10th April 2024 - whilst walking along the footpath from Pampisford Rd to the High St, Andy M spotted a good clump of Common Comfrey in fine bloom, as well as a patch of Green Alkanet (which in fact has blue flowers!) and White Dead Nettle.
10th April 2024 - NEWS! The first Swallow was reported today in the Abingtons, flying low over the fields south of Chalky Road, and heading north!
Do keep a look out for our summer arrivals, and let Derek T know when you spot them.
10th April 2024 - the Chiffchaff are generally the earliest warbler to arrive in the UK, the first one being seen in the Abingtons on 10th March this year, and then arriving en masse shortly afterwards such that they can now heard singing from almost every bush it seems! A little later, on 23rd March, the first Blackcap was heard in the village, and these too can now be heard singing from hedgerows all around the village. Both these warblers arrive in the UK from southern Europe, whereas the Willow Warbler travels here from sub-Saharan Africa, thus arriving a little later, with two heard singing today, 10th April. Andy M
10th April 2024 - most butterfly species seen flying early in the year are those that survive the winter as adults by hibernating in a sheltered spot, such as the Red Admiral and Peacock, seen recently along the ORC by Andy M.
7th April 2024 - Andy M noted a few of the flowers in bloom currently around GP. The Dog's Mercury was everywhere in the woods around the Sluice, where a few late Celandines were also in flower. The Wild Arum plants were a good size by now, and many contained the 'flowering' spikes. Lower down, the Ground Ivy and Common Storksbill were very much on show, and on the meadow the Cowslip were really putting on a good show, whilst the large number of Bee Orchid leaf whorls again promises a fine show of flowers later in the year.
March 2024
Amphibians
and Reptiles
Frogspawn - four
sightings this month, in ponds on Lewis Cres (4th), Chalky Rd (6th), Linton Rd
(17th) and South Rd (19th). No sightings of newts or toads.
Birds
A total of 56 species were
reported this month in 496 records from 14 reporters. A flock of Waxwing were
seen on Bourn Bridge Rd, both Lesser Redpoll and Siskin were spotted in gardens,
and Chiffchaff arrived in numbers around mid-month.
Excitingly, a flock of
around 12-15 Bohemian Waxwing was spotted feeding on cotoneaster
berries along Bourn Bridge Rd on 10th (see
blog, and April parish newsletter). Being winter visitors to the UK, this
species has arrived here in good numbers this year.
Also winter visitors
to the UK, small numbers of Lesser Redpoll were seen along the High St
and in Lewis Cres mid-month, and up to 5 Siskin were seen on feeders at
several locations throughout the month (see
blog). A flock of 15 Fieldfare
were seen on the Perse sports fields on 12th, and smaller numbers of Redwing
continued to be reported from several sites.
The first summer
visitors arrived, with Chiffchaff being reported in good numbers, the first
being on Cambridge Rd on 14th, followed by reports of singing birds from multiple
locations over the next week. Blackcap were also heard singing at
several locations from 23rd.
Red-legged Partridge
were seen in several gardens around Bourn Bridge Rd, and two Grey Partridge were
seen in fields along the Roman Rd.
On the still flooded Hood’s
Meadow (10th), around 40 Black-headed Gull, 6 Common Gull and a Lesser-backed
Backed Gull were seen, as well as Mallard and two pairs of Mandarin
Duck. On GP lake, Canada Goose
and Greylag were reported, as well as two Cormorant and a Little
Grebe. A Grey Heron and Moorhen were also seen there.
Buzzard were commonly
spotted, with four reported soaring above Bourn Bridge Rd on 7th, where three Red
Kite were also seen. A Kestrel was seen four times, and a Tawny
Owl was frequently heard around Hall Farm.
Blue Tit, Great
Tit and Coal Tit were all reported on feeders, and both window-tapping
and a courtship display involving the offering of feathers was witnessed
between a pair of Long-tailed Tit (see
blog). Groups of 6-8 Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch
all were reported, and Robin, Wren and Dunnock were all heard singing. A Goldcrest was seen at Hall Farm and
on Cambridge Rd, and both Magpie and Jay were seen in several
gardens.
Song Thrush
could be heard singing most days, and a Mistle Thrush was also heard on
Lewis Cres on 21st. Along the ORC, both Yellowhammer
and Skylark were singing, as were Reed Bunting around the GP lake.
Pied Wagtail were seen at several locations, including 16 feeding on the
Perse sports fields. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming in
South Grove on 20th, and Green Woodpecker were also heard.
Butterflies
and other Insects
A total of 28
butterfly sightings were reported in March, with 17 of those being a Brimstone,
seen throughout the month. A Comma was reported twice, the first of
these on the 14th being the first sighting this year. A Peacock was spotted
three times, and a Small White was reported once, all towards the end of the
month.
There were sightings
of both Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Red-tailed Bumblebee throughout
the month, with a Tree Bumblebee being spotted on Cambridge Rd on 23rd,
and both Tawny Mining Bee and Hairy-footed Flower Bee being seen
on Lewis Cres on 30th.
Dark-edged Beefly
were also seen twice, and Harlequin Ladybird inside a house on Church
Lane.
Mammals
Bat – two in a
Cambridge Rd garden on 31st, possibly Pipistrelles.
Fox – one spotted
in Hood’s Meadow on 10th.
Hedgehog – two
have been captured on a trail camera regularly throughout the month in a Bourn
Bridge Rd garden, and one was seen in a Linton Rd garden on 17th.
Muntjac – two in
Lagden’s Grove on 10th, two on Perse playing fields also on 10th, and one seen
in a Cambridge Rd garden on 31st.
Roe Deer –
seven were seen in a field off the A1307 adjacent to Cambridge Rd on 25th.
Weather
At last, a month of
average rainfall with only 44.5 mm! The lowest temperature was minus 1.8
degrees on the 4th, and the highest being 19.5 degrees on the 30th. Winds were
generally from a southeast or westerly direction.
ANW
Programme
Dates for your diaries - the NatureWatch 2024 Programme of activities
and trips is now on
the blog.
30 March 2024 - a pair of Mallard visited the pond in David F's garden recently.
30th March 2024 - David F spotted this rather splendid Peacock butterfly in his garden recently.
Peacocks are one of the butterfly species that can overwinter as adults in the UK, emerging from their sheltered spots on warmer spring days.
29th March 2024 - Emma J came across this somewhat dozy Buff-tailed Bumblebee on a fallen flower. Being a little chilled, it seemed unable to move, so Emma transferred it to a nearby flowering shrub where it could top up on nectar.
22nd March 2024 - there have been a few Siskin seen on bird feeders around the villages recently. They were first reported along Bourn Bridge Road and Cambridge Road in the second half of February, and more recently in Lewis Crescent.
These small finches are largely winter visitors to southern parts of the UK, often seen in mixed flocks with other finches on bird feeders. In summer they breed in coniferous forests further north in the UK, in northern Europe and in Scandinavia, although some also breed around Thetford Forest.
Males are easily distinguished from other finches by their smaller size, black cap and bib, greeny-yellow breast and rump, and darker wings with yellow barring. Females are less brightly coloured, with a dark-streaked pale breast, but retaining the yellow rump.
10th March 2024 - whilst out on a somewhat dull and damp afternoon walk, Derek T spotted a flock of about a dozen Waxwing high in the trees on the corner between Church Lane and Bourn Bridge Road. As he watched, the flock swooped down into a cotoneaster bush below, and proceeded to rapidly gulp down a few berries each, before returning to the treetop. This happened several times before the birds flew off.
Having been alerted by Derek, Andy M joined him and after about 30 minutes, the flock returned to the same treetop, repeating the 'swoop-gulp-retreat' performance several times until all the berries had been stripped from the bush. A magical sight, despite the murky weather.
7th March 2024 - Andy M spotted what appeared to be the size and shape of a Collared Dove, but with completely dark grey plumage, rather than the more normal pinky brown-grey colour. It seemed to retain the usual dark neck ring of the Collared Dove, as well as the usual red eye and red legs. Additionally, the plumage appeared to be soaked through, although over the time the bird was feeding it did not seem to change or dry out. Otherwise it was behaving and feeding perfectly normally, and could fly without problem.
It's possible this bird is melanistic, which is caused by a genetic mutation that results in an increased amount of dark pigmentation in some, or in this case all, of the feathers. It is unclear why the plumage appears wet through. Andy emailed the BTO to seek their opinion.
4th March 2024 - for the last few days, a Long-tailed Tit could be heard tapping the windows at Andy M's house. Typically, the bird perches on the window ledge before continually tap at its reflection, sometimes getting quite agitated and flying up and down the window tapping as it goes. Eventually tiring of this, it moves away, only to see its reflection in the next window and starts the whole performance again.
Quite common at this time of year, this (usually male) behaviour comes from fact that the male birds are starting to attract a mate and set up a territory. Seeing the reflection as an intruding male, the bird instinctively reacts by trying to scare it away, becoming increasingly frustrated as 'the other male' just doesn't seem to get the message!
On the upside, this may mean this male has established a nesting territory in his garden, and it does give really close views of this rather cute little bird.
February 2024
Amphibians
and Reptiles
Two Smooth Newt
were seen on 10th in a pond on Pampisford Road, and a few days later Common
Toad, Common Frog and newts were spotted in a large pond on Chalky
Road. Common Toad were also seen crossing the road there to get to the
pond, and so we’re rescued!
About five or six Smooth
Newt were also found during cleaning of a Bourn Bridge Rd pond on 20th. One
had a red spotted underbelly so a male. Please keep looking and report anything
you see.
Frogspawn was
spotted in a pond on Bourn Bridge Road on the 15th February, ten days earlier
than last year.
Birds
A total of 52 species were
reported this month in 243 records from 13 reporters. Most notable amongst these
was a Barn Owl in GA church, Blackcap and Siskin being seen in gardens, and three
Woodcock and a flock of Waxwing, both on GP.
A Barn Owl again
found its way into GA church on 15th, presumably sheltering from the persistent
rain this month (see
blog). Following consultation with the Barn Owl Trust, it was
encouraged to exit via the door, left open at dusk. A Tawny Owl were heard
on 6th and 24th.
A flock of 20 Waxwing
was seen in trees around a carpark on GP on 29th, the first record this year in
the village, despite good numbers being seen around Cambridge in this ‘irruptive’
year (see
blog). Three Woodcock
were also spotted one evening around the cricket pitch on GP (19th).
Redwing and Fieldfare
were both reported twice, the latter along the ORC early in the month, and the former
on GP and along Cambridge Rd on 25th. A Siskin, another winter visitor
to Abington, was seen on feeders on Cambridge Rd and Bourn Bridge Rd on 18th
and 27th – these being the first reports this winter in the village. A Blackcap
was also seen in Sluice Wood, these most often also being winter visitors from Europe.
On GP lake, two pairs
of Mandarin Duck were seen on the river, and on the adjacent flooded
fields, a flock of Black-headed Gull, a Lesser Black-backed Gull
and a Grey Heron were seen on 11th, and on the lake, a two Cormorant
and a Moorhen joined the Mallard there. A Reed Bunting was
heard singing from the reeds, and a small flock of Meadow Pipit were
seen.
Up to three Buzzard
were spotted around the village, a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were
both seen several times, and a Red Kite was noted twice. A Raven
was also seen flying over the ORC.
Up to four Magpie
were seen widely, and 1-2 Jay were seen on GP (see blog)
and in a Cambridge Rd garden, as was a Red-legged Partridge on two occasions.
A Pheasant was seen along the ORC, and Skylark were heard singing
both along the ORC and along North Rd. Song Thrush were also regularly
heard singing around the villages, often throughout the day.
A Goldcrest was
seen at Hall Farm, and both Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted
Woodpecker (heard drumming) were reported from GP and 1-2 gardens. A few Pied
Wagtail were seen on GP and the Perse sports fields, and 1-2 Robin, Dunnock,
Blackbird and Wren were spotted at several locations.
Reasonable numbers of
Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch were seen in several
gardens, as were Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Long-tailed
Tit. House Sparrow were seen in three gardens, and a murmuration of
c400 Starling was seen over North Rd on 20th.
Butterflies
and other Insects
The first butterfly
record of the year was of a Brimstone on 12th along Church Lane, shortly
followed by two further reports of this species on 15th. A Peacock was
also spotted hibernating on 15th.
There were five reports
of a Buff-tailed Bumblebee between 10th and 15th, and some Honeybee
activity was seen around the hives on GP on 13th.
Flora
and Fungi
Snowdrop and Aconite
continued to bloom well in Granta Park around the sluice (see
blog), and the Cherry Plum came into flower later in the month.
Mammals
Fallow Deer –
two seen along ORC on 18th.
Muntjac – one seen
in a Cambridge Rd garden on 2nd and again on 12th.
Rabbit – two spotted
in GA churchyard on 16th, and one in Sluice Wood on 24th.
Weather
A wet month, with 114mm,
three times the average February rainfall, causing the river to flood again (see
blog). This may well become a more regular feature with climate change.
The highest temperature was 16.3°C on both 14th and 19th, with the lowest
temperature being minus 1.8
ANW
Trips
A small group visited WWT Welney on 3rd, spotting a total of 32 bird
species (see
blog).
29th February 2024 - reports that it was going to be a 'Waxwing winter' started in November last year, with good numbers of these charismatic birds starting to appear in Scotland. Over the following weeks, these colourful winter visitors from Scandinavia slowly worked their way south and west reaching Cambridgeshire around mid-December.
Very small numbers of Bohemian Waxwing (to given them their full name) find their way across to northern Britain most winters, but occasionally when the berries run short in Scandinavia, this species can 'irrupt' across the North Sea with huge numbers visiting the UK for several months over the winter period. The last major 'irruption' was in 2012-2013, so for many this current winter's event was a spectacle not to be missed.
During the run up to Christmas, small flocks of Bohemian Waxwing were being watched avidly in Coton and by the railway station in Great Shelford, but throughout January locally the birds seemed to be remaining largely within Cambridge. However, as these flock methodologically stripped their favourite berries from the trees there, they would inevitably need to move on, and finally on 29th February a flock of 20 was spotted on Granta Park by Darren B. Luckily he had his camera, and took a few photos.
16th February 2024 - a report from Betsy G that there was a 'white owl' in the nave of Great Abington church certainly caught the attention of some in the village, including David F who went to investigate.
The owl in question was a Barn Owl which had apparently been sheltering in the church for a few days, probably to avoid the extremely wet weather we recently experienced - something owls do as their feathers are not as waterproof as other birds. The question was how to encourage the owl out of the church before the next service. After consulting with the Barn Owl Trust, it was agreed to leave the church door open for a short while at dusk to allow the owl to find its way out, which it duly did. Quite an experience for all!
15th February 2024 - Derek T spotted this moth on his green bin today, and whilst it can be tricky to identify moth species definitively, it seems to be a good match to a Grey Shoulder Moth (according to Google Lens that is!).
15th February 2024. NEWS - first sightings of the year!
A Brimstone butterfly was spotted today by Polly in Lewis Crescent.
Polly has also spotted one or two Buff-tailed Bumblebee around the garden over the last couple of weeks, the first being on 29th January, with a noticeable increase in numbers today.
And Gill reports seeing the first Frogspawn in her garden pond on Bourn Bridge Rd this morning, a week earlier than last year.
11th February 2024 - following the most recent rains, on top of what was already fairly saturated soil, soon had the River Granta rising again, flooding the meadows between the two churches (Hood's Meadow and Bancroft Meadow), parts of Sluice Wood, Cook's Meadow and parts of Lagden's Grove.
