Ornithologist Seán Ronayne always knew he was different. While he struggled to fit in at school, when he was surrounded by nature, listening to birdsong, he felt a sense of calm and could truly be himself. His happiest times were spent walking in the woods with his father and grandfather, learning to identify the plants and birds around their home in Cork. Other children called him ‘Nature Boy’.
Seán went on to qualify as an ornithologist, dedicating his life to studying and photographing birds. When, at the age of thirty-two, he discovered he was autistic, his life began to make sense. He grew to recognize that his difference was a gift, enabling him to use his passion to help spread awareness of the beauty of the natural world – and the danger it currently faces.
In 2021, Seán set out on his mission to be the first to sound record all the regularly occurring bird species in Ireland: a journey of discovery and wonder that has taken him to the four corners of the country.
Nature Boy is a celebration of birds, connection and being true to yourself – and of the extraordinary, healing power of nature.
