Abington Naturewatch

Fungi at Granta Park

2011-12-19T00:44:00.007Z

George found a variety of fungi around Granta Park on 16th November.

Daddy Longlegs

2011-10-10T21:47:00.003+01:00

Jim Cracknell took these photos on a bedroom window sill at the rear of their bungalow.

Red on Red - Ladybirds

2011-10-08T15:25:00.003+01:00

Jennifer took this picture on 6th October

River Sampling 24th September 2011

2011-09-24T16:23:00.011+01:00

We met at the ford at 11 am and sampled above the ford only. The river was lower than any of us could remember, the brick standing of an old pump exposed as never before. Water carts would be pulled by horses into the ford and filled using the pump. The water was used for cattle on the higher farms such as Grange Farm, which had a very limited water supply from a well, and also perhaps for traction engines.

[We heard a few days later that the Gunner’s Hall pond had dried out, something not known since 1975.]

Diversity was moderate, size and numbers generally rather poor. There were a few mayfly nymphs of quite good size. Live pea mussels were abundant, reminding us of the large numbers we found further upstream in the Lodge’s reach last year. The reappearance of several mites (Acari), our only known arachnid, was also welcome.

We had two good single finds. A little way from the bridge we found a small (3 cm) but smart, Three-spined Stickleback, thought to be only the second we have netted.

Nearer the bridge, we had a fine Crayfish, larger than any we got in June, certainly an alien Signal (white patch in the claws clearly visible). We have since been told by experts that we should not have put it back but eaten it...

Dragonflies - September 2011

2011-09-12T00:06:00.006+01:00

Jennifer found a Common Darter in her garden in the afternoon of 11th September.

Audrey took this photo in her garden recently - it looks as if the dragon fly is just emerging.

Chalkhill Blue on the Roman Road

2011-08-19T22:18:00.002+01:00

Jennifer writes:

At last! I saw a Chalkhill blue on the Roman Road this morning (not actually in Abington but not far away). My patience was rewarded this morning when, after the cold night last night (Thursday 18th August), I went up to the Roman Road and walked towards Wandlebury from Worsted Lodge. It was about 11 a.m. and the sun was warming everything up nicely. In fact there were quite a few butterflies about.

Between the two Ash trees, about 50 yards before the second, I finally saw a male Chalkhill Blue. I watched it for about 10 mins and got a couple of photos. A little further on I saw another, this time female, and they flitted around together for a while. I walked further on with Orla and saw the male, presumably the same one, on my way back.

Protected Road Verge - Bourn Bridge Road

2011-07-15T18:43:00.004+01:00

Tim Stone, our county councillor, met with Martin Brennan of the Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust on Monday 11th July to discuss the management of the County PRVs. The PRV was looking good especially in the middle section and there was a lot of insect life (various bumble bees, flies and even a burnet moth) enjoying it.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth

2011-07-12T00:34:00.001+01:00

Julia took this amazing picture

Purple Hairstreak butterfly

2011-07-03T18:09:00.004+01:00

Anne took this photo of a Purple Hairstreak butterfly on 3 July, on disturbed ground near Hildersham Wood, within Great Abington parish!
(Wingspan = 3.5 cm.)

River Sampling 28th June 2011

2011-07-02T10:31:00.006+01:00

Overview

A small group gathered at the Ford at 7:30 pm - we did all our sampling there. The river flow was quite good for full summer, but neither abundance nor diversity were impressive. A sally under the bridge produced 3 crayfish and one was found a little further up stream; till now we had only had reports of them, apart from a big haul of much bigger ones taken at the same spot by two village boys last year. The key diagnostic item (a white spot at the junction of the claw) could not be certainly attested on every one; it is however safe to list them as American invaders.

Minute mayfly larvae and shrimps were abundant. The only other remarkable finds were a few large larvae of mayflies, a fine 3cm demoiselle nymph and a mature minnow of ca 10cm. There was no sign of molluscs, caddis larvae or water hog lice.

Details

1. Results of two samplings on gravel ca.10 m above the bridge:

Crustaceans:
- A few good-sized Freshwater Shrimps (Gammarus genus), many small/v.small ones.

Insects
- Mayfly larvae: very many minute nymphs; 3 large (2cm) top gill nymphs, probably Ephemera genus; 3 stubby nymphs, possibly Caenis genus (Angler’s Curse).
- One good-sized (2cm) Beetle larva (Dytiscidae family).

Worms (Annelida)
- Leeches: 2 good-sized Leeches (Hirudinea class), one large (3.5 cm extended).
- Sludge Worms: 1 v. small Sludge Worm (Tubifex genus).

2. Results in muddier water near or under the bridge

Fish
- 1 adult Minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus).

Crustaceans
- 4 American Signal Crayfish (Pacifastacus lenuisculus), all small (largest 5cm body length, full-grown being twice this), one with one claw missing.

Insects
- I fine large Demoiselle nymph (Calopteryx genus).

Balsam Bashing

2011-07-02T10:14:00.004+01:00

Last year, we removed quite a lot of Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) in the river near the junction of the recreation ground and the cricket pitch. This year, there was a lot less:

David & Peter removed a few plants before the river sampling session on Tuesday 28 June.

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive non-native species which can damage river banks by excluding other plants. See NNSS web-site.

Moths - 25th / 26th June 2011

2011-06-27T00:28:00.002+01:00

Phil set up his trap in Jennifer Hirsh’s garden at 34 High Street, Little Abington, on Saturday 25 June 2011.

Weather: rain all night but dry by morning, cool for June

We met on Saturday morning to open it up; the following Moths were identified by Phil Jenner.

All English and Latin names (and page numbers) are from the book:
Michael Chinery, Collins Complete Guide to British Insects, 2005

Phil Jenner recommends the web site: ukmoths.org.uk
This has a search function and lots of good photographs.

22 different species plus some micro-moths unidentified; listed below by family.

Hooktip moths: Family Drepanidae (p.164)
Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) (p.164)

Geometer moths: Family Geometridae (p.166)
Least Carpet (Idaea rusticate) (p.170)
Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) (p.172)
Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) (p.194)
Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) (p.200)
Common White Wave (Cabera pusaria) (p.202)

Hawkmoths: Family Sphingidae (p.206)
Lime hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae) (p.206)
Privet hawkmoth Sphinx ligustri) (p.206)

Tussock moths: Family Lymantriidae (p.214)
Common footman (Eilema lurideola) (p.218)

Noctuid moths: Family Noctuidae (p.222)
Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) (p.222)
Heart and Club (Agrotis clavis) (p.222)
Large yellow underwing (Noctua pronuba) (p.224)
The Flame (Axylia putris) (p.224)
Triple Spotted Clay (Xestia ditrapezium) (p.228)
Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum) (p.228)
Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) (p.252)
The Dunbar (Cosmia trapezima) (p.252)
Vine’s Rustic (Hoplodrina ambigua) (p.260)
The Uncertain (Hoplodrina alsines) (p.260)
The Spectacle (Abrostola triplasia) (p.264)
Beautiful Hooktip (Laspeyria flexula) (p.266)
The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) (p.266)

Tortrix moths: Family Tortricidae (p.268)
Several unidentified micro-moths

Peter Brunning and Jennifer Hirsh have digital photographs of some of the moths seen and identified.

Jennifer Hirsh – Abington Naturewatch invertebrate recorder – 26 June 2011

Ringlets

2011-06-26T21:17:00.002+01:00

Derek and Jennifer have both seen Ringlet butterflies in their gardens:

[photo: Jennifer Hirsh]

Ladybirds

2011-06-23T22:46:00.002+01:00

Derek took this picture of 2 Ladybirds on nettles in their garden on the morning of 23 June. It is believed that they are a 7-spotted and a Harlequin.

Midsummer evening walk

2011-06-22T22:39:00.004+01:00

This was not strictly a Naturewatch event but several regulars were there and there were flora to observe! It was a beautiful evening. We used farm tracks that are not rights of way to reach the Roman Road and on part of the way back.

We started at Little Abington church and went up via Grange Farm. From the top, there is a good view of Ely Cathedral in the distance.

We stopped for a picnic supper before leaving the Roman Road.

On the way back down towards Hildersham, there are lots of fine examples of Broomrape growing on the Knapweed.

Partridge Group

2011-06-19T20:16:00.002+01:00

Julia found some young partridges in the garden (19th June)

Greater Knapweed dependants!

2011-06-19T17:37:00.003+01:00

Jennifer has spotted all these dependent on Greater Knapweed:

Small tortoiseshell

Large skipper

Knapweed broomrape

Giant Hogweed

2011-05-31T23:59:00.004+01:00

Our regular Rivercare litter pick-up and monitoring session revealed a Giant Hogweed plant by the river. This is a non-native species, one of a few undesirables that are listed in our Rivercare packs!

We dug it up and took it away in black bags to stop it spreading seed along the river.

Mullein Moth Caterpillars

2011-05-27T01:12:00.004+01:00

Derek Turnidge caught some Mullein Moth Caterpillars in his garden on 26 May:

Plant Walk - Beechwoods - 24 May 2011

2011-05-27T00:54:00.009+01:00

We had an evening visit to Beechwoods Nature Reserve where we saw, among other things:

Chervil

Hawkweed

White Helleborine

Common Broomrape on clover

Swan song

2011-05-22T23:42:00.003+01:00

George reports that the swans appear to have left, leaving their eggs behind!

Bee Fly - Bombylius Major

2011-05-10T00:23:00.003+01:00

Carole McCrae took this picture on 9th April:

Entomological News

2011-05-08T11:08:00.006+01:00

Jennifer Hirsh would like to gather information of any insect sightings in the Abingtons. Pictures would also be welcome: these are some of hers:

White tailed bumble bee

Common carder bee on rosemary bush

Broad bodied chaser (type of dragonfly)

Broad bodied chaser (type of dragonfly)

Green Shield Bug

Damsel Flies

Jennifer also reports that members have so far reported seeing 11 different butterfly species this year:Brimstone (the earliest)
Comma
Green veined white
Holly blue
Large white
Orange tip
Peacock
Red Admiral
Small tortoiseshell
Small white
Speckled wood
She would be interested to hear of any further sightings, especially of others to add to this list!

Native Wild Bees 'Walk & Talk' - 7th May 2011

2011-05-07T23:27:00.015+01:00

Mr Raymond Uffer visited us to lead a ‘walk & talk’ on our native wild bees. We started off with a short afternoon walk to Audrey Bugg's meadow, where we checked out the insect life, and then repaired to the Institute for refreshments and an illustrated talk. Raymond gave us a fascinating insight into the life of bees and other insects, illustrated by pictures from his collection.

These are some of the creatures (and plants) we found on the walk...

Robber Fly (Dioctria atricapilla)

Red Shanked Carder Bee (Bombus ruderarius)

Cuckoo Bee

Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris)

Meadow Saxifrage

Star of Bethlehem

Ne'er cast a clout till May be out...

2011-04-26T00:19:00.003+01:00

It looks to be well and truly out!

Sluice Wood update

2011-04-25T23:46:00.005+01:00

The renovated southern channel has been full over the winter and still has water in most of it. The new stream deflectors installed by our volunteers in the main channel seem to be working well.

Mining Bees

2011-04-21T19:02:00.007+01:00

A colony has been observed in the village...

River Sampling 16th April 2011

2011-04-18T07:56:00.006+01:00

Our first sampling session was held on Saturday morning at the ford beside the road bridge in the middle of the village; all 3 samples were taken there. Water level was quite high. Each sample obtained in net using 30-second kick-shuffle technique

Sample 1, mainly gravel bottom with weed and decaying leaf detritus
1 demoiselle damselfly nymph (see photo)
1 caseless caddis fly larva -- distinctively yellowy-green (see photo)
1 freshwater hoglouse (see photo)
1 leech
c. 10 freshwater shrimps, various sizes
c. 5 small hairworms
1 flatworm (grey)
Various other small nymphs -- too small for easy identification

Sample 2, rocky bottom, less weed than sample 1
No nymphs
1 very long hairworm (c. 150mm -- see photo)
Lots of small, thin red hairworms
c. 10 shrimps
Tiny watermites

Sample 3, gravel/sandy bottom, closer to bridge
1 small fish (c. 3 cm long -- see photo). Possibly a minnow or baby trout.
1 burrowing mayfly nymph, Ephemera vulgata (c. 2 cm long -- see photo)
Various other small nymphs -- too small for easy identification
No shrimps

A shoal of tiny fish was seen close to bridge, probably minnows.
On large submerged stones removed from river for inspection, ramshorn snails and freshwater limpets observed.

Demoiselle damselfly nymph

Caddis fly larva (?)

Hairworm (c. 150mm)

Burrowing mayfly nymph (bottom right) + freshwater hoglouse (top left)

Young minnow + freshwater shrimp near its tail

Guided walk along the Mel

2011-04-13T08:12:00.003+01:00

Cam Valley Forum has invited us to a guided walk along part of the river Mel from Melbourn to Meldreth on Tuesday 24 May.

Steve Hawkins, chair of the River Mel Restoration Group, has kindly agreed to lead the walk and talk about the improvements that have been carried out by volunteers from Meldreth and Melbourn. We will start from the Melbourn village car park at 6.30pm and end at the British Queen pub in Meldreth.

If you are coming from Cambridge along the A10 you should take the first turning into Melbourn, and follow the road into the village where the car park will be on your left, just past the Elm Tree pub and behind the bus stop.

This is quite a short walk of about a mile and a half, but Cam Valley Forum will arrange a lift back to the car park in Melbourn for those who would like it. In order to organise the lifts it would be helpful if you would let Peter Brunning know by Sunday 15 May if you are hoping to come - he can then advise CVF.

News from Granta Park Lake

2011-04-02T19:26:00.006+01:00

George reported on Saturday 2nd April that the swans were still in control of the lake ("No fly zone" in operation) but not yet on the nest - but they left a sentry near the nest site.

Two days later, a swan was sitting on the nest!

Spring is in the air and there's a wonderful tree in full bloom:

Naturewatch Programme - April to July 2011

2011-03-27T21:37:00.005+01:00

These details are provisional and will be updated from time to time. Members will be reminded and details of time confirmed about a week before the event.

April

Sat 16th 9.15am - River Sampling

May

Sat 7th late afternoon - Native Bees (Talk and walk)

Tues 24th evening – Beech Wood

Sat/Sun 28/29th weekend - Local Birdwatch

June

Thurs 9th evening - River Sampling

Sat 11th - RSPB Lakenheath - Plant Study walk

Sat 18th - Fleam Dyke 1 - Plant Study walk

Fri 24th - Haslingfield

July

Sat 2nd – Fleam Dyke 2 - Plant Study walk

(Thurs 7th July evening - Project Team meeting)

Sat 16th - Welney Bird Outing

Fri 22nd - Chalky Road 1 - Plant Study walk

Ideas for autumn programme – dates to be confirmed

August
Upland Farm - Plant Study Walk

September/October
Fungus Foray
River sampling 3

October
Project Team Meeting, Members Meeting

Any other ideas for the Naturewatch programme gratefully received.

News from Granta Park Lake

2011-03-20T10:07:00.005Z

Our local correspondent, George Woodley, reports:

"The swans are nesting and the battle for the lake has started this morning with five Canada Geese driven off in the usual spectacular fashion."

Grey Lag Geese at Granta Park Lake on 19th March

Fungi on Cambridge Road

2011-03-04T23:52:00.003Z

Sally Turnidge found Flammulina veluptipes (Velvet Shank) in their garden today:

Members' Spring Meeting - 12th March 2011

2011-02-26T17:38:00.003Z

Keep the date free - 12th March at 10:30.
The café will be open!

Expedition to Paxton Pits - 26th February 2011

2011-02-26T17:23:00.006Z

A small group braved the rain to visit Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/).

After observing birds around the feeders during a heavy shower, we set off and were rewarded by a good selection of water birds under bright but overcast lighting.

Sally Turnidge recorded the birds seen:

Long tailed Tits
Teal
Wigeon
Golden eye
Gadwall
Moorhen
Coot
Greylag geese
Canada geese
Heron
Cormorant
Great crested grebe
Pochard
Blue tits
Sparrows
Reed buntings
Chaffinch
Dunnocks
Great tits
Collared doves
Magpies
Mute swan
Mallard
Tufted duck +
Blackheaded gull

We also saw a Grey squirrel!

Granta Park visit

2010-11-21T13:20:00.003Z

The Abington Naturewatch visit on 26 July is reported in Granta Park's newsletter:
http://www.mepc.com/parklife/grantapark/News/Nature.aspx?r=grantapark/News&p=1

Autumn Members' Meeting - Saturday 9th October

2010-09-30T00:05:00.004+01:00

The Autumn Members' Meeting will be held in the Abington Institute on Saturday 9th October, starting at 10:45 and ending at about 12:15.

We shall hear the reports on the past season and plan our winter bird-watching, as we usually do at this meeting. We shall also be discussing the longer term development of Naturewatch, so please come if you possibly can.

In addition:
Items of interest (natural objects, photos, posters, books, etc) on display ... please bring them along!
Café open

No entrance charge, chance to contribute to costs
Non-members, sympathetic friends etc all welcome

River improvements in Sluice Wood

2010-09-26T13:00:00.003+01:00

The Environment Agency has recently carried out some repairs and improvements around the old Bottomer sluices. With the kind permission of the riparian owners, two Environment Agency staff members, Ruth Hawksley of Water for Willdlife and two heroic Naturewatchers (Jennifer Hirsh & Derek Turnidge) successfully installed two stream deflectors in the river nearby.

The deflectors, one at each bank, consist of a short line of vertical poles, angled upstream, to which are wired substantial bundles of brushwood and long faggots. These are permanent fixtures, in which silt and vegetation accumulates. Their aim is to improve the habitat for a wide range of animals. By diverting the stream to the centre they enhance its flow, thus scouring out the bed to make it more gravelly and improving oxygen levels. Fish find refuge in the 'pools' above the deflectors, and the silt and vegetation provide habitat for many species of invertebrate.

The site is fairly inaccessible and can only be approached from private land but the effect should be to improve the wildlife we see in the river elsewhere. We will be looking to see what happens on our regular river sampling trips.

The agency has also been doing similar work in Hildersham, upstream of the village hall.

Have you seen this fungus?

2010-09-12T21:59:00.004+01:00

The Turnidges have this bracket fungus some 15' up an oak tree in their front garden. They think it is probably Laetiporus sulphureus - Chicken-of-the-Woods... can anyone confirm this?

Granta Geese

2010-08-22T00:46:00.005+01:00

George has been watching the geese on Granta Park lake...

Barnacle Geese

Greylag Goose

Swallow-tailed Moth

2010-06-29T01:50:00.000+01:00

Sally Turnidge spotted this Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) on ivy on an apple tree in her garden.

Devil's Dyke 2 - 25th June

2010-06-29T01:10:00.007+01:00

Highlights of the evening were the Pyramidal Orchids in quite good numbers and the Lizard Orchids, which were less than abundant and poor in growth.

Last and probably least in stature was Bastard Toadflax (Sandalwood Family), which was holding on well in short turf at the North-West end.

Our walk along the dyke was enlivened by the horse racing alongside.

It was a beautiful evening finished off with a spectacular sunset over the dyke.

Hedgehog

2010-06-19T22:31:00.002+01:00

Sally Turnidge took this photo on 17 June in the evening... the hedgehog appears to have a mark which looks like a cross on its back.

Spindle Ermine moth caterpillars

2010-06-19T22:18:00.003+01:00

Jennifer Hirsh took this photo near the river bridge (opposite the ford) on Saturday 12 June. She now knows of 4 separate spindle trees in the village that are being affected by this moth.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

2010-06-14T21:49:00.003+01:00

Susan Hodges has been enjoying visits from a juvenile Great Spotted woodpecker, tucking in to the seed & mealworm bird block just outside her window.

Third River Sampling 2010 - 8th June

2010-06-09T00:18:00.005+01:00

The river level was quite low, making access easy in several places. We sampled at the Millennium Bridge and at the ford - and one site in between by the Recreation Ground. Nothing spectacular - the usual leeches, tubifex, shrimp and insect larvae, again in relatively low numbers.

Highlight of the evening was Derek's discovery of two adult mayflies (Ephemera danica) at the edge of the river near the road bridge.

Snakes Alive!

2010-05-25T21:51:00.003+01:00

George Woodley saw this grass snake on 22 May near Hall Farm... others have also reported seeing them.

Swans on Granta Park lake

2010-05-23T18:25:00.004+01:00

George Woodley writes:
At least two cygnets have arrived; this was taken at 11:16 on Friday 21 May. The Pen had just returned to the nest as I was about to take the picture. When I returned after lunch only the Cob was on the lake.

On Sunday afternoon, I saw no sign of the cygnets but the Cob was chasing away the geese; he seemed to tolerate the ducks.

Postscript: George writes on 31st May that all the swans have disappeared. It seems certain that once again the young have died and the adults left.

Second River Sampling 2010 - 13th May

2010-05-19T00:26:00.003+01:00

Although there was still a good amount of water, our findings over five attempts were surprisingly poor, one of the poorest ever - the persistently cold winds and nights presumably the cause of this. Populations were everywhere low and diversity hardly impressive. Apart from one mayfly larva at the third sampling, specimens were again small. At the Ford the relative abundance of beetle larvae was a feature as last time, as also were the limpets on one rock.

We sampled at 3 sites: the Ford, the Football Reach and by the Millennium Bridge.

Caddisfly larva

Blue tits

2010-05-12T21:03:00.003+01:00

Jim Cracknell has been watching a front door a bit closer than Downing Street...

Proposed programme for April, May & June 2010

2010-04-29T22:18:00.007+01:00

Confirmation & details of time & place will be given shortly before the event.

APRIL

24th Sat, 11 a.m. - River sampling, at the Ford

MAY

13th Thurs, 7.p.m. - River sampling, at the Ford

15th Sat, 9 a.m. - Moth survey, at Victor & Audrey’s - CANCELLED

21st Fri, 7 p.m. - Flora walk, Beech Wood (helleborines) - CANCELLED

29th Sat, 9 a.m. - Moth survey, at Marion’s

JUNE

8th Tues, 7 p.m. - River sampling, place t.b.d.

10th Thurs, 1030 a.m. - Flora walk, Devil’s Dyke I

16th Wed, 10 a.m. - Birds, flora, dragonflies etc, RSPB Fen Drayton
(RSPB will take us round)

19th Sat, 9 a.m. - Moth survey, at Victor & Audrey’s

25th Fri, 7 p.m. - Flora walk, Devil’s Dyke II

30th Wed, 7.p.m. - Granta Park meadow & lake

Possibilities for later months are:
July - River sampling, Moth survey, Bourn Bridge PRV, Wicken Fen, Devil‘s Dyke III
August - Upland stubble
September - River sampling, Lowland stubble

Newts and Toads

2010-04-29T20:38:00.003+01:00

Amphibians are reappearing in garden ponds.
Derek Turnidge sent these photos...

Toad

Smooth Newt

Red Admiral on snowdrops

2010-03-17T23:20:00.001Z

Victor Bugg writes: "A Red Admiral on snowdrops is a fairly rare sight. It stayed around for twenty minutes..."

Blackbird for breakfast?

2009-12-08T22:57:00.004Z

Jim Cracknell took several pictures of this Sparrowhawk in his garden last week...

Autumnal notes

2009-10-24T12:43:00.008+01:00

For the first time for a number of years the Bourn Bridge Road and Linton Road arable fields have been ploughed early. The big field just beyond the railway to the east of Chalky Road was in stubble until recently, but owing to the drought there was only one of our 'target' stubble plants above the ground, nothing to justify an expedition. I had hopes that the recent rain might have had some good results, only to find that the plough has now arrived there too.

Another good year for fruits and berries is some consolation. The Spindle Tree near the river at the border between the cricket and fooball fields is looking better than ever. Derek Turnidge provided these photos.

Next month's village News will have details of our autumn Members Meeting which will be on the morning of Saturday 14th November. Prominent points will be deciding on one or two winter bird outings, and collecting ideas for our Naturewatch Evening early in the New Year.

Pat Daunt
Naturewatch coordinator

Moths at the Buggs' - 30th May 2009

2009-10-04T17:45:00.004+01:00

River sampling - 26th September 2009

2009-09-26T15:07:00.007+01:00

Beetle larvae

Hairworm

We sampled at the ford and near the newly repainted Millennium Bridge in a river that was quite low - with a lot of fools' water-cress in places. The samples were less abundant than usual but we saw one or two interesting creatures in and around the river, including a shoal of around 20 fish and a mallard. We also heard a great spotted woodpecker. The samples were predominantly larvae and shrimp, with a few worms and snails.

Recent Bird sightings

2009-09-21T01:02:00.001+01:00

We have had a flock (charm?) of up to 18 Goldfinches in the garden over the last few days.

On Monday lunchtime I was lucky enough to see a Kingfisher fly away upriver from the bank near the football pitch.

Please continue to let me have a note of any unusual sightings - there will we hope be winter visitors to report later: Redwings, Fieldfares, Bramblings....

Derek Turnidge
17 September

Swans at Granta Park

2009-09-21T00:51:00.002+01:00

Photo by Liz Obstfeld

Roman Road Flora Study - 21st July 2009

2009-07-23T23:04:00.005+01:00

When we met on the Hildersham - Balsham road, the weather did not look promising but we managed a couple of hours between showers.

The verges of the track up towards Gunner’s Hall offered an abundance of the taller plants with moderate diversity. Especially good to see were plenty of Restharrow and some Burnet Saxifrage, with the greenish tinge of its flowers quite clear. Other abundant calcicoles were Field Scabious, Greater Knapweed, Common Knapweed (’Hardheads’) still in bud, Wild Parsnip, White Campion, Mignonette, Perforate St John’s Wort and Lady’s Bedstraw. Prickly Oxtongue, Mugwort and Red Clover were also prominent. Of the shrubs in what is left of the high hedge, Spindle showed not many green fruits but Buckthorn plenty.

Many small bumble bees, notably buff- and white-tails, were busy especially on the purple blooms.

When we reached the Roman Road we were greeted by a fine clump of Viper’s Bugloss. Generally, here too only larger plants could flourish following the E.A’s radical clearance a few years back. There were some fine Mignonettes, while Parsnip and the Knapweeds (some Hardheads here in bloom) were seen in big numbers, Parsnip sometimes massed as was Spear Thistle; some of both Campions and occasional strands of White Bryony were there too. The pink buds were easy to spot on some good patches of Hedge Parsley (Torilis) and Wild Basil was widespread, scrambling its way upwards into the light. We were surprised not to see Wild Carrot, having one of its good years.

A few Gatekeepers, Ringlets and Meadow Browns were seen and several Painted Ladies, as well as one or two Cinnabar caterpillars on Ragwort and one happy Five-spot Burnet. The Nature Notes in my newspaper today reports: ‘The day-flying black and scarlet spotted burnet moths cling to the purple flower heads of the thistles, like drunks to an all-night bar’.

Viper's Bugloss

St John's Wort

Fly on Ragwort

Hedge Parsley (Torilis) and Wild Parsnip

Mignonette & Wild Basil

Melilot

Meadow Brown and Comma butterflies

2009-07-22T23:22:00.002+01:00

Photograph by David Farrant

Moth trapping - June 2009

2009-07-13T20:03:00.004+01:00

Among others, David Farrant trapped these 3 moths in June:

Buff Tip

Elephant Hawk Moth

Swallowtailed moth

Fleam Dyke Walk - 11th July 2009

2009-07-11T18:06:00.006+01:00

We met at the layby on the A11 and headed north-west along Fleam Dyke, returned for lunch and then headed south-east. A good show of butterflies and chalk-loving plants.

Bats in Little Abington church

2009-07-11T17:28:00.004+01:00

Derek took these photos of a dead bat in the church on 9th July... and would like to know if anyone can identify it!

River Sampling, Thursday 18th June

2009-06-20T12:45:00.008+01:00

With the kind permission of Granta Park, we conducted our first foray from their premises on the Left Bank (south) of the River Granta.

The first sampling, in the Sluice Wood area on good-looking gravel but under shade, having produced almost nothing, we did much better working from the side by culverts in open sites near the new buildings and then in front of the Hall. Populations were generally modest but diversity rather good.

A Three-Spined Stickleback appeared to be a female in spawn. Demoiselle or Damselfly nymphs were plentiful, a few of good-size having over-wintered, many smaller ones recently hatched. We saw no Caddisfly larvae. Of the crustaceans, we found Freshwater Shrimps in good numbers, and one Water Hoglouse; of the molluscs live Pond Snails and one live Ramshorn, but no bivalves; of the worms, a few Leeches and one Sludge Worm (Tubifex).

A general shortage of water plants was compensated by a Water Speedwell and a Water Figwort, both fine specimens, neither species often in our records.

On show in Bourn Bridge Road

2009-06-06T00:33:00.003+01:00

Knapweed Broomrape - Photo by Sally Turnidge

Moth Study - 30th May

2009-06-06T00:20:00.003+01:00

The traps were set up overnight - there were some spectacular specimens but not in large quantities.

Photos by David Farrant: the large moth is an Eyed Hawkmoth; the others are a White Ermine and (darker) a Setaceous Hebrew Character.

Visit to RSPB Lakenheath - 21 May 2009

2009-05-21T20:13:00.004+01:00

We gathered at the visitor centre at 10:00 am for a guided walk.The fenland site has been restored to reed beds, with some poplar plantations remaining. We saw birds like Marsh and Sedge Warblers, Marsh Harriers, Hobbies - too fast to photograph - and a variety of insects. We also heard the Bitterns booming...

Grass Snake in Great Abington

2009-05-08T10:48:00.002+01:00

3 foot (1 metre) grass snake seen in a garden pond on Saturday 2 May 2009. Pictures taken by Jenny Nobes.

River Sampling - 25th April 2009

2009-04-25T15:35:00.002+01:00

The second expedition tool place today, after the monthly litter pick-up. We sampled at the ford and the Millennium Bridge. We saw trout and caught minnows, with usual mayfly nymphs, shrimp and leeches. Near the bridge we saw bees swarming on the hedge by the cricket ground.

River Sampling - 11th April 2009

2009-04-11T16:30:00.008+01:00

The first sampling session of the year was in 'Hood's Reach' - between the two Abington churches and Abington Hall - by kind permission of the land-owner. This section of the river is quite deep and somewhat inaccessible when the bullrushes and nettles are fully grown. However, at this time of year, it proved fairly easy to sample from the bank.

We saw shoals of minnows and managed to catch one fish. We also found a variety of mayfly and damsel fly nymphs, with the usual shrimp and hog-louse. There were a lot of caddis fly larvae and a large ramshorn snail.

On a fence post by the river side, we saw a banded snail.

Next session: 25th April (after the regular inspection and litter-pick) - meet at the ford at 10:30.

Naturewatch Evening - Friday 27th February

2009-02-10T00:34:00.006Z

The Naturewatch Evening Meeting this year will be in the Institute on Friday 27th February, starting at 7.30 p.m.

Phil Jenner will lead an illustrated session on Our World of Butterflies and Moths. We shall also take the chance to exchange ideas on how we can improve and share our observation and recording of the abundance and diversity of these wonderful creatures which we shall encounter during the long and glorious summer I am arranging for this year.

Pat Daunt

Visit to Paxton Pits on Saturday 14 February 2009

2009-02-10T00:31:00.001Z

We plan to meet Stuart Elsom at 10am on Saturday at Paxton Pits.
There is a useful website at http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/

The best route from Abington seems to be M11 North to Junction 13, then on to A1303 Westbound and join A428.

Take the B1428 for St Neots; ignore right turn for Great Paxton but take B1041 for Little Paxton. We understand there are then signs in Little Paxton for Paxton Pits where there is Parking and a Visitor Centre.

Wildlife Training Workshops 2009

2009-01-24T21:54:00.004Z

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough has some training workshops for naturalists - details in this leaflet

River Survey - 27th September

2008-09-28T19:10:00.004+01:00

The river was once again very low. We sampled at the High Street ford and also at the Millennium Bridge. We were particularly successful with fish at the Millennium Bridge - we caught sticklebacks, minnows and loach and saw some larger fish. There were also the regulars: shrimp, leech and mayfly and stone fly nymphs.

River Survey - 13th September

2008-09-14T22:45:00.002+01:00

An unexpectedly fine day. The river was very low in spite of recent rain. We found the usual shrimp, leeches and damsel fly larvae. We also caught a couple of minnows and a small loach.

Roman Road flora and fauna - 26th July

2008-07-28T23:22:00.003+01:00

A good number of Plantwatchers (including our two Associate Membrers) attended our survey of the Little Abington stretch of the Roman Road in warm sunshine on 26th July.
Although we identified only two flower species not recorded here before (Phleum pratense ssp bertolonii, a chalk-loving variant of the familiar grass Timothy, and Red Bartsia) we can be reasonably pleased with the state of the flora on this part of the Road. Typical chalk plants in bloom included Hedge & Lady's Bedstraw, Hedge Parsley, Burnet Saxifrage, Wild Carrot & Parsnip, Wild Basil, Mignonette & Weld, Common & Greater Knapweed, Restharrow, Small & Field Scabious, Musk (Nodding) Thistle, Yellow, Birdsfoot & Hop Trefoil, St John's Wort and Dark Mullein. There is one large Catmint near Worsted Lodge and several patches of Red Bartsia thereabouts. Dropwort, Rockrose & Goatsbeard were also seen, though past flowering. It is particularly good that there is plenty of Wild Basil, ranked as 'rare' here in a professional survey only a decade or so ago.
Butterflies and other flying insects were present but hardly abundant. Phil's finds included a number of Essex Skippers, a Soldier Beetle and a specially fine Bush Cricket.

Patrick Daunt

River Survey - 25th July

2008-07-28T23:16:00.002+01:00

A small group surveyed a new stretch of the river near Abington Hall. Access to the river was tricky except in a shady area, where we found plenty of Freshwater Shrimps and a few Leeches but little else.

River wildlife survey - 10th July 2008

2008-07-11T00:49:00.004+01:00

This evening we sampled at a couple of sites in Sluice Wood and found some insect larvae we'd not seen before.

Southern Hawker dragonfly

2008-07-09T23:54:00.003+01:00

Here are 2 of the pictures from our pond yesterday. They show 2 stages of the dragonfly's metamorphosis from nymph to dragonfly proper. The remains of the nymph, or exuvia, can be seen in both pictures.

Derek Turnidge

Marion's Moths

2008-06-21T12:19:00.007+01:00

We met at Marion's on Friday evening to see Phil set up a trap. As it got dark, we saw a few moths but decided we needed more... Another trap was left overnight and we returned in the morning to see what had dropped in!

Flora Abingtonia

2008-06-10T17:47:00.006+01:00

[These are] the first three parts of what will be (I hope before the end of the summer) the five parts of a first attempt to set up a Flora of the Abingtons. The aim is rather tribal than scientific; that is to say, to produce something of interest and use to Abington Plantwatchers here and now. The Big Beasts, such as District, County and the Wild Life Trust, are not much interested anyway in surveys or records put together by amateurs. This leaves us free to work on the principle of not letting the best be the enemy of the good, and so free to get some data out if we can, albeit often tentatively and in spite of their imperfections.

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~ig206/nw/flora-abingtonia-01.pdf
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~ig206/nw/flora-abingtonia-02.pdf
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~ig206/nw/flora-abingtonia-03.pdf

Pat Daunt

Oxlips

2008-05-07T15:34:00.000+01:00

Oxlips in Hildersham wood

Bluebells

2008-05-07T15:30:00.000+01:00

White bluebells in Hildersham wood

River Survey - 26th April 2008

2008-04-26T12:40:00.004+01:00

It was a lovely morning for a walk by the river. There were plenty of minnows by the bridge and we managed to catch one. A variety of other river life was recorded including mayfly larvae, lice, worms and leeches.

April Activities

2008-04-12T23:52:00.003+01:00

MEMBERS' MEETING - Saturday 12th April 10:30 - Abington Institute

RIVER SURVEY - Saturday 26th April about 1030 (after the regular clean-up) - Road Bridge / Ford
We will start by the ford and intend to check sections in the Football Reach and by the Millennium Bridge. We aim to finish by about midday. Lenses, books, info sheets, spoons, small trays, pots etc all welcome. We will appoint a Recorder on the spot.

BIRDING JAUNT - Sunday 27th April afternoon - Paxton Pits (near St Neots) - led by Stuart Elsom
Please contact Derek Turndige or Pat Daunt if you're interested - they will coordinate how we share driving/car-spaces. Numbers are limited but we may be able to squeeze in one or two more. Please bring Binoculars and stout shoes/boots.

Naturewatch Record

2008-04-12T23:39:00.002+01:00

Paper copies of the new Record (2007) are available from Pat Daunt for £3-50.

Alternatively, I can supply it in PDF format by email - if you have a reasonably fast connection (it's about 3 MB)

River Shep Walk and Talk

2008-04-12T23:08:00.002+01:00

The Cam Valley Forum has invited Abington Naturewatch and other local groups to join them on the morning of 10 May 2008 for a short guided walk along the river Shep near Boot Lane, Barrington. The walk will be led by a member of Friends of the River Shep who will tell us about the work the group carried a few years ago to make this stretch of the river a better place for wildlife and people. We will also have an opportunity to see recent work by the Barrington Conservation Trust.

After the walk we will meet in the village hall for refreshments when there will be an opportunity to discuss how local groups can improve the management of streams and small rivers, and the sources of help and funding available to them.

We will meet at 10am at the village hall and, subject to the weather, proceed to Boot Lane. If you would like to come, please contact Peter, Anne or Patrick - we will coordinate trasnport and liaise with CVF.

Geograph

2008-04-05T20:08:00.002+01:00

Geograph is a project to photograph every 1km grid square in the British Isles. Here's the square for the Abingtons: http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TL5348

Spring 2008 - Members' Meeting

2008-03-23T23:30:00.001Z

At the Abington Institute on Saturday 12th April from 10.30-12.30.
All welcome. More details nearer the time.

Snow Day

2008-03-23T14:04:00.003Z

On a walk up to Hildersham Wood this morning in the snow I saw tracks of three or four fallow deer (well, I assume they're the fallow deer, they were big) rabbits, pheasants, a fox and a hare. (I know they were the footprints of a hare because I saw it making them!)

The wind had just changed to a westerly and by the time I got home at around 12.30 almost all the snow on the trees was gone.

Siskins

2008-03-22T11:32:00.003Z

Derek Turnidge took this photograph of Siskins in his garden, feeding on nyjer seed.

Birds of Cambridgeshire Evening 29 February

2008-01-27T19:40:00.000Z

The good news is that I now have a firm booking for our Naturewatch Evening - Friday 29th February, 7.0 p.m. in the Inst. Stuart Elsom, an experienced ornithologist who leads study tours abroad and is an expert on bird photography will speak (with pix of course) on 'The Birds of Cambridgeshire through the Seasons'. His [excellent] photo work can be seen at http://www.stuartelsom.co.uk/

The subject is one that should also attract a number of non-members, and I hope we can encourage this. I am proposing as usual no attendance charge but a 'retiring collection'. I shall be most grateful if P/T members will be able to help with coffee, tea & bics.

As last year we should aim to have copies of the Record for sale at the meeting.

Pat Daunt

Plantwatch Stubble Plants

2007-10-02T21:33:00.000+01:00

These are from the plantwatch stubble walk on Bourn Bridge Rd field on Saturday 29th September which was very expertly lead by Pat Daunt. We saw many wonderful plants including this scarlet pimpernel and the field pansy. I am hoping someone who kept a better record of the sightings will append some details here as a comment. Of particular note were the catch-fly and field spurge.

Stubble Walk

2007-09-26T12:03:00.000+01:00

Plantwatchers!

This may not be a vintage year for stubble plants, but it is certainly a lot better than last year, with several interesting species about. So I'm proposing two Stubble Walks, as this will increase the number of Plantwatchers who can come for one at least, while (since there is some variety of species on the two sites) some of those who can do so may wish to come both times. Cameras welcome as usual.

1. Saturday 29th September, 1030 - Bourn Bridge Road Fields, L/A. Parking in BBR at/near end of houses. I hope this is not too early for Rivercarers.

2. Saturday 6th October, 1030. Linton Road Field, G/A. Parking in road beyond houses

Pat

Poppies

2007-09-16T20:49:00.000+01:00

Another shot of the poppies in the field along Bourn Bridge Rd. looking like Flanders in 1919, except with grass.

2007-09-16T20:45:00.000+01:00

Meadow brown butterfly (Maniola jurtina). Roman Road.

2007-09-16T20:41:00.000+01:00

Pat, Jean and Derek walking back to Abington. This is from the plantwatch upland walk on Stephen Franklin's farm on 7th August. There were thunderclouds all around but no rain, just this dramatic sunset.

Autumn Flora

2007-09-04T09:50:00.000+01:00

Plantwatchers

A bumper year for sloe-gin addicts, and a good time now for checking out the fruits of waysides and hedgerows. As well as the Blackthorn, there are plenty of Dog-rose hips and Whitethorn (May) haws, and of course Blackberries. There are Dewberries along the path above tha railway cutting east of Chalky Road, and the best site for Spindles is the fine border hedge wuth Hildersham at the far side of the Linton Road arable field. There's one good Spindle Tree too by the river near the gap between the cricket and football fields. The black berries of wild Privet are here and there, and the berries of Wayfaring Tree (for example, along the Coach Road off Bourn Bridge Road, and by the public path between Abington Park and Hildersham Wood) are now turning from red to black. Black too are the berries of Purging Blackthorn, its strongly veined leaves now beginning to curl. If tearing a leaf in half reveals thin fibres between the two halves it is Dogwood, which also generally has reddish twigs. Do please let me know if you find this, and I haven't a record of a site in our villages.

Among the dry seeds, it's easy to spot the single samaras (flying seeds) of Ash and the double ones of Sycamore and its native cousin Field Maple (especially in the football field near the river). There too there is a mass of scrambling Hop, whose attractive seed-heads are usually ready for Harvest Festival.

I'm still hoping for an October stubble walk, but we shall have to see what turns up when we've had a bit more rain. Whether the fine show of late poppies in the Bourn Bridge fields is a good omen or not I don't know.

Pat

2007-07-25T00:53:00.000+01:00

On 10th July, we walked along Bourn Bridge Road studying the native flowers: these are some of them...