DryDrayton.net natural history

Dry Drayton Nature Notes - September

Here we will build a collection of monthly nature notes for Dry Drayton. At the moment the page has only minimal information - it will build. You will find here information about regular and more unusual sightings of Parish flora and fauna. Please send us your sightings to add to these pages or send your local wildlife queries to us.

John Clare, The Shepherd's Calendar 1827	The butterflye enjoys his hour And flirts unchaced from flower to flower And humming bees that morning calls From out the low huts mortar walls
Flora	Leaves on the trees are starting to change colour this month as Autumn develops.
Insects and Spiders	Butterflies to be seen this month include: Small White, Green Veined White, Clouded Yellow, Comma, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, The Wall, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Gatekeeper,
Amphibians and Reptiles	Grass snakes seen in gardens in the village this month.
Birds	Blackbird, Robin, Songthrush, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon, Crow, Rook, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Red legged partridge, are all to be seen. Unusual Dry Drayton sightings published by the Cambridgeshire Bird Club 27/9/08 - 8 Common Buzzards and 1 Honey Buzzard drifting high, South towards Madingley (Rowena Baxter) 19/9/08 - 2 Buzzards over Dry Drayton 13.30 (Ken and Maggie Hook) In September 2004 a Wryneck was seen in the village in Oakington Road - presumably passing through to the South. (Dr and Mrs Alford)
Mammals	Muntjac deer can often be seen on the road verge between Madingley and Dry Drayton. Foxes are more often smelt than seen. Badgers are here, but a rarer sight. Squirrels and Rabbits are much in evidence.