Royston Wildlife Group

Don Shewan

Telephone: 01763 244079
Website: http://roystonwildlife.blogspot.com/

On the face of it, Royston would seem unlikely to have a diverse and interesting natural history. For a start it is not situated either by or near a river or lake. Secondly, the land surrounding Royston is intensively farmed. Nevertheless, there is plenty of interest here for the naturalist.

The jewel in Royston's crown is Therfield Heath, an extensive area of chalk grassland to the south and west of the town centre. The Heath contains a number of rare plant species, being best known for the Pasque Flower (which attracts botanists from all over the country when it flowers in April), as well as diverse animal life.

I first moved to Royston 31 years ago, but used it essentially as a dormitory town until I took early retirement in 2006. However, in the last ten years I have got to know a great deal more about the natural history of the area. My two main interests are birdwatching and photography. The area to the south and west of the town (including The Heath) has become my "local patch":