Abington Naturewatch: September 2017

Sunday, 3 September 2017

Bumblebees - up close and personal!

Andy M had some fun trying to get close-up pictures of Bumblebee workers in the garden - not sure whether these are Buff-tailed or White-tailed. I particularly like the pollen all over the head, and the casual 'side kick' one bee resorted to when another bee approached the same flower.

Friday, 1 September 2017

Dragonfly in Cambridge Road garden

Derek took this photo of a dragonfly on 31 August.

Darren Bast (at Granta Park) identified it as a female Common darter, explaining:

Key diagnostic to this species is a pale coloured leg stripe which you can see in the photo.
The red T shaped mark at section S2 is clearly visible, as are dark pterastigma or wing spots.
The only 2 darters seen in this area really are ruddy and common darters. Ruddy darters have jet black legs with no leg stripe.

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)