Tuesday, 5 May 2020

Old Railway Cutting Walk

At the weekend, Andy M took a walk along the Old Railway Cutting and really noticed the difference over the last week or two of warm sunny weather, with some rain.

Most obviously, the Hawthorn was in full and brilliant bloom, and the grasses and flowers had grown up considerably.  The Parsley was head-and-shoulders above everything else, the Cowslip, Speedwell continued to flower, and a few Red Dead-NettleButtercup and White Campion were starting to appear.  In the shade, the Forget-me-Not seemed to shine out from under the Garlic Mustard.  The Cow Parsley was also in full bloom nearby along Chalky Road and the Buttercups and Daises covered one of the meadows.

A Lesser Whitethroat was singing at the far end of the railway cutting, the male Chaffinch and male Yellowhammer were both looking resplendent in the sun, and a Grey Squirrel was sitting very still (in full view) but still hoping not to be noticed!

Hawthorn
Hawthorn
the rapidly growing Parsley plants
 Cowslip
Cowslip
Buttercup
White Campion
 Red Dead-Nettle
Speedwell
Forget-me-not and Garlic Mustard
 Forget-me-not 
 Cow Parsley
 Cow Parsley (along Chalky Road)
 Buttercups and Daisies (on the LSA)
Lesser Whitethroat
 Yellowhammer
 Chaffinch
Grey Squirrel

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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)