Roger Geoffrey Clarke was born on 8 July 1952 in Bedford, England.[1] He was educated at Bedford Modern School and later qualified as a Chartered Accountant which he practiced for the rest of his life while still pursuing his main interest as an ornithologist.[1][2][3]
Clarke was said to have been 'vaguely interested in birds from his youth' but he was keener on playing lead guitar in a rock band until hearing damage ended his musical career.[1] It was in fact a love of angling that steered him towards ornithology.[1] In 1981 he moved to Reach to fish pike and bream and would watch hen harriers hunting over the landscape.[1]