Snowdrops appearing on Granta Park

12th January 2022 - the first clumps of Snowdrop were starting to appear in the woods near the sluice on GP, drops of dew glinting in the early morning sun.  Andy M.

A siege of Grey Heron

01 January 2022 - a walk around Granta Park on New Year's Day was rewarded with an extra-ordinary sight - namely a large group of eleven Grey Heron - 'a siege' being the collective noun as Andy M later found out.

Initially seen in the meadow by the river, they flew into an adjacent dead tree, perching there for a while en masse, before flying to collect again in the field by the recreation ground. Whilst seeing one or two Grey Heron along the river is not unusual, seeing eleven together was a truly remarkable sight.

December 2021 - Interesting Sightings from around the Abingtons

December 2021

Amphibians and Reptiles

No sightings reported this month.

 

Birds

A total of 408 reports received this month, containing 50 different species. Both Fieldfare and Redwing continued to be reported, as well as another winter visitor, the Lesser Redpoll.

Redwing – nine reports from around the villages, including flocks of 30-40 in fields adjacent to Church Lane, as well as on GP feeding in Yew trees, and on the LSA.  Fieldfare – one report of a small flocks along the Roman Road

Lesser Redpoll – also along the Roman Road, a flock of 10 seen flitting between high trees (27th).

Bullfinch – a pair seen an heard in hedgerows along the Roman Road (27th). Up to five Chaffinch seen more regularly, alongside the more usual good numbers of Goldfinch (10-15) and Greenfinch (3-6) regularly on feeders. Regular reports of Robin, Dunnock, Jay and Magpie, with a Wren seen more occasionally.  

Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush continue to be reported, as well as several Blackbird. Also in gardens, small groups of Great Tit and Blue Tit regularly seen, as well as a Coal Tit and 6-8 Long-tailed Tit spotted occasionally in several gardens.  Up to 10 House Sparrow reported chirruping loudly in the winter sun.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - seen daily on feeders in several gardens, a Green Woodpecker was spotted at several sites, as well as a Nuthatch reported once.

Tawny Owl – heard calling near Lewis Crescent early in the month. A Buzzard was spotted flying low over a garden hotly pursued by two Magpie in Meadow Walk, as well as several sightings elsewhere around the villages. Up to four Red Kite were seen over open ground and along the old A11, and occasional reports of a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel.

Little Egret – one seen fishing along the river by the Millennium Bridge, as well as up to four Grey Heron around GP, Sluice Wood and the Perse sports fields. A Grey Wagtail was spotted in amongst a flock of 31 Pied Wagtail feeding on the GP cricket green, and on the GP lake, a few Mallard and Moorhen were seen alongside a Mute Swan, and five Barnacle Goose.

Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer and Red-legged Partridge – were all reported on the LSA, on GP and along the Roman Road. Flocks of 50-100 Black-headed Gull were seen in fields along North Road, on the Perse sports fields and on GP, and both Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull were seen flying over the Roman Road.

 

Butterflies, Bees and other insects

No sightings, probably due to the weather with hardly any sunshine.

 

Mammals

Fox – one seen on Bourn Bridge Road near the International school on the 4th.

Hare – single one seen in fields near AbPkFm in 29th.

Flora & Fungi, and Rivercare

No reports this month.

 

Weather

Rainfall was 75 mm, with the first two weeks fairly wet with much more rain at the end of the month, just in time for Christmas, but less than December 2020 which had a much higher rainfall. Highest temperature was 16.2 degrees C on the 30th, and according to the met office this is the highest on record since 1916. Lowest temperature was -3.6 degrees C on the 22nd, but overall a frost free month.

 

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for December 2021:

Jeff Dowling, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Jennifer Hirsh, Carole McCrae, Andy Merryweather, Gill Smith, Derek Turnidge, Sally Turnidge.

2021 ANW Christmas Photo-Quiz

Much the same as the quiz at our member's meeting in early December, but this version is all virtual, and has a few bonus questions at the end! 

Each 'question' consists of a 'close-up' of different species - birds, animals, insects, plants, amphibs - they're all here!  All the species have been seen and reported within the Abington parishes during 2021, and all the 'close-ups' are taken from photos posted on the blog this year.

So - How many species can you identify? 

Answers are available at the end of the quiz, and will also be posted on the blog early in the New Year!  Have fun!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!
- from the ANW Project Team.

To see a larger view of the 'questions' below, simply click on the 'image' and navigate using the bar at the bottom.

ANSWERS 

available by clicking HERE

November 2021 - interesting sightings from around the Abingtons

November 2021

Amphibians and Reptiles

No sightings reported this month.

 

Birds

A total of 356 reports received this month, containing 49 different species. Several reports of both Fieldfare and Redwing, as well as a single report of another winter visitor, the Siskin.

Redwing – two reports, including a larger flock of 20, on the LSA on 29th.  Fieldfare – six reports, mostly of small flocks of 1-4, on the LSA and flying over Lewis Crescent.

Mistle Thrush – a pair seen several times in trees near Lewis Crescent, and also heard singing when windy.  Song Thrush – nine reports of 1-2 birds at several sites, and several comments that Blackbird were being seen more often in gardens this month.

Siskin – single report of 1-2 birds calling overhead near Lagden’s Grove, GP on 9th.  Unusually early for the Abingtons, where it is more usually reported on feeders later in the year, or in January.

Kingfisher – two reports, both of a single bird, and unusually both seen around garden ponds, one on High St, LA (13th), and a second in Mortlock Gardens (14th).

Peregrine – single bird seen overhead, south of Chalky Road, and heading towards Linton (7th).  Sparrowhawk – six reports of birds hunting near garden feeders. Red Kite – four reports of 1-2 birds soaring quite low over the village, Buzzard – two sightings, and Tawny Owl – heard frequently in GA.

Tree Sparrow – possible sighting of this locally unusual relative of the more common House Sparrow, in a garden on Church Lane, early in the month.  House Sparrow was reported six times.

Pied Wagtail – several reports of small numbers from several sites, including calling from roof ridges, and feeding on GP cricket green. Barnacle Goose – five also seen on GP cricket green.

Little Egret – three reports, along the river between the Millennium Bridge and Sluice Wood.

Great Tit, Blue Tit – regularly reported at garden feeders, alongside a Coal Tit and up to 12 Long-tailed Tit seen occasionally in gardens on both Cambridge Rd and Lewis Crescent. One report of a Goldcrest near the Millennium Bridge. 

Goldfinch – good numbers regularly on feeders, with increasing numbers of Greenfinch and Chaffinch also now being reported more regularly. Regular reports of Robin, Dunnock, Jay and a Wren more occasionally.  Collared Dove and Stock Dove – groups of up to six regularly in some gardens, but noted as being seldom seen in others.

Great Spotted Woodpecker – now regularly on feeders in several gardens, and a Green Woodpecker was reported once from Abington Woods.  Nuthatch - continue to be ‘regular’  visitors to gardens on High Street, LA, and Church Lane.

Skylark, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Lapwing – reported around fields south of LSA. A few Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull (up to 20) also in fields around LSA, and on Church Lane.

 

Butterflies, Bees and other insects

Very few sightings – just a Brimstone and a Peacock.

 

Mammals

Fox – droppings seen in a LA garden on 16th, and a youngster or female spotted in Bourn Bridge Rd, near the carriage track, on 23rd.

Hare – single one seen in the fields near AbPkFm in 29th.

Flora & Fungi, and Rivercare

No reports this month.

 

Weather

A very dry month, with only 21.5 mm of rain this being mainly in the first and last weeks of November. The highest temperature was 17.2 degrees C on the 9th and the lowest minus 5.2 degrees C on the 29th. Overall it was relatively mild, with blustery winds at the start of the month, and a colder snap towards the end, with the rest of November being very quiet.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for October 2021:

Barry Brooks, Peter Brunning, Mike and Lois Bull, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Jennifer Hirsh, Roger Law, Len Mead, Andy Merryweather, Sue Middleton, Marion Rusted, Gill Smith, Derek Turnidge, Iain Webb.

Dramatic skies in a wide open landscape

Andy M took a walk up the hill at the end of Chalky Road recently, when the sun was breaking through dark dramatic-looking clouds.

A few Garden Birds

With the coming of the colder weather, a greater variety of birds have been visiting Andy M's garden recently, with the prospect of finding easier food. One or occasionally two Jay have been busy gathering acorns from the oak at the bottom of the garden, and carefully stashing them for the colder weather to come. Several Blackbird have taken up residence in the hawthorn, carefully selecting the most nutritious berries to eat, scattering the rejects carelessly below. Similarly, Greenfinch have been learning how to take the ripe seed from the spent sunflower heads. Both Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker have visited, and a male Sparrowhawk has found easy pickings from the Goldfinch flock that regularly frequent the feeders. Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit are also regulars, passing through in noisy, busy flocks of ever-increasing size.

Jay

Jay, just before carefully 'planting' the acorn in the lawn

Jay carefully stashing an acorn

Jay

pair of Jay

male Blackbird, making the most of the haw berries

Greenfinch, working out where the seeds are

Greenfinch, getting the hang of taking

ripe sunflower seeds from the old heads.

Green Woodpecker

male Great Spotted Woodpecker

female Great Spotted Woodpecker, 

which lacks the red nape patch seen in the male

male Sparrowhawk

male Sparrowhawk, with its Goldfinch prey

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Blue Tit - taking to the air