11th April 2021. For the first time in a while, Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting at the weekend, and captured a few things that peaked his interest.
Abington Naturewatch
This is a place to post sightings and news for the Naturewatch group of Great and Little Abington in Cambridgeshire, UK. See below for more details and information on how to join.
Tuesday, 13 April 2021
Old Railway Cutting walk
Monday, 12 April 2021
News. First sightings of Green-veined White and Orange Tip butterflies
Monday, 12th April 2021
Despite the cold temperatures recently, in the sunshine Derek T spotted a Green-veined White butterfly and an Orange Tip butterfly in his garden today, these being the first sightings of these species in the Abingtons this year.
Some unusual bird sightings
11th April 2021.
At the weekend, David F saw a small group of Mandarin Duck, just outside the village, on the Hildersham water-meadows.
Andy M spotted a female Common Redstart feeding in the hedgerows along the Old Railway Cutting. This latter species is a somewhat elusive passage migrant in the south-east of England - wintering in Africa, it travels north during April to nest in the west and north-west of the UK. Drought in the Sahal where it over-winters, and loss of hedgerow breeding sites in the UK in recent years have caused populations to decline, and this sighting of this uncommon species is believed to be the first in the Abingtons in recent years (since 2000).
News: First House Martin seen
Monday, 5th April 2021
Derek T was very happy to see the first House Martin of the year, flying over his garden around midday. None House Martin seem to have stayed around the school and shop yet, so this was likely a bird passing through.
In 2019 the first House Martin was seen in the Abingtons on 19th April, and in 2018 on 22nd April.
The BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) recently published this very useful guide to when summer migrants might be expected to return to the UK - the dark orange boxes showing the main period of return, with the paler boxes showing the broader period, and the average date shown by the dark line. The exact dates depend on the location in the UK, and weather conditions each year.
Granta Park walk
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.
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 or Peter Brunning via e-mail peter.brunning@cantab.net.
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)
