Abington Naturewatch: June 2021

Sunday, 27 June 2021

Elephant Hawkmoth

Polly M found this large and rather striking Elephant Hawkmoth in her greenhouse today. Having carefully moved it to a safer spot in the garden, Andy M took these photos.

Meadow Brown butterflies - along the Old Railway Cutting

This week there were a number of reports of Meadow Brown butterflies first being seen around the village, including several along the Old Railway Cutting. Also seen there, was a female Large Skipper butterfly, a couple of young Fox playing in the early morning sun, and a number of flowers including Common Poppy and Tufted Vetch. [photos Andy M]

Male Meadow Brown

Female Large Skipper

A young Fox, caught playing in the early morning ...

... then joined by a second one!

Dunnock

Early morning dew catches the light on Oxeye Daisy petals

Cow Parsley

Teasel

Tufted Vetch

Common Poppy

Backlit Common Poppy

ANW RiverCare - June River Sampling Results

Results from ANW RiverCare river sampling at the ford on 1st June 2021

Links: Sampling results. Photos.

Saturday, 19 June 2021

A walk along the Old Railway Cutting

Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting this week, in the lovely early morning light.

Dog Rose

The delicate Dog Rose flowers

Elder flowers

Oxeye Daisy

A young Blue Tit

... getting some breakfast

.. but still ever-hungry

Cow Parsley

Common Poppy

Chiffchaff

Goat's Beard

A young Rabbit exploring the track

White Campion

Dog Rose flowering in profusion

Hemlock - getting tall again now

Meadow Vetchling

Small Heath butterfly

Backlit grasses

Grass flowers with colourful anthers

Red Kite

Oxeye Daisy

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Cam Valley Forum newsletter

Peter B received this interesting Cam Valley Forum newsletter today.

Small Skipper butterfly, and Mullein moth caterpillar

The recent sunny weather has brought out a few new butterfly species, including this Small Skipper butterfly, spotted by Derek T in his garden. Additionally, on his mullein plants he spotted a rather wonderfully-patterned Mullein Moth caterpillar

Small Skipper

Mullein Moth caterpillar

Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly

This week, Derek T found this beautifully-coloured Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly in his garden, and took the fabulous photos.

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)