
birdwatchers to drop in for a blether. Ian and Margaret’s retirement home
further illustrated Ian’s passion for putting ideas into action. He planted
hundreds of trees, created flower and wild bird food meadows, ponds, built a
birdwatching hide and an elaborate shed to encourage Choughs to breed.
Installation of CCTV cameras gave him and his many visitor hours of interest
watching the daily comings and goings of his garden’s wildlife. Right up until
his last days he was excited to share video footage of his nesting Barn Owls.
The wonderful mix of quiet self-effacement and calm good humour combined
with deftly putting ideas and words into productive action will be sorely
missed by all his friends on Islay and beyond.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Margaret, his wife of 44 years
and to his son Andrew at this time of loss.
Personal tributes also came from
Ken Reeves
I am gutted tonight to learn of the
sudden death of my friend Ian Brooke at Kilchoman on the Isle of Islay. Ian,
supported by his wife Margaret and his friends on the island, have dedicated
many years to the recording of the birds and wildlife of Islay and Jura. He
will also be remembered for the well-supported Islay and Jura stand at the Rutland
Bird Fair. Over the years many a birder has wobbled away after sampling the
malts and shortbread on offer. Thank you for allowing me to be your friend Ian
and our thoughts and condolences are with you, Margaret, your family and
friends. You will never be forgotten Sir!
Ken, Maureen and all at
Burbagebirders Travel Club!
Malcolm Ogilvie
In 2007, Ian started a daily blog
about Islay birds, listing sightings reported to him by locals and visitors
alike. He rarely missed a day, ending almost every year with over 350 entries.
It was an invaluable blog which was much consulted by visiting birders who, in
turn, were encouraged to let him know what they had seen, which he then posted
so that everyone was kept informed. He also encouraged contact between local
and visiting birders by instituting informal monthly meetings, convivial
get-togethers of the 'Bird Nerds'. He and Margaret were, for several years,
valued Trustees of the Islay Natural History Trust. A very sad loss of a good
friend.
Gordon Yates
Ten days ago as I was sat in my hide
on Islay filming hen harriers, less than two miles down the road, my good
friend Ian unexpectedly passed away. It was a terrible shock. I have known Ian
and Margaret for more than thirty years and have lost count of all the tea and
biscuits that we have been provided with. Their door was always open to all
visitors. Ian started the Islay Bird blog more than fourteen years ago and
provided visiting birders with a daily picture of who was on the island and
what they had seen. For non-birders Ian started the "Walk Islay"
weeks which were extremely popular pre-Covid days.
One of the highlights of Ian's year
was the Annual Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water. Along, with others, Ian
would stand all day extolling the virtues of Islay to all visitors who would
leave the stand topped up with shortbreads and Whisky!
Ian loved his extensive garden on
Islay and there are not many birders who can count Hen Harrier and Merlin as
daily garden visitors! Ian you were an absolute star. Sir.
