Few people have had the privilege of living on an isolated nature reserve of international importance, their every move judged by countless critics. Young ranger Ajay Tegala, embarking on his placement at Blakeney Point aged just nineteen, would have to stand firm in the face of many challenges to protect the wildlife of one of Britain's prime nature sites.
In over 120 years, only a select few rangers have devoted their heart and soul to the wildlife of Norfolk's Blakeney Point. Watching and learning from his predecessors, Ajay faced head-on the challenges of the elements, predators and an ever-interested public. From the excitement of monitoring the growing grey seal population, to the struggles of trying to safeguard nesting birds from a plethora of threats, in The Unique Life of a Ranger, Ajay shares the many emotions of life on the edge of land and sea with honesty and affection.
Ajay Tegala shares his passion for the natural world through his work as a TV presenter, and his credits include BBC Springwatch and the documentary Inside the Bat Cave. As a wildlife ranger, he is grounded in the world of conservation. At the age of fifteen, he decided to become a conservationist after a week’s work experience with The National Trust. He studied Environmental Conservation and volunteered as an assistant warden on the Norfolk coast at Blakeney Point. After graduating, he became the full-time ranger on the Point, protecting shorebirds and seals.
"Blakeney Point is magical. Not only for wildlife, but for lifting your spirits. This book truly captures that magic."
– Richard Porter, Ornithologist and former head of species conservation for the RSPB
"A lively account of life through the seasons on one of Britain's best nature reserves, by a young man with a real passion for the natural world."
– Stephen Moss, BAFTA-winning television producer and one of the UK's leading nature writers
"I have spent many weeks staying in this magical part of the world and Ajay is able to show us all exactly what makes it just so special – a unique insight"
– Richard Taylor-Jones, Wildlife TV presenter, film maker, cameraman and photographer