Abington Naturewatch: Old Railway Cutting walk

Monday, 13 April 2020

Old Railway Cutting walk

A few pictures from Andy M's now more regular walks along the Old Railway Cutting earlier this week.

A male Reed Bunting was singing from the hedge tops - presumably the male of a pair that were seen in the same place a few weeks earlier. Several male Yellowhammer were also in fine voice, with the odd female lurking nearby, no doubt assessing the talent. Several Chiffchaff and a Wren were loudly proclaiming their territories, and in the recently harrowed field, a male Pheasant clearly forgot, and though that hunkering down might provide some camouflage!

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

M\ale Yellowhammer

Female Yellowhammer

Chiffchaff

Wren

Wren

Wren

Wren

Male Pheasant

clearly hoping that hunkering down would provide more than enough camouflage!

A number of animals were also in evidence - most prominently a Muntjac hurtling at full pelt down the path towards me, until it got wind of me and did a smart about-turn. A Grey Squirrel took an alternative approach - 'if I can't seen him, maybe he can't see me!'. A Fox was also spotted in the distance before slinking off into the woods.

Muntjac - on a collision course ..

... before it spotted me ...

... and promptly did an about-turn.

A Grey Squirrel - 'hiding'

A distant Fox surveying the scene

A a few flowers looking fabulous in the morning sun.

Old Man's Beard

Cowslip

Water droplets on Wild Arum

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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)