November 2022 - Interesting sightings in the Abingtons

November 2022

Birds

A total of 50 species were reported in 274 records this month. Relatively few reports of winter thrush, perhaps due to the relatively mild weather so far. However, both a Woodcock and a Snipe were seen, as well as a Raven, all species that disperse more widely onto farmland during the winter months to feed.

A Woodcock was flushed from some scrubby woodland on Granta Park, and a Common Snipe was seen feeding around the edge of the lake (22nd).

A Raven was spotted flying over fields near the southernmost parish boundary (20th), and just one report each of Fieldfare and Redwing, both seen feeding around the village centre.

Mixed flocks of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch and Greenfinch were regularly seen around garden feeders, as well as smaller numbers of Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch. Blackbird were seen more regularly, as were Dunnock, Robin and Wren, and there were two reports of a Blackcap earlier in the month, feeding amongst tit flocks.

Along the river, 1-2 Kingfisher were seen on two occasions, and a Grey Heron and a Little Egret were also both spotted (13th). On Granta Park, 1 or 2 pairs of Mandarin Duck were seen in fine breeding plumage, both on the lake and the cricket field, as well as a pair of Mute Swan and 5-6 Barnacle Goose. Both Mallard and Moorhen were also seen.

After a few months of absence, 1-2 Kestrel were reported around Bourn Bridge Road and near Church Lane. A Sparrowhawk was spotted both in a Cambridge Rd garden and on the LSA, and a single Buzzard and Red Kite were reported at a number of locations  A Tawny Owl was heard calling in the early evening for a few days at the end of the month.

Mixed flocks of 50-60 Black-headed Gull and Herring Gull were seen on the Perse sports fields, as well as on the LSA with around 30 Great Black-backed Gull. Flocks of Pied Wagtail were also reported, mostly on the LSA and Perse sports fields.

Both Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at several locations around the village, as were groups of Magpie and a Jay. There were also reports of Yellowhammer, Linnet and Skylark, as well as Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge, on the LSA.

 

Butterflies and other insects

Unsurprisingly, due to the advancing autumnal weather, there were very few reports of butterflies or insects this month. Only two butterfly reports, both of Red Admiral, on 9th and 11th.

 

Mammals

Badger – a latrine was spotted near the parish boundary on 20th.

Bat – one flying over a Cambridge Rd garden on 11th. Probably a Pipistrelle.

Fallow Deer – 11 seen near Hildersham Wood on 20th, one stag, with hinds and younger ones.

Fox – one seen in a field west of Chalky Rd on 20th.

Hare – one spotted near Pampisford Rd on 4th, three were seen in a field bordering Chalky Rd on 7th, and two were spotted near Hildersham Wood on 20th.

Muntjac – one in a field west of Chalky Rd on 20th.

Roe Deer – three seen along a field boundary west of Chalky Road on 20th.

 

Flora and Fungi

No flora reported this month. A few fungi were spotted around the village (blog link), as well as many species of small fungi pointed out on a fascinating lunchtime Woodland Walk through Granta Park, entertainingly led by Iain Webb from the Wildlife Trust (blog link).

 

Weather

Another good month for replenishing water sources, with a total of 108.25 mm of rain. The weather has remained mild with no frosts, the lowest temperature being 0.6 degrees C on 21st, and the highest 17.2 degrees C on 11th, with average temperatures being around 12 degrees C. The wind direction was from the south to southwest for the whole of the month with only a couple of short breezy spells.

 

NatureWatch Winter Meeting

A date for your 2023 diary. On January 20th, 7.30pm at the Institute we will have our NatureWatch Winter Meeting. Iain Webb from the local Wildlife Trust, who is well known to NatureWatch, will talk about the Wildlife he has seen during his 27 years of volunteering and working for the Wildlife Trust.

No sightings or reports this month of Amphibians and Reptiles, or for RiverCare.

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

Mark Austin, Caroline Baribeau, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Emma Jones, Len Mead, Andy Merryweather, Polly Merryweather, Joan Nevin, Nancy Ockendon, Gareth Rees, Gill Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek (and Rachel) Turnidge.