Tributes paid to co-founder of the Pollinator Project

The group’s chairman Gordon Steele said they were saddened to hear the news.

‘Barry was a true rebel,’ he said.

‘Never one for strategies and plans he just got on and got things done. He was a pollinator expert and shared that with everyone he met.’

Mr Steele said that Mr Wells was an exceptional wildlife photographer and he put it to good use when he presented in primary and junior schools as Barry the Bugman.

‘I came out into St Martin’s School playground with him one year after one of his presentations and everywhere we looked were children, buzzing and flying and laughing with excitement,’ he said.

‘That is Barry’s legacy.’

La Societe president Trevor Bourgaize said he had known Mr Wells for more than 40 years.

‘We started out in the bird section. I was secretary at the time that he joined. He was a very good birder and he was always willing to help people and give his time.’

Mr Wells went on to have an interest in insects, which Mr Bourgaize said birders often did, particularly dragonflies, crickets and moths.

‘It was not just his identification, it was his photography as well. It was amazing.’

Mr Wells later served two terms as La Societe vice-president.

‘He was a lovely chap. Always willing to help. He had a very dry sense of humour and was good to be around.’

Photographer Chris George worked for Mr Wells when he ran Coast Media.

‘Although he was my boss I would describe him as a mate,’ he said. ‘He had great faith in me and he encouraged me to do a couple of books, which I would never had done if not for him.’

He also paid tribute to Mr Wells’ photography, which was featured in an exhibition at the Guernsey Museum in January this year.

‘He was a very talented photographer and did some amazing stuff.’

• Mr Wells’ photography website is barrywells.co.uk, which features birds, insects, spiders and more.