March Sightings Highlights

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

MARCH 2026 SUMMARY

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Lesser Celandine on PRV

29th March 2026 - Lesser Celandine, along the PRV on Bourn Bridge Rd - David F.

Bluebell - but which sort!

29th March 2026 - a clump of Bluebells in the Protected Road Verge (PRV 36) along Bourn Bridge Rd has been attracting some recent attention - including some debate as to whether they are native Common Bluebell, or the garden-escape Spanish Bluebell, or a hybrid of the two!

There is some helpful guidance on distinguishing between them on the Wildlife Trust website (link). In brief:

Native Common Bluebell has narrow (1-1.5cm wide) leaves, deep violet-blue (occasionally white) narrow tubular-bell flowers, with only the tips curling back, flowers only on one side of the stem making the stems distinctly droop, with a sweet scent and cream-coloured pollen. Grows in ancient woodland and along woodland edges.

Spanish Bluebell has broad (3cm wide) leaves, paler blue (often white) conical-bell flowers with spreading very open tips, flowers all around the stem, upright stems, with no scent and blue/pale green pollen. Much more vigorous, outcompeting (and hybridising with) the native bluebell. Grows in woodland and along woodland edges, as well as along roadsides and in gardens. 

My guess is Spanish/hybrid Bluebell, but I leave it to readers to decide for themselves! (Andy M)

photo David F.     

photo Joan N     

photo David F.    

For comparison, below are images of both native Common Bluebell and Spanish Bluebell, taken from the Wildlife Trust website:

Native Common Bluebell

Spanish Bluebell

Potentially diseased Siskin

25th March 2026 - there have been a number of Siskin visiting Andy M's garden recently, and mostly they are sleek and fiesty, but also flying away quickly when disturbed - see Blog 16th March. 

However, this individual had very fluffed-up feathers, despite it being a warm day, and seemed to be having trouble swallowing. Additionally, it was lethargic and reluctant to fly away when approached, perhaps because it was weak. In Greenfinch, these symptoms are typical of the disease Trichomoniasis, which can also infect Goldfinch and Siskin, and all three species tend to feed together in flocks in winter.

Whilst not affecting humans, this avian disease is highly contagious between birds, spread by transfer of saliva around the feeders, and is usually fatal, so good hygiene around bird feeding areas, and thorough weekly cleaning of bird feeders is essential to prevent spread. Andy washed and bleached this area and his feeders after this incidence.  He also reported this to the BTO, who are tracking bird disease.

Pheasant headgear

25th March 2026 - this fine male Pheasant has recently taken up residence, with two females, in Andy M's garden, and when you get close-up, the male's headgear is quite something, especially when you realise that the red areas are bare skin, not feathers!

Granta Park Flora

22nd March 2026 - the Cherry-plum trees were in fine bloom near the sluice. Whilst the flowers look similar to Blackthorn, which is also in flower at the moment, Cherry-plum flowers first in Feb-Mar, whereas Blackthorn is a little later, mostly in Mar-Apr. Cherry-plum tend to have both leaves and flowers out together, whereas Blackthorn always flowers on bare black stems. The Cherry-plum flowers are larger with rounder petals, and formed on short stems (pedicels), whereas the smaller Blackthorn flowers have slimmer petals and almost no pedicel, and therefore appear to hug the stems. Finally, Cherry-plum tend to be taller and more typically 'tree-shaped', whereas Blackthorn tend to be shorter and more scrubby in form.

The good number of Bee Orchid leaves showing through the grass along the Avenue promises a good show of flowers later in the year, and Lesser Celandine flowers were fully open, enjoying the sun!

Cherry-plum trees

Cherry-plum flowers

Bee Orchid leaves

Lesser Celandine

Birds on Granta Park

22nd March 2026 - there were a few interesting birds seen around Granta Park. The male Gadwall seen on the lake was likely just passing through. Whilst some Gadwall remain in the UK all year round, many just winter here, heading north and east to breed. A pair of Ruddy Shelduck were also seen on the smaller lakes, these 'exotic' birds are now naturalised populations from escaped birds. A pair of Reed Bunting were spotted in the reedbed, and a Long-tailed Tit seen searching for food in amongst the just-emerging Hawthorn leaves. Along the river, remaining a safe distance away, a male Mandarin Duck was spotted in its fine breeding plumage. Andy M.

Male Gadwall

Male Gadwall

Male Reed Bunting

Female Reed Bunting

Long-tailed Tit

Ruddy Shelduck pair 

Male Ruddy Shelduck - black neck ring and less white around the bill

Female Ruddy Shelduck - more pronounced white around the eye and bill

Male Mandarin Duck