March 2024 - Summary of Sightings around the Abingtons

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.

 

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for March 2024.
Barry Brooks, Peter Brunning, David & Gaynor Farrant, Carolyn Hannah, Robin Harman, Carole McCrae, Len Mead, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Mary Miles, Sam Murphy, Joan Nevin, Nancy Ockendon, Freda Orgee, Pam and Brian Parris, Barbara Phippen, Gill Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.