Abington Naturewatch: August 2011

Friday, 19 August 2011

Chalkhill Blue on the Roman Road

Jennifer writes:

At last! I saw a Chalkhill blue on the Roman Road this morning (not actually in Abington but not far away). My patience was rewarded this morning when, after the cold night last night (Thursday 18th August), I went up to the Roman Road and walked towards Wandlebury from Worsted Lodge. It was about 11 a.m. and the sun was warming everything up nicely. In fact there were quite a few butterflies about.

Between the two Ash trees, about 50 yards before the second, I finally saw a male Chalkhill Blue. I watched it for about 10 mins and got a couple of photos. A little further on I saw another, this time female, and they flitted around together for a while. I walked further on with Orla and saw the male, presumably the same one, on my way back.

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)