December 2021 - Interesting Sightings from around the Abingtons

December 2021

Amphibians and Reptiles

No sightings reported this month.

 

Birds

A total of 408 reports received this month, containing 50 different species. Both Fieldfare and Redwing continued to be reported, as well as another winter visitor, the Lesser Redpoll.

Redwing – nine reports from around the villages, including flocks of 30-40 in fields adjacent to Church Lane, as well as on GP feeding in Yew trees, and on the LSA.  Fieldfare – one report of a small flocks along the Roman Road

Lesser Redpoll – also along the Roman Road, a flock of 10 seen flitting between high trees (27th).

Bullfinch – a pair seen an heard in hedgerows along the Roman Road (27th). Up to five Chaffinch seen more regularly, alongside the more usual good numbers of Goldfinch (10-15) and Greenfinch (3-6) regularly on feeders. Regular reports of Robin, Dunnock, Jay and Magpie, with a Wren seen more occasionally.  

Mistle Thrush and Song Thrush continue to be reported, as well as several Blackbird. Also in gardens, small groups of Great Tit and Blue Tit regularly seen, as well as a Coal Tit and 6-8 Long-tailed Tit spotted occasionally in several gardens.  Up to 10 House Sparrow reported chirruping loudly in the winter sun.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - seen daily on feeders in several gardens, a Green Woodpecker was spotted at several sites, as well as a Nuthatch reported once.

Tawny Owl – heard calling near Lewis Crescent early in the month. A Buzzard was spotted flying low over a garden hotly pursued by two Magpie in Meadow Walk, as well as several sightings elsewhere around the villages. Up to four Red Kite were seen over open ground and along the old A11, and occasional reports of a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel.

Little Egret – one seen fishing along the river by the Millennium Bridge, as well as up to four Grey Heron around GP, Sluice Wood and the Perse sports fields. A Grey Wagtail was spotted in amongst a flock of 31 Pied Wagtail feeding on the GP cricket green, and on the GP lake, a few Mallard and Moorhen were seen alongside a Mute Swan, and five Barnacle Goose.

Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer and Red-legged Partridge – were all reported on the LSA, on GP and along the Roman Road. Flocks of 50-100 Black-headed Gull were seen in fields along North Road, on the Perse sports fields and on GP, and both Great Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull were seen flying over the Roman Road.

 

Butterflies, Bees and other insects

No sightings, probably due to the weather with hardly any sunshine.

 

Mammals

Fox – one seen on Bourn Bridge Road near the International school on the 4th.

Hare – single one seen in fields near AbPkFm in 29th.

Flora & Fungi, and Rivercare

No reports this month.

 

Weather

Rainfall was 75 mm, with the first two weeks fairly wet with much more rain at the end of the month, just in time for Christmas, but less than December 2020 which had a much higher rainfall. Highest temperature was 16.2 degrees C on the 30th, and according to the met office this is the highest on record since 1916. Lowest temperature was -3.6 degrees C on the 22nd, but overall a frost free month.

 

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for December 2021:

Jeff Dowling, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Jennifer Hirsh, Carole McCrae, Andy Merryweather, Gill Smith, Derek Turnidge, Sally Turnidge.