Robert Gillmor, ornithologist and wildlife illustrator who drew the original RSPB avocet logo – obituary

His work over the years included sketches, paintings, linocuts, book covers, posters, cards and mugs – even soft furnishings – all showing the beauty of the natural world. Always immaculately executed, it was usually bold in design, with clear lines and subtle yet vibrant colours.

The sheer volume of Gillmor’s output meant that most people would recognise his style, even if few knew his name.

Robert Gillmor was born at Mortimer, on the outskirts of Reading, on July 6 1936, and went to Leighton Park School, a Quaker school. A keen naturalist as a boy, he learnt about drawing and printmaking by watching his maternal grandfather, the wildlife artist Allen William Seaby. 

Gillmor’s own first published illustrations, ink drawings of the Manx shearwater, appeared in British Birds in 1952 while he was still at school.