Person
Williams, David (1934 - 2023)
- Born
- 24 November 1934
Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom - Died
- 10 July 2023
Glenalta, South Australia, Australia - Occupation
- Laboratory manager and Ornithologist
Summary
David Williams started his career as field assistant to agronomist Kelvin Powrie at the Wheat Research Institute (Wagga Wagga, New South Wales) and later the Waite Agricultural Research institute (Adelaide). They focused on field tests to determine the effect on crop growth and health of cobalt deficiency, over-use of superphosphate, and sulphur. Until his retirement in 1999 Williams had been, for 20 years, Laboratory Manager for the Department of Zoology at the University of Adelaide. Williams had been interested in birds from the 1960s. In 1992 he joined the South Australian Ornithological Association, making a significant contribution to its operations. He was vice-President from 2002 to 2008. Having been introduced to bird-banding and the use of mist nets by David Paton, Williams frequently participated in, and led, field trips for this purpose. He concentrated mainly on the Mt Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, and his own backyard. Over this career he banded over 20,000 birds.
Details
Chronology
- 1951
- Life event - Migrated to Australia with his family
- 1955 - 1958
- Career position - Field Assistant, Wheat Research Institute, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
- 1958 - 1979
- Career position - Field Assistant, Waite Agricultural Research institute
- 1979 - 1999
- Career position - Laboratory Manager, Department of Zoology, University of Adelaide
- 1992 - 2020
- Career position - Member, South Australian Ornithological Association
- 1999
- Life event - Retired
- 2002 - 2008
- Career position - Vice-President, South Australian Ornithological Association
Related entries
Colleague
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Paton, David, 'Vale David Williams', The birder, 268 (2023), 18, https://resources.birdssa.au/wp-content/uploads/SUMMER-Birder-2023-for-web.pdf. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 18 August 2026