Turkey-tail Fungus

9th April 2026 - Carole McM send in this photo of a rather spectacular Turkey-tail Fungus growing from what is believed to be the stump of a Rowan in her garden.

Sparrowhawk - 'red in tooth and claw'

04April2026 - Andy M happened to glance out of the window and noticed a few feathers blowing around. Closer inspection revealed a Sparrowhawk in the act of plucking a freshly-caught Feral Pigeon under the feeders, and right under the window! Close enough in fact to take this video.

To view video - click central arrow icon twice. Warning - shows nature being red in tooth and claw!

March Sightings Highlights

A summary of sightings reported from around the Abingtons during March 2026 can be found by clicking on the link below:

MARCH 2026 SUMMARY

_________________________________________________________________________________

Lesser Celandine on PRV

29th March 2026 - Lesser Celandine, along the PRV on Bourn Bridge Rd - David F.

Bluebell - but which sort!

29th March 2026 - a clump of Bluebells in the Protected Road Verge (PRV 36) along Bourn Bridge Rd has been attracting some recent attention - including some debate as to whether they are native Common Bluebell, or the garden-escape Spanish Bluebell, or a hybrid of the two!

There is some helpful guidance on distinguishing between them on the Wildlife Trust website (link). In brief:

Native Common Bluebell has narrow (1-1.5cm wide) leaves, deep violet-blue (occasionally white) narrow tubular-bell flowers, with only the tips curling back, flowers only on one side of the stem making the stems distinctly droop, with a sweet scent and cream-coloured pollen. Grows in ancient woodland and along woodland edges.

Spanish Bluebell has broad (3cm wide) leaves, paler blue (often white) conical-bell flowers with spreading very open tips, flowers all around the stem, upright stems, with no scent and blue/pale green pollen. Much more vigorous, outcompeting (and hybridising with) the native bluebell. Grows in woodland and along woodland edges, as well as along roadsides and in gardens. 

My guess is Spanish/hybrid Bluebell, but I leave it to readers to decide for themselves! (Andy M)

photo David F.     

photo Joan N     

photo David F.    

For comparison, below are images of both native Common Bluebell and Spanish Bluebell, taken from the Wildlife Trust website:

Native Common Bluebell

Spanish Bluebell

Potentially diseased Siskin

25th March 2026 - there have been a number of Siskin visiting Andy M's garden recently, and mostly they are sleek and fiesty, but also flying away quickly when disturbed - see Blog 16th March. 

However, this individual had very fluffed-up feathers, despite it being a warm day, and seemed to be having trouble swallowing. Additionally, it was lethargic and reluctant to fly away when approached, perhaps because it was weak. In Greenfinch, these symptoms are typical of the disease Trichomoniasis, which can also infect Goldfinch and Siskin, and all three species tend to feed together in flocks in winter.

Whilst not affecting humans, this avian disease is highly contagious between birds, spread by transfer of saliva around the feeders, and is usually fatal, so good hygiene around bird feeding areas, and thorough weekly cleaning of bird feeders is essential to prevent spread. Andy washed and bleached this area and his feeders after this incidence.  He also reported this to the BTO, who are tracking bird disease.

Pheasant headgear

25th March 2026 - this fine male Pheasant has recently taken up residence, with two females, in Andy M's garden, and when you get close-up, the male's headgear is quite something, especially when you realise that the red areas are bare skin, not feathers!