Abington Naturewatch

Monday, 2 October 2023

Barnacle Goose

17th September 2023 - there were a couple of Barnacle Goose around the Granta Park lake when Andy M visited recently.

17th September 2023 - earlier in the year, it was noted that a pair of Great Crested Grebe had successfully bred on Granta Park lake. The adults seem to have flown now, but two remaining juveniles have become quite large. Juveniles can be identified from their black and white striped head. Whilst Andy was there, one decided to take a quick flight across the lake, using its lobed feet as paddles to get going.

Quietly taking a nap

Wake up time!

A quick preen ...

before gliding elegantly around.

Paddling vigorously to get airborne

note the lobed feet as it comes into land

and the white wing bars

More Ruddy Shelduck photos

17th September 2023 - after David discovered the Ruddy Shelduck on Granta Park lake, Andy M also visited to take a look, and take a few more photos.

Male Ruddy Shelduck

Female Ruddy Shelduck

Ruddy Shelduck pair, male on left

Ruddy Shelduck pair, the larger male behind

Ruddy Shelduck pair, and a Mandarin Duck

Ruddy Shelduck

17th September 2023 - whilst on his regular Sunday walk around Granta Park, David F spotted a pair of unusual ducks by the lake. On closer inspection, it became clear these were a pair of Ruddy Shelduck. Native to Central Asia, these ducks are often kept in collections in the UK, and some time ago now several escaped and established as a wild population. Both male and female are a rich rufous colour, with the male being slightly larger and the female having a paler face.

In one of David's photos, you can also see three Mandarin Duck, which are believed to have successfully bred on GP this year, and a small wader on the edge of the water - a Common Sandpiper.

Pair of Ruddy Shelduck, male left and female right

Ruddy Shelduck (left), Mandarin Duck (centre) and Common Sandpiper (far right)

Box Moth and Red Admiral

15th September 2023 - Joan N spotted both a Box Moth and a Red Admiral in her garden recently.

Box Moth

Red Admiral

Garden Spiders

9th September 2023 - the Garden Spiders have been busy weaving webs in Andy M's garden, and these particular ones were catching the sun beautifully as they patiently waited in the centre of their webs.

Old Lady Moth

9th Sept 2023 - Andy M spotted this Old Lady Moth in the house, and rather liked the delicate mottling on the wings.

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)