St Neots & District

Wildlife Group Page 2018

Welcome to the Wildlife Group web page. Everyone is welcome to join us for one of our walks, our mission is to enhance your outdoor experience!
Everyone is always welcome to all our meetings. Our 'walks' take about 2 hours, the pace is always leisurely. However, if you wish to join us it is essential to contact the group leader, as last minute changes may have to be made to the programme as a result of unsuitable conditions.

February Visit

On the 28th February we visited RSPB Sandy. It had been snowing the night before, but the roads were clear and we were expecting a cold afternoon but had not foreseen the blizzard we were walking in at one point! We were hoping to see Bramblings and we were not disappointed. I have shown a picture of a Brambling and a Chaffinch for comparison, all photos were taken on the day and many thanks to John for persevering with the snaps even though at one point he could not see through his view finder! I think the photos tell the story. Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely warming cuppa in a nice little café in Sandy. If you stayed home in the warm, you do not know what you missed.

March Visit

On the 21st March we visited Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. The weather was fine with lots of sun and mainly blue skies.
As we strolled along the Heron trail, bird life was a little slow. We saw red kites and buzzards, and we had good close up views of a pair of tufted ducks, and the few remaining widgeon. The males looking really smart in full breeding plumage. A pair of great crested grebes were ‘bobbing’ to each other, but no sign of their famous weed dance. Good views of long tailed tits made for a lot of ‘ahhhhhs’. And everybody saw at least one of the two great spotted woodpeckers, and we all heard green woodpecker.”

April Visit

For our April meeting we had to re-schedule to Paxton Pits as Waresley Wood was extremely muddy and the bluebells were not yet in full bloom. The poor weather conditions has had an effect on everything and despite the warm sunny day there was not very much about. On the water we saw Tufted Duck, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Common Tern, Cormorant, Heron and Mallard. Whilst walking around we heard Blackcap, White Throat, Chiffchaff, Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Green Woodpecker. We also saw Reed Bunting and a lucky few saw Brambling.

May Visit

For our May meeting we took a coach load of 42 people to RSPB Minsmere. We had a splendid day, so many trails to follow it was difficult to cover the whole reserve in one day! The following are the highlights we saw: Little Egret, Barnacle Goose, Shelduck, Shoveler, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Swift, Sand Martin, Reed Warbler, Common Gull and many more. The weather was mild but a bit “breezy” with some people dubbing the trip as a grand visit to Windsmere! It was lovely to see the sea and the salt licks that we do not have in Cambridgeshire. We all had time for a quick cuppa and a look around the shop before our departure.

June Visit

On the 20th June we visited Barford Road Pocket Park. We set off along the river bank hoping to see plenty of dragonflies etc, but sadly the grass had recently been trimmed, with some loss of habitat. However further along, and a little way away from the river, we spotted crickets, mayflies and a nursery web spider. We stayed a while at the bridge watching Black Tailed Skimmers (dragonfly). We were constantly surrounded by a cloud of common blue damselflies. The highlights of the many and varied wildflowers/plants that we saw were, narrow leaved plantain and marsh woundwort.

July Visit

In July, on a very hot humid and sunny day, a small group of us visited Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. We took a gentle stroll, ensuring we had some shade as well as the lovely sunshine. During our walk we saw; Dragonflies: Brown Hawkers, Four Spot Chaser, Ruddy Darter and Southern Hawker; Butterflies: Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Gate keeper, as well as many others, fluttering by so quickly we could not identify them! Other highlights were Hairy Shield Bug, Potter Wasp, and Red Tailed Bumble Bee. Thanks as always to John McDonough for yet more lovely photos.

August Visit

For our August meeting we visited the RSPB reserve at Fowlmere near Cambridge, on a lovely warm day. Twenty of our group enjoyed a pleasant stroll through the varied habitat, and along side the beautifully clear river Shep, which eventually joins the river Cam. The highlight of our trip was observing the White Clawed Crayfish (globally threatened species). Other species we spotted were dragonflies, butterflies, spiders, and waterfowl.

Thanks once again to John McDonough for the wonderful photos.

September Visit

Our visit to Paxton Pits in September was an interesting outing with 19 people attending. The weather was good and we saw a variety of birds, the highlight being the Kingfisher. Given the recent long term dry weather we have been experiencing, the landscape at Paxton has changed with many islands appearing. This gives us a great opportunity to observe the waterfowl as shown by the pictures taken by Tony Summerlin. The hornet’s nest is very active and is located very close to the Meadow Trail and very interesting to watch!

October Visit

The group visited RSPB Sandy in October 2018. The weather was cool, noticeably so after the recent unseasonably warm spell. The damp had really helped the fungi to bloom and we were treated to an amazing display. Please see the photos for a brief snapshot of the highlights. We also spent some time in the hide watching Nuthatches having a feast on the feeders.

November Visit

In November we visited Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, and we were all struck by the changes to the area that the very dry weather has had. There are now large islands in Heronry South. During our visit to Hayden hide and Kingfisher hide we saw Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Green Sandpiper and Goldeneye, as well as all the usual suspects! Departing from the hides we took a stroll along the “farm walk” and saw flocks of yellow hammer, and linnet. Some of which stayed long enough to have their photo taken. Sadly we also found a Comma butterfly in the last throes of life, however it did mean we were all able to study it closely without causing further harm.

The program for the rest of the year is as follows:

NO MEETING IN DECEMBER

Location and focus may change if conditions are not suitable. Wildlife Group Members will be informed by email of any changes.