The River Arun has its source not many miles away, rising from ghylls in St Leonards Forest, then flowing through Chesworth farm. Here on the Riverside at Hills Farm Lane the river for most of the year appears like a quiet stream but with steep high banks. It is ideal for wildlife as the banks provide shelter and a large variety of food plants for birds, mammals and insects.
Aquatic plants and river bank vegetation mean a healthy river
On a hot day most birds seek shade and water here. Looking up into trees and high thickets you will ask - where have all the birds gone? - it all looks deserted! This is where they are. During the late summer moult many birds will hide away whilst they lose their old feathers and grow fresh plumage - some may not even be able to fly far therefore they need a place to hide from predators and yet have a source of food nearby.
You may also ask - where have all the insects gone? They are concentrated in damp river beds with plenty of vegetation and provide a rich source of food both for birds and bats. The summer migrant warblers are feeding up ready to leave on the long journey south to overwinter, gathering the maximum food for the minimum amount of effort - our River provides all this.
For example on 30th August, an overcast day with dew on the grass, birds seen along a short stretch of the river Arun and its tributary Boldings Brook included:
bullfinch, acrobatic chiff-chaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, chaffinch, greenfinch, nuthatch, jay, house sparrow, blue and great tit, numerous robin, wren, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, dunnock, goldfinch, grey heron, blackcap, woodpigeon, collared dove....
No comments:
Post a Comment