August 2021 - Interesting sightings from around the Abingtons

Amphibians and Reptiles

Common Frog – one report in LA garden.

Common Toad – one report from Cambridge Rd, LA.

 

Birds

August is typically a quiet month for birds, with many recovering from the efforts of breeding, quietly feeding and moulting. Larger flocks of young birds were again widely seen, particularly of Blue Tit and Great Tit, but also Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Greenfinch. Of the summer visitors, a few Warblers were still around, and a few local Swallow and House Martin continued to be seen, as well as one late and very fortunate Swift. A total of 285 reports received this month, containing 49 different species.

Swift – one bird found trapped in a mass of cobwebs in LA church, unable to fly. Once rescued and cleaned off, it seemed unharmed and headed off on its somewhat delayed journey south. Likely to be the last report this year (15th). House Martin – regularly up to 4 over Mortlock Gardens and Cambridge Road.  Swallow – four reports this month, with a group of 6 comprising adults and young along Chalky Road.

Hobby – one seen pursing a flock of migrating House Martin over Lewis Crescent on 23rd. Regular sightings of 1-2 Buzzard, particularly around Lewis Crescent and the LSA. More occasionally, a Kestrel and a Red Kite seen around Cambridge Rd, and two reports of a Sparrowhawk.

Blackcap and Chiffchaff – 1-2 heard and seen occasionally at several sites, and Common Whitethroat reported twice along the ORC.

Chaffinch – small numbers occasionally in gardens, alongside the more regular larger groups of 6-10 Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  Regular reports of Robin singing throughout the day, as both males and females start to set up their winter territories. 

Blue Tit, Great Tit – flocks of 10-15 birds regularly in several gardens, along with small numbers of Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit.  Young birds starting to gain their adult plumage this month.

House Sparrow, Wren and Dunnock – seen regularly in a few gardens, a Song Thrush occasionally on the LSA, and one report of a Jay along Cambridge Rd.  Collared Dove, Stock Dove – 1-2 regularly seen under feeders in some gardens.

Green Woodpecker – 1-2 reported in a number of gardens and the LSA this month. Great Spotted Woodpecker – a group of 4 adult and young birds seen in a Cambridge Rd garden, with 1-2 elsewhere. Nuthatch – 1-2 continued to visit in a garden on High St, LA.

Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Linnet – small numbers (2-8) on the ORC and LSA, as well as Skylark – up to 8 singing near AbPkFm.

Grey Wagtail – two juveniles drinking from a puddle with a Linnet flock near AbPkFm.

Little Egret – one along river in Sluice Wood (16th), and two reports of a Grey Heron along the river.  Moorhen – two seen by a garden pond on Chalky Rd.

Barn Owl, Tawny Owl – both heard late evening near Lewis Crescent on 10th/11th.

 

Butterflies, Bees and other insects

August has again not been a good month for invertebrates, especially butterflies, this year with 154 reports of butterflies in total. The weather in August was very cool and few sunny days. Total number of reports, 202 (very low for August).

Butterfly reports were dominated by Small White and Brimstone (19 sightings), followed by Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Large White and Peacock. Relatively few reports of Bumblebees, that are normally seen in greater numbers at this time of year. Similarly, very few reports of dragonflies.

All these reports are from within the boundaries of Great and Little Abington. Note that the numbers given are not the numbers of butterflies and other insects but the number of times a species was reported by someone.

Mammals

Bat – over Cambridge Road garden regularly throughout the month. Also several seen over Lewis Crescent, possibly Pipistrelles.

Muntjac – one on ORC on 4th, and one in a Cambridge Road garden regularly during the month.

Fallow Deer  - two on LSA on 23rd.

Fox – one seen crossing North Road on the LSA.

Hare – two on LSA on 23rd.

Hedgehog – one in Meadow Walk garden on 1st, and in Lewis Crescent on 16th, 19th and 20th.

Flora and Fungi

Wild flowers reported this month, mostly from along the ORC and Roman Road: Lucerne, Teasel, Greater Knapweed, Common Knapweed, Slender Thistle, Spear Thistle, Mugwort, Ragwort, Old Man’s Beard, Small Scabious, Field Scabious, Wild Basil, Wild Marjoram, Great Willowherb, Yarrow, St John’s Wort, Agrimony, Pignut, Red Clover, White Campion, Field Poppy, Lesser Trefoil, Goat’s Beard, Salad Burnet, Restharrow.

 

Rivercare

The river fauna was sampled on 17th but just failed to reach our minimum ‘threshold’ count, and ideally we would immediately re-sample and recount. Although we knew the results were poor, we did not notice the breach immediately so we arranged a follow-up session. Ruth Hawksley from the Wildlife Trust came over on 3rd September and we tried again. The numbers were just adequate, although the sample seemed hardly any better.

The examination was certainly very thorough, using a hand lens, and we (mostly Ruth) identified various caddis fly larva, among others. The caseless ones were tiny and the cased ones only slightly bigger - a matter of spotting a likely collection of bits and waiting for a head to pop out!  

A few Himalayan Balsam plants were removed, in addition to the usual litter-picking. We are aware of a tumble drier drum in the river and await a suitable opportunity to remove and dispose of it!

 

Weather

Typical school holidays weather - not a lot of sun and plenty of grey skies, but fairly dry with 33.25 mm of rainfall. The highest temperature was 28.2 degrees on the 4th and the lowest 6.9 degrees on the 29th. Overall it was a very quiet month with light breezes.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for August 2021:
Barry Brooks, Peter Brunning, Lois Bull, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Sheena Fraser, Jennifer Hirsh, Carole McCrae, Len Mead, Andy Merryweather, Freda Orgee, Graham Ross, Gill Smith, Derek Turnidge.

Link to ANW contact details