Abington Naturewatch: April 2026

Friday, 10 April 2026

Hedgehog, on the prowl

18th March 2026 - this Hedgehog was caught on camera prowling around Gaynor F's garden at night.

Butterflies

17th March 2026 - Gaynor F saw these early spring butterflies in her garden recently; a Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock.

16th March 2026 - Andy M got up-close and personal with this tiny little Crab Spider, just a few millimetres across, whilst it crawled along the garden bench. On occasion, perhaps when alarmed, it raised its rear and spun a strand of silk into the breeze, maybe in case it needed to escape by floating away.

Mistle Thrush

16th March 2026 - this Mistle Thrush was singing its characteristic call from the treetops in Lewis Crescent - Andy M.

Siskin

16th March 2026 - the male Siskin visited the feeders in Andy M's garden for a few days, before presumably migrating further north.

Greylag Goose on Granta Park

15th March 2026 - David F saw these two Greylag Goose by Granta Park lake recently.

Blackthorn in flower

15th March 2026 - David F took this photo of Blackthorn in flower near Bourn Bridge Road

NatureWatch Programme 2026

15th March 2026 - here is the proposed programme of trips and activities for 2026.

Please note that dates may be subject to confirmation or change, so please check the latest details here:

NatureWatch Programme 2026

Frog and frogspawn

11th March 2026 - John W spotted this Common Frog in his garden, along with a good-sized blob of frogspawn!

Red Kite

3rd March 2026 - this lovely Red Kite was seen flying low over Lewis Crescent - Andy M

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)