Abington Naturewatch: January 2019

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Spring Flowers in Granta Park

David Farrant took these photos of Aconites and Snowdrops in Granta Park on Saturday 26 January.

Polecat on Granta Park - sadly a dead one

Early in the year (3rd January), on his way into work Andy M spotted this unfortunate Polecat on the side of the road in Granta Park, between the lake and Sluice Wood. Darren Bast had captured images, which he believed to be a Polecat, on his camera-trap on Granta Park last year. Whilst rather sad that this one was hit by a vehicle, it is never-the-less clear that there are Polecat around locally.

One hundred years ago, Polecat had been pushed to near extinction in the UK, remaining only in parts of Wales. However, since then, they have been slowly spreading, expanding their range again, and now occur across much of southern Britain, reaching East Anglia more recently.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35386042

Monday, 28 January 2019

January sun

A few photos from lunchtime walks around Granta Park in the January sun - Andy M

Snowdrops in profusion

The last of the Catkins catching the light

Aconites - mostly still tightly shut, but a few got just enough sun to open

Mallard on the frozen lake

Little Abington church in lovely low sunlight

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)