Sparrowhawk - a successful catch

17th December 2024 - whilst preparing lunch, Andy and Polly M spotted a Sparrowhawk perched on the garden fence, also tucking into its midday meal, having just caught an unfortunate Goldfinch on the feeders. This individual appears to be a juvenile female, as evidenced by the larger size, brown upper plumage with white spots, and widely spaced barring on the breast. 

Having efficiently plucked and eviscerated its prey, it set about consuming the whole of the unfortunate little bird, before resting a quite a while on the perch.

A few birds on Granta Park

15th December 2024 - on a walk around Granta Park today, Andy M noted a few interesting birds. On the lake, a Little Grebe was still in residence, having successfully bred on the lake this year, alongside a family group of Canada Goose. A few Pied Wagtail scurried across the playing field in search of insects or other prey, and in Lagden's Grove a small flock of Redwing nervously eyed him, whilst searching for berries during their winter visit to these shores. Also in the woods, and interesting orange fungus.

Little Grebe

Canada Goose

Pied Wagtail

Redwing

November 2024 - Summary of Sightings from the Abingtons

November 2024

Amphibians and Reptiles

No reported sightings.

 

Birds

A notably good total of 52 species reported this month in 369 records. Small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare spotted, and unusually a sizable mixed flock of Golden Plover and Lapwing was feeding in fields adjacent to the ORC. Blackcap were spotted feeding in gardens and both Barn Owl and Tawny Owl reported. A few Parakeets were also reported.

Around 100 Golden Plover, and a similar number of Lapwing were spread seen feeding across the fields adjacent to the ORC on 20^th (see blog) These were unusually close to the village, being more typically seen to the north along the Roman Road. Small numbers of Fieldfare were spotted on the LSA and ORC, as well as in a crab apple tree by the old pottery, and a flock of 12 Redwing were seen along Chalky Rd (see blog), and near Church Lane.

A group of three Parakeet (species unrecorded, but presumably Rose-ringed Parakeet) were seen and heard flying over Westfield on 2nd. These remain an unusual sight in rural villages locally, although a population is now regularly seen in warmer conurbations, including Cambridge).

A Barn Owl was spotted around an outbuilding on the LSA, and a Tawny Owl was regularly heard and occasionally seen around Hall Farm. One or two Buzzard were regularly spotted at multiple sites around the villages, and a Kestrel was seen around Cambridge Rd, the LSA and the Perse sports fields. A Red Kite was reported three times, and a Sparrowhawk twice, both mostly to the south of the village.

A male Blackcap, and sometimes a pair, were commonly seen on Lewis Cres early in the month (see blog), often amongst a mixed tit flock which included Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit (see blog) the latter two species also being seen in Cambridge Rd and Hall Farm gardens, as well as on the LSA. Several Blue Tit and Great Tit were reported more widely, as were Goldfinch (often 8-12) and Greenfinch (more usually 3-4), and 1-2 Chaffinch at several locations. Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock and Wren were all regularly seen in several gardens, and Goldcrest were occasionally heard singing when the weather was warmer.

A male Pheasant was seen strutting around a Lewis Cres garden, and Red-legged Partridge were spotted on the LSA and ORC, as well as along Bourn Bridge Rd. A Jay was a regular visitor to several gardens, as well as being spotted on the LSA and in GP. Magpie were similarly widespread, including five seen together along Church Lane and on the LSA. A Collared Dove made a welcome return to a Cambridge Rd garden, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker also returned to several gardens.

On GP lake, around 30 Mallard, two Moorhen and two Little Grebe were seen, and a pair of Mandarin Duck was seen along the river on GP (17^th). Four Grey Heron were seen in Bancroft Meadow (10^th) as well as flying over Lewis Cres on two occasions. A few Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull were also seen in GP, and a flock of around 100 Black-headed Gull was also seen on the Perse sports fields.

Unusually, a Grey Wagtail was spotted in a Meadow Walk garden, and Pied Wagtail were seen around Hall Farm and on the LSA. A few Linnet and Yellowhammer, as well as nine Skylark were also seen on the LSA.

Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Rook were all reported, often in large numbers on GP and fields on the LSA. Similarly, 100+ Woodpigeon were reported in fields behind Lewis Cres. Stock Dove were also regularly seen amongst the increasing number of Feral Pigeon in Lewis Cres, and up to 20 House Sparrow and 12 Starling were also recorded.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

No reported sightings.

 

Mammals

Fallow Deer – a herd of about 15 were seen in the field south of ORC on 21^st (see blog).

Hedgehog – one small hedgehog was seen in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden in the early morning on 1st.

Muntjac – one seen in a Cambridge Rd garden on 9^th, and one in Lagden’s Grove, GP on 17th.

 

Flora and Fungi

An unusual pink-coloured fungus was spotted by Emma J on the LSA (see blog). The autumn colour of the trees has also been good this month (see blog).

 

Weather

A drier than usual month with only 41.25 mm of rain, whereas the average is just over 60 mm. The highest temperature was 18.3 degrees C on the 24th and the lowest mins 4.1 degrees C on the 20th. The first three weeks of the month were mild for November before the first frost, with winds westerly to south-westerly until the 20th.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for November 2024.
David & Gaynor Farrant, Jayne Gamble, Emma Jones, Carole McCrae, Len Mead, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Joan Nevin, Brian Parris, Gill and Richard Smith, Suzan Stewart, John & Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.

Golden Plover and Lapwing flock

21st November 2024 - a good-sized flock of around 150 Golden Plover and about 100 Lapwing were seen swirling above the fields adjacent to the Old Railway Cutting by Andy M and John T recently. Not usually seen this close to the village, they settled in a newly-sown field and spread out to feed. 

Golden Plover                                               [photo John T]

Golden Plover                                             [photos Andy M]

Mammals on the Settlements

21st November 2024 - Andy M spotted a number of mammal species along the Old Railway Cutting and on the Settlements recently, including Rabbit, Grey Squirrel and a good-sized herd of Fallow Deer.

Rabbit

Grey Squirrel

Fallow Deer

Fallow Deer

Fallow Deer

Redwing - winter thrush visitors

21st November 2024 - Andy M spotted a small flock of Redwing along Chalky Rd recently. This thrush species, along with the Fieldfare, visit the UK from Scandinavia during the winter.

Pink fungus

20th November 2024 - Emma J spotted this rather lovely pink fungus recently, possibly the Wrinkled Pink Fungus (Rhodotus palmatus).

Autumn colours around the village

17th November 2024 - Polly M took a short walk around the village, noting the gorgeous autumn leaf colours and clear blue skies.

Mixed-species Tit flocks

18th November 2024 - unusually, Andy M had a visit from both Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit, in amongst a mixed-species tit flock consisting mostly of Blue Tit and Great Tit. 

The Coal Tit, the smallest tit species in the UK, has a characteristic white stripe on the back of a head and pale rusty flanks, and is often be associated with conifers where it feeds on seeds from cones. Long-tailed Tit often fly around in small groups, and have a characteristic long tail and pale pink colouration.

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Great Tit

Blackcap visitor

8th November 2024 - Andy M spotted a pair of Blackcap in his garden recently, feeding on the small red Euonymus berries. The male of this warbler species has a black 'cap', and the female has a rusty red 'cap'. At this time of year, these individuals are likely to be winter visitors from mainland Europe.

Female Blackcap

October 2024 - Summary of Sightings from the Abingtons

October 2024

Amphibians and Reptiles

Just two sightings of a Common Frog in Lewis Cres around mid-month (see blog).

 

Birds

A total of 46 species reported this month in 262 records. A Redwing was seen at the end of the month, and Blackbird returned to gardens in good numbers to fest on berries. A few winter migrant Blackcap were also seen.

A Redwing was seen on 30^th on the LSA, and whilst Fieldfare have yet to be seen in the parishes, they have been reported just north of here. The number of Blackbird visiting some gardens rose noticeably this month, especially where there are berry-bearing bushes.

A male Blackcap was seen twice, on 29th and 31st, feeding on berries in a Lewis Cres garden. These birds are likely to be migrants arriving here from eastern Europe, whereas the birds that bred here in the summer will have migrated to southern Europe.

A few Chaffinch were seen under feeders, after an absence of several months from some gardens. Goldfinch were also noted in good numbers (up to 12), alongside a few Greenfinch. Several Blue Tit and Great Tit were often seen, with 1-2 Coal Tit appearing in several gardens, and small flocks of Long-tailed Tit spotted along the ORC, Sluice Wood and in a few gardens.

One or two Jay were seen regularly visiting several gardens, often collecting acorns. Goldcrest were spotted at several locations, with Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker spotted around Hall Farm and on Granta Park. Robin, Dunnock and Wren were often reported, and a Song Thrush was spotted once on Lewis Cres.

On Granta Park, two Little Grebe remain on the lake, alongside a few Moorhen and up to 40 Mallard. Eight Barnacle Goose were seen on the cricket field, as were a number of Pied Wagtail (also spotted in a Moorefield garden). A Grey Heron was reported on Bancroft Meadow, as well as flying over Lewis Cres, and interestingly, two Egyptian Goose were seen on Grange Farm. A few Black-headed Gull were spotted on GP, and small groups of gull, including Lesser Black-backed Gull were seen in local fields.

Up to three Buzzard were spotted at a number of sites, as were Red Kite with six being seen over the LSA on 16th. A Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk were each reported twice, and Tawny Owl continue to be heard occasionally.

Around a dozen Linnet were seen on GP, as well as on the LSA, and Meadow Pipit were also spotted on the LSA and along the ORC, where a group of Red-legged Partridge were also seen. Collared Dove were reported just twice, and Stock Dove just three times, whereas Feral Pigeon seem to be on the increase.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

Unsurprisingly, just 20 reports this month, these being mostly butterfly sightings.

Five butterfly species were spotted in October. The majority of sightings were of Red Admiral, which migrate south, back over the channel at this time of year, although some may over-winter here. Several Large White were seen, as well as an occasional Brimstone, and single reports of both Comma and Speckled Wood, the latter likely to be from an unusual third brood of the year.

Total butterfly reports received in October were: Red Admiral (7), Large White (3), Brimstone (2), Comma (1), Speckled Wood (1), and unidentified ‘small white’ (2).

There were just two reports of a Hawker dragonfly (6th and 16th), thought to be Southern Hawker, although Migrant Hawker tend to be the predominant odonata species late in the year.

Two reports of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Lewis Cres on 7th and 18th.

 

Mammals

Fallow Deer – six females/young and one well-antlered stag were seen along the ORC on 24th, and a stag (likely the same one) was seen in a field off Chalky Road on 26th.

Hare – one seen in Granta Park on 19th.

Hedgehog – evidence in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout October.

Muntjac – one in a Cambridge Rd garden on 25th.

Field Vole – one spotted in a garden compost heap on Lewis Cres on 11^th.

 

Flora and Fungi

A few fungi were spotted on GP, and whilst identifying the species can be difficult, they were thought to be Shaggy Inkcap, Fairy Inkcap, an Agaricus species, a Mycena species, and a Trametes species of bracket fungus (see blog).  A good-sized Giant Puffball was also seen in Sluice Wood (see blog).

 

Weather

The total rainfall was 54.5 mm, which is slightly below average. The highest temperature was 23.8 degrees C on the 16th and the lowest was minus 1.3 degrees C on the 11th. Temperatures over the whole month were generally mild, and winds were mainly from a southerly direction, so feeling very pleasant. As a result, there seem to be quite a few wild flowers still in bloom, and the trees are starting to show their autumnal colours (see blog). The village was also given a lovely display of the Northern Lights on 10^th (see blog).

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for October 2024.

Tricia Cullimore, David & Gaynor Farrant, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Joan Nevin, Barbara Phippen, Gill and Richard Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.

Giant Puffball fungus

23rd October 2024 - David F spotted this Giant Puffball fungus in Sluice Wood recently. These large fruiting bodies start out white, slowly maturing to brown, before 'puffing out' their spores to be dispersed by the wind.

A few Fungi

19th October 2024 - Andy M spotted a few fungi whilst walking around Granta Park. Whilst it can be hard to definitively identify fungus species, these are thought to be Shaggy Inkcap, an Agaricus species, Fairy Inkcap, a Trametes species bracket fungus, and a species of Bonnet, Mycena.

Shaggy Inkcap

Shaggy Inkcap - slightly more 'mature' ones

An Agaricus species

Fairy Inkcap

Fairy Inkcap

A Trametes species bracket fungus

A Mycena 'Bonnet' species

Autumn Colours

19th October 2024 - the combination of a few chillier nights and a bright sunny day has transformed the trees into a riot of autumnal colour.

[photos Andy M]