Abington Naturewatch

Saturday, 2 April 2011

News from Granta Park Lake

George reported on Saturday 2nd April that the swans were still in control of the lake ("No fly zone" in operation) but not yet on the nest - but they left a sentry near the nest site.

Two days later, a swan was sitting on the nest!

Spring is in the air and there's a wonderful tree in full bloom:

Sunday, 27 March 2011

Naturewatch Programme - April to July 2011

These details are provisional and will be updated from time to time. Members will be reminded and details of time confirmed about a week before the event.

April

Sat 16th 9.15am - River Sampling

May

Sat 7th late afternoon - Native Bees (Talk and walk)

Tues 24th evening – Beech Wood

Sat/Sun 28/29th weekend - Local Birdwatch

June

Thurs 9th evening - River Sampling

Sat 11th - RSPB Lakenheath - Plant Study walk

Sat 18th - Fleam Dyke 1 - Plant Study walk

Fri 24th - Haslingfield

July

Sat 2nd – Fleam Dyke 2 - Plant Study walk

(Thurs 7th July evening - Project Team meeting)

Sat 16th - Welney Bird Outing

Fri 22nd - Chalky Road 1 - Plant Study walk

Ideas for autumn programme – dates to be confirmed

August
Upland Farm - Plant Study Walk

September/October
Fungus Foray
River sampling 3

October
Project Team Meeting, Members Meeting

Any other ideas for the Naturewatch programme gratefully received.

Sunday, 20 March 2011

News from Granta Park Lake

Our local correspondent, George Woodley, reports:

"The swans are nesting and the battle for the lake has started this morning with five Canada Geese driven off in the usual spectacular fashion."

Grey Lag Geese at Granta Park Lake on 19th March

Friday, 4 March 2011

Fungi on Cambridge Road

Sally Turnidge found Flammulina veluptipes (Velvet Shank) in their garden today:

Saturday, 26 February 2011

Members' Spring Meeting - 12th March 2011

Keep the date free - 12th March at 10:30.
The café will be open!

Expedition to Paxton Pits - 26th February 2011

A small group braved the rain to visit Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (http://www.paxton-pits.org.uk/).

After observing birds around the feeders during a heavy shower, we set off and were rewarded by a good selection of water birds under bright but overcast lighting.

Sally Turnidge recorded the birds seen:

Long tailed Tits
Teal
Wigeon
Golden eye
Gadwall
Moorhen
Coot
Greylag geese
Canada geese
Heron
Cormorant
Great crested grebe
Pochard
Blue tits
Sparrows
Reed buntings
Chaffinch
Dunnocks
Great tits
Collared doves
Magpies
Mute swan
Mallard
Tufted duck +
Blackheaded gull

We also saw a Grey squirrel!

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Granta Park visit

The Abington Naturewatch visit on 26 July is reported in Granta Park's newsletter:
http://www.mepc.com/parklife/grantapark/News/Nature.aspx?r=grantapark/News&p=1

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)