What is your name: David Lindo (aka The Urban Birder)

Where are you based? London, England

What is it that you do in the film industry? How would you describe your job/s?

I'm a broadcaster and guerilla wildlife filmmaker producing pieces predominately on urban wildlife.

Who or what inspired you to work in film and why cover nature and conservation issues?

I had an innate interest in wildlife that quickly developed to an obsession by the time I was eight. I had no mentors until I was a teenager. Being based in a city I realised that many city dwellers are disconnected to wildlife. I made it my mission to take them on an expedition into the middle of somewhere.

What is the favourite programme or series you've worked on?

I have enjoyed most of the TV programmes that I have been involved with. To date, my experiences on BBC1's The One Show & Countryfile have been brilliant. The films that I have made independently or in conjunction with Birdguides have been great because they were often unplanned. We just ran out with a camera and started filming what we saw.

What has been your biggest challenge filming in the field?

Aside from getting the wildlife shots that might be needed, filming within cities throws up its own challenges, especially when you are in decidedly dodgy neighbourhoods!

How has technology changed your job? Has it hindered or enhanced telling the conservation story?

Technology has greatly enhanced the opportunities for anybody to tell a conservation story. You can now shot a movie on your mobile phone. What an incredible advancement!

What is your favourite place in nature?

I have no one favourite place in nature as moments of pure delight can happen as you walk out your front door in a city or in the middle of nowhere. When I'm in London, I frequently visit Wormwood Scrubs, an urban park in the middle of west London that is my local patch.

With all your field experience, what is your biggest concern when it comes to the environment?

My biggest fear when it comes to the environment is the wanton destruction of habitat that goes on from within the middle of urban centres to the depths of our jungles. My feeling is that the disconnected people that live in urban centres all over the world need to understand the importance of conservation. If they can learn to preserve the flowerpot on their window ledge, then they can conserve the world. It's as simple as that in my view.

How do you think the media industry should be addressing environment and conservation issues?

The media industry is getting better at addressing issues but they still have a tendency to trivialise things. I often get asked to comment on issues for current affairs programmes and I have to be strong to keep my message pure whilst fitting into the ‘and finally' format that I have been slotted into.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I am finishing my first book. I hope to be shooting a birding film with Birdguides in April.

Where are you going next?

I travel the world visiting cities to write about the wildlife. Maybe I might be in yours next!

What would you like to remembered for?

Bad jokes, dodgy handshakes and for having a love affair with wildlife.

Links: http://www.theurbanbirder.com/