Sunday, 26 July 2020

'Virtual' Fleam Dyke visit

Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions and social distancing, the ANW Project Team decided to cancel the trip to Fleam Dyke yesterday.  However, that certainly does not mean that the butterflies aren't there!
Andy and Polly M, and David and Gaynor F have both been recently and can thoroughly recommend a visit. You can park along the small lane alongside the A11, then cross the footbridge then walk a short distance along Fleam Dyke (see instructions at the bottom of this post).

However, in the mean time, I thought it would be nice to show a 'virtual trip', and what you might expect to see there in terms of butterflies:

Looking back along Fleam Dyke from 'Bedford Gap' towards the A11 footbridge
 A multitude of flowers along the south-facing bank
 Brimstone
Red Admiral 
 Essex Skipper
 Painted Lady
  Painted Lady
 Meadow Brown
Gatekeeper
Chalkhill Blue 
Chalkhill Blue 
 Chalkhill Blue 
 Peacock 
 Dark Green Fritillary
 Dark Green Fritillary 
Small White
 Skipper [DF]
Chalkhill Blue [DF]

Other butterfly species seen (but not photographed) included Green-veined White, Large White, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Skipper, White-letter Hairstreak and Marbled White.

 Pyramidal Orchid
Knapweed - an interesting white form
 Cinnabar Moth caterpillar
A pale White-tailed Bumblebee


How to get there - from the A11 heading north - turn off the A11 at the Fulbourn junction, and at the junction turn left then immediately right onto the small road alongside the A11.  There is a small car parking bay just after the footbridge).
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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)