The Value of Archives: The David Saunders Collection. 

The David Saunders collection provides a wealth of information on: the process of conservation for endangered species, Pembrokeshire’s ecological history and the creation of scientific research. This is showcased by excellent examples of the reports, schedules and counts of a variety of bird species, including the Gannet, Manx Shearwater and Puffin. 

Moreover, the series' of photographs and slides collated represent the lived experience of what conservation work is, whilst also acting as evidence of what Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm have looked like for decades. In the face of a Climate Crisis, the value of this evidence cannot be overstated.  

However, these are the words coming from custodians who have poured over the David Saunders collection for months, please take a look for yourself and enjoy it as much as we have. You can see David Saunders in this slide below, he is the figure standing on the right. 

David Saunders : Who Was He?

David Saunders was a wildlife photographer and naturalist who spent much of his life along the coast of West Wales, watching and recording the seabirds he cared so deeply about. His work grew from patience, curiosity, and a genuine connection to the natural world. 

He was involved in Operation Seafarer, the first national seabird census in Britain and Ireland, helping to build a clearer understanding of seabird populations. From 1976 to 1994, he served as Director of the West Wales Naturalists’ Trust, where he supported conservation work and encouraged others to take an interest in local wildlife. 

David also shared his knowledge through writing and talks, bringing people closer to the lives of seabirds and the landscapes they depend on. His contributions were recognised with an MBE in 2003 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Welsh Ornithological Society in 2014. 

The David Saunders Collection reflects a lifetime of careful observation and quiet dedication. It offers not just a record of seabirds and coastal life, but a glimpse into the work of someone who spent years paying close attention to the natural world and helping others to do the same. 

Saunders and His Passions

During his time as warden of Skomer Island, and in later roles relating to conservation of wildlife, Saunders collected data and helped further research interests in ornithology and broader ecological studies. 

The material of the David Saunders collection was gathered from two sources: Pembrokeshire Archives and People’s Collection Wales. This posed some challenges as much of the material was not organised or catalogued, and had to be synthesised before it could be arranged and catalogued. As the materials were gathered from two different sources, they must also be catalogued to two different standards, which posed a challenge in creating appropriate supporting information. Although there were challenges in coordinating and combining the material, the wide range of material has created a collection more representative of David Saunders’ work, and established a most interesting and useful knowledge base that spans a significant time period and a range of topics and themes.  

Saunders had a particular interest in the Orielton Duck Decoy Project, below you can see an example of a ring used to identify a certain bird. Do have a look in the wider Orielton Duck Decoy Collection to see accompanying materials. 

The Pembrokeshire Islands

See here the exact location of Skomer Island, move the map around and find Grassholm and Skokholm too!

The islands of Skokholm, Skomer and Grassholm boast a wide and diverse array of wildlife and vegetation that make them of particular interest to Ornithologists and those interested in studying nature. Skomer island is noted for the unique Skomer Vole, and the seas around the islands are frequented by various mammals including Seals, Dolphins and Porpoises. Some amphibians and butterflies are also found in large numbers on the island, as well as interesting flora including lichens and wildflowers. 

The most prominent point of interest surrounding the three islands are the bird populations, which have long been tracked to collect information on breeding, migration and numbers. Grassholm is most notable for its Gannet population, with approximately 39,000 pairs using the island. Other birds that populate the islands have been recorded in annual censuses, some of the most prominent species include Puffins, Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots and Razorbills. This list is by no means exhaustive, and the seabird colonies on the islands have historical and future significance in demonstrating the patterns and behaviours of birds. 

We have included a sample of the most eye-catching examples of wildlife photography collated by David Saunders below. 

These islands are valuable as a study of unique and varied flora and fauna, and the historic data gathered, as well as ongoing data gathering projects, will provide key insights into future trends in bird and wildlife populations, as well as predicting the impacts of external problems such as climate change. The island’s status as a nature reserve and its association with the RSPB further protect its valuable populations and help to provide the conservation efforts needed to maintain and develop further research. 

See below an interested party of visitors to Grassholm, inspecting the Gannet Colony on Grassholm.

Transforming the Collection

Ensuring that future users can access this collection effectively meant that we were looking to arrange the material in intuitive, but specific, categories. Firstly, we created box-lists of what the material in each box holds, this overview allowed us to extract repeated themes, locations, people and events all connected to David Saunders. As part of this process, we noted down specific conservation concerns and the dimensions of the material; this meant that we could estimate the repackaging material we would need and highlight pressing conservation requirements.  

The rehousing of material is essential for the long-term preservation of the items, using acid-free folders, brass paperclips and removing plastic wallets became as second nature to our process as the cataloguing itself. Steel staples can corrode; regular paper can yellow and become brittle; and plastic wallets can encourage a humid micro-environment for the material. By repackaging, we are assuring that future users can access this collection as if it has just come from Saunders’ desk. 

See here an example of what the physical arrangement process looked like!

Supporting Early-Career Archivists 

As early-career archivists, we were honoured to work on this project, which provided a valuable opportunity to develop both our existing skills and our confidence as new professionals in the archiving and recordkeeping industry. Working alongside like-minded peers made the experience especially rewarding and allowed us to put our knowledge into practice. 

Throughout the project, we learned by doing. We strengthened our digitisation skills and gained experience in teamwork, leadership, and delegation. Collaborating with different organisations also showed us how archival practices can vary, and how important it is to adapt while maintaining professional standards. 

We faced real challenges, particularly around digitisation, which encouraged us to think critically, problem-solve, and make informed decisions. These moments helped us better understand the responsibilities involved in caring for archival materials. 

The project also gave us the opportunity to connect with others in the field and gain insight into professional practice. From packaging and preservation to cataloguing and digitisation, we developed a wide range of hands-on skills. 

Overall, this experience has been an important step in our journey, helping us grow in confidence and feel better prepared for future roles in the archival profession. 

As a special treat, I have provided below a few examples of some of the intriguing visitor guides from Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm I enjoyed looking at so much whilst working on the collection. We hope you have as much fun perusing this collection as we have had working on it!