Abington Naturewatch: January 2017

Sunday 22 January 2017

Blackcap on bird feeder

This male Blackcap was seen on the bird-feeders in Andy's garden today - the first one to visit his garden this winter - possibly pushed into looking for food there due to the cold-snap.

Saturday 21 January 2017

In mid-December, three volunteers cleared some frees and debris from the river in Sluice Wood.
In early January, a much larger tree came down over the river. taking some other bits with it - and, by 13th Jan, debris was collecting behind it:

Several people commented... so David arranged a work party on 16th Jan to clear it, with permission from the landowner. The river is once again clear!

Saturday 7 January 2017

Hypholoma toadstools on Granta Park

Andy M saw these toadstools on a rotting oak tree stump near the river on Granta Park, The caps were around 3-5 cm across, and he believes them to be one of the Hypholoma genus, possibly the so-called 'Brick-Tuft' toadstool (H. sublateritium), or maybe the 'Sulphur Tuft' (H. fasciculare).

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)