11th August 2024 - Derek T spotted these three exuviae on the leaves protruding from his pond recently. These are the 'skin' left behind by the 'larval stage' of dragonfly species, which leave their aquatic pond life behind by crawling up a leaf, before splitting open and emerging as a winged adult dragonfly.
4th August 2024 - whilst out walking in Sluice Wood recently, Derek T spotted this lovely clump of shiny pale mushrooms, which are likely to be Oyster Mushroom, although firm identification can be difficult.
4th August 2024 - David F spotted this lovely clump of Purple Loosestrife around the edge of GP lake recently.
9th August 2024 - Andy M spotted this rather large, bright green caterpillar crawling up the wall in his garden one evening. Closer inspection revealed it to be a Lime Hawkmoth caterpillar - apparently the subtle blue shading on the 'horn' being characteristic. Initially, this identification seemed a little strange, as there are no lime trees nearby, but apparently, as well as eating lime leaves, this species will also eat oak leaves, or which there are plenty closeby.
1st August 2024 - John T has recently had a Jay back in his garden, sometimes coming close to the house, and he took the opportunity to take this lovely photo.
July 2024
Amphibians
and Reptiles
No reports this month,
with the exception of a regular reporter in Meadow Walk who is very puzzled
that all the newts seem to have disappeared? Maybe a grass snake?
Birds
A total of 52 species were
spotted this month in 266 records. Excitingly a Spotted Flycatcher was seen in
Sluice Wood. Good numbers of Swift and House Martin seen later in the month as
young birds fledge, with a few warblers still being reported.
A single Spotted
Flycatcher was seen near the sluice on 21st, but the continuous contact
calling suggested a family group was present (see
blog). This is the first sighting in three years.
A few Swift continued
to be regularly seen until mid-month, when numbers suddenly jumped to around 20
heard screaming around both churches, presumably as young birds fledged. House
Martin have also been spotted in larger numbers as young fledge, with over
30 seen around the Illumina building on GP, and 10-12 around LSA and Mortlock
Gdns. Small numbers of Swallow (up to 6) mostly around GP, but also seen
mobbing a Kestrel around Hall Farm.
Both Blackcap
and Chiffchaff continued to be heard around the villages, and a Reed
Warbler was again heard singing from the reedbed on GP. No reports of either
Whitethroat this month.
Up to three Buzzard
were reported, with birds often heard calling whilst soaring high up. Five Red
Kite were seen circling over Grange Farm, with single birds seen at several
other sites. Kestrel were seen regularly on GP, and a Sparrowhawk
was spotted in two gardens. A Tawny owl was heard calling around Hall
Farm towards the end of the month.
A single Treecreeper
was reported in Sluice Wood (21st), and a Jay was spotted eating apples
in Westfield. A Goldcrest was seen at Hall Farm, with Wren being seen
and heard at various sites around the villages. Skylark were also heard
singing on the LSA.
On GP lake, up to 25 Canada
Goose (including adults and well-grown young), eight Barnacle Goose
and one Greylag were seen, along with an adult Little Grebe
feeding two small young (presumably a second brood), 5-6 Mallard also
with new ducklings. A female Mandarin Duck was also seen, as well as a Cormorant,
two Grey Heron and an adult Moorhen with a juvenile. Around 23 Pied
Wagtail were also seen feeding on the GP cricket pitch (see
blog), and a 1-2 Reed Bunting in the reeds.
Both Blackbird,
Robin and Song Thrush were again heard singing this month, and
recently fledged young Goldfinch, Robin, Dunnock and House
Sparrow could be seen, as well as flocks of many young Blue Tit and Great
Tit (see
blog).
A young Great
Spotted Woodpecker has been tapping on the back door early-morning (see
blog), and were also regularly seen on Cambridge Rd. Green
Woodpecker were also reported regularly from several sites. Two Starling
were spotted on GP, and Lesser Black-backed Gull have been reported on
both Perse playing fields and Grange Farm.
Just one report of a
single Chaffinch this month, whereas small numbers of both Greenfinch
and Goldfinch were regularly seen. Similarly, just one report of five Long-tailed
Tit, and two reports of single Coal Tit.
Butterflies
and other Insects
A good total of 195 sightings
were reported in July, with most of these being reports of butterflies (154), odonata
(25) and bees (9).
July saw good numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper being reported, as well as Comma, Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White – all of which were reported 10 times or more. Marbled White were also regularly seen this month, coinciding with the peak of adult emergence in July. Peacock and Red Admiral were also relatively frequently seen, with good numbers of Small/Essex Skipper appearing after 15th (see blog), although interestingly no reports of Large Skipper were received. Small Tortoiseshell continued to be rarely seen, with just three reports this month and a total of just five this year (see blog)! A Painted Lady was seen three times late in the month, and similarly both Common Blue and Holly Blue were reported once on 30th/31st. A Ringlet was reported just twice, despite July being their adult emergence peak, and an unseasonally late Orange Tip was spotted on 15th. Good numbers of Chalkhill Blue were seen during the trip to Fleam Dyke, as well as a number of other species (see blog).
Total butterfly
reports received in July were: Meadow Brown (25), Gatekeeper (21), Comma (16), Brimstone
(13), Large White and Small White (both 12), Green-veined White and Red Admiral
(both 10), Peacock (9), Marbled White (8), Small/Essex Skipper (7), Painted
Lady and Small Tortoiseshell (both 3), Ringlet (2) and Common Blue, Holly Blue and
unidentified White (all 1).
The second half of the
month was also good for Odonata, with ten species seen. Banded
Demoiselle were most frequently seen, and often in good numbers, around the
MM Bridge and along the river in GP (see
blog). Common Blue Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly were
seen in two garden ponds, as well as around the GP lake where Blue-tailed
Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly were also seen (see
blog). Common Darter were seen in a Church Lane garden and on
GP, and a Southern Hawker was seen around a Cambridge Rd pond (see
blog). Other reports of unidentified ‘Hawkers’ were likely also
Southern Hawker. An Emperor Dragonfly was spotted patrolling on GP, as
were Broad-bodied Chaser (see
blog), Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter.
Buff-tailed, White-tailed
and Red-tailed Bumblebee were all reported. Single Hummingbird Hawkmoth
and Elephant Hawkmoth were both spotted, as were both Silver Y moth
(see
blog) and Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (see
blog). Finally, a Water Boatman was reported taking up residence
in a vase of cut flowers! (see
blog)
Mammals
Bat - several regularly
throughout the month, probably Pipistrelle, in a Cambridge Rd garden.
Good numbers of Pipistrelle were also videoed leaving their roost on
Hall Farm (see
blog).
Hedgehog - regular
evidence in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout the month.
Muntjac - one in
Sluice Wood on 23rd.
Flora
and Fungi
On GP, the wildflower
meadows were in full swing, including Lady’s Bedstraw, Betony, Hawkweed,
Ragwort and Knapweed, as well as a few Pyramidal Orchid still in bloom (see blog).
The PRV on Born Bridge Rd also had a display of Knapweed, Scabious, Wild Carrot,
Lady’s Bedstraw, Ragwort and Spear Thistle (see blog).
A nice clump of Fairy Bonnet toadstools was seen on GP (see blog).
Weather
Back to a very wet
month again with rainfall amounting to 91.5mm, which is more than double the
average. The highest temperature was 34.8 degrees C on the 30th, and the lowest
6.7 degrees C on the 8th. Winds were predominantly from a west to south
westerly direction.
ANW
Programme
River Sampling took
place on 22nd July (results
on blog). Disappointingly, the trip to Lakenheath Fen on 13th July was attended
by only four members, and the trip to Fleam Dyke on 27th attended by seven (see
blog). Upcoming items in August include a visit to NT Wicken Fen on 14th
and river sampling on 19th. The full NatureWatch 2024 Programme can be found
here (Prog
link).
31st July 2024 - for the past few days, Maggie and John T have been awoken by early morning tapping on their back door. Some stealthy investigation revealed a young Great Spotted Woodpecker tapping the glass, presumably trying to work out what a reflection was!
click central arrow icon twice to play video
