Flora on PRV36, Bourn Bridge road

21st June 2026 - David F took a look at the flowers in bloom along the Protected Road Verge (PRV36), along either side of Bourn Bridge Road, and took photos of a few of them.

Common Broomrape

Mullein

Viper's Bugloss

Granta Park evening walk

19th June 2026 - report from David F and photos from Izy Chapman, taken on the trip to Granta Park.

Red Admiral

Greylag Goose family, Mallard

Female adult Mandarin Duck and young, Mallard

Barnacle Goose, Mallard

Lady's Bedstraw

Bird's-foot Trefoil

Viper's Bugloss

[photos Izy Chapman].    

Water Crowfoot in the Granta - an indicator of a healthy river

19th June 2026 - the river Granta behind the cricket field was looking particularly lovely - clear water, flowing well over lovely green weeds, with the flowers of Water Crowfoot, a member of the buttercup family, pushing up above the surface. The latter is an indicator of a healthy river - see quote below from the Wildlife Trust website:

'Water crowfoot (Ranunculus spp.) is a primary indicator of excellent water quality. It thrives in clean, cool, well-oxygenated, and unpolluted rivers (such as chalk streams). Its presence points to healthy aquatic ecosystems, as the plant dies off and is replaced by algae in nutrient-polluted waters.'

 

Andy M.     

Riverfly River Sampling - June results

18th June 2026 - the ANW River Care team undertook the monthly Riverfly River Sampling of the River Granta, sampling and counting the wildlife at the road ford. The results are shown below.

Comparison with the June survey results from 2025 indicate that, despite the water level being low in both years, the number of invertebrate larvae was much higher this year. In June 2025, there were only 2-6 individuals found in most categories, whereas in June 2026 many categories were up 7-30 fold.

Water Hoglouse

Blue-winged Olive larva

Caseless Caddis larva

Angler's Curse larva

Mayfly larva

Mayfly larvae

Bullhead fish

empty shed skin of a larva

Marbled White - first of the year

18th June 2026 -  Derek T found this beautiful Marbled White butterfly in his greenhouse  - this being the first report of the year - but followed shortly afterwards by several other sightings over the following week, as it seems to have been a good year for this species locally.

Marsh Orchid - in a garden

12th June 2026 - Len M has this lovely Marsh Orchid growing around the pond in his garden.

Flora and fungi

14th June 2026 - David F came across a lovely clump of pink Sainfoin flowers, and some Field Poppy along the edge of Pampisford Road, and later a good crop of Oyster Mushrooms in Sluice Wood. 

Sainfoin

Field Poppy

Oyster Mushroom