Birding News - Abington

Derek reports (tweets?):

• Great Black-backed Gulls in field NE of Four Went Ways
• Chiffchaff heard near the Millennium Foot Bridge
• Grey Wagtail downstream of that bridge

He also says he's heard that Redwings are beginning to appear in this country. Please let him know when you see any in Abington - and of course any other winter visitors or noteworthy sightings.

Dragonfly in Church Lane

Len and Rosemary had a house visit from a female Southern Hawker on Monday 19th September. They also saw one by their pond the previous Friday and on Tuesday 20th.

Southern Hawker 

Southern Hawker

The Emerald damselfly was seen at Flatford mill on Thursday 15th September.

Emerald damselfly

Chiffchaff singing in September

Anne, Derek and Andy have all heard Chiffchaff singing at various locations around the village during the last week or two.  Anne has seen this Chiffchaff in her garden for the past three days, her pictures nicely showing the dark legs and short 'primary projection' which help distinguish this Chiffchaff from the very similar Willow Warbler.  The entry for Chiffchaff in Anne's bird book indicates that "Bright autumn days may cause migrants to burst into unseasonal song".

Wasps' nest and Bracket fungus in Sluice Wood

David Farrant took these photos near the path round Sluice Wood. 

They show:

• Wasps nest, presumably dug up by a badger and then repaired over a couple of days.
• Bracket fungus presumably 'Chicken of the Woods'.

Nuthatch in High Street

Jennifer saw this Nuthatch on her bird feeder this morning (5 September).