Category Archives: wildlife

A Heron Takes Flight


A heron with its wings spread, leaves its perch below Abingdon Bridge, having noticed me with my camera. The bird with its wings ruffled flies away over the ripples on the River Thames,

Its makeshift perch had been a jumble of logs and debris, accumulated by the bridge arches where Abingdon Bridge meets Nags Head Island.

Here is a more symmetrical shot a moment later. The wingspan is the largest of any Abingdon bird. Herons are common but still look exotic.

Swans from Spring to Winter at the Abbey Meadows


Back in May 2024 there were a swan family with 9 cygnets on the Mill Stream near the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon.

Now, halfway through winter, a swan family with four cygnets can be seen along the same stretch. The young swans, almost adult in size, still have youthful brownish plumage and grey bills.

The cygnets remain with their parents, who have not yet chased them away. According to Swan Life, this separation usually happens when cygnets are between five and ten months old.

The move to independence will be a dangerous time. Their first flights bring the risk of colliding with power lines, one of the big hazards in their journey to adulthood. Their new location is unlikely to offer quite the same ready supply of human food as the bridge near the open air pool.

St Ethelwold’s Garden – November 2024


While some of us have put away the lawnmower for the year, the volunteers at St Ethelwold’s continue clearing and replanting the garden in late November.

The peace pole (added early in 2024) stands near the flooded River Thames, a symbol of tranquillity in turbulent times.

There is usually a robin or two to be heard in the garden and if you are lucky they can be seen as well.

Can you believe it? Roses still blooming in late November!

Less surprising are the dried seed heads kept as much for their beauty as to reseed next year, like this honesty.

Today and tomorrow two hundred trees (already allotted) are being given out from St Ethelwold’s Garden as part of a tree growing initiative. They include: Hazel, Hawthorn, Wild Cherry, Wayfaring Tree, Spindle, Birch, Crab Apple, French Maple, Guelder Rose, and possibly others.

This weekend, there will be wreath-making workshops (already booked up). These festive creations will incorporate aromatic dried oranges and limes. All proceeds from the workshop will go towards an accessible toilet at St Ethelwold’s. The profits from the monthly coffee and cake events during 2024 also supported this project. However, in December the proceeds will go to the Abingdon Food Bank and Crisis at Christmas to help those in need at Christmas.

St Ethelwold’s Garden – October 2024


Volunteers at St Ethelwold’s have been clearing and dividing the clumping plants and on the plants stall are Hemerocallis ‘Primal Scream’.

Yesterday, a group of children were in the garden helping during half term to clear leaves. More leaves have fallen since then. This morning was misty with an autumn feel.

Cobwebs were strung on plants and other fixed objects around the garden.

A crow cawed from a perch high up in the biggest tree – now bare of leaves – and then flew away toward the Old Gaol.

A robin came down, first to the mossy wall, and then to the large tree to sing.

St Ethelwold’s House has a seasonal display on the welcome desk with crocheted pumpkins and orange plants and fruit.

Volunteers were cutting up twigs and sorting out compost.

I turned a handful of compost and small creatures crept and crawled back under the surface, preferring to be hidden. As today turns to evening and night, other creatures will appear in the garden’s quiet corners, creatures that prefer the darkness.