Abington Naturewatch

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Blackcaps in Great Abington

Andy M was doing some pruning along the hedge on 4th May and discovered this lovely little Blackcap's nest, full of about eight speckled light-brown coloured eggs. Having downed-tools and retired to a safe-distance, he soon saw the female Blackcap return to the nest. He managed to get these pictures (from some distance away!).

April Birds

Derek had some interesting reports in April. He had a small number of reports of Swallows and House Martins. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were in good voice in many places. A Whitethroat was also reported.

Blackbirds and Song Thrushes were seen collecting food, presumably for young, and Mallard ducklings and Moorhen chicks ere seen on the river.

The most unusual sighting was of a Pied Flycatcher presumably on its way westwards. This was seen in Bourn Bridge Road on April 6th. There were a number of reports of Buzzards overhead and both our usual Woodpeckers were well in evidence. Great Crested Grebes were back on the Lake. Skylarks and Redlegged Partridges also featured.

Andy took these photos in Lewis Close on April 14th:

Goldfinch

Great Tit

Young Dunnock

Monday, 21 April 2014

Sunset over Abington (St Mary's Great Abington)

George took this photo on 17 April

River Sampling - 19 April 2014

Saturday 19 April 2014, 1600—1700, sunny but cool

River Granta at Abington, Grid Ref: TL534490

River level = medium, strong flow

Recorder: Anne Dunbar-Nobes

Cased caddis = 0

Caseless caddis = 3 -- Category A

Mayfly ephemeridae = 1 – Category A

Blue-winged olive mayfly = 0

Flat-bodied mayfly = 0

Olive mayfly (Baetidae) = c. 70 – Category B

Stoneflies = 0

Freshwater shrimps (Gammarus) = 8 (widely varying in size from a few millimetres to 1 cm) -- Category A

No other species found in the sample apart from lots of miniscule hairworms.

Jennifer took these photos:

Caseless Caddis larvae

Freshwater shrimps (Gammarus)

Mayfly (ephemeridae)

Small specimens of Olive mayflies (Baetidae)

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Flora of Sluice Wood

Jennifer took these photos on 15 April:

Wild Arum

Yellow Archangel

Sunday, 13 April 2014

Cowslips on the Roman Road

Jennifer took these photos on the morning of 13th April.

She reports that "They are very abundant this year and looking very healthy."

Caterpillars in hedgerow alongside path to Granta Park

George took this photo on 12 April:

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)