Abington Naturewatch: April 2013

Tuesday, 30 April 2013

Kestrel in Granta Park

Riani Wells took this photo on 22 April 2013 at 9:00 am, in Granta Park gardens near Abington Hall.

Saturday, 27 April 2013

River Sampling - 27 April

River Granta at Abington, 27 April 2013

10.30—11.30am, cool and overcast with rain showers, river level = medium-high and fast-flowing
Stretch surveyed = 30m stretch beside Cricket Meadow (as approved by Rob Mungovan)

3-minute kick-shuffle sampling technique:
(a) 1 minute in riffle area with dark green mossy weed and large stones;
(b) 1 minute in fast-flowing stony area with light green weed;
(c) 1 minute in shallower gravel area

The following were identified from the sample:

Riverfly Partnership species (abundance code B = 10-99)
Freshwater shrimps – c. 20-30, all similar size of about 1 cm (B)
Mayfly ephemeridae 0
Blue-winged olive mayfly 25 (B)
Olive mayfly 50 (B)
Flat-bodied mayfly 0
Stoneflies 0
Caddisfly (cased and caseless) 0

Other species
Brown trout 1 – c. about 7 cm long, netted at (a) above
Beetle larvae 30
Leech 1
Snails 0
Dragonfly larvae 0
Damselfly larvae 0

Sunday, 21 April 2013

Red Kite over Abington

Andy M was sitting outside on April 20 having lunch and what should come over but a Red Kite!
Initially it was quite low, being closely mobbed by a Crow/Rook.
By the time he got his camera, the corvid had chased it way up...

Great Abington birds

Andy Merryweather took these pictures on 31 March

Branbling

Pheasant

Siskins

Friday, 19 April 2013

Spring has sprung in Granta Park

George has reported that plant life is finally returning!

Saturday, 13 April 2013

Frogs & frogspawn

Carolyn Hannah reports that "our pond is full of frogs and loads of spawn"

Sunday, 7 April 2013

Spring comes (at last) to Granta Park

George reports that this weekend he's seen a pair of Coot on the Lake and a pair of Hares racing all over the park.

He also saw a large Fox as he was leaving Sluice Wood towards the No 1 Riverside Building: it appeared from the direction of the river and, seeing the dog, continued to skirt the edge of the wood before disappearing.

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)