Kevin introduces you to the wildlife of the Cambridgeshire countryside
My name is Kevin Royles. I have been asked to contribute articles on the Cambridgeshire countryside and in particular the wildlife in and around Old Weston.I am not a professional scientist, but am a keen amateur. Initially my interests were birds and British butterflies. This expanded to include moths and to an interest in their food plants.
The interest in birds lead to my participation in several national bird surveys run by the British Trust for Ornithology including their current ones for the Summer Breeding Bird Atlas and the Winter Bird Atlas.
I have been a qualified bird ringer for 20 years, which allows me the privilege of catching and handling wild birds.
Since moving to Old Weston in 1983 I have been recording an ever expanding range of wild life. Starting with the birds and plants then on to fungi, butterflies, moths, galls, spiders, beetles and also several other groups.
The recording is on-going, as new species are regularly recorded in all the groups I have so far studied. In excess of 100 species of birds have been recorded in 25 years but new species still turn up, as did a Cattle Egret in March 2008. As for the other groups studied locally: Butterflies 24 species, Moths 800+, Fungi 200+, Plants 200+ and Beetles 150+. Confirmation and or identification of many of these species are validated by the relevant County Recorders.
The forthcoming natural history articles will cover a range of topics and will feature some of the most interesting wild life records of the previous month.
Red Admiral Butterflies in October
Black birds and green moths in November
Animal tracks quiz for January
Catkins tell us spring is on its way in February
Coltsfoot and sweet violets - March is here
Cowslip and Bluebell make an appearance in April
The invasion of the Painted Lady Butterfly occurred in May
British Moths in abundance in June
Wasp nest and autumnal moths in September
