Friday 3 February 2023

'Common' Bloody-nosed Beetle

02 February 2023 - Whilst working with the Cambridge Wildlife Trust conservation group on the Old Railway Cutting, Iain Webb spotted this quite unusual beetle, a Common Bloody-nosed Beetle.

This marvellous beetle is black with a blue-violet sheen, being domed in shape and about 2cm long, and having interestingly shaped 'feet'. Being flight-less, it can be found crawling around in grassland habitats, and under hedgerows. Regarding it's intriguing name, when disturbed it can exude a drop of distasteful red-coloured 'blood' from its mouth, thought to warn off potential predators.

It's also not so very 'Common' either, Iain checked his records and last saw this species along the old railway cutting in April 2013!  Being only occasionally reported in Cambridgeshire, mainly from along the three 'linear' chalk sites locally (i.e. the Old Railway Cutting, Fleam Dyke and the Roman Road), the population along the railway cutting is really quite important in the county!

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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)