Abington Naturewatch: May 2017

Saturday, 27 May 2017

Abington Naturewatch Programme 2017

The first version of the programme is available here.

Please note that it's the Abington bird watch this weekend!

Derek invites you to make a note of all the bird species you see or hear anywhere within Great and Little Abington over the 3 days from Saturday 27 May to Monday 29 May (Bank Holiday) inclusive.

Please note the maximum number of each species noted at any one time. This survey should include birds seen flying overhead within our boundaries as well as birds only heard - Cuckoo?

All results should be sent to Derek Turnidge.

Fungi in Church Lane

Peter found a mass of small fungi growing near site of a dead tree:

Thursday, 25 May 2017

Large Red Damselflies on Cambridge Road pond

Derek took these photos of a pair of Large Red Damselflies on his pond on 25th May.

Thursday, 11 May 2017

Birds near the Recreation Ground

Derek took this picture of a Grey Wagtail picture this afternoon (11 May) from the Rec. There was also a Little Egret in summer plumage near the Millennium Bridge.

Monday, 8 May 2017

Come in and sit down, ducky!

Derek and Sally welcomed a pair of unexpected visitors to their small garden pond on the morning of 4th May.

Sunday, 7 May 2017

Birds along the Old Railway Cutting

There were birds abound along the Old Railway Cutting today, including Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Yellowhammer and Red-legged Partridge - all singing loudly! - as well as a number of Swallow and a somewhat secretive pair of Bullfinch. Andy M took photos of a few of some of them.

Red-legged Partridge

Yellowhammer

Chiffchaff on cow parsley

Common Whitethroat

Skylark ascending!

Swallow

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)