Abington Naturewatch

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS BLOG

The Abington NatureWatch Blog was started around 20 years ago in 2007, and over that period has accumulated over 1700 posts. All the photos and observations have been submitted by Abington NatureWatch members over that period, and provide an interesting record of the plants, animals, birds, bugs and environment of Little Abington and Great Abington in Cambridgeshire.

However, there is a downside. The amount of time needed to curate, prepare and post the photos and commentary is not inconsiderable, and whilst the ANW Team feel the Blog is of value, their time and effort is only really worth it if people out there are regularly viewing and enjoying what they see.

So, please, if you are a regular viewer of the Abington NatureWatch Blog, and enjoy what you find here, please add a short word or two of encouragement to the 'Comments' section at the bottom of those posts you enjoyed.

If you wish to remain anonymous, that's fine - it would just be good to know you're out there and liking what you see. Thank you!

Best wishes, and we hope you're enjoying the show!!

The ANW Team

Interesting Fungi

22nd October 2026 - with autumn well underway, Gill S found these rather wonderful fungi had suddenly appeared in her garden. Whilst hard to identify exactly, they may a species of Tuft fungus (Hypholoma), possibly Conifer Tuft or the highly toxic Sulphur Tuft.

Song Thrush

16th October 2026 - John T saw this Song Thrush in his garden and managed to get a photo through the window.

Evidence of Otter?

11th October 2026 - whilst walking along the river in Granta Park, early one morning, Andy M came across the dismembered remains of a large Signal Crayfish. The remains were obviously very fresh, with the head, claws and a few scattered legs on the bank close to the river edge, but what must have been a fairly chunky body was missing. It seems unlikely that this creature found its way onto the bank by itself, and the size of it - probably 15-20cm when whole - would be too large for a bird like a Grey Heron, so this may well suggest it was caught by an Otter, and brought onto the bank to be eaten?

A few birds around Granta Park

11th October 2026 - during his walk around Granta Park, Andy M spotted some rather nice birds and got a few photos; Long-tailed Tit in Lagden's Grove, a Grey Heron in the old now fallen Oak on Bancroft Meadow, a Red Kite patrolling overhead, and a very dapper Grey Wagtail feeding in the shallow 'puddles' in the lakes around Illumina. He also spotted (but failed to photograph) a Woodcock as it flushed from some thick grass along the boundary.

Long-tailed Tit

Grey Heron

Red Kite

Grey Wagtail

Common Fleabane - a good indicator

5th October 2026 - Andy M spotted a few Common Fleabane in flower in the field adjacent to the river, perhaps a little later in the year than usual, but this summer has been unusual. This species grows in damp, alkaline meadows and is considered a universal indicator of good, high-value ancient hay meadows!

Sun filtering through the woods

5th October 2026 - the woods in Lagden's Grove looking lovely in the (still quite warm) autumn sun when Andy M was walking through.

The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)