October 2024 - Summary of Sightings from the Abingtons

October 2024

Amphibians and Reptiles

Just two sightings of a Common Frog in Lewis Cres around mid-month (see blog).

 

Birds

A total of 46 species reported this month in 262 records. A Redwing was seen at the end of the month, and Blackbird returned to gardens in good numbers to fest on berries. A few winter migrant Blackcap were also seen.

A Redwing was seen on 30^th on the LSA, and whilst Fieldfare have yet to be seen in the parishes, they have been reported just north of here. The number of Blackbird visiting some gardens rose noticeably this month, especially where there are berry-bearing bushes.

A male Blackcap was seen twice, on 29th and 31st, feeding on berries in a Lewis Cres garden. These birds are likely to be migrants arriving here from eastern Europe, whereas the birds that bred here in the summer will have migrated to southern Europe.

A few Chaffinch were seen under feeders, after an absence of several months from some gardens. Goldfinch were also noted in good numbers (up to 12), alongside a few Greenfinch. Several Blue Tit and Great Tit were often seen, with 1-2 Coal Tit appearing in several gardens, and small flocks of Long-tailed Tit spotted along the ORC, Sluice Wood and in a few gardens.

One or two Jay were seen regularly visiting several gardens, often collecting acorns. Goldcrest were spotted at several locations, with Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker spotted around Hall Farm and on Granta Park. Robin, Dunnock and Wren were often reported, and a Song Thrush was spotted once on Lewis Cres.

On Granta Park, two Little Grebe remain on the lake, alongside a few Moorhen and up to 40 Mallard. Eight Barnacle Goose were seen on the cricket field, as were a number of Pied Wagtail (also spotted in a Moorefield garden). A Grey Heron was reported on Bancroft Meadow, as well as flying over Lewis Cres, and interestingly, two Egyptian Goose were seen on Grange Farm. A few Black-headed Gull were spotted on GP, and small groups of gull, including Lesser Black-backed Gull were seen in local fields.

Up to three Buzzard were spotted at a number of sites, as were Red Kite with six being seen over the LSA on 16th. A Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were each reported twice, and Tawny Owl continue to be heard occasionally.

Around a dozen Linnet were seen on GP, as well as on the LSA, and Meadow Pipit were also spotted on the LSA and along the ORC, where a group of Red-legged Partridge were also seen. Collared Dove were reported just twice, and Stock Dove just three times, whereas Feral Pigeon seem to be on the increase.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

Unsurprisingly, just 20 reports this month, these being mostly butterfly sightings.

Five butterfly species were spotted in October. The majority of sightings were of Red Admiral, which migrate south, back over the channel at this time of year, although some may over-winter here. Several Large White were seen, as well as an occasional Brimstone, and single reports of both Comma and Speckled Wood, the latter likely to be from an unusual third brood of the year.

Total butterfly reports received in October were: Red Admiral (7), Large White (3), Brimstone (2), Comma (1), Speckled Wood (1), and unidentified ‘small white’ (2).

There were just two reports of a Hawker dragonfly (6th and 16th), thought to be Southern Hawker, although Migrant Hawker tend to be the predominant odonata species late in the year.

Two reports of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Lewis Cres on 7th and 18th.

 

Mammals

Fallow Deer – six females/young and one well-antlered stag were seen along the ORC on 24th, and a stag (likely the same one) was seen in a field off Chalky Road on 26th.

Hare – one seen in Granta Park on 19th.

Hedgehog – evidence in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout October.

Muntjac – one in a Cambridge Rd garden on 25th.

Field Vole – one spotted in a garden compost heap on Lewis Cres on 11^th.

 

Flora and Fungi

A few fungi were spotted on GP, and whilst identifying the species can be difficult, they were thought to be Shaggy Inkcap, Fairy Inkcap, an Agaricus species, a Mycena species, and a Trametes species of bracket fungus (see blog).  A good-sized Giant Puffball was also seen in Sluice Wood (see blog).

 

Weather

The total rainfall was 54.5 mm, which is slightly below average. The highest temperature was 23.8 degrees C on the 16th and the lowest was minus 1.3 degrees C on the 11th. Temperatures over the whole month were generally mild, and winds were mainly from a southerly direction, so feeling very pleasant. As a result, there seem to be quite a few wild flowers still in bloom, and the trees are starting to show their autumnal colours (see blog). The village was also given a lovely display of the Northern Lights on 10^th (see blog).

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for October 2024.

Tricia Cullimore, David & Gaynor Farrant, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Joan Nevin, Barbara Phippen, Gill and Richard Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.

Giant Puffball fungus

23rd October 2024 - David F spotted this Giant Puffball fungus in Sluice Wood recently. These large fruiting bodies start out white, slowly maturing to brown, before 'puffing out' their spores to be dispersed by the wind.

A few Fungi

19th October 2024 - Andy M spotted a few fungi whilst walking around Granta Park. Whilst it can be hard to definitively identify fungus species, these are thought to be Shaggy Inkcap, an Agaricus species, Fairy Inkcap, a Trametes species bracket fungus, and a species of Bonnet, Mycena.

Shaggy Inkcap

Shaggy Inkcap - slightly more 'mature' ones

An Agaricus species

Fairy Inkcap

Fairy Inkcap

A Trametes species bracket fungus

A Mycena 'Bonnet' species

Autumn Colours

19th October 2024 - the combination of a few chillier nights and a bright sunny day has transformed the trees into a riot of autumnal colour.

[photos Andy M]

Common Frog

15th October 2024 - in the rather damp weather one evening, Andy M spotted a Common Frog hopping around outside his back door.

Northern Lights visible in Abington

10th October 2024 - those around in the evening, and able to see the dark sky to the north would have been able to see a rather lovely display of the Northern Lights over the village. A dramatic red splash was visible to the east, with lovely yellows and greens to the north, with a hint of the the characteristic 'curtains' near the horizon. All rather ethereal.

[photos Andy M]

September 2024 - Summary of Sightings from the Abingtons

September 2024

Amphibians and Reptiles

Just two sightings this month: a Common Toad near a pond in Westfield (see blog), and two good-sized Common Frog in Lewis Cres (see blog).

 

Birds

A total of 45 species reported this month in 299 records. A Kingfisher was again reported along the river, and a Treecreeper was again heard in Sluice Wood. Several large gatherings of Swallow, and smaller numbers of House Martin were reported during the first half of the month, and a large group of Mistle Thrush were seen around the meadows between the churches.

A Kingfisher was heard calling whilst flying along the river on GP, and a Treecreeper was heard in the woods near the sluice, both on 24th.

Several flocks of 20-30 Swallow were seen gathering on lines on the LSA and flying in loose flocks over Lewis Cres, as these summer visitors start their journey south. Family groups of 6-8 House Martin were also regularly seen around their nest sites on Mortlock Gardens. Both species were last reported on 19th.

Several unusually early sightings of Redwing have been reported, the first on 20th August (!), and then (tentatively) on 10th and 18th September. If true, these birds are arriving up to a month earlier than expected, as arrivals generally start in late Sept/early Oct. A large flock of 32 Mistle Thrush were seen feeding around Hood’s Meadow on 22nd, and a few Song Thrush were also spotted later in the month.

Good numbers of Goldfinch (up to 12) and Greenfinch (up to 7) have been returning to a number of garden feeders, but with only 1-3 Chaffinch occasionally seen. Mixed flocks of 5-10 Blue Tit and Great Tit are also being reported, as well as up to 10 Long-tailed Tit, and an occasional Coal Tit and Goldcrest. A few Chiffchaff were also regularly seen in gardens again (see blog), as were Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Wren. The thriving House Sparrow colony continues to be very vocal in Lewis Cres, with 15-20 birds regularly counted.

Around the lake on GP, seven Barnacle Goose, five Greylag and two Egyptian Goose were seen on 24th. Up to 37 Mallard were joined by a male Mandarin Duck, a pair of Moorhen with a juvenile, and a pair of Little Grebe were seen feeding a late brood youngster. Along the river, 1-2 Grey Heron were seen, as were a further seven female/juvenile Mandarin Duck. Small flocks of Starling and 20 Pied Wagtail were seen feeding on GP cricket field, alongside the numerous Rook and Jackdaw.

Up to three Jay visited the oak trees in Lewis Cres throughout the month, to gather and stash acorns for winter, as well as to eat the odd fallen apple (see blog). A few Magpie were also regularly reported from several sites. Both Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were seen in gardens around Hall Farm and Cambridge Rd, as well as on GP.

A Buzzard was regularly spotted around the village, a Sparrowhawk was seen in several gardens, and Tawny Owl were heard calling regularly. Unusually, no reports of Kestrel or Red Kite this month. A few Lesser Black-backed Gull were spotted flying over Lewis Cres, and Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon were all reported this month.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

As summer comes to an end, a total of 81 sightings were reported this month, these being mostly of butterfly (64), and odonata (13) species.

Perhaps surprisingly, 13 butterfly species were spotted in September, with the vast majority of reports being of Large White and Small White, seen throughout the month especially around the allotments!  Brimstone, Red Admiral (see blog) and Comma were also seen fairly regularly, especially earlier in the month, as were a few Green-veined White. All the other species were seen just once. A Painted Lady was spotted along Bourn Bridge Rd on 3rd, and a Peacock in Lewis Cres on 6th. Both a Holly Blue and a Common Blue were spotted, around the Perse sports fields, and in a wildflower meadow on GP, respectively (see blog). A Small Heath and a Speckled Wood were both seen along the ORC in 14th, and unusually the Small Copper seen in a Cambridge Rd garden on 22nd was likely from a third brood.

Total butterfly reports received in September were: Large White (19), Small White (14), Red Admiral (9), Brimstone (7), Comma (5), Green-veined White (3), and Painted Lady, Peacock, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Heath and Small Copper (all 1).

Of the odonata, the predominant species reported was Southern Hawker with seven reports this month, mostly from Lewis Cres. Several Migrant Hawker were seen hunting over the reeds around GP lake on two occasions later in the month, and a Common Darter was reported from three sites. Finally, several Emerald Damselfly were again reported, along the river on 14th (see blog).

A good-sized likely female Wasp Spider was spotted on a house wall along Pampisford Rd on 18th, this being the first record in the village for three years (see blog). Buff-tailed Bumblebee and White-tailed Bumblebee were both reported, as was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

 

Mammals

Bat – during the excellent bat safari on 17th around GP, lead by Iain Webb from the Wildlife Trust, several Common Pipistrelle were seen over clearings in both Lagden’s Grove and Sluice Wood, and we watched at least four Daubenton’s and several Common Pipistrelle feeding low over the lake as the fading twilight reflected off the surface – quite beautiful (see blog). Bats also seen over a Cambridge Rd garden on 6th and 22nd.

Fox – evidence (i.e. droppings) of one regularly visiting a Lewis Cres garden.

Hedgehog – one spotted in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden.

Muntjac – one seen in Bourn Bridge Rd front garden on 1st, one spotted in Perse sports fields on 3rd, two in a Cambridge Rd garden on 22nd, one in a Lewis Cres garden and one seen in Lagden’s Grove, both on 22nd.

 

Flora and Fungi

A number of small fungi were spotted on the GP lunchtime walk, Whilst identifying the species definitively can be difficult, they are easy to admire (see blog).

 

Weather

A month with rainfall well over the average, at 104.5 mm, the average for Cambridge being around 60 mm! The highest temperature was 33 degrees C on the 1st, and the lowest was 0.3 degrees C on the 13th. Wind direction has been quite variable during the month but not that strong.

 

ANW Programme

The final river sampling of the year took place on 19^th September (results on blog). No further programme items are planned for this year. Many thanks to those that supported our activities this year. If you have any comments or suggestions for activities, talks, visits etc next year, please do let one of the Project Team know.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for Sept 2024. 

Genevieve Dalton, David & Gaynor Farrant, Emma Jones, Carole McCrae, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Nancy Ockendon, Gill and Richard Smith, John and Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge, John Webb.