Abington Naturewatch

Wednesday, 12 August 2026

Hitching a ride

30th July 2026 - this video was sent to Suzan S, by her grandson who was working to combine the fields locally - showing a Skylark apparently happy to hitch a ride.

note: to play video, click on central arrow twice in turn

Red Bartsia

26th July 2026 - along the PRV on Bourn Bridge Rd, David F noted this Red Bartsia in flower.

Elephant Moth caterpillar

26th July 2026 - David F spotted this Elephant Moth caterpillar in his garden.

Visit to Fleam Dyke

Chalkhill Blue (female)

Chalkhill Blue (male)

Painted Lady

[photos John T and Maggie T]

23rd July 2026 - along North road on the LSA, Suzan S has spied a Swallow nest, full with four hungry young, being diligently tended by the two adults. At this stage of the summer, this is likely to be a second brood.

A couple of damsels

19th July 2026 - around the Granta Park lake, Andy M found a few damselflies - including newly-hatched (or 'teneral') Common Blue Damselfly. Shortly after emergence, the colours of teneral damselflies are pale and muted, slowly getting stronger as they dry out. These teneral forms can be hard to distinguish, but this one was starting to show the characteristic patterning of a Common Blue Damselfly.

Along the river were several Banded Demoiselle, which strongly prefer to be around running water.

teneral female Common Blue Damselfly

male Banded Demoiselle

Granta Park butterflies

19th July 2026 - the flower meadows on Granta Park have long since dried up in this hot and dry weather, with just a few Scabious, Knapweed and Achillea flowers providing colour, and nectar! Despite this, Andy M spotted a good few butterfly species, there seemingly being good numbers of Gatekeeper and Painted Lady around this year.

Meet the 'Browns':

Meadow Brown - with its forewing hidden, is well camoflagued

Meadow Brown - one white spot black 'eye'

Small Heath - smaller, one white spot,

more patterned hind underwing with brown spots near edge

Gatekeeper - two white 'eye' spots, white centres to hindwing spots

Gatekeeper

Speckled Wood - blotchy wing pattern, usually found in shady areas

Speckled Wood

Painted Lady - also a 'brown'. Distinctive mostly black and pink-orange

Painted Lady

Meet the 'Blues':

Common Blue

Small Copper

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)