Keynote

KEYNOTE Bio

Richard Crossley is an internationally acclaimed birder, photographer and award-winning author of ‘The Crossley ID Guide’ series. Born in Yorkshire, he also lived in Japan, and birded worldwide before settling down in his beloved Cape May, NJ and these days Richard splits his time between Florida and California. After one of his frequent mid-life crises at the turn of the millennium, Richard decided it was time to spend less time obsessively birding and to focus on paying it forward.

Sometimes called crazy (his badge of honor), wildly passionate, and driven, Richard’s focus is youth birding, and connecting people to a fuller appreciation and understanding of nature; its benefits to mind, body, and soul. Richard’s book, The Crossley ID Guide: Waterfowl, continues to push boundaries. Self-published, the new guide encourages all outdoor conservation groups to view each other as one.

Richard’s latest books The Crossley ID Guide: Western Birds and Ornitherapy (co-authored with Holly Merker and Sophie Crossley) were published in March, 2021. Both books continue to connect us all to nature with a stronger appreciation and understanding of our common ground and its many health benefits. Richard also co-founded the global birding initiative Pledge to Fledge, Race4Birds and The Cape May Young Birders Club. He served on the board of directors at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. He has contributed to most major birding publications, is frequently heard on radio, and is a sought-after public speaker

Richard Crossley

Description: Tales of lessons learned while growing up in the wild British birding scene, from travels around the world, to living in Japan and settling down in his birding utopia, Cape May, NJ. It will be a fast-paced story told in a Yorkshire brogue, through a camera lens that loves color and art, but with a strong point of view.

With humor and depth Richard will also highlight the thoughts behind the revolutionary ‘The Crossley ID Guide’ series to self-publishing his latest guide on Western Birds. He also talks about the positive impact of birds on people through Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body and Soul (co-authored with Holly Merker, and Sophie Crossley).

But is changing how we look at books and birds enough? ‘Heck, no!’ says Richard, ‘these are exciting times, and tomorrow must become a new day’. Come and listen to Richard’s optimistic outlook for birding, lifestyles and conservation. It’s sure to change the way you think!

Keynote Sunset Fiesta and Book Signing

Title: Past, Present, and Future

Presenter: Richard Crossley

Date: Saturday, February 25

Guests: 40

Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Avalon Skybar (directions delivered with ticket)

$850 MXN

Festival registration is not required, includes taco buffet, dessert, and three drinks (wine, beer,
margarita)