Abington Naturewatch

Monday, 16 March 2026

First Frogspawn

28th February 2028 - Gaynor F was very excited to find a few blogs of Frogspawn in her garden pond for the first time!

Common Frog spawn

28th February 2026 - David F found a 'cache' of chewed-up Rosehips in his garden recently - possibly the work of the local Grey Squirrel, although it seems it didn't much like the taste of them - lots of leftovers!

Activity in the Rookery

22nd February 2026 - the Rookery on GP has recently become a hive of activity, with paired up birds noisily cawing to establish ownership of their nest sites, building up their nests, and standing guard over them to prevent any 'light-fingered' neighbours 'borrowing' a few sticks!

Rook in the GP Rookery

Spring really is coming!

22nd February 2026 - whilst walking in GP, Andy M heard a good number of singing birds, including Coal Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit, as well as Nuthatch, Robin and Song Thrush.

A Blackbird was also heard singing for the first time this year in local garden on 23rd, and Wren, Dunnock and Skylark have all be heard singing locally over the past week; males starting to establish their breeding territories and attract mates.

Great Tit, singing. GP

Nothing like a good bath!

22nd February 2026 - there's nothing like a good bath, and this Canada Goose on GP lake seemed to agree. Andy M

Sunday, 22 February 2026

More fungi in the sun, Lagden's Grove

22nd 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

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)