Category Archives: wildlife

Where are all the Male Ducks?

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Tim has observed a decline in the male duck population at the bridge by the open-air pool. He has observed this over the past few weeks. Among all the ducks he cannot see a single duck with full male plumage.

He has also observed that duck feeding is less frenzied than a few weeks ago.

He has observed that all the mature ducks have female plumage and a few of the juveniles seem to be growing male plumage but no mature males are visible.

Tim suggested some explanations for this decline in the male duck population:

Habitat Loss: Changes in the surrounding environment might have driven male ducks to other places.
Disease: A disease outbreak specific to male ducks.
Hormonal Factors: Pollutants in the water could be affecting the hormonal balance of ducks, leading to males becoming female.
Leisure: Male ducks have migrated to a more exciting location now the breeding season is over.

Somebody out there may be able to help.

St Ethelwolds Garden – July 2024

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July is typically the peak of summer in the UK, and at last there are warm days for sitting outside in your garden or the garden at St Ethelwolds. The St Ethelwolds garden is bright with colour particularly when the sun shines.

The garden looks peaceful and inviting and a place where people come to relax. Its fame has spread beyond Abingdon. Yesterday I met some people from Reading, visiting Abingdon who knew of the garden.

On one wall is the fragrant Summer Wine climbing rose.

Some of the bees in the garden live in the garden’s own bee and insect hotel.

Down in the wild flower area are a mass of blooms with insects hovering between flowers.

The vegetable and fruit garden at the bottom has herbs, beans, courgettes, lettuce, berries, rhubarb and more.

Spring Road Cemetery: An A-Z of Abingdon Citizens

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As the school summer holidays commence, the town of Abingdon undergoes a change. The Spring Road Cemetery also underwent a seasonal change with the long grass being cut.

It had become a wildflower meadow with butterflies and bees.

The cemetery has two Gothic-style chapels, built in 1860. One chapel is available for funeral services (of up to 30 people). The other serves as a chapel of rest for Edward Carter Funeral Directors.

Spring Road Cemetery stands as an A-Z of some of Abingdon’s past residents, ranging from everyday citizens to prominent figures.

Among the legible graves is that of Vera Olive Alder, who passed away at the age of 23. She lies with her parents, Alice and George Alder, formerly of Ock Street, Abingdon. The 1911 census records George as an auctioneer’s porter, while Alice managed the household. Vera was two years old at the time of that census.

Another figure is William Bowler, who died in 1870 at the age of 50. He was known for running a building business in the town employing 6 men and 2 boys in the 1861 census.

One particularly impressive monument is dedicated to John Creemer Clarke (1821 –1895), a former local MP, town benefactor, and owner of a clothing factory that provided employment for many Abingdon residents.

P.S. The first grave has a cross representing Jesus. The letters IHC or IHS on the last two graves are both an abbreviation of Jesus’ name in Greek.

Swan Cygnet Count in Abingdon

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Following yesterday’s report of 9 cygnets near Abingdon Lock, additional swan families have been spotted in Abingdon.

A swan family with 3 cygnets has been sighted near the town centre.

Another swan family with 5 cygnets was observed close to the marina.

There are currently 17 cygnets confirmed across these three locations in Abingdon.

The annual Swan Upping ceremony, where the official swan count takes place, is scheduled for July 19th. Unfortunately, I’ll be away that weekend. If you’re lucky enough to see the Swan Upping, I’d love to get photos.