The sun wins for a while

At last, on 29th December 2015 the morning started with a blue sky, much brighter than usual but it was not long before the rain-bearing clouds sped in and it was a case of dodging showers.

A rare sight - the landscape with a sunlit oak, just seconds before it was plunged into semi-darkness!

Only 22mm of rain fell last night (28th December 2015) and the river was flowing fast and muddy but quite low. As usual over the past few days, it was not cold, but windy and overcast, with some blue sky just visible in the gaps. Hazel catkins were appearing on every Hazel tree and sapling and fresh green growth - young nettle leaves and cow parsley was sprouting amongst the deep 'compost' of fallen

leaves.

I had been walking for about 20minutes without seeing or hearing much activity along the river, except for a very welcome sound -   two green woodpeckers calling every few minutes, the 'yaffles' sounding louder as I got closer. It had quickly and steadily become darker….'False Roosting Time', dusk at 10.30am. The rain clouds closed in and I waited, sheltering amongst some bramble branches still with leaves in a hedge, close to the river bank.

 After a while the rain gave up and the sun suddenly appeared, lighting up the dripping branches. Moving under some ivy I stood still and watched. It was hard to believe that so many birds had been under cover, out of sight and mostly silent during the rain. Robins and blue tits and great tits were the first to appear amongst the branches of oaks and ash over the river, then several fieldfare moved in, clumsily climbing around to reach remaining berries and fruits whilst more agile blackbirds sped low across the banks. High up a carrion crow called and two goldcrests began to forage in the sunlit branches above me. 

Several redwings arrived, following each other behind the thickets and house sparrows started chatting in the dense hawthorn hedge where they had been sheltering. Suddenly a great spotted woodpecker called out from somewhere very close - showing well when it moved around an oak tree trunk towards me, in the sun. Then another appeared next to it - possibly a pair. A bullfinch male flew low across to the opposite bank, then a nuthatch called noisily, flying from oak to oak then move down into the sun onto an old wooden fence where it pecked at a wooden post joint - a very close view - it may have wedged an acorn into the joint in order to eat it. Just behind it in the grass a green woodpecker called  again and another was heard answering further away.

This was all happening in the same place, within a few minutes, triggered by the sunlight after the rain, I had not moved at all but had observed the activity from under the ivy-clad branches.

Taking advantage of the short spell of sunlight, I then continued along the river. Woodpigeons (30) were visible in the trees or flying up from the field to forage in the ivy for berries.

House sparrows were heard and seen in their usual hedgerows (43) and a total of 27 robins were recorded most in full song at quite close intervals. They do continue to sing during the rain if they have found good shelter such as a Holly bush. Evergreens are an essential part of the ecology of the river bank. Blackbirds were numerous too (32) many foraging under leaves but not yet singing, only alarm calls. Large numbers of blue tits (60) and great tits (22) some now calling were working their way along the banks, frequenting blackthorn where the twigs and branches are covered with lichen where they find insects under the layers. Clouds of insects (midges) had appeared after the rain over the water too, surviving in the warm climate.

In the air, herring gulls (14), jackdaws (2),  carrion crows (5) a rook and 4 magpies were seen flying across but no raptors were seen today. The winter black-headed gulls (14) were seen foraging on the grass and seem to spend very little time in the air and 2 collared doves were looking out from the ivy. Song thrushes (3) were seen amongst leaves on the bank but those singing remained unseen in the under storey. Chaffinches (4) were now calling but only 2 greenfinches were seen, they probably prefer dry habitats rather than wetlands.

A group of linnets (20) were seen flying together into a dense species-rich hedgerow which held several fieldfare (total 8 seen today). The redwing (6) were all seen in the first group of birds observed after the rain on the riverside as were the 2 great-spotted woodpeckers. Starlings were moving around in small groups (20) but not in their usual day roost as this was very exposed to the wind and rain today. Goldfinches (40) were also seen and heard in groups, moving round to find the best sunlit 

locations whilst long-tailed tits (16) were very active and easy to see - one family group in a bare polar tree and others heard first then seen directly overhead in the dense bare branches of the tree canopy. Goldcrests (4) had abandoned their usual conifers in favour of the outer branches of oaks giving very good views - and taking their place in the conifers were at least 2 very vocal coal tits. A single dunnock was perched in a small bare tree, commanding a silent vantage point whilst most wrens (8) remained hidden but singing. A very quiet call from a bullfinch revealed one on the bank near the dunnock (total 2), then a fine treecreeper flew up onto an oak tree trunk right in front of me, soon moving round to get to the sunny side out of view.

Green woodpeckers had started the morning's observations and loud calls were heard again as even darker rain clouds raced across towards us at the finish. (total 2) 

Hunkered down in the gales

The gales this winter seem to be continuous, with a thick layer of cloud and intermittent rain.

Today, Boxing Day 26th December 2015 was no exception. A quick check on the river levels, water quality and flow revealed the levels rising and water flowing fast, carrying mud and silt from upstream fields, indicating that the earth is definitely saturated. The levels are still short of flood level, with no overflowing banks yet.

A sign of spring - catkins growing well on a young

Hazel tree on the bank of the muddy fast flowing river.

The noise of the south-westerly gale in the trees and traffic noise carried far today - birds and mammals were hunkered down with the mild weather making urgent foraging less necessary.

Robins were however singing loudly from prominent perches low down in sheltered areas, clearly audible but the first species seen was a family group of about ten long-tailed tits all foraging in the same bare tree, prising small insects from lichen-clad twigs and branches, very close to me, calling softly.

Even the carrion crows were keeping low today, sat on branches, wiping beaks after muddy meals. Magpies and jackdaws were heard and seen in the distance and herring gulls were ever-present in the sky - flying against the wind. Forty-five black-headed gulls were enjoying easy foraging in the very soft ground on a playing field where they spend most of the winter. There was a brief glimpse of a fast, low-flying sparrow hawk through the trees, taking advantage of the waving branches and vegetation to target a wood pigeon - missed. A group of linnets flew fast across into a tree and small groups of goldfinches braved the wind to fly into cover. Blue tits and great tits were visible in good numbers making their way along the river bank thickets and one or two chaffinches and greenfinches 

allowed themselves to be driven across gaps in the thickets by the wind. Blackbirds were numerous everywhere, on the grass and inside thickets, but always in sheltered places on the river bank, together with one or two song thrushes. A nuthatch was heard in the distance - and down on the river itself (Arun) five mallard, three males and two female in a close group were paddling upstream slowly around a quiet backwater, the steep river banks giving perfect shelter from the wind.

It was very good to see that a few redwing were still present - amongst tree branches in view of thickets still bearing fruits and berries. With the redwing were about four goldcrests, moving around directly above me. They had abandoned their usual conifers which were bearing the full force of the wind to forage amongst the branches of sheltered deciduous trees.

This was not a full record, only a quick look as the weather was so bad. Hopefully there will be a better day for a full record before the end of the year!

Just another view of 'the scrape' taken today. Wildlife around the 

area was sheltering well out of sight.

Redwings on the move!

December - although it's warm enough to be October.

A very rare fine day today, Friday 4th December 2015, after a series of windy, dark, damp days and torrential rain last night.

Last month had been the most overcast November on record - about time for a glimpse of the sun.

The morning started clear and bright , cooler than usual but no frost - and the ground very wet after the overnight rain.

The most noticeable feature was the amount of singing along the river, as if birds had all suddenly woken up after a very very long night lasting days..

Blackthorn thickets were the loudest with birds crowding in to sample the sloes, some now drying out and wrinkled - but maybe tasting better than the younger berries. The other most popular fruits were the wild rose hips. 

The redwings had arrived in force, ahead of the fieldfares which yesterday were trailing behind, still visible in large numbers down in the lower Arun valley at Pulborough.

 An Oak on the bank of the Arun, windswept but still clinging on to golden leaves.

 Although cooler now, the morning was still warm for this time of the year with the ground thick with fallen leaves fast turning into a rich compost allowing easy  access to invertebrates for ground-feeding birds - a slight kick to move the leaves and a feast is revealed.
Robins (23) were singing in many parts of the riverside, some answering each other from across the river. Four dunnocks were seen silently foraging under the dead stalks of nettles on the bank and amongst the leaf litter. Starlings were quite numerous today - a good sign - (70), about 15 whistling and singing in a Blackthorn thicket, well hidden but very audible and other small gatherings could be heard and seen in many places where there was plenty of cover - hollies and ivy.
It was very reassuring to find so many house sparrows (more than 150) in several colonies in hedgerows and bramble thickets. Never 'early' birds, perhaps the unaccustomed sunlight had woken them up when it hit their roosts and started them off, singing and preening. Once fully awake, they will, however, happily sing in rain, provided they have some cover from the worst of the weather.
Woodpigeons (28) were scattered in the trees along the banks - once suitable branches were found where they could sit in the sun, most dozed off - until disturbed by a squirrel or jay. Collared doves are now not as numerous as they were here a few years ago - and today only two were seen, a pair sitting close together on a branch, preening each other. Three noisy jays were heard first and then seen - and on the field and grass, 14 carrion crows were foraging, whilst 6 magpies, almost as noisy as the jays, were restlessly flying and chasing amongst the trees. The carrion  crows were accompanied by  small numbers of rooks, about 5 and 2 jackdaws were seen flying across.
Herring gulls were enjoying the clear sky (38), most flying high south towards the coast and the smaller black-headed gulls (35) were, as usual in winter, feeding amongst the short grass or flying around low above the field when disturbed, ready to land again as soon as possible.
Still looking up, scanning the unusually cloudless sky, I saw a lonely cormorant making its way south, following the river course - and then below, looking down onto the bank a sparrowhawk was seen dashing low along the river. Further upstream a single moorhen was walking along the bank next to the path, unconcerned. An old tree with branches overhanging the water had obviously just been chosen as a good place to nest in the spring - a great spotted woodpecker had been at work making a largish hole in the trunk. The woodpecker was probably watching me - but I didn't see it.
Three nuthatches were heard and seen in different territories along the river - they establish nesting holes early on and spend the winter guarding and refurbishing their old nest holes but the great-spotted woodpecker usually chooses to create or use a different one each year.
 It was very noticeable, with the low sun warming the trees, that large numbers of insects were active on and around the tree bark, mostly small flies and occasionally a solitary bee. A treecreeper was seen foraging briefly before it disappeared, taking advantage of the abundant insects.
Back to the singing - Song thrushes (11) were singing strongly today - they have been singing since last month, mostly early and late in the day - but it was remarkable how they had to compete with so many other singing birds today. Massed goldfinches were singing together in a large Blackthorn thicket (about 55) together with numbers of singing starlings, robin, a song thrush (loudest voice). Two greenfinches were eating rose hips, about six chaffinches were present - and a mistle thrush was perched in the sun.
There were good views of several redwing moving through the same Blackthorn eating sloes, 15 in total today.
Even more remarkable was the duration of the chorus - the occupants of the thicket were singing for over two hours, most of them on the sunlit southern side. 

In addition to the 'static' chorus, large numbers of blue tits and great tits were visiting the same thicket, part of several roaming flocks seen in different locations along the river. A total of 120 blue tits and 53 great tits were counted -  and 4 coal tits with an independent large, silent family group of 17 long-tailed tits in the willows.
High calls alerted me to goldcrests active in the lower branches of the conifers (4) and several wrens were seen, some heard singing short songs in various locations under the tangle of nettle and bramble stalks on the banks -  8 in total but only a few were singing.
  Three fieldfare were seen on ivy (berries) and flying across between berry-laden bushes, but redwing have suddenly become more numerous here, together with large numbers of visiting blackbirds - today 42 in total were seen but none singing but all concentrating on the berries and fruits along the banks.
A memorable day, with unexpected numbers of birds and unexpected song.

November Gales

November 9th 2015 - light, fast moving cloud in the strong wind allowed some sunlight onto the riverside today. The river had receded after rainfall over the past few days but was flowing swiftly under the overhanging Blackthorn, Spindle, Dog Rose, Maple and Oak. Spindle fruits were almost as bright red as the rose hips, being a native local species, not the pink cultivated garden spindle.

Birds were drawn to this sheltered area where they spent time foraging, choosing the best of the abundant food. No need to search, grab and fly on yet.

Three boldly marked song thrushes - probably winter migrants - were seen foraging together on the sloes, picking a fruit, rolling it in the beak then swallowing.

Wind-blown Blackthorn, with plenty of fruits for the winter thrushes.

In the same place, two blackbirds were feeding whilst house sparrows flew in from their hedgerow roost where they foraged on insects together with numbers of blue tits and great tits  with smart (possibly ater) coal tits amongst them. A few goldcrests were also seen - foraging underneath the lichen on oak twigs, presumably for insects or spiders. Goldfinches called from higher branches.

Further downstream, a species-rich hedgerow in the open at the field margin was busy with yellowhammers once more, flying from the hedge down onto the weedy margin of the stubble field. A few active linnets could be seen in the dense hedge, with glimpses of bullfinch pair lit by the sun. A group of black-headed gulls were feeding together with a single common gull - a lot larger - on the grass and a great-spotted woodpecker was calling in a fine old Oak, a windswept tree fast losing its remaining leaves, it has weathered many a fierce storm over hundreds of years.

The Oak on the river bank

Wednesday 11th November 2015 was another warm windy day, overcast and becoming very dark towards midday. The wind had sent birds down to shelter and the lack of light meant many were roosting - but the dark day was suddenly turned to light when a kingfisher came flying downstream low over the water surface - A bright orange bullet sped towards me from the right, changing to a stunning blue 'bolt' as it passed very close to me and flew out of sight to the left in a bend in the river as I was looking down onto the water. 

Moorhens in a Willow

A quick look along the river today Tuesday 3rd November 2015

A very dim start to the day - but taking advantage of a bright interval when a gap in the clouds let the sun through for about thirty seconds, I decided to take a look at the damp landscape, lit by the bright yellow carpets of fallen leaves. As the morning advanced towards noon, it became darker and darker.

Perhaps birds were interpreting the oncoming darkness as nightfall - as there was suddenly a lot of activity in the sky.

Small groups of redwing flew across, then fieldfare in twos and threes, then woodpigeons in larger numbers.

I did not expect to see much in the gloom but there was plenty of activity. A nuthatch was calling and another showed well flying out of the Blackthorn. Robins appeared from the shadows, giving brief songs and wrens were heard giving alarm calls and short snatches of song. A great spotted woodpecker was calling persistently from an old oak, then flew off to a nearby tree.

Further along the river there were more persistent croaking calls - heard only infrequently here. These were difficult to locate - usually the calls would come from the river or low on the bank but walking towards a Willow still with plenty of bright yellow leaves, a movement amongst the leaves about halfway up the tree gave the caller away. A black roundish shape and red bill - a Moorhen - and a second moorhen on a branch just below it . 

Look for the two black dots, one in the centre of the picture.

The moorhen pair looked as if they were roosting - either they had been there all night or had just climbed up to roost as the light began to fade.... quite high up in the willow over the river.

Roosting up in trees means they are safe from predators such as foxes and raptors too, being protected by the leaves and branches. Later one dropped down into the river with a small splash. They climb and drop rather than fly into trees.

Nearby much quieter calls came from a family group of long-tailed tits foraging in a Maple - its leaves brown and yellow, then very high calls revealed quick-moving goldcrests, many more than usual feeding amongst the more ponderous blue tits in the canopy. These goldcrests must be winter migrants - finding a bonanza of insects here in the trees over the river.

A group of linnets flew across with a few landing on a bare tree top - perching high in order to survey the landscape and the nearby 'scrape'. Large numbers of goldfinches also flew over in groups under the uniform solid-grey sky with no wind to move the clouds away. Further along there were yet more goldcrests - excellent views of them foraging in the deciduous trees for a change from the usual conifers, and another, larger flock of long-tailed tits flew one by one across and into the riverside trees.

Some woodpigeons and carrion crows looked as if they were roosting - remaining very still on branches of the old trees whilst about 25 black-headed gulls in winter plumage foraged undisturbed on the grass. Only one blackbird was seen and a single songthrush flew low into a hedgerow. A single chiffchaff was busy amongst the blackthorn with a blackcap in the same thicket. No house sparrows were seen or heard (still roosting in their hedgerows) but numbers of starlings were wheeling over, catching aerial insects.

October Highlights

Rapid changes seen this month on the Riverside but the weather remained equable and today the 31st October 2015  was warm and sunny after continuous rain on Thursday continuing into Friday.

Bright Bramble leaves on the river bank together with dry grasses 

and nettle stalks will provide shelter and protection for many

species of wildlife over the coming winter.

Highlights for this month included:

on 1st Oct: 3 young buzzards calling and flying close together over the river

Great spotted woodpecker on low branches over the river

Large numbers of starlings

Green woodpecker

Speckled Wood butterflies

Noisy nuthatches

on 2nd Oct: Numerous house martins catching insects over the river course

and meadow pipits on and over the fields.

on 4th Oct: Numerous pied wagtails on and over fields and buildings

Kestrel hovering over river margin

Several nuthatches calling and numerous wrens.

on 7th Oct. Coal tits foraging

See full report for 9th Oct. - yellowhammers

on 16th Oct: Large family of long-tailed tits in oaks and nuthatches again calling loudly.

on 18th Oct - see Report - first redwings seen - also yellowhammers seen again in the field.

on 23rd Oct: kingfisher flying low over the river from a branch.

On 26th Oct: First sightings of fieldfares flying across over trees along the river 

Goldcrests seen in deciduous trees (Oaks and Maples),

 family of long-tailed tits amongst the sloes on Blackthorn thicket,

nuthatches calling again.

On 27th Oct: Chiffchaff calling (contact calls)

long-tailed tits and goldcrests.

Redwings Arrive on the Riverside

Today, 18th October, was an unpromising day with overcast skies letting through faint glimmers of sun now and again. In passing, pausing a short while to look at activity in a Blackthorn thicket between the old oaks, unfamiliar calls were heard, then three Redwings were seen in the sloe-laden Blackthorn, one following the other then separating to forage, then off again, into an oak. Not only redwing were attracted to this spot, two tiny goldcrests were busy foraging,  a chiffchaff flew into the top branches and behind, glimpsed amongst the twigs was a song thrush several blue tits and great tits and a fine view of a mistle thrush, then two blackbirds flew in, chasing each other.  A robin suddenly appeared amongst them and close by in the oak a bright male nuthatch moved swiftly along the branches.

Ripe Dog Rose hips

Yellowhammers!

October means many rapid changes in the amount of daylight, the strength of the sunlight and daytime and night time temperatures - all affecting the wildlife along the river.

Most of our summer migrants have left and are well on their way south although swallows and house martins are still to be seen feeding on insects over the river as they make their way to warmer climates

via the river course then across the channel.

Here, fruits and berries have ripened, a welcome sight for winter migrants flying across from northern and central europe where it is becoming bitterly cold. Some have already arrived and will be making their way inland from coastal areas - we'll be watching out for them. 

Guelder Rose berries on the river bank, translucent in the sun

- easily spotted from a long distance, attracting birds to investigate

the riverside where they have a good choice of food - they often 

choose Hawthorn berries first as they have been ripe for some time

Friday 9th October 2015 was a typical October day, a fine and clear morning after a cool night.

There was no wind and the rising sun soon warmed up the ground although areas in the shade remained soaked after a heavy dew overnight. The river was running swiftly, lower but still muddy after previous rainfall. Hazel leaves were turning a bright yellow and Dog Rose hips were a brilliant red, showing up high amongst the trees and down low over the river. Spider's webs were strung between every nettle stalk on the bank, each one with its resident spider, and often with trapped insect prey as well - rich pickings for foraging birds. 

Looking out into the fields as it became warmer, as the sun lit up the species-rich old hedgerows, small birds, some showing yellow plumage, were active in and out of the hedge, down onto the stubble at the field margins, working their way amongst the dry short stalks. These were yellowhammers - a very welcome sight as they are red-listed birds - farmland birds declining in numbers from year to year.

At least 14 were seen foraging and flying up to perch inside the hedgerow. They would be off to new fields soon, choosing stubble and marginal weeds under hedgerows left uncut.

Yellowhammers were definitely the highlight of the morning but there was plenty of action all along the river too - here's a full record:
The first sighting was unexpected,  just glancing across the river something bright orange drifted down like a leaf from the top of a Hazel, down onto a horizontal bare branch. It was a very fresh Comma butterfly, which settled to warm up and bask in the sun (like a bird), with a backdrop of rose hips.  After warming up for a while it moved up onto some ivy leaves, ivy flowers clearly the attraction, it then moved from flower to flower, nectaring.   Along the river, Speckled Wood and Large White butterflies were also seen in various places.
Finches were out in force;  although only a few chaffinches (6) and greenfinches (3) were seen, there were large numbers of goldfinches (117), a number of them in juvenile plumage still - lacking the bright red face of the adult.
More than 40 flew together into the top of an old oak after foraging on sun-touched Dock seeds below. More flew into the top of an Ash tree and a Field Maple whilst more than 20 flew across the river, backs to the sun. A group were busy feeding on Ash keys (very numerous this autumn) and further along the river at least 20 were in the Blackthorn which catches the early sun, mostly well camouflaged youngsters, preening and scratching their heads.
A small group of linnets (12) arrived to perch on the sunlit side of an ash tree. Soon they will be more easily seen as the leaves of all deciduous trees are now falling fast. A brief, bright glimpse of a male bullfinch  was had as it flew across a gap in the branches but as usual it flew into the back of a dense thicket.
House sparrows (c40) were difficult to locate at first but a colony was suddenly woken up by the sun on their hedge roost and started to chatter. Later, more were seen in the bramble patches, emerging to warm up. A hunting sparrowhawk flew swiftly upstream low over the river, hoping to surprise any bird around the next corner. It's prey is often a fat woodpigeon drinking or bathing, finding itself trapped.
The hawk will usually leave a tell-tale pile of woodpigeon feathers at the site. Today, as is usual during the autumn, there were large numbers of woodpigeons (c80) seen in trees along the river, flying over or feeding on the fields. Wildly waving branches in the top of an old oak (on a windless morning) revealed several woodpigeons balancing on the topmost twigs, reaching out for ripe brown acorns - rather clumsy birds, most of them grabbed then dropped the acorns after all that effort. a good sign of their activities can be seen on the ground below an oak, plentiful acorns and brown leaves and twigs, crunching under foot.
All was quiet apart from a loudly cursing jay, objecting to the presence of two squirrels - and the fine song of robins (26), some very close up and others more distant along the wooded riverbanks, their calls echoing. Occasionally they do appear to be answering another nearby robin, not always in dispute over territory, as the females sing as well. Blue tits (42) and great tits (29) were also calling - or bickering in the case of the blue tits - and the soft calls of a group of long-tailed tits (8) were heard - looking up they were seen to be following each other into the same Blackthorn bush. The very high call of a treecreeper was heard with a second treecreeper answering from an adjacent tree but hidden from view by leaves. Low in amongst roots, a silent dunnock was seen and wrens (9) gave away their presence with short bursts of song or alarm calls, most seen very close to the water's edge amongst mossy roots in shaded areas. Warblers were still present - two chiffchaffs were seen, one well camouflaged amongst the pale green ash leaves and another in a vivid red spindle tree - and two blackcaps were seen, one in the Blackthorn and one amongst brambles full of berries.
At this stage in the progress of autumn we were still waiting for the arrival of the first winter thrushes on the riverside and today there were only 8 blackbirds seen, probably local residents, busy foraging on the abundant fruits and berries, without much competition. It was good to see numbers of starlings (c30) arriving at their popular day roost, which was filling up with birds staying mostly out of sight but  chattering and whistling together.
Nuthatches (8) were present in good numbers, indicating a good breeding season over the summer, with young ones calling loudly, perhaps still claiming territory. Three great spotted woodpeckers were seen too in amongst good habitat in various wooded parts of the river bank.
Goldcrests (2) were busy foraging for insects, one in a conifer and another flew into the very popular Blackthorn a great view, it's plumage lit by the sun.
In the air, carrion crows (6), herring gulls (2) magpies (5), jackdaws (6), a single black-headed gull and a single mallard were seen flying across at various times during the morning but as the sun warming the earth produced good thermals, 3 buzzards appeared, the first flying low, circling slowly, fine plumage lit by the sun, then a second appeared, being chased by two crows. The buzzard threw them off and continued on it's way south whilst a third flew into view, low, calling loudly. 

Keeping watch on the Scrape

The watch on our 'scrape' continues - here's the latest picture after the rain.

Looking good, with aquatic margin plants growing well,

including Purple Loosestrife

The First Frost of Autumn

The 20th September 2015 - a fine warm day after the first frost of Autumn. A cool, still and misty start meant that leaves and fruits still held traces of frost this morning before being touched by the sun.

ACORNS - a very welcome sight this year.

The sun has just melted the frost on these ripening Crab apples

The river was flowing well but low with the sun gradually warming the river bank. The sky clear, with numerous contrails and no breeze at first. Dog Rose hips were still ripening - food for later in the winter when other fruits become scarce. Berries have been plundered from the Hawthorn thickets but plenty remain on the difficult-to-reach branches overhanging the river - and single leaves were drifting like butterflies - with the sound of acorns suddenly dropping onto the dry leaves. There was from the start  continuous background sound echoing along the river - singing robins near and far, their songs merging, impossible to separate individual songs unless the robin was very close by. The robins today (25) were singing mainly from wooded areas along the river, soon they will be able to show themselves  to their rivals more easily once the trees are bare.

Wrens (18) were singing now as well but giving short versions of their song mostly from high perches where they were more easily seen than usual, on Willows in the sun and Blackthorn where two juveniles chased and adults gave alarm calls.

Nuthatches were quite numerous today (9) most calling loudly from their various chosen territories. In the presence of jays, the calls were amplified and insistent - there will be many altercations over food in the coming weeks despite the obvious bounty, as the jays will stay around to feed rather than moving further afield. 8 jays were counted today, some calling raucously.  Last autumn most left to forage elsewhere after finding oaks devoid of acorns.

House Sparrows woke up in the sun and could be seen and heard chatting in hedgerows (48) whilst larger sun-lovers, the woodpigeons (50) basked in the tree tops or foraged on the harvested fields. One adult was seen feeding a youngster amongst the ivy in a tree. Although breeding most of the year, their plundered eggs and shells can often be seen on the earth below. Predators are numerous, this keeps their numbers under control! Today only 5 starlings were seen - most must have still been at their roosts, or busy foraging out on the fields with 6 carrion crows and 5 magpies. A green woodpecker, strangely silent, was seen flying across between oaks.

In the air about 26 herring gulls wheeled around but no sign of raptors today.

The goldfinches (35) were still present feeding amongst the seeding dock and grasses on the embankment as soon as the sun reached down - and all along the river trees and thickets, blue tits (52) were foraging and bickering, with silent great tits (17) favouring the oaks together with 3 chaffinches. Two Long-tailed tits were seen, with several others heard calling but well hidden amongst the Willows on the bank. Blackbirds (11) were silent today, apart from occasional alarm calls, some foraging together with 2 song thrushes in the Blackthorn hedge in the edge of the wild field.

It was good to see and hear some migrant warblers still present - 6 chiffchaffs were seen calling their typical contact calls and one willow warbler at least - but the best views were of two juvenile male blackcaps just assuming their male plumage, sitting in the sun on the Blackthorn.  At the back of the thicket a bullfinch was heard calling softly, then hastily flew out and across the river, followed by a female. Two goldcrests were busy in a conifer, their fast moving foraging giving them away and in an oak two treecreepers were heard but unseen. 

As it warmed up, Speckled Wood, Large White and Green-veined White butterflies started to fly then lastly the dragonflies - a Southern Hawker and a Migrant Hawker were seen patrolling the river banks where several Hornets were flying too.

The stars of today were large numbers of House Martins seen feeding on plentiful insects over the river course - at least 50 were counted in a short time, in the company of one or two Sand Martins.

August ends with Bats and Berries

Towards the end of August a change is felt in the landscape - robins start singing again in a pensive way, bats are active on the river, adults now foraging with their hungry youngsters,

swallows are feeding on millions of insects brought down by the warm low cloud, before heading south

and are joined by house martins over the water although these birds usually leave much later.

Friday 28th August 2015 was dry and sunny with some cloud. There had been heavy and continuous rain on the Wednesday but clearing by Thursday. On 28th the grass was very wet with dew, cool with no wind. Most berries and fruits were now ripe, only the Dog Rose hips were still green but turning orange. Nettles on the banks were dying away rapidly, leaving forests of dry stalks - perfect shelter for small mammals and insects. The wild field was buzzing with life with huge numbers of bees, both Bumblebees and some Honeybees - and Hover fly species, too numerous to mention - most just have Latin names but are all very good indicators of biodiversity and quality of habitat.

Hover fly on Senecio jacobaea (Asteraceae) intermingled with 

the popular Fleabane, which is often overlooked as it doesn't grow as tall

as the former but is also a member of the daisy family and an excellent

source of sustenance for butterflies, bees and hover flies: see below:

Fleabane in the damp meadow - wild field 

Following the natural narrow path I had to watch out for basking butterflies, warming up on patches of bare earth. Robins (16) were now singing strongly but in short bursts rather than sustained song - one perched on a grey Blackthorn bush and shone out with it's brilliant orange-red plumage amongst the sloes.

Signs of Roe deer, foxes and Hedgehogs on the field paths and margins were noted - very good to see that Hedgehogs are returning after several years to their former habitats now that grass cutting, strimming and flailing are no longer applied as the 'kill-all in a minute' solution. 

Woodpigeons (42) were active today, bathing in the river and lined up on the fencing around the basin 'scrape' - now well established as a favourite place for most birds for bathing, foraging and drinking.  

Blue tits with their young (55) were feeding on insects and fruits, frequently bickering amongst the best branches. A single dunnock in fine but subtle plumage was perched in a Dog Rose over the river, tail twitching - and wrens (11) were becoming visible again, some singing short songs on the river banks.

A dense but sunny mature Blackthorn and Elder thicket, laden with fruits and berries had suddenly become crowded with birds, some attracted to the Elderberries, others to insects in the understory full of brambles. Great tits (7) greenfinches (5), four blackbirds, a treecreeper, at least two juvenile blackcaps, one wren and several chiffchaffs were all very active amongst the branches and twigs.

Birds here have the best of both worlds with the damp wild meadow one one side and the river on the opposite side with constant movement across from one side to the other. When night falls the area is good for foraging bats as well (see August 17th below). In the old oaks nearby two nuthatches were calling, probably still establishing territories. 

Blackbirds were also active along the grassy margins and river banks (total 14), great tits were foraging amongst the river banks trees (total 12) and blackcaps have done well this summer (total 5 seen today, including the two youngsters).

At least 12 chiffchaffs were foraging for insects in various trees, mainly in Willows along the banks and with them a Willow Warbler with several others heard calling and a single whitethroat, all probably moving through the river corridor on their way south, gaining essential fat for their migration.

Overhead 7 carrion crows were seen, some calling - and just one jackdaw. Herring gulls (8) were calling from the air but there were plenty more gathered on the 'scrape'. A female bullfinch flew across into a thicket whilst 3 linnets dashed into a tree - the finches, especially house sparrows (30 at least seen and heard today) here do not wake early and are seldom seen or heard until later when the sun has appeared and started to warm up their roosts in the hedgerows As seeds are plentiful at this time of the year, hunger doesn't wake them. Goldfinches have certainly prospered this summer (more than 30 today) with many young faces - without the adult red colouring  amongst them feeding on the dock and thistle seeds, on the ground amongst the dry plants or gathered together singing in the old trees nearby.

The sky turned dark and a sudden rain shower scattered the birds, sending them to shelter, and me too. 

Magpies (5), jays (1) and squirrels (1) are going to find good foraging this winter with bumper crops of acorns on the oaks. Many hazel nuts have been pillaged already, torn off the Hazel tree branches whilst still green. 

The rain shower did not last long and the riverside came to life again - a juvenile goldcrest flew into a conifer and was busy feeding at the outermost branches warmed by the sun and butterflies appeared within seconds.

Green-veined White butterflies, Large White butterflies and Speckled Woods were the most numerous, with Brimstones ranging along the hedgerows and river banks too. Bees and Hover flies gathered on the umbellifers whilst a Southern Hawker Dragonfly was seen patrolling along the river in the vicinity of the basin outfall drain, always an attraction for insects - and a Brown Hawker Dragonfly was ranging along the tree margin. We'll see more of these strong fliers before the winter arrives.

BATS

The evening of August 17th was overcast and warm, quiet, with no wind - a good time to do a bat survey along the river.

It was still light enough to see bats at 21.00hrs and there were certainly some around, leaving their roosts. The bat detector picked them up often before they could be seen flying against the sky. It became completely dark soon afterwards and this is when the numbers increased, as more reached the river where insects were most abundant. Some roost in trees close to the river but others roost further away and need to use bat flyways - continuous hedgerows or tree lines which they use to navigate to

their foraging areas.

Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle bats were quite numerous, more so than last summer and Daubenton's bats were detected over the river and banks foraging for insects which are found over the surface of the water. A Noctule, a larger bat, was seen high in the dusk against the sky and a Brown Long-eared bat was present in the dark riverside. There were probably more, only a short section of the river was checked as bats were so numerous. The Riverine area here has always held large numbers of bats but they are continuously under threat of roosting habitat loss. Just felling one tree means many bats have to relocate and find new roosts.

At last we have had a good spring and summer for berries and fruits of all kinds - and the most prized food source for many species of wildlife in autumn is the Blackberry:

Ripening in the sun, food for all

August - after the Rain

Continuous heavy rain fell yesterday morning 13th August 2015, with distant thunder and lightning. The rain continued for about 3 and a half hours, nearly 30mm, then ceased in the afternoon but it remained very warm and humid.

 The river was about half a meter higher and running swiftly, carrying mud from upstream but well short of its normal flood level.  Immediately the sun appeared, butterflies became active over the field and riverbanks,  having sheltered down low amongst the grasses, river bank and hedgerow undergrowth.

Holly Blue butterflies were quite numerous, together with Gatekeepers.

The rain had not been torrential so wild flowers and grasses were not battered down - the grassy areas were not waterlogged, the water having soaked quickly into the ground.

Banded demoiselle males were seen over the water and blackbirds, robins and song thrushes emerged from the sheltering undergrowth to feed. Dense hedgerow and tall river bank undergrowth often provides better shelter for birds than trees during rainfall. 

Here a Small Copper butterfly basks on the footpath through the field.

It flew around amongst the Common Fleabane, a favourite nectar flower, but kept returning to

bask on the warm and sheltered narrow path. The Copper lays its eggs on Sorrel or Dock leaves and the Caterpillars then feed on the leaves, sometimes for several months.

The river in the afternoon after the rain.

Purple Loosestrife has thrived this summer along the river banks and the flowers are a target for bees.

Common Figwort is also a strong-growing wild flower on the sunny banks (on the left) with the plant here bearing nutlets.   A type of Amphibious or river bank Persicaria is growing as a clump in the background.

The small  flowers of the Persicaria plant on the river.

The First Week in August and the heat is on!

The fine dry weather was excellent for butterflies. August 2nd 2015 was definitely 

'The Day of the Peacocks'

with good numbers suddenly appearing in the wild field amongst the fine thistles, Fleabane and a good variety of grasses. These butterflies may well have been seen before, in caterpillar form, feeding on the riverbank nettles a few weeks ago.

A Peacock amongst the small thistle flowers, balancing to nectar - note the tongue.

The bright colours and undamaged wings indicate that this one is freshly emerged.

Fleabane has done well on the wild field as well and the flowers are very attractive to butterflies,

Peacocks were not the only butterflies out on the field:

Here a Small Skipper butterfly nectars on a fleabane flower.

The Blue butterflies were also abundant, with Holly Blues and Common Blues seen.

Here is a rather unusual form of the Common Blue butterfly with largely blue inner wings,

marked with orange spotted borders. This is a female, which normally have brown inner wings.

A vivid blue, with orange and black markings and white outer borders - this unusual colouring may depend on ecological conditions. 

Sunday 2nd August was sunny, with high thin cloud after a cool night  and a light breeze.

The river was running quite low and clear. The day quickly warmed up in the sun.

With a good variety of wild flowers on the river banks, verges and in the wild field, butterflies were the highlight of todays wildlife record - with many species of bird not showing themselves whilst moulting and others were still rearing young.

Blue tits (31)  and great tits (10) were for once outnumbered by butterflies - Gatekeepers - and only 7 wrens were seen, mostly located by short snatches of song or alarm calls low down on the river banks and brambles. Robins were also not showing themselves, only 3 were seen, with two singing.

Chiffchaffs (6) were calling and moving restlessly amongst the Willows and a good view of one in the Blackthorn - and one willow warbler, also calling. Just one blackcap was singing on a willow branch over the river and a single treecreeper's high call was heard. A bullfinch was heard calling from the dense blackthorn and a small bird seen flying across was a silent goldcrest seeking the shade of a dark conifer. Just two blackbirds were seen along the whole stretch of the river -  song thrushes remained hidden and silent in the shade. Higher in the trees and in the air, 33 woodpigeons were seen, some obviously nesting, carrying nesting material into trees. 24 Herring gulls were gliding over but no raptors were seen today. A single magpie and five noisy carrion crows were calling from oak trees and the house sparrows (30) were happily bickering and calling in the sunny aspects of hedgerows. Only two starlings were seen flying across, most were silent and gathered in their day-roost trees. A great spotted woodpecker called form an old oak over the river and three nuthatches were in different areas, calling from the old trees, oak ash and maple. On the grass below, a green woodpecker jaffled and further along a second green woodpecker jaffled from a tree.

Like the house sparrows, goldfinches, more than 25 seen today, are doing well - this time of the year, if hot and sunny, they find plenty of plants going to seed. They especially like Dock seed and colonies of goldfinches, juveniles and adults, gather in the old oaks overlooking clumps of the plants, singing. Down on the river a grey wagtail flew low under the bridge and up into the shady vegetation on the bank.

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies seen were Gatekeepers in large numbers along the banks amongst nettles and on the wild field,  3 Brimstones over grasses on the field, 4 Green-veined Whites amongst the nettles and grasses, Large and Small White butterflies in most places, Speckled Woods flying up from the river, pairs chasing, several Small Skippers and 3 Large Skippers around the Fleabane and thistles, 7 Meadow Browns, 7 Common Blue butterflies, (see photo above) more than 5 Holly Blues up and down amongst the hedgerows, Comma butterflies in ones and twos down close to the river and gliding along the banks.

The stars of the day however were the Peacock butterflies, more that I have ever seen before - on the wild field and the river bank (see photo above). Finally, two Purple Hairstreak butterflies were seen flying high up in the old oaks but too distant for photos.

Ladybirds and Bumblebees were numerous on the flowering thistles, with more bees on the Musk Mallow flowers and remaining bramble flowers.

DRAGONFLIES

An Emerald Damselfly was seen over the river near the bridge and two Southern Hawkers and one Brown Hawker were seen patrolling along the river bank vegetation.

Time of plenty and more to come

The end of July - plentiful food for all on the Riverside, with signs of a good autumn to come.

Brambles in the sun have ripening berries whilst those on shadier banks still have flowers providing a good source of nectar for butterflies:

A Gatekeeper butterfly finds nectar from bramble flowers in the

midday shade -

then it is challenged by a foraging Speckled Wood butterfly which

takes over from the Gatekeeper which flies off to another flower.

Speckled Wood butterfly takes over

In the sun there are more bees than ever before here on the wild field, foraging on the flowering thistle:

White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

on a thistle flower in the hot sun, covered in pollen.

 Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bobmus lapidarius)

female, foraging on thistle flower.

The Glory of Thistles, Nettles, Dock and Brambles

Sustenance for many species - these wild plants are at the top of the list for versatility.

Small Tortoiseshell butterflies nectaring on thistles  July 2015

 Small Tortoiseshell nectaring - view of it's long tongue

Comma butterfly on river bank brambles amongst nettles

a warm sheltered spot in the evening sunshine.

Note the small comma-shaped white mark on its outer wing.

Today, Sunday 19th July, was warm, windy and humid, becoming hot before clouding over. 

The steep river bank and vegetation provided shelter from the wind for dragonflies and butterflies, with the sun warming the flowing water in different locations depending on the time of day.

A quick look revealed a male Common Darter dragonfly perched on the dry surface of a partially submerged log. With many insects flying just above the water, darting out to catch one was easy. It returned to the same perch each time. Not far away, low over the water vegetation where the shallow water formed a pool, an Emerald damselfly shone in the sunlight, its wings almost invisible. A small damselfly, it is usually found in ponds and could have just flown across the bank from the rapidly drying new pond.

A Banded Demoiselle male was fluttering and weaving low amongst the Dock and over grasses,  whilst a strong-flying Southern Hawker male dragonfly ranged along the grasses on the bank and flew up into a Willow.

Butterflies were numerous in more sheltered areas of the banks, Ringlets and Gatekeepers being the most active and numerous, with some Meadow Browns, Large Whites, Green-veined Whites, Small Tortoiseshells, Brimstones and a single high-flying Holly Blue.

BIRDS:

Nesting birds have been doing well this year, with no extreme weather - and many now have second or even third broods. It was good to see Song thrushes collecting food for their nestlings, searching and finding plenty in the damp margins of undergrowth along the river bank, returning time and again to collect more. Blackbirds, wrens, dunnocks and other birds are also busy feeding nestlings or newly-fledged young.

The quiet was shattered by loud yaffles from a green woodpecker on the meadow and nearby a great spotted woodpecker called in warning from an old oak.

The above was recorded on a quick look along a short stretch of the river but see below:

A full record was made earlier in July, on Friday 10th July 2105:

(This follows on from a short afternoon survey of butterflies in the afternoon of the previous day, Thursday 9th July  - see below this report)

Bright sunshine with a cool breeze on the morning of 10th July. The river was flowing well, although low the water was clear, cool in the shade becoming rapidly warm in the sun.

A quiet morning with sudden loud song from a wren low down on the river bank with other wrens singing loudly (16)  all along the river bank as I walked along. Two wrens were seen chasing whilst alarm calls indicated the presence of others. Some may well have second or third broods this year.

Just a single robin was heard singing and only 3 were seen today - they are silent when moulting in the summer  - and a single dunnock was seen in the undergrowth. Blue tits and great tits were less numerous too with only about 30 blue tits and 11 great tits seen and only a few heard bickering. Blackbirds (7) were also quiet, with some definitely still busy nesting whilst others are moulting. Song thrushes (3) were silent apart from some very short snatches of song and some are still nesting. This dry weather is good news for house sparrows which were seen and heard in good numbers in hedgerow and bramble thickets (more than 50). Goldfinches too (25) were doing well, having discovered sources of seed to forage on - the seeds from Dock are attracting large numbers of these cheerful birds which are heard singing together whilst perched in nearby oaks and maples, with more flying in to join them. They will rapidly consume the seeds and move on to other sources - thistles and grasses. Hopefully there will be enough left over for winter sustenance. 

Bullfinches are altogether more elusive but today a fine pair were seen flying over to the riverbank Hazel, the bright male trying to hide but not quite succeeding. Only 3 silent chaffinches were seen. With trees in full leaf, birds that perch and remain silent are often not seen - whereas the small but restless birds can often be spotted - such as chiffchaffs (6) although not singing today, several could be seen collecting insects and returning to places on the bank, obviously feeding young - and 2 blackcaps

one uttering an alarm call form a willow and another from a thicket on the bank. Five chasing juvenile goldcrests were seen moving quickly amongst the conifers whilst a mixed group of blue and great tits flew in to forage, all following each other.

Looking above the tree canopy 5 swifts were seen foraging over the river,  and a hobby was seen making some fast aerobatic manoeuvres over the 'scrape' - too far away to see if any dragonflies were present but it still contains water. Three black-headed gulls flew low across, with more probably gulls out of sight on the 'scrape'.

On the river itself, very well camouflaged, a female mallard was protecting at least 6 newly hatched ducklings, with overhanging vegetation probably hiding more on the small 'beach' under the banks. Further along, also well hidden, a moorhen was sitting on a sheltered nest of twigs and reeds in the shade. In the trees and on the grass 17 woodpigeons were seen dozing or feeding, 2 jackdaws flew over, calling and 4 magpies were heard arguing in the oak. A young Roe deer looked up from the long grass in the field beneath, ears just visible and 6 carrion crows flew over whilst a great spotted woodpecker flew out after calling from an ash tree. 2 very vocal juvenile nuthatches drew attention to themselves and at least one adult moved quickly along the branches. The adults may well have a second brood in the nest.

The last sighting and definitely not the least, was of a fine kingfisher. A robin had suddenly called out in alarm from an overhanging Blackthorn - and immediately below it, the kingfisher was startled and flew off its perch low on the river and flew away upstream, within the banks.

Early Bumblebee - Bombus pratorum on Musk Mallow flower

on the river bank.

Although today's survey took place in the morning, in contrast with yesterday's survey (see below - 9th July), most butterflies, bees and damselflies were active in the sun by 09.30.

The small pond and large pond were visited first, then the river. 

Damselflies:

Azure damselflies were seen again on the small pond with some exuvia (larval case, from which the damselfly emerges) visible low on reeds in the middle of the pond and one Azure damselfly was also seen on the river close by the pond.

One Blue-tailed damselfly and one male Banded demoiselle were also on the pond.

 Banded Demoiselle damselflies were seen in good numbers, on or near to the river - males chasing in the sun, perched on the river edge grass and on bramble leaves.

Butterflies:

Gatekeepers, Brimstones, Speckled Woods, Small Tortoiseshells, Small Skippers, Ringlets, Commas, Green-veined Whites, Large Whites, Small Whites and numerous Meadow Browns were seen mostly on the warm banks and field grasses and thistles.