July 2024 - Summary of Sightings around the Abingtons

July 2024

Amphibians and Reptiles

No reports this month, with the exception of a regular reporter in Meadow Walk who is very puzzled that all the newts seem to have disappeared? Maybe a grass snake?

 

Birds

A total of 52 species were spotted this month in 266 records. Excitingly a Spotted Flycatcher was seen in Sluice Wood. Good numbers of Swift and House Martin seen later in the month as young birds fledge, with a few warblers still being reported.

A single Spotted Flycatcher was seen near the sluice on 21st, but the continuous contact calling suggested a family group was present (see blog). This is the first sighting in three years.

A few Swift continued to be regularly seen until mid-month, when numbers suddenly jumped to around 20 heard screaming around both churches, presumably as young birds fledged. House Martin have also been spotted in larger numbers as young fledge, with over 30 seen around the Illumina building on GP, and 10-12 around LSA and Mortlock Gdns. Small numbers of Swallow (up to 6) mostly around GP, but also seen mobbing a Kestrel around Hall Farm.

Both Blackcap and Chiffchaff continued to be heard around the villages, and a Reed Warbler was again heard singing from the reedbed on GP. No reports of either Whitethroat this month.

Up to three Buzzard were reported, with birds often heard calling whilst soaring high up. Five Red Kite were seen circling over Grange Farm, with single birds seen at several other sites. Kestrel were seen regularly on GP, and a Sparrowhawk was spotted in two gardens. A Tawny owl was heard calling around Hall Farm towards the end of the month.

A single Treecreeper was reported in Sluice Wood (21st), and a Jay was spotted eating apples in Westfield. A Goldcrest was seen at Hall Farm, with Wren being seen and heard at various sites around the villages. Skylark were also heard singing on the LSA.

On GP lake, up to 25 Canada Goose (including adults and well-grown young), eight Barnacle Goose and one Greylag were seen, along with an adult Little Grebe feeding two small young (presumably a second brood), 5-6 Mallard also with new ducklings. A female Mandarin Duck was also seen, as well as a Cormorant, two Grey Heron and an adult Moorhen with a juvenile. Around 23 Pied Wagtail were also seen feeding on the GP cricket pitch (see blog), and a 1-2 Reed Bunting in the reeds.

Both Blackbird, Robin and Song Thrush were again heard singing this month, and recently fledged young Goldfinch, Robin, Dunnock and House Sparrow could be seen, as well as flocks of many young Blue Tit and Great Tit (see blog).

A young Great Spotted Woodpecker has been tapping on the back door early-morning (see blog), and were also regularly seen on Cambridge Rd. Green Woodpecker were also reported regularly from several sites. Two Starling were spotted on GP, and Lesser Black-backed Gull have been reported on both Perse playing fields and Grange Farm.

Just one report of a single Chaffinch this month, whereas small numbers of both Greenfinch and Goldfinch were regularly seen. Similarly, just one report of five Long-tailed Tit, and two reports of single Coal Tit.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

A good total of 195 sightings were reported in July, with most of these being reports of butterflies (154), odonata (25) and bees (9).

July saw good numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper being reported, as well as Comma, Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White – all of which were reported 10 times or more. Marbled White were also regularly seen this month, coinciding with the peak of adult emergence in July. Peacock and Red Admiral were also relatively frequently seen, with good numbers of Small/Essex Skipper appearing after 15th (see blog), although interestingly no reports of Large Skipper were received. Small Tortoiseshell continued to be rarely seen, with just three reports this month and a total of just five this year (see blog)! A Painted Lady was seen three times late in the month, and similarly both Common Blue and Holly Blue were reported once on 30th/31st. A Ringlet was reported just twice, despite July being their adult emergence peak, and an unseasonally late Orange Tip was spotted on 15th. Good numbers of Chalkhill Blue were seen during the trip to Fleam Dyke, as well as a number of other species (see blog).

Total butterfly reports received in July were: Meadow Brown (25), Gatekeeper (21), Comma (16), Brimstone (13), Large White and Small White (both 12), Green-veined White and Red Admiral (both 10), Peacock (9), Marbled White (8), Small/Essex Skipper (7), Painted Lady and Small Tortoiseshell (both 3), Ringlet (2) and Common Blue, Holly Blue and unidentified White (all 1).

The second half of the month was also good for Odonata, with ten species seen. Banded Demoiselle were most frequently seen, and often in good numbers, around the MM Bridge and along the river in GP (see blog). Common Blue Damselfly and Large Red Damselfly were seen in two garden ponds, as well as around the GP lake where Blue-tailed Damselfly and Red-eyed Damselfly were also seen (see blog). Common Darter were seen in a Church Lane garden and on GP, and a Southern Hawker was seen around a Cambridge Rd pond (see blog). Other reports of unidentified ‘Hawkers’ were likely also Southern Hawker. An Emperor Dragonfly was spotted patrolling on GP, as were Broad-bodied Chaser (see blog), Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter.

Buff-tailed, White-tailed and Red-tailed Bumblebee were all reported. Single Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Elephant Hawkmoth were both spotted, as were both Silver Y moth (see blog) and Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (see blog). Finally, a Water Boatman was reported taking up residence in a vase of cut flowers! (see blog)

 

Mammals

Bat - several regularly throughout the month, probably Pipistrelle, in a Cambridge Rd garden. Good numbers of Pipistrelle were also videoed leaving their roost on Hall Farm (see blog).

Hedgehog - regular evidence in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden throughout the month.

Muntjac - one in Sluice Wood on 23rd.

 

Flora and Fungi

On GP, the wildflower meadows were in full swing, including Lady’s Bedstraw, Betony, Hawkweed, Ragwort and Knapweed, as well as a few Pyramidal Orchid still in bloom (see blog). The PRV on Born Bridge Rd also had a display of Knapweed, Scabious, Wild Carrot, Lady’s Bedstraw, Ragwort and Spear Thistle (see blog). A nice clump of Fairy Bonnet toadstools was seen on GP (see blog).

 

Weather

Back to a very wet month again with rainfall amounting to 91.5mm, which is more than double the average. The highest temperature was 34.8 degrees C on the 30th, and the lowest 6.7 degrees C on the 8th. Winds were predominantly from a west to south westerly direction.

 

ANW Programme

River Sampling took place on 22nd July (results on blog). Disappointingly, the trip to Lakenheath Fen on 13th July was attended by only four members, and the trip to Fleam Dyke on 27th attended by seven (see blog). Upcoming items in August include a visit to NT Wicken Fen on 14th and river sampling on 19th. The full NatureWatch 2024 Programme can be found here (Prog link).

 

Many thanks to all those who contributed reports of their sightings for July 2024.
Peter Brunning, Tricia Cullimore, David & Gaynor Farrant, Len Mead, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Mary Miles, Joan Nevin, Nancy Ockendon, Barbara Phippen, Gill and Richard Smith, John and Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge, Martin Turnidge.