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Click on "Flora & Fauna Record" to go to the Birds and Wild Flower Systematic lists
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| BREAKING NEWS: June/July 2012 |
31st July: This is a pellet exuded by a Carrion Crow. We think that only Owls and other raptors do this but Corvids do as well. PM |
30th July: This is Broomrape, a parasitic plant feeding on Ivy that is spreading on the ground. It is the first record of the species for the parish but has no doubt been there a long time. Relatively rare in GB, this specimen was found by Wendy Lanman under a hedge in Station Road. PM  I've just heard that a Blackbird I ringed in Aldreth Road orchard in January 2011 was retrapped in March 2012....in Norway! Very nice indeed. Stuart Sharp Monday The Whimbrel found by Simon Stirrup on Saturday 28.July is still there on 30th July 2012. Two photographs for the record. PM & ID   |
| 29th July: Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier and Hobby seen in Adventurers Fen. Distinct lack of butterflies of all sorts that should be out by now. Even same with dragon and damselflies. PM |
| 28th July: A single Whimbrel in a dry grass field on the edge of Aldreth was a surprise - Simon Stirrup. Re Fungi below: 'No, not a chanterelle. I think it's Laccaria laccata, commonly known as The Deceiver because it is so variable in appearance. It's one of the earlier fungi to appear, mid to late summer, common on lawns and several other habitats. They say it's edible, but I think you'd be better advised to eat a Mars bar if you're feeling peckish. Cheers'. (Jake)  |
24th July: A warm morning along Tinkers Lane found a Brown Hare and some Square-stalked St Johns Wort as picture. Brown Hawker dragonflies were present and Common Darters beginning to build up in numbers.One Comma butterfly present also. Out on the fen a Blackcap was singing its heart out in a group of three isolated trees . I wonder whether it is a male who has not yet found a mate and is unlikely to by now. PM  They say it's edible, but I think you'd be better advised to eat a Mars bar if you're feeling peckish. |
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17th July: Picture of 2 House Martin nestlings in nest on my house very near to fledging. PM
 Cheers |
| 13th July: Took the opportunity to get to the New Cut Drain in North Fen. Weather sunny with clouds building up. Temperature coolish but warm in sun. Few birds but Yellowhammers singing occasionally. Also several Meadow Brown butterflies along with odd Ringlets and Small Heaths. One teneral Common Darter dragonfly. Pied Sheild Bug as in picture. Wildflowers: Purple Vetch, Selfheal (quite a large amount). Meadowsweet in drain. Meadow Vetchling. Common Starwort in water also with Water Boatmen. PM (Left to right and down) 1. Meadowsweet in Cut Drain by Galls Farm; 2 Meadowsweet flowers; 3. meadow Vetchling; 4. Selfheal; 5. Common Water Starwort. Water Boatmen floating; 6. Pied Shield bug; 7. Purple Vetch.        Jake |
| 12th July: Programme of Winter Talks now available. Go to Details |
| 10th July: Old Burial Ground work party Sunday 15 July. Go to Details |
| 9th July: A rare North American wader was seen to fly over the western part of Haddenham parish on Sunday 8/7/2012. It had been feeding with other waders on one of the most southerly fields of the Ouse Washes and when maybe disturbed it flew east and then south over fields near to the Earith-Sutton road then across the A1421 southwards towards Cracknell Farm and out of sight. It was a Long Billed Dowitcher and accompanied by some Greenshanks and Black-tailed Godwits and calling loudly. This certainly makes a legitimate recorded parish 1st. In fact the godwits and greenshanks are first records but have no doubt actually used Haddenham airspace before but not actually seen or heard. The lucky birders to see this event are few but include HCS members Barbara York and David Hopkins. |
| 5th July: Grunty Fen 5 Turtle Doves per David Nation. At Tinkers Lane-New Cut Drain bank. 1. Hairy Tare. A very small flowered vetch shown with buttercup for size. 2 Meadow Brown butterfly. Not as many as normal yet. 3. Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. This species is declining nationwide for no apparent reason. Not much else about just Blackcap singing very quietly. 2 Grey Partridges. PM    |
| 3rd July: A Red Kite being mobbed by noisy corvids. Over West End. Reported by Alan James |
27th June: Overnight catch in moth trap in Barbara York's garden included Privet Hawkmoth, Figure of Eighty moth, Buff Ermine moth. She also heard Whimbrels calling whilst passing over last night on migration south. Bee Orchid found in Aldreth Road orchard. PM    |
| 26th June: I read your [Paul Mason's] comment about butterflies and can only agree, worst year for a long time. However, yesterday 25/6/12 afternoon I did see a my year's first Ringlets and Meadow Browns on the river bank by the Nineacre Wood at Aldreth. No doubt there will be more there this lovely morning, Rob Partridge. |
| 20th June: Turtle Dove heard and seen in Lode Way in the trees by Hod Hall Lane. Ann Biggs. Galls Drain and North Fen Cut Drain bank. 4spot Chaser dragonfly eating a Blue Damselfly. Photo not too good but thought it interesting. In Galls drain several 4spot Chaser dragons and an Emperor. Wild flowers are slow in coming out. Butterflies. Only one white and a very worn Small Tortoisehell. Two only Small Heaths one of which was also very worn out. Flower photographs: Black Medic and below in Charlock.PM.    |
19th June: I have never seen a grass snake swimming round here before,this was at Clayton's bridgealong with the broad bodied chaser.Ian.   |
| 18th June: There were four Turtle doves near the farm buildings today, which I felt was worth mentioning. David Nation (Grunty Fen). |
16th June: Around Guppys Pond and Old Railway line to Wilburton (Cutleaved Cranesbill, Germander Speedwell). PM   |
16th June: Between showers popped down to Bury Fen corner. Birds still quiet but there was a Garden Warbler warbling away. Still plenty of Azure Damselflies and a couple of Common Blues, and one Large Red. NO butterflies. Wild flowers found were Creeping Yellowcress and Spotted Medick.  |
10th June: AT LAST A SUNNY DAY!! Near area known as The Brinks near Aldreth. Few Orange Tips but others not evident yet. Scarce Chaser dragonflies…tenerals hardening off are still orange but will turn blue soon. Azure damselflies a plenty also 2-3 Large Red damselflies. Flowers. Beaked Hawksbeard , Prickly Sow Thistle. Hogweed, and Common Nettles in nice pinkish flower. Birds fairly quiet but odd warbler sounds around. 4 pairs Corn Buntings along Dambank which is good because there will many more elswhere in the fen fields. PM.      |
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