Abington Naturewatch

Wednesday, 22 January 2020

Brambling in Gt Abington

A male Brambling made a further visit to the feeders in Andy M's garden this morning - and this time Andy had his camera to hand!

Monday, 20 January 2020

Snowdrops in Sluice Wood

The Snowdrops are really starting to show well now in Granta Park (Andy M)

High river levels

Following the heavy rains last week, the river level was seen by David F and Andy M to be quite high - but thankfully not enough to flood.

from the road bridge (DF)

filled to the brim at the Millennium Bridge (DF)

almost 'drowning' the Snowdrops in Sluice Wood (AM)

through the sluice (AM)

and away, alongside Cook's Meadow (AM)

Sunday, 19 January 2020

Aconites on the Roman Road

Jennifer H spotted these lovely Aconites out whilst walking along the Abington part of the Roman Road this weekend. She commented that she did not recall seeing them along there before.

Tuesday, 14 January 2020

News. First Brambling of the season seen

14th January 2020

This morning, Andy M reported the first Brambling seen this winter in the Abingtons, on the bird feeders in his garden in amongst a small flock of other finches. The male seen was starting to develop the black head and orange colouration of its breeding plumage, and looked really rather dapper.

Brambling are members of the finch family, visiting the UK between October and March, and usually appear on feeders early in the new year.

Andy did not have his camera to hand this morning. The photo above is from the Discover Nature website.

Sunday, 12 January 2020

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Jennifer H is lucky enough to have a Great Spotted Woodpecker regularly visit the feeders in her garden, as well as regular Nuthatch.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - visiting on 12th Jan

Great Spotted Woodpecker - on 20th Jan

Fallow Deer herd near Cambridge Road

Derek T saw this herd of around a dozen Fallow Deer, in the fields north of Cambridge Road (Lt Abington). Interestingly Anne D-N also sees a herd of Fallow Deer on the other side of the village near Abington Park Farm.

Fallow Deer can have quite variable coats, but have characteristic markings at the rear - namely a white patch with dark 'crescents' on either side, and a dark tail.

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)