Abington Naturewatch: Tufted Duck, and other birds, on Granta Park

Saturday 24 August 2024

Tufted Duck, and other birds, on Granta Park

18th August 2024 - Andy M took his camera for a walk around Granta Park, and was very happy to see a female Tufted Duck on the lake, alongside a considerable number of Canada Goose, several Barnacle Goose and a Greylag. The large number of Mallard were still in moult, so all appeared as if in female plumage, although the males could still be distinguished by their yellow-green bill, whereas the female bill is more brown and orange. A good sized flock of House Martin flitted overhead, occasionally 'splashing- down' to take a drink or a brief bathe, whilst in the reed bed the Reed Warbler were still skulking around, making their grating, short contact calls. On the cricket green a dispersed flock of Pied Wagtail, including many juveniles at this time of year, scurried around feeding, on flies, grubs etc.

Female Tufted Duck

Female Tufted Duck and Canada Goose

Female Mallard in moult

House Martin

Reed Warbler

Female/juvenile Pied Wagtail

Female/juvenile Pied Wagtail

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)