Friday 8 July 2022

Flying Ant 'event' right across the village

7th July 2022 - at 18:05 precisely!!

Andy and Polly M were out in the garden (in Lewis Crescent) at around 6pm yesterday, enjoying a warm and windless evening.  Then at 18:05 precisely, we noticed a column of Flying Ants rising into the air from a nest in the back garden. Then suddenly, as if some unheard order had been given, there were flying ants everywhere, pouring out of a dozen or more different nests spread across both our front and back gardens. All starting to fly at exactly the same time, and within 15-20 minutes it was all over! Not an ant to be seen!  How so many nests were so precisely synchronized I have no idea - amazing!

Interestingly, afterwards I learned from David F that he too had noticed flying ants appearing at 6pm along Bourn Bridge Road - at precisely the same time - more than a mile away!

Soon afterwards we spotted two Kestrel circling high overhead and five Swift, I assume cashing in on the feast, as well as a Great Spotted Woodpecker picking up stragglers from the lawn. We've also had a Green Woodpecker around in the garden over the past few days too, so it seems they'd spotted something was about to happen.






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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)