December 2023 - Summary of Sightings around the Abingtons

December 2023

Birds

A total of 47 species were reported this month in 248 records. Several hundred Starling were seen murmurating above GP, and a pair of Goosander and a Snipe were also spotted there. A Grey Wagtail was spotted in a garden, and both Barn Owl and Tawny Owl were heard at night.

Just one report of Fieldfare, a flock being spotted near Hildersham Wood on 23rd, and a single Redwing was seen on Christmas Day on the Settlements.

A Grey Wagtail visited a Bourn Bridge Rd garden for a little while, stopping to take a drink there – an unusual visitor to a garden. Seven Pied Wagtail were also seen on GP cricket field.

On GP, a pair of Goosander was spotted flying over the lake (7th), and around 500-1000 Starling were seen murmurating, before roosting in the reedbed on 6th and 7th. Around 15 Reed Bunting were also roosting there. An adult Mute Swan and four cygnets were seen on the lake, as were several Mallard, a Moorhen, two Little Grebe and three Mandarin Duck, and a Snipe was flushed from rough grassland, where small flocks of Linnet and Meadow Pipit were also seen. Four Grey Heron were seen alongside the river (see blog).

A Barn Owl was heard calling along Chalky Rd, and Tawny Owl were reported regularly, calling around Church Lane, Hall Farm and the High St. On warmer, brighter days several species could be heard singing too, especially Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Great Tit and Greenfinch, giving a pre-taste of dawn choruses to come!

One or two Buzzard were widely reported circling overhead, a Red Kite was seen around Cambridge Rd and Bourn Bridge Rd, and a male Sparrowhawk was spotted in a Cambridge Rd garden.

Up to six Blue Tit and 2-3 Great Tit were seen in several gardens, along with an occasion Coal Tit on Cambridge Rd and Hall Farm, and small flocks of Long-tailed Tit in several gardens.  Up to 10 Goldfinch were also seen on feeders alongside 2-3 Greenfinch, as well as a few more Chaffinch than in previous months. A flock of ~30 Chaffinch was also seen feeding on beech mast on GP.

A few Blackbird were regularly reported, although perhaps in lower numbers than previous years. Dunnock, Wren and Song Thrush were also often seen in gardens, as well as several Robin regularly heard singing. House Sparrow, Magpie and an occasional Jay were also reported.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen on a couple of feeders, and a Goldcrest was spotted several times. A cock Pheasant was seen in a Hall farm garden, where a flock of 12 Black-headed Gull also dropped onto the lawn to feed on Christmas leftovers, and there was a possible sighting of Grey Partridge around New House Farm.

A few Collared Dove, Stock Dove and Woodpigeon also visited several gardens. Rook, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw were also reported.

Flora and Fungi

On a walk around Lagden’s Grove with the Wildlife Trust, a few fungi were spotted – in particular, Puffball, Jelly Ear, White Brain Jelly, Wrinkled Peach and Turkey Tail (see blog)

 

Mammals

Fox – a dog fox seen around the road entrance to GP on 12th.

Hedgehog - one in a Church Lane garden on 23rd and 24th foraging for food in daylight, and one seen crossing Church Lane on 30th also in daylight. One was spotted in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden late evening on 31st (see blog)

 

Weather

Yet another wet month with 79.5 mm of rain. However, it was exceptionally mild, with the lowest temperature being minus 5.6 degrees C on the 1st, and the highest being 14.7 degrees C on the 24th. There were only five nights when temperatures dropped below zero, and daytime temperatures averaged 11 degrees C. Prevailing winds were from a southerly direction with the latter half of the month being quite stormy.

 

Amphibians and Reptiles, & Insects

No sightings reported this month.

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for December 2023:
Barry Brooks, Peter Brunning, David & Gaynor Farrant, Len Mead, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Nancy Ockendon, Barbara Phippen, Gareth Rees, Gill and Richard Smith, Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.