Abington Naturewatch: Old Railway Cutting walk

Sunday 22 March 2020

Old Railway Cutting walk

Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting early this morning, and heard a good number of birds singing: Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Skylark, Chiffchaff and, for the first time this season, Blackcap.

Between the footpath and the Hildersham parish boundary, there appeared to be three singing male Chiffchaff and two male Blackcap, each staking out a territory and hoping to attract a mate.

Several Skylark were seen and heard singing whilst hovering high above the fields, and down below a Magpie was spotted collecting nesting materials.

The Blackthorn was starting to flower well, and old Thistle heads seemed to shine in the early morning light.

Chiffchaff singing

Chiffchaff feeding on a fly

A Chiffchaff in the flowering Blackthorn - a very early spring combination!

Chaffchaff

A Magpie with some twiggy nest materials

Male Blackcap

A Skylark athletically sings continuously whilst hovering above the field

Blackthorn

Blackthorn

Last year's Thistle heads shining in the sun

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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)