BSc, MSc, PhD

BSc (Hons) from (the then) The University College of Wales Aberystwyth. After teaching and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (University of London) and an MSc in Peatland Ecology (University of Wales) I returned to Aberystwyth as Demonstrator (Assistant Lecturer) in Ecology in the Department of Botany and Microbiology also studying for my PhD into the ecology of Welsh peatlands. I left Aberystwyth and crossed the Cambrian Mountains to Newbridge-on-Wye to become Director of the newly opened Llysdinam Field Centre, then belonging to UWIST, but later, became part of the Cardiff School of Biosciences and remained there until retirement and I am now an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Cardiff University.

A Blackcountryman by birth, I have lived and worked in Wales for over 50 years. I have research interests in birds, bats, botany (particularly peatlands), otters, amphibians and freshwater crayfish. I have published several books and many scientific papers and at one time was a regular broadcaster on radio and television.

Courses delivered by Fred include: 

Peat and Peatlands of Wales (XS10510) 

Understanding Amphibians (XS11410)