by Ian Misselbrook

Ian Misselbrook describes himself as a keen naturalist, passionate conservationist and enthusiastic photographer of wildlife.

He started Country Eye in 2004 on the Rippingale Village website to inspire people to become more interested in the countryside in general and especially the wildlife that can be found there

Soon after the first edition it became clear that Country Eye did not just command a readership as an adjunct to the Rippingale Village website (the village in Lincolnshire where Ian resides) but, it was being picked up by readers in the USA, Bulgaria, The Netherlands and many other countries!

Bearing this in mind the scope of Country Eye has been widened to include other parts of Britain, as well as expeditions abroad, whilst retaining its home base in south-west Lincolnshire.

Ian has witnessed many changes since he started writing for Country Eye; some good and others worrying. The good things include the recovery of some butterflies in the Lincolnshire woods and countryside including spectacular species such as Silver Washed and Dark Green Fritillaries, Purple Emperors and White Admirals. Some birds have also dramatically increased including Red Kites, Common Buzzards and Little Egrets whereas other species including Turtle Doves, Spotted Flycatchers, Willow Tits and Nightingales have dramatically declined. The decline of the Nightingale can probably be at least in part, attributed to the explosion in the population of Fallow Deer which have grazed and browsed the understory in which Nightingales and other birds nest, leaving open ground underneath the trees.

Other unwelcome species that have increased are ticks and with them the risk of Lyme Disease . Hence the new section in Country Eye.

Finally the author Ian Misselbrook looks forward to producing many more issues of Country Eye and welcomes contributions from his readers.