In 1970 after taking two months off on the Churchill Fellowship in which he studied bird migration through North Africa, he launched his own magazine called The World of Birds, he then finished up working for Anglia Television's Survivalseries, and edited the company's house magazine The World of Survival

John then devoted himself to full-time writing about birds and natural history, also forming a successful nature tour company. He died in May 2010.

1967 Where to Watch Birds

1970 Where to watch birds in Britain and Europe

1970 Birds of the world

1973 The How and Why Wonder Book of Birds

1974 The Bird Watcher’s Book

1975 Birds. An Illustrated Survey of the Bird Families of The World

1975 The Great Book Of Birds

1975 How to Watch Birds

1975 Wildlife Paradises. A Worldwide Guide

1975 The Second Bird-watcher’s Book

1976 The Third Bird-watcher’s Book

1977 Where to Watch Birds (p/b)

1977 The Great Book of Birds

1978 Birds of Mountain and Moorland

1978 Birds of Ocean and Estuary

1979 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds

1979 Birds of Heath and Woodland

1979 Birds of Hedgerow and Garden

1979 Birds of Marsh and Shore

1979 A Day in the Country

1980 Bird Seeker's Guide

1981 The Encyclopedia of Birds (91 parts)

1981 Finding Birds Around the World

1982 Collins British Birds

1983 Birds That Came Back

1984 Birds of Canada

1986 Ducks of North America and the Northern Hemisphere

1986 Ducks of Canada and the Northern Hemisphere

1986 Ducks of Britain & the Northern Hemisphere

1986 The New Where to Watch Birds

1987 Birds of North America

1988 Where to watch birds in Britain and Europe

1989 The Outdoor Guide to Britain

1989 Complete Birdwatcher’s Guide

1990 The Practical Ornithologist

1992 The Birdwatchers Site Guide to Britain & Ireland

1993 The Survival World of Birds

1998 Collins Guide to Birds

1998 Birds of Britain & Europe

2000 Birds of the British Isles & Europe

2001 Birds of Britain & Europe