Saturday 5 July 2014

Fen Drayton Lakes - 5th July

Showery weather did not deter a small group from an expedition on the Guided Busway to the RSPB reserve at Fen Drayton. Jennifer arranged for us to be guided by John Harding.


We saw or heard a variety of birds and some butterflies but the most numerous sightings were of damsel flies. Most common was Common blue (Enallagma cyathigerum); we also saw Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) and Banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) in reasonable numbers.

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Common blue damselfly

Common blue damselfly (JH)

Banded demoiselle

Red-eyed damselfly

Cinnabar Moth caterpillar (JH)

Red Admiral butterfly

Ladybird larva
We saw and/or heard quite a number of birds:

Tufted Duck                     
Chiff Chaff           
Lapwing
Pochard                 
Common Tern          
Greenfinch
Dabchick                 
Reed Warbler            
Black Headed Gull 
Mallard                      
Red Kite                      
Heron                          
Great Crested Grebe    
Wren                              
Egyptian Goose
Coot                               
Sedge Warbler                 
Greylag Goose 
Cormorant                  
Blackcap                            
Whitethroat
Gadwall                        
Starling                             
Little Egret
Moorhen                         
Green Woodpecker

Mute Swan                   
Reed Bunting

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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)