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.