Jeff Martin is a field ornithologist with a passion for studying owls and the small mammal species that they rely upon for food. His keen observations led to him being appointed Suffolk Mammal Recorder in the 1990s, until his research on owls eventually took over his available time. He has previously written two books about barn owls, namely Barn Owls in Britain and The Barn Owl: Guardian of the Countryside. He lives in Essex.