April 2022 - Interesting Sightings in the Abingtons

April 2022

Amphibians and Reptiles

Smooth Newt – at least six spotted in a pond in LA. Three in Meadow Walk pond initially, increasing to twelve by mid-month.

Common Toad – one seen crawling across a patio, in a LA garden.

Slow Worm – desiccated skin found in a paddock on LSA

 

Birds

A total of 56 species were seen or heard this month, in a total of 542 reports. The last of the winter visitors were still around at the start of the month, but as the month progressed more summer visitor started to arrive, although somewhat reluctantly it seemed, due to cold weather and unfavourable winds.

A female Black Redstart was seen feeding on North Rd, LSA on 18th. This scarce species does occasionally nest in the UK, but is more generally seen as a migrant passing through from the Mediterranean. Reported only twice before in the Abingtons [link to blog].

Last reports of two Redwing and c20 Fieldfare on GP on 3rd, and a male Siskin was spotted once on 6th in a Lewis Cres garden, the latter undoubtedly passing through.

The first Swallow were seen on 13th, returning to their nest site in a barn on North Road. This first report of the year is a couple of weeks later than previous years.

Of the warblers, Chiffchaff continued to be heard around the village, joined by Blackcap which were heard regularly from 3rd onwards. These singing males are likely to be recent arrivals from southern Europe, displacing the over-wintering birds that will mostly have returned to Europe to breed. Both Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were first heard along the Roman Road on 17th, and along the ORC and LSA since.

Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting were also both heard for the first time this year, from 10th, along the Roman Road and on the LSA. Skylark and Linnet were also heard at the same locations.

Unusually, a pair of Mandarin Duck were spotted on the river and in Sluice Wood on several occasions, with a female reported nesting on GP. A pair of Mute Swan was seen on GP lake, and more unusually along the river by the recreation ground. A Mallard with 11 small duckling was seen on GP on 28th, and adult birds reported visiting ponds in the village. A Little Egret was spotted near the river, and up to 8 Canada Goose were reported in GP.

A Treecreeper was spotted nest-building in a dead tree on GP, and a Nuthatch made a welcome return to a garden on High St, LA. Great Spotted Woodpecker were regularly seen on some gardens, and a male was heard drumming in Lewis Cres on 12th. Green Woodpecker were also reported on GP and in a Cambridge Rd garden.

A Bullfinch was spotted along the ORC, with Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch continuing to be seen regularly. A pair of Long-tailed Tit started nest-building on Lewis Cres, and were more widely seen around the villages, as were a few Coal Tit. A Goldcrest was a reported once.

Pied Wagtail were seen more regularly this month, largely on the recreation ground, and on the LSA.

A Little Owl was sadly found dead near the Millennium Bridge. One or two Buzzard, Kestrel and Red Kite were regularly seen, with a Sparrowhawk reported on three occasions.

 

Butterflies and other insects

A number of warm, sunny days, particularly around the third week, brought out the insects and during April a total of 134 records were received (butterfly 117, bumblebee 12, other 5).

Butterfly species first reported this year during April were: Green-veined White (from 15th), Holly Blue (from 15th, good numbers), Common Blue (16th, 1 report, unusually early) and Speckled Wood (18th, 2 reports).

Good numbers continued to be seen of Brimstone, Orange Tip (note very few females reported), Peacock and Small White. In contrast, there were fewer sightings in April than in March of Small Tortoiseshell and in particular Comma.

Butterfly reports: Brimstone 30, Orange Tip 23, Peacock 16, Holly Blue 15, Small White 15, Green-veined White 9, Small Tortoiseshell 6, (others: Comma, Large White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue - all fewer than 5 reports).

Mining Bee (Adrena fulva) seen in good numbers in mid-April in Sluice Wood and some gardens. Bumblebees: mainly Buff-tailed and White-tailed, but also some Red-tailed were seen, and one report of Tree Bumblebee. Dark-edged Beefly and Ten-spot Ladybird also reported.

 

Mammals

Badger – latrine seen on the Rec on 28th.

Bat – possibly Pipistrelle, above a Cambridge Road garden on 15th.

Fallow Deer – six were seen in Hildersham Wood on 17th.

Field Vole – two a Cambridge Rd garden, on 7th and 24th.

Fox – one along the ORC on 18th, likely a dog fox due to its large size.

Hare – one on GP on 3rd and 22nd, and one in Hildersham Wood on 17th.

Hedgehog – one in a Meadow Walk garden on 5th, one in a Lewis Cres. garden on 13th, and two caught on trail camera in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout the last week of April.

Mole – one found dead on the Hairdresser path on 22nd, possibly killed by a cat.

Muntjac – one near the Sluice on 3rd, one in a High St. LA garden on 6th, one in Hildersham Wood on 17th, one in ORC on 18th, and one in Sluice Wood on 21st.

Flora

The following species were reported in flower: Celandine, Sweet Violet, Ground Ivy, Cherry-plum, Garlic Mustard, Cowslip, Blackthorn, Bluebell, Forget-me-not, Snowflake, Crab Apple, Speedwell, Cow Parsley, Shepherd’s Purse.

 

Weather

None of us need reminding that this has been an exceptionally dry month with well below average rainfall of only 10 mm, mostly in the first week of the month. The highest temperature was 25.3 degrees C recorded on the 15th, with a low of minus 5.7 degrees C on the 3rd. Overall wind speeds were average, but with a strong gale at the end of the first week.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for April 2022: 
Mark Austin, Barry Brooks, Peter Brunning, David Farrant, Gaynor Farrant, Jane Gambie, Robin Harman, Jennifer Hirst, Esme Langford, Carole McCrae, Andy Merryweather, Polly Merryweather, Joan Nevin, Brian and Pamela Parris, Gareth Rees, Marion Rusted, Gill Smith, John and Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge, Mervyn Wingfield.