Lesser Redpoll on feeders

Andy M reports that up to five Lesser Redpoll have been regular visitors to his bird feeders over the past few weeks, first appearing on 12th December 2017.  They seem to be travelling and feeding in a mixed flock with Goldfinch and Greenfinch.  Smaller than their finch cousins, with a small black bib and red forehead, they are never-the-less typically the most feisty, fighting off the larger finches to keep their perch, and often remaining last on the feeders when other birds are spooked off.

Male - black bib, red forehead, and red on breast and flanks

 Female - black bib and red forehead, but lacking red on breast

Diseased Ash tree on Recreation Ground

The Abington Recreation Ground committee commissioned a survey of the trees and regrets to advise that the Ash tree behind the school pool is diseased and will have to be felled very soon. It has a bracket fungus growing on it which will feed on it and reduce it to pulp!

"This tree has, at the base, on the side facing the school boundary, brackets of Ganoderma wood decay fungus and along with that, considerable internal decay at the base of the ‘white rot’ type. This destroys lignin, leaving cellulose behind. The effect is to destroy the compressive strength of the wood, leaving behind a stringy, pulpy mass."

Take care if you wish to bid the tree farewell!

27 December 2017

3rd January 2018

Snowdrops in December - early?

Walking around Granta Park today, Andy M saw a few Snowdrops already in flower - first signs of an early Spring?!!   The catkins were well advanced too.

On the cricket green, a flock of around thirty Fieldfare and Redwing was feeding, alongside a good number of Starling, Black-headed Gull and Pied Wagtail.  I had hoped to see the Starlings murmurating - but alas not today - although around twenty Reed Bunting were seen dropping into the reeds to roost.  And there were around 130 Mallard on the lake in the sunset! 

 Fieldfare

Mallards in the sunset!

Birds visiting Lewis Crescent garden

Jean Gwynne took these photos in her garden on 24/25 October.

Goldfinch

Wren

Sparrow Hawk

Sparrow Hawk

Lizard in West Field

Kevin Dalton spotted this lizard on his patio on the evening of 23rd October:

Green Woodpecker

Andy M had a most welcome visitor to his garden today - a female Green Woodpecker - which spend quite some time probing the lawn, digging out a number of large grubs - possibly leatherjacket or cockchaffer.

Great Abington Primary School - bird watching

Naturewatch recently provided new bird feeders and a supply of bird food to the school.

Class 1 and the School thanked us; they have been feeding and observing the birds which visit the school grounds. The children are taking care in monitoring the feeders, to see when they need replenishing and noting the different birds they have seen.