August 2022 - Interesting sightings from around the Abingtons

August 2022

Amphibians and Reptiles

Not surprisingly, very few sightings this month due to the very dry spell.

Common Toad seems to have managed the best with two reports from both GA and LA gardens, with one being spotted twice in the toe of a walking boot, as well as walking across the lawn.

Grass Snake – one about 3ft. long was seen on the LSA.

Birds

A total of 47 species were seen or heard this month in a total of 283 records, which is quite impressive given that August is generally perceived as a ‘quieter month’ for birds. As summer draws towards a close, the Swift are now largely gone, and unusually large gatherings of both Swallow and House Martin have been reported, suggesting a good breeding year for these species.

A Kingfisher was reported fishing along the river near the recreation ground (16th), and unusually a Tawny Owl was spotted during th day along the ORC (9th).

Little Grebe have successfully bred in the reeds around the GP lake, with both an adult and a well-grown juvenile seen on several occasions (9th-25th). Two Common Sandpiper were spotted feeding around the lake edge as they passed through on passage south (10th), and groups of Barnacle Goose and Canada Goose, as well as a Grey Heron, were seen there on 18th. Moorhen and Mallard were also reported on GP lake.

The last of four Swift nests at one location was still occupied on 3rd, with the birds departing shortly afterwards. House Martin were also still nesting around Mortlock Gardens, with 2-4 adults regularly seen there until 20th, and from mid-month larger gatherings of 10-50 House Martin were reported at several locations. Loose flocks of 10-15 Swallow also continued to be reported on the LSA and GP.

Good numbers of Pied Wagtail continued to be seen in paddocks on the LSA, and 30-50 were seen feeding on the Perse sport fields and GP cricket green. More unusually, two Grey Wagtail were spotted in a Cambridge Rd garden (7th), and a juvenile Yellow Wagtail was reported on GP (9th).

Mixed flocks of Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit were seen later in the month, the numbers now swollen by youngsters, and were occasionally reported to contain 1-2 Coal Tit and a Chiffchaff.  Coal Tit also continued to be seen regularly in a Cambridge Rd garden, as were 1-2 Jay.

Up to four Buzzard were often seen this month (16 reports) circling above several sites and often heard mewing. A Red Kite was spotted four times, a Sparrowhawk seen four times, and a Kestrel spotted once.

A Blackcap was spotted along the ORC (7th), and a Reed Warbler heard in the reeds on GP (9th).  There were also single reports of a Yellowhammer and a Skylark singing along the ORC.

Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch continued to be seen in similar numbers to previous months around feeders, and Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird and Wren were all reported. A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen on feeders on Lewis Cres, and a Green Woodpecker was often seen in a Cambridge Rd garden.

Butterflies and other insects

This month overall, the number of butterflies seen has dropped off somewhat. However, the Brown Argus butterfly and the Emerald Damselfly were both reported for the first time this year, and a total of 26 different species were reported within the 104 records received: butterflies 74, odonata 5, bees 5, others 20.

Butterflies: The Brown Argus was reported for the first time this year (7th and 27th, 2 reports, blog link). Whilst similar in appearance to a female Common Blue, the Brown Argus can be distinguished by having more and better defined orange spots on the topside of the upper wing.

          The number of reports of Small White and Meadow Brown were particularly high this month, with good numbers of Comma, Large White, Holly Blue and Red Admiral also being seen.

Conversely, the frequency of Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Marbled White sightings were all obviously down compared to July. This is a little unexpected for Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell, perhaps suggesting a slow start to their second broods this year. However, for Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Marbled White these declines very much align with the normal timings of their broods, which all peak in late July then drop off sharply during August. The relative frequency of sightings of other species was similar to July.

Numbers of Butterfly reports: Small White 19, Meadow Brown 10, Comma 7, Brimstone 6, Holly Blue 5, Large White 5, Red Admiral 5, Green-veined White 3, Peacock 3, Gatekeeper 3, Brown Argus 2. Others all 1 report each: Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Small Copper, Silver-washed Fritillary.

Odonata: Emerald Damselfly was seen for the first time this year (18th, 1 report), with Southern Hawker and Common Darter continuing to be seen (both 8th-9th, 2 reports each).

Other: Hummingbird Hawkmoth particularly abundant this month (16 reports, throughout the month). Red-tailed and White-tailed Bumblebee (5 reports in total), as well as reports of a Jersey Moth, and caterpillars of Elephant Hawkmoth and Knot Grass moth.

Mammals

Badger - one seen in a garden in Lewis Cres, reportedly chasing a Hedgehog.

Bat – seen regularly in gardens on Cambridge Road and Bourn Bridge Road, probably Pipistrelle and Serotin.

House Mouse – a young one was spotted in a Cambridge Rd garden on 2nd.

Hedgehog – one seen in a Lewis Cres garden being chased by a Badger, and droppings seen regularly in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout the month.

Muntjac – one in a Cambridge Rd garden on 1st, two were spotted in a paddock on the LSA on the 29th, and a dead one was seen on the A1307 on 11th.

Flora

A few wildflower species were reported in bloom this month, mostly from along the ORC:

Wild Marjoram, Wild Basil, Lesser Knapweed, Greater Knapweed, Hawkweed, Ragwort, Hoary Groundsel, Old Man’s Beard, Lucerne, Scabious, Red Bartsia, Common Mugwort.

Weather

The total rainfall for August was 26.5 mm, which sounds encouraging but 23.5 mm fell on one day, on 25th August. Otherwise dry. The hottest day was 38.5 degrees C on the 13th August, but the highest temperature could have been higher as no recordings were taken for the week before. The lowest temperature was 5.9 degrees C on the 6th August, but this was unusual as the average was in double figures. South-westerly winds at the start of the month, swinging to a long spell of north-easterlies.

NatureWatch Trips

One ANW trip this month; an evening walk around Granta Park. This was well attended, but the flora was unfortunately largely over due to the dry weather. See blog link for a full report.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for August 2022:

Mark Austin, Peter Brunning, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Gordon Hannah, Emma Jones, Esme Langford, Andy Merryweather, Polly Merryweather, Pamela Parris, Gareth Rees, Gill Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge, Diana Wingfield.