Abington Naturewatch

Sunday, 22 February 2026

More fungi in the sun, Lagden's Grove

2nd February 2026 - and couple more brightly coloured fungi, shining out in Lagden's Grove, GP, and some backlit reeds that caught my eye.

Andy M

Old Oak blown down by recent storms

22nd February 2026 - sadly one of the ancient Oak trees on Bancroft's Meadow was blown down by the recent storms. Whilst long-since dead, the imposing grandeur of this tree lived on in the landscape. One of my favourites on the meadow, and much used as a perch by the Grey Heron.

Andy M

Aconites and Snowdrops

22nd February 2026 - whilst getting towards the end of their season, the Aconite flowers were still carpeting the ground in Lagden's Grove this morning, and at the other end of GP, the Snowdrop were still putting on an impressive display.

Andy M

Weird, weird, weird yeast

20th February 2026 - whilst working with the local Wildlife Trust group working along the Old Railway Cutting, Andy M found this colourful but frankly quite weird, 'growth' on the end of a wild clematis branch. About 8-10cm long, it looked slimy, but was actually quite solid, and coloured all shades of orange and yellow.

A little searching of the internet suggests this is a mass of a basidiomycete yeast (Cryptococcus macerans) which forms this 'slime flux' by growing on sap exuded from the cut ends of trees. Weird!!

Kestrel along Bourn Bridge Rd

1st February 2026 - David F spotted this male Kestrel perched along Bourn Bridge Rd, no doubt hoping for something tasty to pass by on the ground below.

Butterflies and Moths - February

Butterfly Conservation recently issued this brief graphic of interesting butterfly and moth species which you may see in February.

If you do spot these, or any other species, whilst out and about in the Abingtons, please do let Polly M know (polly.merryweather61@gmail.com)

January 2026 - Highlights of Sightings in the Abingtons

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

JANUARY 2026 SUMMARY

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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)