Abington Naturewatch

Sunday, 7 April 2019

Yellow Archangel in flower in Sluice Wood

At the member's meeting on Friday, Sally T reported that Yellow Archangel had been seen flowering in Sluice Wood. David F took this picture today.

A member of the nettle family, Yellow Archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon) also commonly known as Artillery Plant, Aluminium Plant and Yellow Weasel-snout, is a widespread wild flower with several subspecies, including a variegated form (spp argentatum) which has silver patches on the leaves. Other cultivars have also been developed as garden plants.

Abington NatureWatch Programme 2019

The Abington NatureWatch 2019 Programme shared at the member's meeting on Friday.
Further details and information will be circulated ahead of each event.

Abington NatureWatch Programme 2019

Also shared was a guide to using the Blog
Abington NatureWatch Blog User Guide

News. Raven seen for the first time in the Abingtons

Saturday, 6th April

A Raven was seen flying over the Old Railway Cutting, early on Saturday morning.

At first heard, making a loud, deep and repeated 'kraw', it was flying low about 30 metres up, across the arable fields to the south of the railway cutting. It progressed, somewhat erratically, over the cutting and headed out towards Hildersham.

Even at a distance, the all-black bird appeared large and heavily-built. The large bill and thick-set 'feathery' neck, as well as the long primary wing feather 'fingers' and deep powerful wing beats, all seemed to set this bird apart from the usual Carrion Crow or Rook.

Andy M took a few photos, which he shared with a few birder friends for their opinion, and who agreed that this was indeed a Raven.

Apparently, Cambridgeshire has a few Raven reports each year, mostly in the south and east of the county, but they do seem to be spreading east. Excitingly, Derek confirmed that this is the first report of a Raven in The Abingtons.

News. First Swallow sighting this year

Saturday, 6th April

The first Swallow of this year was seen over the Old Railway Cutting, early on Saturday morning.

It was flying low and fast, heading north-east, and really didn't look as though it was going to be staying around long! Hopefully the birds that breed around the Abingtons will not be far behind - so keep a look out! - Andy M

Grey Wagtail along the river

A female Grey Wagtail has been seen several times recently along the stretch of river running through Sluice Wood. Generally it has been seen hopping around on the fallen twigs and floating rafts of leaves, feeding on insects as it goes. Derek T took this nice picture of it doing exactly that on 5th April.

Little Owl seen again on Granta Park

Since early March, Andy M has been hearing and occasionally seeing a Little Owl on Granta Park. During the last week, one has been seen more regularly though, warming itself in the early morning sun.

A pair of Little Owls nested on Granta Park last year, successfully fledging at least one young, so with a little luck we are in for a repeat performance this year.

News. Holly Blue Butterfly - first of the season

Wednesday, 3rd April

The first Holly Blue Butterfly of the season was seen on 3rd April by Lois B.

Jennifer adds: ANW records indicate first sightings of Holly Blue in the village were also in early April over the last couple of years, but were later in the years before that:

2019 - 03 April
2018 - 03 April
2017 - 03 April
2016 - 04 May
2015 - 15 April

The Butterfly Conservation website describes the Holly Blue:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/

Wings are bright blue. Females have black wing edges. Undersides pale blue with small black spots which distinguish them from Common Blue. The Holly Blue is easily identified in early spring, as it emerges well before other blue butterflies. It tends to fly high around bushes and trees, whereas other grassland blues usually stay near ground level. It is much the commonest blue found in parks and gardens where it congregates around Holly (in spring) and Ivy (in late summer). The Holly Blue is widespread, but undergoes large fluctuations in numbers from year to year. It has expanded northwards in recent years and has colonised parts of midland and northern England.

Photos: Iain Leach Butterfly Conservation

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)