Abington Naturewatch

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Summary of Sightings from the Abingtons - June 2026

A summary of sightings reported from around the Abingtons during June 2026 can be found by clicking on the link below:

JUNE 2026 SUMMARY

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Friday, 17 July 2026

Close-up fun

29th June 2026 - having seen a few lovely close-up 'macro' photos on social media, Andy M decided to have a go. It's not that easy! First efforts were on a Bumblebee collecting nectar from a flower, but these guys move fast - interesting to see how much pollen sticks to the body hairs though. Second attempt was on a Helenium flower - at least it kept still, but not that stunning. Third effort was looking into the garden pond - and finding lots of tiny Water Flea (Daphina spp) and a few Mosquito larvae hanging upside down and breathing through their 'bums'! I'll keep trying!

Pollen-covered Bumblebee

Helenium flower

Water Flea

Mosquito larvae

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Buzzard keeping a lookout!

29th June 2026 - Derek T spotted with Buzzard perching on the top of his greenhouse, no doubt keeping a look out for anything interesting moving around in the veg patch or field beyond!

Badger, caught on a security-cam

26th June 2026 - Alan C sent this clip from a neighbour's security camera, clearly showing a Badger sneaking around the edge of the garden at about 11:30.

Note - click central arrow icon two times to watch video

Birds, on and above Granta Park water

21st June 2026 - there have been quite a few Mandarin Duck around the lake and river this year, and Andy M spotted these two 'female-type' individuals - meaning they could be adult females or older young from this year, as their plumage is very similar. There was also a juvenile Moorhen, looking a bit 'gawky teenager' when compared to the sleek plumage of the adults. In the small balancing pools, a single Ruddy Shelduck female was seen, possibly from the pair seen there earlier in the year. Above them all, floated an ever-impressive Red Kite.

Mandarin Duck, female-type

Moorhen, juvenile

Ruddy Shelduck, female

Red Kite

Butterflies on Granta Park

21st June 2026 - there have been good numbers of Marbled White around this year, and on Granta Park was no exception. Nicely-coloured Green-veined White were also around in the woods, drinking from areas of damp moss, whilst on the meadow, both Meadow Brown and Small Skipper were seen - the latter having orange tips to the undersides to the antennae, whereas the very similar Essex Skipper has dark tips.

Marbled White

Green-veined White

Meadow Brown

Small Skipper

Small Skipper - showing orange underside of antennae tips

Small Skipper

Grey Wagtail by the sluice

21st June 2026 - by the sluice, the bed of the river has dried up to be just mud at the moment, and this was the happy hunting ground for a lovely Grey Wagtail. Andy M.

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)