Unusual garden visit from a Linnet pair

10th April 2025 - a pair of Linnet dropped into Andy M's front garden, to feed on some grass seeds growing along the edge of the driveway. It seems possible this was a breeding pair, since although the plumage of the male was not particularly brightly coloured, as would normally be the case in Spring, the female collected a feather before they both flew off, maybe to line a nest? 

Whilst Linnet can fairly often be seen in farmland around the edges of the village, it was quite unusual to see a pair in the garden.

Linnet pair, female on the left

Male Linnet - grey head and chestnut-brown back, but the red patches normally present

on the forehead and breast of breeding males seemed quite muted in this individual.

Female Linnet - generally duller coloured than the male and lacking any red,

with a paler more streaked appearance on the back and breast.

Female collecting a feather - maybe to line a nest?

Butterflies and Beeflies

6th April 2025 - in the recent sunny spell, the number of insects around has noticeably increased, and Andy M was pleased to note both an Orange Tip butterfly and several Dark-edged Beefly in his garden recently - some of which visited the lovely Cowslip flowers that have popped up through the lawn.

Orange Tip

Dark-edged Beefly

Cowslip

March 2025 - Summary of Sightings from around the Abingtons

Amphibians and Reptiles

At last, some Frogspawn and adult Common Frog have been seen - the Frogspawn was reported on 9th, and again in larger amounts on the 16th, from a pond in Lewis Cres. The same pond also contained around 25 adult frogs! Common Frog were also reported from a pond in Pampisford Rd, and Common Newt were seen early in the month from both a pond in Bourn Bridge Rd and in Pampisford Rd. Please keep a watch out as I am sure there is more to be seen!

Birds

A good total of 57 species were reported this month in 453 records. A male Brambling (see blog) briefly visited a Lewis Cres garden on 16th, and 20-50 Redwing were seen around the LA High St and Hall Farm late in the month. Both Chiffchaff and Blackcap were also noticeable later in the month, with Chiffchaff first heard on 16th and Blackcap shortly afterwards on 21st. Both Nuthatch and Treecreeper were reported from a LA High St garden, and a pair of Ruddy Shelduck were seen again on GP, but also on Grange Farm.

Many other species have been heard singing, including Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Wren in gardens, as well as both Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush. Blue Tit were seen investigating nest boxes, and Rook on GP were busy raucously nest building.

A pair of Bullfinch were seen twice along the ORC, and Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch were often seen in gardens (see blog), as were Long-tailed Tit now mostly in pairs, and an occasional Coal Tit and Goldcrest. A Jay or two were regular visitors to a Cambridge Rd garden, and both House Sparrow and Starling were reported at several locations.

Small flocks of Meadow Pipit and a Reed Bunting were seen feeding in rough grass on the GP ‘mound’, as well as on the LSA where Linnet, Skylark and Yellowhammer were heard singing, and where a Pied Wagtail was also seen. Both Great Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were spotted at several locations, as were a Pheasant and more unusually several Red-legged Partridge. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen along the ORC.

Around GP, seven Barnacle Goose were resting on the cricket field, with a couple of Greylag and Canada Goose seen on the lake, as well as around eight of each on Hood’s Meadow (see blog). Mallard and a Moorhen were seen on the lake, with a Little Grebe heard calling from the reedbed. A Grey Heron and eight Mandarin Duck were seen along the river.

Of the raptors the Buzzard was most commonly seen, with 3-4 often soaring above the villages. A couple of Red Kite were also regularly reported, as was the hooting of 1 or 2 Tawny Owl. A Kestrel was seen occasionally along Pampisford Rd and a Sparrowhawk was spotted hunting along the ORC.

A pair of Collared Dove were seen occasionally, but Stock Dove and Feral Pigeon were both more numerous and more commonly reported in gardens. Woodpigeon, Jackdaw and Magpie were also common, and a pair of Carrion Crow have started nesting on Lewis Cres.

Butterflies and other Insects

There were 35 sightings of butterflies in March, mostly of Brimstone (21 reports) seen throughout the month but mostly (15 of 21) in the milder first half of the month. Comma (see blog) and Peacock were each reported 5 times, again mostly in the first week of the month. Small White was reported twice (5th and 30th) and Small Tortoiseshell once (4th).

Buff-tailed Bumblebee were recorded 5 times, again from early in March, and Honeybee were seen in good numbers enjoying the heather flowers in a garden in Lewis Cres on 3rd March. A Hairy-footed Flower Bee was also seen in Lewis Cres on 9th March.

Flora and Fungi

Cowslip were reported starting to bloom (see blog)

Mammals

Fallow Deer – twelve were spotted near the footpath towards Grange Farm on 3rd.

Fox – one seen in Bourn Bridge Rd garden on 31st

Hare – one reported from GP cricket pitch on 16th.

Hedgehog – two were captured on a trail camera on 10th, and three were seen regularly throughout the rest of the month in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden. One found dead on Lewis Cres on 16th.

Muntjac – two were seen in Lagden’s Grove on 16th, one was seen in a Bourn Bridge Rd garden on 25th, and one was heard in a Cambridge Rd garden on 25th.

Weather

A record dry month with only 7mm of rain, with the average normally being around 40mm! The highest temperature was 23.4C on the 20th and the lowest minus 6.7C on the 16th. There were quite a few frosty nights early in the month, but the daytime temperatures were above average on the whole. Winds were mostly south to southwest, but with a spell of northerly winds.

Many thanks to all those who contributed their sightings this month. Peter Brunning, Tricia Cullimore, Roger Dufresne, David & Gaynor Farrant, Carole McCrae, Len Mead, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Mary Miles, Joan Nevin, Freda Orgee, Marion Rusted, Barbara Phippen, Gill Smith, John & Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge

Abbreviations: GA - Great Abington, LA – Little Abington, LSA – Land Settlement Association, GP – Granta Park, ORC – Old Railway Cutting, AbPkFm – Abington Park Farm.

Garden birds

30th March 2025 - John T recently spent a little time photographing some of the birds around the blossoming Cherry tree in his garden, and sent these lovely pictures of Blue Tit and Greenfinch.

Early Cowslip

19th March 2025 - in the wild meadow part of Len M's garden, a solitary Cowslip has come into flower.

Birds around Granta Park

16th March 2025 - on a walk around Granta Park, Andy M spotted a number of species on the lake. The male Mallard were in fine plumage, showing off their green heads and black tail curls! Both Canada Goose and Greylag were also on the lake, with a few Barnacle Goose resting on the cricket field nearby. Interestingly, a pair of Ruddy Shelduck also put in an appearance. This introduced but now naturalised species have been seen locally a few times recently, and were also seen on Grange Farm later in the month.

Mallard - male

Canada Goose

Greylag

Barnacle Goose

Ruddy Shelduck male

Ruddy Shelduck female

Ruddy Shelduck pair

Ruddy Shelduck pair at Grange Farm [photo Tricia C]

Brambling spotted

16th March 2025 - a rather splendid male Brambling put in a brief appearance at the feeders in Andy M's garden - and luckily he had his camera to hand! These finches visit the UK during the winter, but around this time of year are heading north again to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia.

First butterflies starting to appear

6th March 2025 - the butterflies are starting to appear, with the first reports this year being of a Brimstone and a Small Tortoiseshell seen along Church Lane on 28th February. Shortly afterwards, during the first week of March, a few more Brimstone were seen, as were an occasional Comma, Small White and Peacock. 

Comma - one of the first species to be seen during March this year.

[photo Andy M]

February 2025 - Highlights of Sightings from around the Abingtons

Highlights for February 2025

Amphibians and Reptiles

No sightings reported. In the past Frogspawn has been reported by mid-February, but maybe the recent cold spell has caused them to pause this year!

 

Birds

A total of 52 species were reported this month in 403 records.

A Lesser Redpoll paid a brief visit to a Lewis Cres feeder on 17th, this being the only report this year, and both male and female Blackcap have been regular visitors to several gardens (see blog). A Redwing was spotted on the LSA on 17th along with a flock of ~40 Fieldfare, the latter also being seen in smaller numbers on GP. A Ruddy Shelduck was seen along with a Greylag on 2nd on GP lake (see blog), where both a Cormorant and a Grey Heron were also spotted.

A flock of six Golden Plover was seen in fields around AbPkFm, as were around 30 Black-headed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, and 15-20 Red-legged Partridge. A mixed flock of ~30 Linnet and ~30 Yellowhammer were seen feeding just south of Chalky Rd, the males being in lovely plumage now, and where ~10 singing Skylark and a Meadow Pipit were also spotted.

A Barn Owl has been reported as resident at bottom of a field on the LSA, and Tawny Owl continued to call regularly. The resonate song of the Mistle Thrush could also be heard at several sites this month. After an absence of over a year, a Little Egret has again been spotted – twice! – along the river either side of the recreation ground.

A Buzzard was seen looking for worms on the Perse sports fields, four Red Kite were spotted patrolling over the southern parish boundary, and 1-2 Kestrel were reported on GP, the ORC and the LSA. A Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling on GP on two occasions, and 1 or 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen regularly at several locations.

A Goldcrest was reported from Hall Farm, and both Jay and Song Thrush were regular visitors in both Cambridge Rd and Lewis Cres gardens. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Coal Tit were all regularly reported, as were Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

An Early Bumblebee was seen on 8th and 23rd in Lewis Cres, and several Buff-tailed Bumblebee were then seen between 18th to 25th mostly feeding on heather flowers.

 

Flora and Fungi

Snowdrop and Aconite in flower near the sluice on GP (see blog).

 

Mammals

Fallow Deer – eight including two stags were seen on LSA on 17th, followed by another 15, in two 2 herds of ten and five, also on LSA on 27th.

Hare – one seen in Lagden’s Grove and two more near the ‘Hairdresser’s path’ on 16th. Three were spotted in LSA in a field off Chalky Rd, and six in the field near the ORC.

Muntjac – one in a Cambridge Rd garden on 9th. Two were seen in Lagden’s Grove, and one by the Hairdresser’s path on 16th, and one was seen on LSA on 27th.

Roe Deer – one was seen on LSA on 27th.

 

Weather

Rainfall of 37.5 mm for the month, which is about average. The warmest day was 17.2 C on the 21st with a low of minus 5.2 C on the 17th. The first two weeks of the month winds were predominantly in an east to southeasterly direction swinging more southerly later, hence giving a higher temperature. 

Many thanks to all those who contributed their sightings this month. David & Gaynor Farrant, Mary Godsmark, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Brian & Pamela Parris, Gill & Richard Smith, Suzan Stewart, John & Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge.

Abbreviations: GA - Great Abington, LA – Little Abington, LSA – Land Settlement Association, GP – Granta Park, ORC – Old Railway Cutting, AbPkFm – Abington Park Farm. 

Blackcap pair

27th February 2025 - over the last week, during the colder weather, Andy M noticed a pair of Blackcap visiting the feeders - a male with his black cap, and a female with her rufous brown cap. They have continued to visit regularly since, and the male was even spotted singing on occasion - seems Spring is already in the air!

Male Blackcap, fluffed up against the cold

Female Blackcap

Unusual Great Tit

27th February 2025 - Andy M was watching the birds at his feeders, when he noticed this Great Tit, which at first inspection seemed much like any other Great Tit, with the exception of its long and somewhat deformed bill - with which it seemed to be coping perfectly well!

Winter flowers on Granta Park

16th February 2025 - a lovely show of Aconites and Snowdrops in Sluice Wood on GP this year. 

Over the winter, an extensive 'wildlife habitat improvement project' has been underway in Lagden's Grove - the undergrowth clearance looks rather brutal at the moment, but the hope is that the wild flowers in particular will benefit from the extra light. Not sure the insects or birds are going to be quite so happy at the loss of feeding and nesting habitat though - we will see.

Andy M

Abington NatureWatch 2025 Programme

25th February 2025 - the Abington NatureWatch 2025 Programme of Events is shown below.

ANW members will receive email reminders with further details ahead of each trip.

On occasion it becomes necessary to change the programme. The most up-to-date information can be found at the top right of the Abington NatureWatch blog home page, under the Resources heading.

ANW Project Team

RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch - Abington results

11 February 2025 - Following the RSPB BGBW event conducted over the last weekend in January, those that took part locally sent Derek T their results, and the collated results are shown below.

2025 - 18 reports received, total of 31 species seen

2024 - 18 reports received, total of 28 species seen

2023 - 18 reports received, total of 30 species seen.

In the table above, those species reported in 2025,but not 2024 are marked with an asterisk.
Species seen in 2024, but not 2025 were Goldcrest, Green Woodpecker, Moorhen and Reed Bunting.

Many thanks to all those who took part.

DLT 09Feb2025

Snowdrop and Aconite in flower

2nd February 2025 - David F saw these Snowdrop and Aconite in flower near the sluice on GP.

Ruddy Shelduck on GP

2nd February 2025 - David F spotted a female Ruddy Shelduck on GP lake recently, along with a Greylag. 

The Ruddy Shelduck, which was also spotted on GP lake a couple of times last year, is a non-native species which was originally brought from Asia into private collections. However, escapees have been recorded in the UK since the 1950s, and these may well have gone on to establish a naturalised population. Non-native naturalised birds also reach the UK from the near continent, where sizeable populations now exist.

January 2025 - Sightings Highlights from around the Abingtons

Highlights for January 2025

Amphibians and Reptiles

No reported sightings.

 

Birds

A total of 45 species were reported this month in 319 records.

A Nuthatch was seen in a Cambridge Rd garden for the first time, and a pair of Blackcap was feeding on euonymus berries on Lewis Cres. A few Redwing were feeding on berries at Hall Farm (see blog) and along the High St, whilst Fieldfare were seen at Hall Farm and along North Rd (25). Good numbers of Blue Tit were regularly reported in gardens, alongside fewer Great Tit, Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit, as well as up to 13 Goldfinch, five Greenfinch and interestingly up to ten Chaffinch. A Goldcrest and a Wren were also occasionally spotted.

A Green Woodpecker was seen for the first time in a while in two gardens (see blog), with the absence of this normally regular visitor being noted in other gardens, whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker was spotted in three gardens, and a Jay or two were fairly regularly seen. Song Thrush, Robin and Great Tit could all be heard singing around mid-month, and Tawny Owl could regularly be heard hooting from several locations.

A female/juvenile Sparrowhawk was seen in two gardens (see blog), and a Kestrel was reported around Moorefield, whilst a Buzzard and a Red Kite were reported at several sites. A few Stock Dove were regulars in several gardens, with a Collared Dove being more occasionally.

On Granta Park, eight Barnacle Goose, a Cormorant, a Moorhen and a Mute Swan were seen around the frozen lake, with c20 Mallard and a Grey Heron seen along the river. A flock of c60 Starling seen are believed to roost in the reedbeds, whilst Fieldfare, Redwing and a Mistle Thrush were spotted in Lagden’s Grove, with 13 Pied Wagtail seen on the cricket green.

 

Butterflies and other Insects

A Buff-tailed Bumblebee was seen busily buzzing around a Lewis Cres garden on 20th.

 

Flora and Fungi

First signs of Snowdrop and Aconite flowers reported on 12th near the sluice on GP (see blog).

 

Mammals

Fox – one seen in Bourn Bridge Rd garden on 3rd.

Hare – one seen crossing Pampisford Rd near Cutting Rd, and another on GP by Illumina on 12th.

Muntjac – one spotted in a Cambridge Rd garden on both 6th and 12th.

Roe Deer – five seen in Sluice Wood on 17th.

 

Weather

Rainfall for the month was slightly above average at 53 mm. The highest temperature was 13.1°C on 5th with the lowest being minus 8.2°C on the 10th. The second week was frosty for several days (see blog) but thereafter was around freezing or above. Winds were predominantly from a south west to westerly direction with a couple of stormy days at both the beginning and end of the month.

Many thanks to all those who contributed their sightings this month. Gaynor Farrant, Andy & Polly Merryweather, Nancy Ockendon, Barbara Phippen, Gareth Rees, Marion Rusted, Gill & Richard Smith, Suzan Stewart, John & Maggie Turner, Derek Turnidge. 

Abbreviations: GA - Great Abington, LA – Little Abington, LSA – Land Settlement Association, GP – Granta Park, ORC – Old Railway Cutting, AbPkFm – Abington Park Farm.

Redwing in the garden

26th January 2025 - John T has been lucky enough to spot both Redwing and Fieldfare in his Hall Farm garden recently, and took this rather nice photo of a Redwing in the rain.

First sign of Snowdrops and Aconites

12th January 2025 - the first Snowdrop and Aconite were starting to show in Sluice Wood - Andy M.

Frosty scenes around the village

12th January 2025 - the combination of fog and freezing temperatures overnight produced some interesting frosty effects the following morning. Photos from around her Lewis Cres garden, and from Granta Park where the lake was frozen over, by Polly and Andy M.

    Granta Park