Abington Naturewatch: June 2015

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Abington Shoal - flora & fauna

Derek took some pictures on 12th June at the new shoal near the Millennium Bridge at around 13:00.

The weed is growing well in the faster current and, if you look carefully, you can see a shoal of small fish. Derek thinks that there were more than a hundred small fish, and that theys are Minnows. (By reference to an ancient Observers Book of Freshwater Fishes!)

The behaviour and the appearance including white tubercles and the very occasional flash of red as well as their liking for gravel beds at this time of year all seem to lead to that identification. We have in the past caught minnows here during sampling sessions and have also seen shoals elsewhere. We have also seen sticklebacks, trout and other fish.

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)