Abington Naturewatch

Thursday, 31 October 2019

News. First Fieldfare of the season seen

31st October 2019

A pair of Fieldfare were seen and heard by Andy M this morning flying over his garden.

Derek noted that these were the first reports of Fieldfare this season in the Abingtons, and encourages everyone to email him with their winter visitor reports.

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Autumn notes on Granta Park

The low sunlight and wonderful autumn colours painted a number of lovely scenes around Granta Park today - Andy M.

Fairy-rings and fungi!

Andy M spotted quite a number of rather lovely toadstool fairy-rings (Marasmius species)

on the Granta Park cricket pitch today, as well as number of other ones around the park.

A Puffball - just starting to come up ...

... and another that is over

Sunday, 27 October 2019

More toadstools - Parasols and Inkcaps!

The change in the weather seems to have bought out the mushrooms and toadstools around the village. Jennifer H reported a large number of Parasol Mushrooms in Abington Woods, and Anne D-N found a fine 'colony' of Shaggy Inkcap toadstools (Coprinus comatus) around the edge of a copse near Hildersham Wood.

Parasol Mushrooms - photos Jennifer H

Shaggy Inkcap toadstools - photos Anne D-N

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

Parasol Mushroom and other fungi

The recent wet weather seems to have really spurred the fungi on - they seemed to be popping up everywhere on Andy M's walks around Granta Park.

Most impressive was a long line of large Parasol Mushrooms (Macrolepiota procera), each one around 15-20cm across. Apparently edible (although not a decision I would make), this species is found solitary or in groups in neglected pastureland, or (as here) in well-drained soils in woodland.

Parasol Mushroom

Parasol Mushroom - just emerging and fully open

Some Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus), were also coming up under the trees.

Shaggy Inkcap - just coming up

Shaggy Inkcap - just coming up - underside

Mature Shaggy Inkcap

as well as several other, as yet unidentified, species of toadstools:

'fairy ring' toadstools

Wednesday, 9 October 2019

News! First Redwing of the season

9th October 2019

Autumn is coming - and with it the winter visitors! The first Redwing of the season were reported in the village today - Andy M spotting a small flock of around ten in the trees between the 'hairdresser's path' and Abington Hall at lunchtime.

Speckled Wood butterfly - probably!

Anne D-N watched a somewhat weather-beaten and bedraggled butterfly land on her patio table on Monday (7th). It was small, seemed exhausted and stubbornly held its wings firmly closed, making a positive identification somewhat problematic, despite the good photo. After some discussion, consensus seems to be that it is a somewhat pale Speckled Wood butterfly - but happy to hear alternative views.

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)