Sunday 25 July 2021

Flowers, Butterflies and Hares on Granta Park

In the early morning sunshine, well before most people were at work, Andy M took a walk around Granta Park.  The wild flower meadows were full of the vibrant yellow, and slightly fragrant of Lady's Bedstraw, which in turn were full or other wildlife, like butterflies and Canada Geese ... and a family of young Hare - haring about in the flowers!

Wildflower meadow

and the profusion of Lady's Bedstraw ...

... makes a good hiding place for a family of Canada Goose

Lady's Bedstraw and Scabious

Pyramidal Orchard

Ringlet

Large Skipper feeding on Spear Thistle

Gatekeeper - newly arrived this season

Gatekeeper - note the two white dots in the 'eye',
as well as a series of white dots on the lower underwing

Gatekeeper - upperside, still with the two white dots in the 'eye'
and appearing rather more orange than other similar butterflies

Meadow Brown on Knapweed.
Note the one white dot in the 'eye' and no dots on the lower underwing.

Underside of a Small Tortoiseshell
Upperside of Small Tortoiseshell

An adult Hare - dashing across the path ...

... before stopping ...

... for a quick early morning wash!

One of three young Hare, dashing around the meadow

Young Hare playing 'tag' ... 

... and hiding in the flowers!

Leafy glade by the river

Barnacle Goose by the lake

Bullrush heads starting to appear

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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)