Saturday 25 August 2018

Young warblers and Sparrowhawk at South Road

Anne Dunbar-Nobes has spotted a number of young warblers in her garden recently (21st August).  The first was a young Willow Warbler – very greenish below, with clear eye-stripe and eyebrow.  The others were a small group of young Chiffchaff, seen siting the water fountain. Whilst the plumage of young birds can sometimes appear a little less distinctive and more 'fluffy' than the adult, the dark legs and feet are characteristic of Chiffchaff, and the plumage of the young has a slightly more greenish-yellow tinge compared to the adult. 

 Anne also reports watching a Sparrowhawk with its prey - an unfortunate Collared Dove - on the lawn a week or so earlier (12th August). The female Sparrowhawk spent at least 20 minutes plucking the dove and eating some of the flesh before it was able to take off and carry the carcass away.


 Young Chffchaff


Female Sparrowhawk feeding on a collared dove

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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)