Abington Naturewatch

Thursday, 15 February 2024

Grey Shoulder Knot Moth

15th February 2024 - Derek T spotted this moth on his green bin today, and whilst it can be tricky to identify moth species definitively, it seems to be a good match to a Grey Shoulder Moth (according to Google Lens that is!).

NEWS - First sightings of the Year!

15th February 2024. NEWS - first sightings of the year!

A Brimstone butterfly was spotted today by Polly in Lewis Crescent.

Polly has also spotted one or two Buff-tailed Bumblebee around the garden over the last couple of weeks, the first being on 29th January, with a noticeable increase in numbers today.

And Gill reports seeing the first Frogspawn in her garden pond on Bourn Bridge Rd this morning, a week earlier than last year.

Tuesday, 13 February 2024

River Granta floods again

11th February 2024 - following the most recent rains, on top of what was already fairly saturated soil, soon had the River Granta rising again, flooding the meadows between the two churches (Hood's Meadow and Bancroft Meadow), parts of Sluice Wood, Cook's Meadow and parts of Lagden's Grove.

Hood's Meadow from the GP bowling green

Bancroft Meadow from near Abington Hall

Bancroft Meadow and the river, running high, from near Abington Hall

A particularly apt warning - the river in Sluice Wood on GP

Snowdrops, just escaping being inundated

River running high through the Sluice gates

Sluice Wood, in GP, looking more like a mangrove swamp

River just upstream of the footbridge, Sluice Wood

The somewhat soggy path through Sluice Wood on GP, from the footbridge

Cook's Meadow with a high river level, Lagden's Grove

Starry nights

11th February 2024 - a few nights recently have been cold, crisp and clear - ideal for a bit of star-gazing, like this view of Orion from Andy M's back garden.

Jay

11th February 2024 - Andy M spotted a pair of Jay clattering noisily around Sluice Wood.

Honeybee starting to venture out

11th February 2024 - a little warmth in the sunshine, and beehives on Granta Park were starting to show signs of activity. Andy M.

Honeybees starting to venture out of their hives

Cherry Plum poised!

11th February 2024 - the buds on this Cherry Plum in Sluice Wood on Granta Park, are poised and ready to go. Native to Asia, this species has naturalised in the UK, and is the ancestor of the domestic plum varieties. One of the first of the year to blossom too. Andy M.

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)