Abington Naturewatch: September 2016

Monday 26 September 2016

Birding News - Abington

Derek reports (tweets?):

Great Black-backed Gulls in field NE of Four Went Ways
Chiffchaff heard near the Millennium Foot Bridge
Grey Wagtail downstream of that bridge

He also says he's heard that Redwings are beginning to appear in this country. Please let him know when you see any in Abington - and of course any other winter visitors or noteworthy sightings.

Dragonfly in Church Lane

Len and Rosemary had a house visit from a female Southern Hawker on Monday 19th September. They also saw one by their pond the previous Friday and on Tuesday 20th.

Southern Hawker

The Emerald damselfly was seen at Flatford mill on Thursday 15th September.

Emerald damselfly

Sunday 18 September 2016

Chiffchaff singing in September

Anne, Derek and Andy have all heard Chiffchaff singing at various locations around the village during the last week or two. Anne has seen this Chiffchaff in her garden for the past three days, her pictures nicely showing the dark legs and short 'primary projection' which help distinguish this Chiffchaff from the very similar Willow Warbler. The entry for Chiffchaff in Anne's bird book indicates that "Bright autumn days may cause migrants to burst into unseasonal song".

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Wasps' nest and Bracket fungus in Sluice Wood

David Farrant took these photos near the path round Sluice Wood.

They show:

Wasps nest, presumably dug up by a badger and then repaired over a couple of days.
Bracket fungus presumably 'Chicken of the Woods'.

Monday 5 September 2016

Nuthatch in High Street

Jennifer saw this Nuthatch on her bird feeder this morning (5 September).

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)