Ralph Todd has had an interest in wildlife, particularly bird watching, since his childhood in Suffolk. Over the past 40 years he has led numerous wildlife tours mostly in Europe and the UK. He is a keen wildlife photographer and whilst retired from his professions (BBC World Service and freelance wildlife tour guide) he continues to give talks to a variety of organisations. He has visited six continents primarily in pursuit of birds, whales and dolphins.

For fifty years he has been a conservation volunteer which included a five year term on the RSPB National Council and 19 years as a Trustee of Kent Wildlife Trust. He has participated in Manatee research in Belize and advised on wildlife tourism to such diverse places as Ascension Island, Danube Delta Romania, Isle of Man, West Jutland Denmark and Samos Greece. Ralph’s particular interest is in showing people birds and wildlife in their local environment, particularly beginners and was able to fulfil this as a course tutor with the Field Studies Council. In 2011 Ralph began his association with Saga Cruises giving natural history talks on a number of European cruises. He also enjoys showing passengers the wildlife they can see whilst on deck.

Coastal Wildlife of Britain and …….(and destinations e.g. Iceland/Norway/France)
• A look at some of the birds, whales, dolphins and seals that can be seen around the coastal regions, at sea and approaches to our destination ports (adapted for each cruise/destinations).

Natural History of Iceland
• Stunning scenery, spectacular waterfalls, incredible landscapes form the backdrop to a wonderful variety of flowers and birds all looked at more closely in this talk.

Wildlife of Scottish Highlands and Islands
• Exploring the stunning scenery and the wildlife that depends upon it.

The Mysteries of Migration
• Bird migration - why, where, when and how. Or do they migrate at all? A look at early theories of bird migration, the development of our knowledge through bird observatories,ringing and most recently, radio/satellite tagging. Perhaps we shall never quite understand the marvel of migration but it is fascinating to try.

Look again at Garden Birds – a beginners' guide
• This talk takes a close look at some of the most familiar visitors to the garden, gives some little known facts about them and also provides information about how to attract them and equipment to enjoy them.

Birds and People – Travels through time
• A personal view of how birds and people have inter-related over 1000’s of years, from Ancient Egypt and China, some significant naturalists and events up to the boom in feeding garden birds and birdwatching today.

On the Trail of the Crane – migration from Spain to Scandinavia
• Looking at the history of one enigmatic species, the Eurasian Crane on its migration from its wintering quarters in south west Spain, through France to its breeding grounds in Scandinavia. Also the recent reintroduction to the UK where it now breeds after a 400 year gap.

Amid the Snowy Wastes – natural history of Svalbard
• Some close encounters with walrus, 1000’s of birds, flowers and polar bear, not to mention stunning scenery/glaciers.

Return of the Osprey
• This spectacular, summer visiting, fish eating bird is common in Scandinavia but became extinct in UK until the late 1950’s when a remarkable story of its return to Scotland unfolded.

I Know an Island
• A closer look at some to the wonderful islands around the coast of Britain each with their unique features and wildlife

Wildlife of the Pyrenees
• “The mighty wall” between France and Spain, the Pyrenees have a stunning variety of flowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife to be discovered in this talk.

Saga Cruises:
Iceland, Faroes and Orkney - 2011 and 2013
Norway/Arctic Norway/Spitzbergen 2014 (two cruises), 2016, 2017 and 2019
France/Spain and Portugal 2017
Isles of Bothnia 2018