Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Unintended beneficiary

Andy M grew some sunflowers in his garden this year, leaving the largest of them in the ground intending that the Goldfinch might benefit from the seed during the autumn - or so he thought!  The Goldfinch, it turns out, prefer the 'ready to eat' takeaway seed from the bird feeders!  

However, a Grey Squirrel spotted the opportunity and moved in.  

It seems the technique was to hang upside down to chew off chunks of sunflower head, then revert to upright to eat! - and repeat!  The sunflower head seemingly put up something of a fight at one stage, and things got quite violent - but by the end the squirrel was full, and the sunflower was a tattered mess!









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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)