Sunday, 26 April 2020

Pond life - Smooth Newt and friends

Derek T has at least two Smooth Newt in his pond (and reported in a previous post), and has seen them again today.

Anne D-N has also been spotting wildlife in her pond recently, finding a Three-spined Stickleback and a Common Frog.  The stickleback are just entering their breeding phase, with the males acquiring red throats and bellies, as well as blue eyes! The one photographed was constructing a nest in a shallow area where there is some gravel. The frog appears from time to time in Anne's pond, but as yet there is no spawn.

 Gill S also mentioned seeing a shoal of small fish - perhaps minnows or maybe trout - in the river from Sluice Wood today (28th), something she normally only sees around the Millennium Bridge.

Smooth Newt [photo DLT]

Three-spined Stickleback  [photo ADN]

Common Frog  [photo ADN]



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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)