The Frost Returns

After a very mild spell on Christmas Day, the air began to chill again on Boxing Day and frost returned the next morning and with it brighter light.

The early frost on Crab Apples, left by wildlife until other fruits and berries become scarce.

 Monday 26th December 2016 started fine once the sun had hauled itself up above the line of dense cloud lying over the South East horizon. All was quiet and still at first, with robins singing, each about ten meters away from its neighbour. Great tits were numerous, some now calling strongly. The robin song diminished and dunnocks took over, singing high fast songs, unusually conspicuous on bare branches above the undergrowth. More were visible but silent, foraging under banks and roots. One I watched for some time - it had chosen the water's edge below the bank and was moving from muddy roots and stalks to half- submerged twigs, clearly searching for insects. Suddenly it darted out onto the surface of the river water, making quite a splash, flying up again instantly with something it had caught on or near the surface of the deep water. This was new to me - I have seen robins 'fishing' but not the more furtive dunnock. Their common name used to be 'hedge sparrow' but they are very different from sparrows.

Wrens, although not singing, were very active amongst the dense, dried out long grasses and dock where they can forage unseen - at this time of the year. When the weather turns cold there is plenty of warm dry dense undergrowth formed by wild grasses and dock where they can find shelter above the river flood level, as well as  in ivy-clad trees.

The sun lit up a coal tit foraging amongst the oak twigs, showing up its fine colours, quite distinct from the great tit - and another coal tit was busy nearby.

Numerous blackbirds, both local residents and winter migrants were foraging all along the banks. There were three now eating the remaining Crab Apples, attacking fruits that were turning dark and soft - and collecting the smaller fruits which had fallen onto the ground, swallowing these whole.

The last of the Crab Apples

Berries are now dwindling rapidly- although about 50% of  Guelder Rose berries remain and fortunately these are very plentiful this year, with many new bushes planted over the recent past

long the riverside.

On older trees, some Maple seeds remain, clinging to twigs but all acorns have disappeared completely from the Oaks and the ground below. Well fed squirrels were chasing each other across the tree tops, amongst the resting woodpigeons - and as the sun reached its zenith - still very low on the horizon, goldcrests, goldfinches, song thrushes and starlings were active and even the house sparrows had woken up in their hedgerows. 

A chill breeze soon picked up and the moment of warmth was over for the day.

The Day Before the Shortest Day

Yesterday,  Tuesday 20th December 2016 was a fine day and I took the opportunity to make a full record along the river, with the low sun lighting up the landscape in the morning. At first the sky was clear but clouds soon moved in, allowing only brief spells of sunlight.

A fine example of winter on the river bank, 

with grasses and other

riverside vegetation dried out in the frosts. Last winter much

vegetation remained green and continued to grow.

The young oak on the right retains its dry brown leaves all through

the winter as do all young oaks. This one was planted by a member

of our group quite a few years ago and is growing slowly, forming

a good round shape.

The river was running low but fast with many overhanging branches still laden with berries where birds have found the twigs too fragile to negotiate when trying to reach out to the tempting feast. These Holly and Hawthorn berries and Dog Rose hips will remain for a while until hungry birds make in-flight dashes to grab them, one by one.

Hazel nuts have long since been eaten or cached and now catkins cover the Hazel trees, colouring the riverbanks in the sun. Broken cloud caused ever-changing colours and luminosity and the day became freezing cold.

Every winter, black-headed gulls visit the grassed areas  near the river and today there were several foraging on the grass with more coming in to land, calling softly (23). All have their winter plumage now.  Only two herring gulls were seen, flying across with carrion crows (9), rooks (8) and jackdaws (2) also seen in the air and on the 'scrape'.

The 'Heron Oak' near the scrape, a popular lookout for for many birds

including Herons, with its view over the new scrape across the river Arun

Grey Herons are commonly seen along the river course here, flying to and from roost places and hunting along the bank and the river itself but little egrets are winter visitors - it was good to see one today:

Shining brilliant white in the low sun a Little Egret leisurely flew low along the river bank trees

downstream and settled on the branch of an old oak to survey the river below.

Normally just two are seen - not far away from each other. They usually appear after the first frosts,

flying up from the south coast where they live during the rest of the year, following the river course

upstream inland where perhaps warmer flowing waters provide more food than icy shallows.

 Blue tits (63) were present in large numbers, in what some call  'roaming flocks' whilst great tits (36) were more often seen lower down amongst oak roots and dry grasses, usually only two or three foraging together. Some were calling intermittently from trees where five long-tailed tits were foraging in the bare branches above.

A few house sparrows were sunning themselves high up in trees but most were foraging low down under hedgerows in small groups (more than 60 individuals). One group had gathered (not for the first time) at the base of a hedgerow which meets the river bank, with a ditch running beside it, draining into the river. This catches the sun and the vegetation soon warms up, encouraging sparrows to bathe in the shallows, then fly up to preen and dry off. 

Other finches, chaffinch (3), greenfinch (1)  were present in small numbers and two bullfinches were heard calling from a thicket, with a third seen flying low across the large pond, its banks full of Gueder Rose - and a group of goldfinches (18) was seen flying across between the trees over the rough grass, followed by a single redwing which dropped down onto some high rose hips. Robins (26) were very easily seen and heard with some seen challenging and chasing each other out of their territory. Today remaining bramble leaves were brightly lit in the sun, their orange and brown colours hiding a perched robin here and there.   

Any disturbance of ivy leaves seen soon revealed a wood pigeon or two clumsily trampling around, slipping and scrambling out to reach the choicest  Ivy berries at the right stage of ripeness. Others were seen sitting motionless in trees, hunched up in the cold when the sun went in (33). 

Higher up in the tree magpies (4), also rather clumsy, were noisily jostling for perches.

Three jays were seen, perhaps seeking out their cached acorns and eleven starlings flew across near their roost. A single treecreeper was just visible creeping along on the underside of an oak branch before disappearing whilst a great spotted woodpecker called and flew out from the top.

Blackbirds (more than 50), numbers multiplied by winter migrants were everywhere, feeding on soft grassy areas under hedges, foraging in the deep interior of bramble bushes and, where fallen leaves lay thick on the ground, tough-looking birds were throwing leaves about. They had also started on the Crab Apples.

Song thrushes (6) were far more cautious and well camouflaged, progressing slowly and methodically across the ground, observing first before probing the ground. One was heard singing but very short snatches of song. Four dunnocks  were seen, two nearby, one singing loudly clearly visible, perched in the sun. Nine silent wrens were busy along the river in various places amongst the roots.

A nuthatch flew over, followed by another, probably a pair, one calling near their traditional nesting place and much further along the river two more nuthatches were calling to each other and beyond them a fifth nuthatch (5). 

Giving a fine demonstration of hovering - tiny goldcrests were seen amongst the brambles very close to me, flying up to the undersides of bramble leaves pecking off sheltering insects, the birds hovering with upturned beaks, wings whirring. Others were seen in a conifer where foraging looked easy in comparison (5).

It was good to hear green woodpeckers again - now jaffling loudly in different locations along the river, one was seen flying low across the rough grass of a drainage basin.

Not only was it good to hear and see the green woodpeckers (3) but hearing them yaffle so frequently is a well known to be a sign of rain!

sure enough it rained the following day….

And a fine mistle thrush was seen and heard singing a full song, perched high up in an old Maple.

    

Winter Frosts to end November

The last three days of November became steadily colder with wildlife activity increasing and more visible. On Monday 28th it was again very cold, with a NE wind to dry the earth - but no visible frost.

Another Winter first - the sound of a song thrush singing from the old oaks - it's been a long time since we've heard them. A mistle thrush was seen too, flying across the river, and nearby a great-spotted woodpecker also flew across. A robin pair appeared too, later, well after most birds had gone to roost, continuing their courtship in the dusk, displaying. 

The sun just touching the frost carpet of fallen oak leaves. The frost remained the whole day 

in shady places

Tuesday 29th November was another fine day, this time with a ground frost, the mud was frozen too.

Birds were restless, most finding the first treetop branches to catch the sun, as there was no chilling wind. A great-spotted woodpecker was seen busy foraging in an old ash tree alongside the Arun, well away from the one seen yesterday - they keep to their own territories much of the time. Two jays were not far away, probably searching out a squirrel's cache of acorns - as there are now none left on most of the oaks and very few left lying amongst the fallen leaves. A grey heron sailed over the river watching for still-damp locations along the riverside.

Dunnocks were very visible today, perching on bare branches in the sun, none signing but one was calling. Robins, numerous blue and great tits, blackbirds and wrens were seen in passing.

On the 30th - the last day of November - it seemed that a traditional winter was approaching, with another frost heralding a fine sunny and calm day. It was interesting to note how the remaining oak leaves were falling very slowly, turning or spiralling straight down. The whole riverside was quiet but full of activity.

A moorhen was sitting on a sunny mud bank but soon plunged into the river and further upstream two more were seen paddling together in the sun, juveniles. A nuthatch was calling whilst several blackbirds were foraging amongst Dog Rose hips and Hawthorn berries - but selecting Ivy berries in preference to the others.

Towards dusk a blackcap was seen foraging then flying off into the dense Hawthorn to roost. 

What will December bring? It seems that we have already had more frosty mornings this autumn than we had in the whole of last winter! 

Winter Blackcaps are back, brought by the cold north-east wind

Today 27th November 2016 - a fine view of a kingfisher flying low over the Arun towards the bridge and zipping under it, disappearing upstream. It's all changing now that the frosts have started.

The first sighting of a smart female blackcap foraging and flying across into the Hawthorn hedge.

The summer blackcaps have long-since gone south and there have been no sightings of blackcaps until today. 

Some Robin pairs have been seen foraging together rather than fighting or guarding their own territories - does this mean an early spring? 

The 'scrape' after heavy rain, November 2016

Chasing the Last Leaves of November

Today, 25th November 2016 was the first day for a long while when the weather was stable, with clear skies and a persistent cold NE wind. Previously heavy rain had alternated with sun, in quick succession,  rainbows appearing and disappearing. Storm Angus at the weekend had provided much-needed rainfall, the worst of the storm gales concentrated along the coast. A marked increase in bird activity was observed, with limited daylight and heavy rain, foraging time has been reduced and intensified after a very slow and mild autumn.

The river level had dropped over a meter but was still flowing very fast although the river banks showed scarcely any sign of the river having been almost at flood level.

See below for the full record for 25th November 2016:

25th November 2016

One of the old oaks along the river, losing it's remaining leaves fast in the cold NE wind.

Amongst the leaves, goldcrests were busy foraging, well camouflaged and moving constantly, like the leaves.

Perhaps not an ideal day for recording, with most wildlife finding shelter but needing to forage as well.

All along the river a multi-tiered choice of berries in thickets attracted hungry birds - extending from the surface of the river low overhanging the banks up to the tops of the Hawthorn and Blackthorn thickets.

Single leaves drifting down were distracting and bare old nests were now cradling bunches of fallen leaves.

Robins (16) were mostly singing loudly but others were sitting on spindle bushes they had claimed - their brilliant colour shining in the low sun - sufficient to advertise their presence without the need for song.

Woodpigeons were quite numerous today (46) with six feeding on the grass, the rest taking up their own spaces on high branches, sitting motionless in the sun, rounded agains the cold wind.

Wrens as usual were busy low down on the banks (10) only two singing. Overhead eight herring gulls flew across and only seven black-headed gulls were seen, six circling over the playing field with just one brave enough to land -it did not settle to feeding however but looked around warily. Three rooks appeared, flying across the river and five jackdaws disappeared noisily into distant trees. Carrion crows were far more numerous than usual, with a total of 26 individuals seen alone or in small groups mostly around the drainage basin scrape. Three were competing with very loud 'cawing' in the top of an oak, disturbing a couple of magpies which flew out. Seven were seen in all.  Maybe the cause of the crows anger was a single jay seen in the same tree or maybe not…

Chaffinches were not yet calling but three were seen high up.

It was good to see a flock of about 50 starlings flying over with more singing amongst the ivy (about 60 in all)

The first birds to be seen and heard this morning were colonies of house sparrows tucked inside hedges. As the sun rose to touch their shelters they moved about more and sought out suitable riverbank thickets on which to sunbathe in the shelter of the high riverbanks, singing (60). Goldfinches were keeping to sheltered thickets (16) where blue tits (50) moved swiftly through from branch to branch foraging, finding plenty of insects hidden amongst hazel twigs and lichen-covered oak bark. Great tits (29) were now calling in full voice from branches or foraging low amongst roots on the banks and three dunnocks were seen in different places. Tall Poplars were bending in the wind whilst a family group of seven long-tailed tits moved quickly through the leafless willows, crossing the gaps between the trees one by one. Nearby a silent treecreeper flew across onto the trunk of an old oak, its white front briefly shining in the low sun. 

Blackbird numbers (47) have suddenly increased along the river, most of them probably from distant and much colder lands and attracted to this region by the abundance of fruits and berries, the muddy banks and 'beaches' along the river and the softness of the rich unfrozen earth. Trying to single out our 'resident' blackbirds is difficult but the migrant females seem to be well camouflaged, very brown, the colour of wet fallen leaves. Other migrants were three fieldfare seen flying across and five redwing singing softly in the the shelter of a Blackthorn thicket where they remained to finish off the sloes.

Songthrushes (4) were seen along hedge bases and river undergrowth, seen but silent - but it was good to hear the calls of a bullfinch close by whilst two others were seen flying over a pond surrounded by Guelder rose shrubs full of berries (3). A nuthatch was heard calling nearby and two great-spotted woodpeckers followed each other into an old Ash tree. Down on the river a single male mallard paddled towards the scrape and on hearing calls and looking up I found two goldcrests foraging in a riverbank hawthorn and further along two more foraging low down in a sunlit oak (four in all) 

Three linnets were were seen amongst the dock on the embankment - still plenty of seeds left there, whilst four pied wagtails flew singing over the roofs to the field, followed by two meadow pipits.

A blackbird suddenly called out in alarm - it was a fast sparrowhawk hunting just over the hedgerow.

The Last Laugh of October

Today 31st October 2016, started cool and misty but became rapidly warmer as the sun rose.

Leaves are now falling fast, thickly carpeting the ground and causing confusion when attempting to glimpse wildlife activity on the riverside. There was no wind to stir the trees but leaves continued to fall - together with ripe acorns. Any falling 'leaves' which suddenly changed direction turned out to be small birds, blue tits or goldcrests or a lone chiffchaff foraging high in the canopy.

A larger bird flew directly overhead into an oak and suddenly loud laugh rang out shattering the tranquil scene.

It was a green woodpecker, announcing its arrival on home territory. 

Shorter Days and Longer Nights

At this time of the year the hours of daylight rapidly dwindle meaning less foraging time for most.

Yesterday morning, 28th October 2016 was mostly sunny and mild, with a nuthatch calling,  numerous blackbirds, almost certainly including some migrants from colder land, chasing each other through the dense Blackthorn and Hawthorn thickets, the most aggressive claiming the choicest berries and fruits. Below them the river was flowing clear but still as low as usual as no significant rainfall has occurred recently.

A great-spotted woodpecker flew over - they can be seen frequently here, most easily seen in flight, as are not yet drumming to advertise their presence.

The most common plants can produce the most brilliant autumn colours - here's a brilliant bramble. 

A mixed bramble, hawthorn and blackthorn thicket this morning was full of activity, with blackbirds, robins, blue tits, great tits, goldfinches, long-tailed tits and rapidly moving goldcrests. These tiny birds were busy catching insects amongst the twigs of the deciduous plants and trees, very well camouflaged with olive-green plumage and bright yellow or yellow-orange crests, their colours merging in with the yellowing leaves and light and shade. They seldom stop moving however. Being mostly resident birds, they are within the tree cover all year round - but as the leaves fall, become more easily seen. They are often found in conifers - but forage amongst deciduous trees as well - whichever hold the richest supply of insects and spiders at the time. 

Winter Migrants arrive….

Today, 29th October, it was dark and overcast all day, mild, with no wind. The afternoon was growing  dark at about 3pm (and still British Summer Time!) when, looking up at the leaden sky, I saw two groups of about ten fieldfare each fly across the river. These are the first fieldfare I've seen here this autumn apart from one or two very distant high-flying birds - Winter is coming…..watch out!

    

Autumn brings warm colours and a chill wind

Today, Sunday 23rd October 2016 was a fine clear day, starting cold and sunny with the remnants of frost in the shade. A very slight breeze touched the tops of the oaks and sent leaves flying. The river was low as rainfall has been slight, but was running clear. Various types of fungi decorated the grass and banks and the low sun intensified the autumnal colour of oak, ash, hazel, field maple, poplar and hornbeam leaves clinging to the riverbank trees, Willows had been losing their leaves fast over the past few days and some were almost bare.

Leaves on a young Hornbeam we planted on the riverside -

 it has grown at a fast rate 

this year, amongst other native trees planted at the same time.

The day was promising to be mild and quiet but the gentle breeze quickly turned into a very chill wind from the east north east and small fast-moving clouds started to shoot across the sky sending wildlife to hunker down in sheltered corners along the river banks.

Robins were singing today (17) but not in battle mode yet, as berries abound all the way along the river with several small Spindle bushes with fruit in new locations. These are especially guarded by robins as the fruits usually last into midwinter. Blue tits are now more numerous (40) and far more active, moving from branch to branch clinging upside-down from delicate hawthorn twigs, pecking at the berries or perhaps finding small insects amongst them. Woodpigeons (26) were mostly inactive, sitting high up in the tree tops to catch the early sun. Later they would be seen foraging on the ground below the trees.

Unusually, there were about 35 carrion crows in total this morning, some calling, in pairs high on the old oaks then, when the wind was increasing, about twenty appeared from nowhere, circling high in the air, some calling. They quickly drifted away, probably onto a bare harvested field. Later a group of rooks (22) were seen in the air heading out from their roost well out of sight and 7 jackdaws, most calling, took to the skies too. 

After the sun had warmed up the ground herring gulls appeared (35), heading for mounds of bare earth but only two black-headed gulls were seen;  they have not yet moved in onto the playing fields en masse - but these two were in their winter plumage, perhaps scouts for the rest which will follow soon.

Ripe Guelder Rose berries - there's a very good crop this autumn

  Blackbirds (9) were busy in the Blackthorn, foraging for dwindling numbers of sloes or chasing each other amongst the old Field Maples.   Great tits (12) were seen busy foraging, collecting nuts for storage in a safe place out of the reach of squirrels and jays. One or two were calling half-heartedly, whilst wrens (8) foraged low under the brambles and tree roots, giving alarm calls when  disturbed by larger birds. Just one dunnock was seen flying low across the river and heard when it perched unseen. .Magpies (5) were restlessly flying from tree to tree, calling, the harsh cries of jays adding to the noise (2). Food is abundant, there is more than enough for all, as was evident from the numbers of acorns still lying scattered under the old oaks. In hard times these would have quickly been snatched up  and either eaten or cached but this year the birds and squirrels are not bothered. They will soon go when the nights freeze over. 

Tiny birds have to spend every minute foraging in order to maintain their body-weight - 17 long-tailed-tits were discovered high in thickets in sheltered areas and in near-bare willows on the river. The Willows have lost most of their leaves already, allowing good views of birds moving amongst the branches. Other small birds remained well hidden, but given away by their rapid movements - two warblers - chiffchaffs  - were seen and their contact calls heard amongst the remaining leaves, and one goldcrest was seen after I heard its high call close by. Goldfinches (20) were heard amongst a thicket and seen flying together in a group with others coming and going, easily identified by their flight.

Bullfinches were also calling, a pair flying over the hawthorn,  two more amongst a thicket and another flying in to search for fruits - 5 in total today. They are attracted now to the riverside fruits and are becoming more visible as the leaves thin out. Nine linnets were seen in one group flying over between the trees and eventually, as the sun reached the low bramble bushes, house sparrows (45) started to sing, remaining hunkered down out of the cold wind, only flying out when pushed, preferring to keep their heads down today, with more well inside hedgerows. Nuthatches are becoming more vocal, two, probably a pair, were calling, one softly, from an oak and another much louder, in warning, directly above.

 A great-spotted woodpecker called out from its tree behind the thicket and a buzzard appeared, flying fast and low, then - chased by a carrion crow over the river,  turned and flew back, and was joined by another buzzard - then both flew quickly out of sight - the weather not suitable today for leisurely gliding. 

September summer ends

Today, 30th September 2016 was still as warm as a summer's day but with rapidly moving sharp showers to send people and wildlife scurrying for cover.

The intermittent rain caused the rivers to suddenly increase in speed. Water levels rose temporarily - but we need sustained rainfall to sink in and refresh the earth.

The river Arun became more lively this afternoon after rain.

Here is a summery of wildlife seen in passing by (not full surveys) over this exceptionally warm September 2016

 See also previous post for the full record for 18th and an earlier post for the 6th September

then a short summary for heat-wave August and earlier post for full record for 28th August:

5th September 2016:

a warm day, with intermittent drizzle

Nuthatch calling, 2 Great-spotted woodpeckers calling from different trees, several robins singing, many bees, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White butterflies along the river banks and in the wild field. Large numbers of goldfinches singing in a thicket and just one blackbird across.

11th September:

Warm and humid again

several Large White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral butterflies,

aggressive Southern Hawker dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies. Robins singing short half-songs, nuthatch, great-spotted woodpecker, magpie, 8 long-tailed tits in family group, wren giving alarm call, blue and great tits, crane flies and large numbers of bees.

13th September:

Very hot

calling young birds in tree directly above me were young fledged bullfinches being fed by adults in the dense foliage.

Good numbers of bees still present together with Red Admirals, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White butterflies.

21st September:

Heavy dew on grass this morning

Juvenile common frogs jumping from the long wet grasses on the river bank, not close to the ponds. These froglets were only one or two cm long.

23rd September:

fine and warm - less humid

Great-spotted woodpecker called and flew out of oak, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter flying over bank, several Red Admirals basking on nettles, brambles or flying over banks, several Large White butterflies in wild field together with many bees (Honeybees and Bumblebees) on flowering thistles.

25th September:

Day of our meet - cloudy at first, becoming warm and sunny.

Lots of Speckled Wood butterflies over the banks, under trees and up into trees.

Common Darter, loud-calling nuthatch, several robins and wrens singing.

30th September:

In the sun, between torrential showers quite early this morning, the trees in the sun were full of birds:

Goldfinches, house sparrows, blackbirds, blue tits, great tits,long-tailed tits a few goldcrests and a nuthatch, with more goldfinches foraging on the sunlit seeding Dock and grasses below.

Some observations in passing by during August 2016:
(see also post with full record for 28th August) 

A general observation - house sparrows were still busy nesting throughout the month of August.

8th August:
cooler start, becoming hot
great-spotted woodpecker with juvenile, 2 goldcrests, chiffchaffs, 4 blackbirds, song thrush, 3 starlings
several Gatekeeper butterflies, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood butterflies, goldfinches, robins

9th August:
cool start becoming hot
12 long-tailed tits in oak (mostly juveniles), numerous house sparrows, persistently-calling nuthatch, large numbers of Gatekeeper butterflies along the river bank and field margins, several Speckled Wood butterflies, Large White and Green-veined White butterflies, Southern Hawker dragonfly.

24th August:
very hot
Loud nuthatches 2, robins beginning serious song, more blue tits and great tits seen.

26th August:
hot and humid
Robins singing, chiffchaffs foraging, blackbirds low on river banks, lots of Large White butterflies with some Small White and Green-veined White butterflies and a Holly Blue butterfly, many Speckled Woods. Good crop of Hazelnuts in most Hazel trees.

30th August:
warm
Callling nuthatches 2, few robins and blue tits, 4 buzzards, two 'jousting' together, several blackbirds foraging in the damp shady grass.

Watch out - Autumn is here

A welcome change after the unseasonable heat of the late summer - today, Sunday 18th September was  cooler after the rain of the previous day but warmed up quickly in the early sun. Low clouds quickly moved in but the day remained dry. The lack of wind meant that the riverside was quiet and every small sound could be heard, provided one stood still to avoid crunching dry fallen leaves and acorns under foot, as the rain, only about 7mm, had not penetrated the dense tree canopies of the old Oaks and Field Maples.

The ground under one old oak was thick with acorns, some plundered by impatient Jays and grey squirrels, breaking off twigs carrying unripened acorns. Others have ripened and fallen naturally - too many to be hauled away to a safe hiding place.

 Guelder Rose plants have produced a bountiful crop of berries this year, which the birds will leave until much later in the winter when other fruits become scarce:

Hawthorn with still ripening haws and Guelder Rose on the right

with ripe red berries. The haws will be eaten first however.

Robins took full advantage of the perfect conditions for their songs to carry far along the river with 23 counted, some singing very close to their neighbours, sometimes just in the next tree at present. It seems as if some are increasing the volume to gain advantage. Not all were singing however, some being intent on foraging. It was good to see more starlings assembling in flocks although not in huge numbers (c35) - this morning they were seen flying from various areas to their day roost in a thicket.

Woodpigeons were quite numerous (64), chased off the fields to spend the day in the old oaks or lined up along the fence overlooking the southern drainage basin, a popular location for most wildlife still.

Skulking in low thickets or foraging in the dewy shade grass where the earth was still damp, blackbirds (6) were silent, apart from a sudden alarm call from one low down on the river, the cause a sparrowhawk,  glimpsed dashing through a gap in the trees against the bright sky. Magpies don't need to keep quiet - and advertise their presence without a care, especially where young are still living in a group (8) - today their calls were especially aggressive in attempts to fend off squirrels and jays.

The jays (7) are very smart birds - in plumage and brain - today one was shouting out over the acorn-strewn patch under an old oak as if to frighten off any creature that approached. It needed every single acorn that lay below it - but will take more than a few days to cache them!

Corvids are never numerous here but 10 carrion crows were seen, and some heard, in scattered locations along the riverside. An old oak with branches extending over the river is popular with crows and great-spotted woodpeckers too - and today I noticed several new attempts to make holes in one of the branches, however the branch is not large enough for nesting, therefore it's probable that a crow is responsible for the work, using it's strong bill to prise off the bark and get into the old wood to extract insects.

Great-spotted woodpeckers have been very quiet over the summer and only one was seen today giving a loud but brief alarm call - later they will have the task of finding suitable trees in which to create new nest holes - normally they choose different nest sites each year, unlike the nuthatches.

They also have to adjust to a temporary loss of some potential trees downstream on the Arun where bridge- building is taking place. The oaks are protected but the disturbance will mean finding old trees in a quieter area here upstream. Fortunately the work should be finished within the year and the formerly wild river banks restored to their wildness. Three nuthatches were seen today, two calling loudly and another quietly tap-tapping in a thicket, not making a hole but eating a large seed or nut that it had wedged into a branch crevice. Their large claws are not much use for gripping seeds or nuts but are shaped to enable 'down hill' tree climbing.    

The wren - another bird which has been quite silent, is now singing again - at least some are singing, with numbers increasing over the autumn - 10 were seen today, most singing. Chaffinches are still elusive, only 3 today and likewise song thrushes which are keeping a very low profile out of sight in the cool damp steep river banks, difficult to see in the dense shade as they are silent at present. One was seen flying down onto the river bank. On the river itself two solitary moorhens were seen paddling in different locations whilst out in the sun I heard and then saw about 20 linnets fly across in a group and later another 10 linnets off the field and into the trees - a welcome sight! Goldfinches were also seen in good numbers, total 60 in several groups, most singing in dense thickets and leafy trees, preferring the sunlit side.

Insects were numerous with good numbers of Speckled Wood butterflies, a few Large White butterflies and a Migrant Hawker dragonfly

With the increasing leaf fall, blue tits (about 40) and great tits (about 20) were more easily seen and becoming more vocal, the great tits just trying out their calls. Long-tailed tits (9) were seen following each other in a family group, calling softly, high in the willows over the river. Moving very fast through Field Maples and Oaks, giving contact calls, chiffchaffs (8) were as usual busy foraging and goldcrests (6) were seen in a sheltered blackthorn thicket and others in a conifer.  Ever-present house sparrows were about in good numbers all along the riverside today (about 80) in colonies in the bramble patches, in blackthorn thickets, mixed hawthorn hedgerows and field margins, choosing, like the goldfinches, the sunny sides in which to warm up after the unusually cold night.

As the day warmed up, the low cloud cover increased, attracting house martins (about 20) and a few swallows (c4) foraging for insects between cloud and river and strong thermals meant that flying was easy for lazily circling herring gulls (24). Distant calls alerted me to two buzzards flying very high, then to two more, closer to the earth, close together, touching, play-displaying.

This morning's highlight was a treecreeper foraging on a poplar which I noticed whilst watching two wrens on a Guelder rose tree. The treecreeper was less than 2 meters away from me, making a thorough search for insects on the poplar trunk, creeping up about 3 meters then flying down to the roots and starting again a few centimetres around the circumference from its previous vertical route. I watched for a long time and it was still foraging when I left, after the wrens joined it on the poplar to forage amongst the roots, a robin flew across too and caught a large insect - and a calling chiffchaff foraged in the upper branches - all the while I stood still on the dry fallen leaves.    

Crab apple tree - food for wildlife over the winter

Signs of Autumn on the Riverside

Today, Tuesday 6th September 2016, after early sun, a heavy low bank of cloud settled over the river, with its edge just above blue sky on the horizon, trapping heat and humidity near the ground. No problem for wildlife however - in brighter moments when the cloud thinned, butterflies were active. These were mostly Large and Small Whites and Speckled Woods.

Speckled Wood butterfly perched on Dock seed

A female Brown Hairstreak butterfly was seen flying in a zig-zag way, searching and settling on a ragged Blackthorn branch reaching low over the river, a sheltered, warm location to lay an egg. The Blackthorn was losing some of its yellowing leaves which floated gently down onto the water, as there was no wind. 

More than 20 linnets were gathering in an old Field Maple, flying across in groups to join the singing, with the bounty of seeding Dock below whilst several gatherings of quietly signing Goldfinches, probably more than 40 in total, filled the oak canopies and thickets nearby. A blackbird uttered an alarm call whilst high above, calls alerted me to  two buzzards circling each other under the clouds. A vocal nuthatch moved across from tree to tree not far from a second one perched in an oak.

A Migrant Hawker dragonfly flew around encircling the area between the trees and numerous bees were again present in the damp wild field on the Fleabane and flowering Watermint whilst House Sparrows sang in the hedgerow under foraging blue tits and great tits. A blackcap was busy in the Blackthorn, gaining weight for the flight back to its winter home. A silent wren flew up from the waters edge and several robins sang short songs. It was good to see quite large numbers of starlings flying together again as there have been few around during the summer. 

Just observations in passing by - all seen in a few minutes today.

The Riverside at Night

Last night, August 29th 2016, prompted by the sighting at midday the previous day of a Daubenton's bat happily foraging for insects over the river - not in broad daylight - but in deep, murky gloom  - I decided to check on the riverside wildlife at night. It was a clear warm night, quite dry and no wind to rattle the leaves. Certainly at this time of the year the river comes to life at night..
Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) are usually one of the earliest species to venture out to forage after sunset - often with the western sky still light. This evening several were detected and seen around the very old oaks on the river at the edge of a hedge which they use as a 'flyway'. The sky rapidly became dark and several Soprano pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pygmaus) were detected amongst the others. They are very slightly smaller but can be detected by the higher frequency of their echolocation calls and the call rapidity. Pipistrelles usually fly quite low and can come very close, giving the impression that they are on a collision course with the observer! A single Noctule (Nyctalus noctula) was detected away from the trees, hunting far higher up - and another high flyer was probably a Serotine bat (Eptesicus serotinus) closer to the trees - with a slightly higher frequency than the low frequency call of the Noctule. Walking along the river towards the area where the 'midday' bat was seen revealed the presence of bats certainly identifiable as Daubentons bats (Myotis daubentonii).
These bats were in the deep shadows unlit by path lighting filtering through onto the river.
Good numbers of bats were present along this section of the river and another survey will be done after rain as soon as possible whilst the weather is still warm and insects are plentiful.

Moths are a common prey of bats - therefore vegetation with night scented flowering plants attracting moths will also attract bats.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) or woodbine is a good example, sustaining long-tongued bees during the day and attracting moths during the night.

Honeysuckle in flower attracting bees - and moths at night - in turn attracting bats…

Same Honeysuckle plant pollinated by bees and moths, now a mass of red berries attracting birds.

August/September

Day into Night - a morning in August

Today, 28th August 2016 there was a distinct change in the weather, with a freshening breeze and dark clouds alternating with lighter clouds and glimpses of sun. I did not expect to see butterflies or dragonflies around in the gloom, with most areas swept by an unusually strong south west wind.

After a hot and humid spell with no rain for a week it was a welcome change on the riverside.

One wild plant which is seldom affected by lack of rain here, Purple Loosestrife, usually thrives with its roots in or very close to water - on the edge of a pond or a river bank.

The weak sun didn't last long and dark rainclouds drifted in. The river was clear and flowing well but very low with plants in good condition, the long grass still green with wild flowers such as Musk Mallow, Purple Loosestrife, Knapweed, other thistles and Bird's foot Trefoil still present. The latter has done very well this year, establishing good-sized clumps attracting insects. Blackthorn leaves are turning now and some are falling, leaving good-sized fruits. Some Hazel leaves are also turning yellow now but there is a good crop of hazelnuts on most trees, even some on the young trees. Even the young oak planted where the ancient oak fell, has some acorns this year. The old Field Maples are covered in winged seeds ready to 'fly' soon and Hawthorn haws are turning red , those not yet plundered by squirrels. Rose hips too are turning red, the older Rosa canina climbing high into the canopy, providing easy to forage fruits for the winter birds.

Hazel nuts ripening unseen on a young Hazel tree on the river bank.

Most are plundered by hungry grey squirrels well before they ripen!

Robins (17)  were starting to sing now, mostly still quiet, short songs, from birds quite close together, no sign of urgent territorial disputes and loud competition yet, with many birds still not bothering to sing at all but sometimes utter high contact calls or alarm signals. Most were staying put under the canopies of old trees, in cover from possible downpours. Blue tits (32) an great tits (8) were active under the dense canopies of the old trees, collecting insects, mostly very quiet, not easily visible. Blackbirds (8) were even more elusive. hiding in the shadows of the thickets, only giving themselves away with alarm calls, certainly no singing. Even wrens (6) were scarcely seen today and then only when they started to sing or gave alarm calls from under the tree roots on the banks, with one dunnock seen 

lurking in the dark.

Distinctive calls above came from a group of long-tailed tits amongst the leaves, at least 3 visible but probably more, following each other in the heights and  a high-pitched call from a treecreeper was heard but not seen. Heavier birds such as chaffinches remained hidden too, with abundant food in the trees there was no need for them to forage on the ground where they could have been seen. Only one was heard. The sounds of goldfinches in several places along the river course was most welcome, their singing a reassurance that all was well and sources of food plentiful. At least 50 were present, in smaller groups either flying, singing, across from one old field maple to another, singing from blackthorn thickets, their brilliant colouring, shining out from the darkness and more on the margins of seed-rich dry patches of plants. There were so many that a bullfinch flying across went almost unnoticed - but settled in the back of a hawthorn to call.

The weather has been perfect for house sparrows, birds that love the dry dusty ground, feeding on dry dusty seeds and perching in the sun preening their dry dusty feathers, although they need water too, so the shallow river and its 'sandbanks' are ideal for refreshment. A Blackthorn thicket on a bend in the river held several house sparrows preening and singing, easily visible and other groups were seen together elsewhere, at least 50 individuals. Looking more carefully at the sparrows in the Blackthorn, other small shapes appeared to moving around in the shady background. Three were juvenile blackcaps, their movements giving them away, working lower down amongst the branches, and focussing further behind them, two blackbirds moved like shadows, then several goldfinches could be seen too, starting to sing, whilst a different bird, small and fast moving busily foraged all over the same thicket - a chiffchaff.  On such a windy day the birds have sought out a sheltered corner and share the space available whereas on calm days they will spread out everywhere along the river. 

It was windy on the wild field but low down amongst the long grasses and amongst the young willows there was plenty of shelter and warmth - a whitethroat was seen flying into one from the riverside thicket - it will be off south soon and only return in late spring next year. Plenty of wild flowers are still flourishing here with the dominant scent now given by Water Mint (Mentha aquatic) - attracting many bees and other insects, growing in damp areas. Nearby the Fleabane is still flowering well.

 Bumblebee (Bombus pascuorum) on Water Mint

A green woodpecker was heard yaffling briefly in the distance and herring gulls (26) gathered overhead as it became darker with rainclouds approaching. Looking down on the shallow shady river it was so dark that a young moorhen was almost invisible, paddling downstream just making ripples in the water. As I was looking at it  - a bright splash of yellow moved on the bank - it was a fine grey wagtail tail-wagging it's way downstream walking on the shallow mud. foraging for insects at the waters edge, undisturbed amongst the roots under the steep banks. Could it still be collecting food for young? They do have second late broods as do not fly offat the end of summer. Suddenly a second grey wagtail flew very low across the river from the opposite bank and they both disappeared around the meander. Further along a great-spotted woodpecker gave a very short call from an old oak, whilst two rooks flew across over a conifer where a goldcrest arrived probably unaware of the much larger bird perched on the top - a young uncertain crow, looking out for the other 5 (total 6) along the bank where numbers of wood pigeons had gathered too, on the fence and banks of the drainage basin - about 50 were seen in various locations. A noisy jay hid amongst branches with 3 angry magpies not far away and three nuthatches called loudly from the old oaks.

The sky had become even darker as I returned to the river bank where I had seen the grey wagtails - now the oaks looked black and the water too and the rooted banks. Looking down, I saw something flying rapidly straight under along low over the water then turn rapidly and fly back then back and forth several times, appearing to catch flies here and there, small and brown with characteristic flight - not of a bird but a bat!

It was a Daubenton's Bat (Myotis daubentonii) which I have detected before on this stretch of the river but at night, not at midday!

They catch small aquatic invertebrates close to the surface of the water.

 It probably flew from it's roost to do some foraging as it had become so dark.

Green acorns on an oak - there may be a bonanza this year

Finally, on my way back I heard calls immediately above - it was a House Martin, flying alone under the low cloud, catching insects just before it started to rain.

Red Kite Day - the end of July

Today, Sunday 31st July 2016 was remarkable, being a fine day, all day, although with more cloud moving in later. Knowing that most birds are still moulting and staying quiet, under cover until they are equipped with new flight feathers, it was a good time, around mid morning, to concentrate on butterflies again. However, whilst surveying the butterflies amongst the grasses, I looked up to see a magnificent Red Kite flying directly overhead, not very high up, its distinct markings and wing shape easily seen.

It glided leisurely around, circling over the river for some time, then slowly entered a glide that took it downstream along the river course until it was out of sight.

This was one of very few birds seen today - so back to butterflies:

Gatekeepers were out in force, they have an advantage over the earlier butterflies as have not been vulnerable to the torrential rain and lack of sun.

A male Gatekeeper butterfly on one of its favourite plants, the Bramble

Today they were to be seen almost everywhere in the sun, amongst the grasses on the field, along the river banks amongst the nettles and brambles and low along hedgerows. The males are quite territorial and will chase any other insect flying along their section of a hedgerow or bank. They are easily distinguishable from other butterflies such as the Meadow Brown (see previous post) when perched showing their distinct brown and orange markings and clear double eye spot. Their flight is rapid and erratic and they seldom perch for long. 

They are however vulnerable whilst in the caterpillar stage as they overwinter in this form low down amongst grasses.

The larger Meadow Brown butterflies were about today too but in fewer numbers, and Speckled Woods were more numerous today but keeping cool in areas with dappled shade. The only other 'orange' butterfly seen today was a Comma butterfly.

 Brambles were attracting many types of bees and Large and Small White butterflies which were ranging the riverside, some being chased by aggressive Gatekeepers.  Green-Veined Whites were numerous - these being the Summer Brood individuals which fly from July to September.  Other butterflies seen were Common Blue and Red Admiral together with strong flying Brown Hawker dragonflies and heavyweight Southern Hawker dragonflies.

A bee almost completely covered in pollen on a Musk Mallow flower

at the river bank

This is the quietest time of the year for birds - but knowing that they are still present although not seen or heard makes one look forward tremendously to the arrival of early autumn when they will 'reappear' as the leaves start to fall - and will be joined later by winter migrants.

Three blackbirds were seen, two giving alarm calls and a single male foraging on the grass. Twenty blue-tits were counted, mostly vocal young, and only six young great tits also calling, amongst the thistles on the bank. House sparrow numbers were reduced  (- a few adults with young fledgelings calling (47) - with continuing good conditions many more will fledge later in the summer, joining already large colonies or starting new colonies close by. They prefer to stay close to their original home territory and are tolerated by older birds rather than being chased out to find new territories.

Just a single wren was heard - an alarm call from a bird well out of sight, low on the river bank. For the first time this year there were more dunnocks (3) heard and seen than wrens, with two young dunnocks heard and one adult seen collecting food under the base of a hedge.  Very high thin calls came from at least two young treecreepers in an oak whilst a very loud jay was calling

nearby, hidden in the dense canopy. Whitethroats (summer migrants) were still very present  along the river bushes but only one was seen, whilst the other more common migrant warbler - the chiffchaff, was showing well in a Hazel giving contact calls (hweeeet) which were answered by a second bird with a third heard calling in the distance. Four migrant warblers favouring the Willow and Blackthorn along the river, blackcaps, one adult male and at least two juveniles bordering an area of richly-fruiting brambles were seen and heard, with another - alarm-calling in a river bank willow.  

It was at least good to hear and see more than 30 goldfinches, many singing from favourite old Field Maples on the banks with easy access to plentiful supplies of seeds from wild grasses and flowers.

Sightings of our resident birds were scarce - they do not have spend time feeding up in preparation for a long journey - only three robins were seen, one singing a very short snatch of song from a Blackthorn, the other two silently collecting food on the edge of a wooded path whilst a song thrush flew low across a shady bank. Just one vocal magpie was seen today, the rest hiding in the shade.
Out beyond the trees, three carrion crows were watching from a fence, flying down onto a grassy slope to join wood pigeons (24) drinking in the scrape and river nearby - and others keeping watch from old oaks (24 total). Herring gulls (14) were flying lazily across when a  common buzzard (2) appeared, sailing quite fast out of the crowd. Calls were then heard directly above - another buzzard, warning off the gulls.

Summer wild meadow warmed by the sun - splendid foraging for all, a mixture of all the scents to attract bees, shelter for nesting warblers, a myriad of insects, patrolled by dragonflies, butterflies,  hoverflies, grasshoppers and crickets….

A great spotted woodpecker called out a warning from the oak canopy over the river,  triggering  very noisy calls from three juvenile green woodpeckers, not quite a full 'yaffle'  yet but doing well!
The young remain for some time near their nest area in the old trees close to their source of food - ants.
Ants' nests soon appear as soon as the earth dries out in the wild fields, pushing mounds of bare earth up through the wild flowers, easily spotted by the green woodpeckers. Alternatively they can forage on ants in the shorter grasses.
It was also good to hear a nuthatch calling further along the river downstream after a long quiet spell
whilst the young are raised and fledge to fend for themselves.

Meadowsweet and Meadow Browns in July

July started with more overcast days - becoming warmer and more humid. On Monday 4th July a cormorant was seen flying along the river course, heading south. The day was sunny at first, with the chance of finding butterflies. Sure enough, the first Ringlets were seen on the damp banks, very active, chasing each other amongst the grasses and chasing Meadow Brown butterflies too. Other butterflies found were Red Admirals and Speckled Woods, with good numbers of damselflies, both Beautiful Demoiselles and Banded Demoiselles. Bees were covering a flowering Bramble bush tangles up with flowering arching Rosa canina branches. 

In the wild field, tall grasses were giving way to a sudden proliferation of Meadowsweet growing fast and flowing in large areas:

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) in the wild field alongside the river, and important

boggy floodplain, this year flowering naturally, as it used to.

Azure damselflies under a blue sky

    Tuesday 28th June 2016 began as a fine day - maybe the only chance for weeks to come to see more butterflies and dragonflies after a series of overcast days since 19th June and very little sun since the last full record on 6th June (see previous blogs). Hence another full record - just in case…

The sun was hazy with rain forecast for later and indeed the clouds soon appeared. Grasses were dying down slightly now and mud on the riverbank vegetation indicated the recent high level of the river after  torrential rain in the thunderstorms with spectacular lightening strikes of the evening of the 22nd June - a forecast of things to come!

Plenty of wild flowers were forging ahead  - Lesser Stitchwort appearing from the long grass, spires of Purple Loosestrife, Bird's foot Trefoil, Periwinkle, ground ivy, White clover and Rosa canina but above all a spectacular increase in Meadowsweet both on the river banks and large amounts flourishing in the wild field in the soggy ground. Walking along the field, the shoulder high flowers gave a sweet scent to the air.

Azure damselfly male on pond vegetation, one of several drifting from leaf to leaf in the sun - they seem to drift in the air rather than fly and prefer small sheltered ponds with plenty of vegetation.

Nearby a Banded Demoiselle male flew across the path - quite different - these are more aggressive and are strong flyers, exploring large areas away from the river. Two female Beautiful Demoiselle dragonflies were also seen, near the larger pond.

Many small moths were flying up from the long grasses which provide shelter for both moths and butterflies during heavy rain. They drop down the stems of grasses, as low as possible and close up, waiting for the sun to reappear. It was good to see so many Meadow Brown butterflies today as everyone is reporting a very bad year for butterflies in general so far.

Here is a Meadow Brown butterfly nectaring on a Bramble flower on the river bank. They prefer long meadow grasses and can be seen flying low amongst the vegetation.

Many birds were still very vocal, song thrushes (10) singing strongly - most will have second broods as the damp conditions have provided plenty of food for adults to feed their young. The birds nest low down in dense undergrowth here and the adults can often be seen carrying food just across the river or from the grass into the hedgerows. Wrens (13) too were very active and singing loudly, maintaining their territories along the river bank. and a single dunnock was seen foraging under a mossy root. Blackbirds (17) could be heard in full song, their voices echoing along the banks whilst young blue tits could be heard calling from branches, asking to be fed by their parents which could be seen foraging in the willows close by (14). Young yellow-faced great tits were seen in a conifer with adults foraging in the adjacent Willows (7) and a single goldcrest  was very active in the same conifer.  Only three robins were seen today, one of them a speckled young robin - they are still on the riverside but most are hiding and moulting - soon the numbers of birds seen and heard will be greatly reduced as most will be undergoing their seasonal moult to gain fresh strong feathers for the winter, or in the case of migrants for their long journeys to their southern wintering grounds. 

Unruly young magpies (4) were seen chasing each other in the trees whilst a green woodpecker flew quietly across, silent at this time of the year. House sparrows can always be heard, all year round here in their sparrow hedges, fortunately uncut  this summer - about 20 in this one colony and many more in other hedgerows and bramble thickets further along, impossible to count.  Only one chaffinch was seen and no greenfinches.

Goldfinches (40) are doing very well this year, most singing together in groups in the field maples, oaks and thickets, the young still to acquire their characteristic red faces (adult plumage).

Woodpigeons (17) and carrion crows (5) were foraging on the grass, with more flying in to the damp 'scrape', now with plenty of vegetation around it ,whilst a few herring gulls flew overhead and a jay could be heard cursing in the old oak on the bank nearby.

Warblers were still singing, with five loud chiffchaffs in various locations and five blackcaps, three males singing very loudly in different Willows along the river course, one very close to me. One garden warbler was singing too, also in a Willow and last but not least, three common whitethroats were seen, again one pair in and out of the long grass and bushes and one singing in a thicket.

Back to the spectacular insects on the river: to summarise:

Meadow Brown butterflies were numerous,  Speckled Wood butterfies, Small Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and a fresh and brilliant Comma butterfly.

 Azure damselflies at least 5, Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies - 3 males, 1 female and 1 immature (one chased by a Meadow Brown butterfly)

several Banded Demoiselle damselflies males chasing and two females. 

The most important was a fine close -up view of an immature White-legged damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes) warming up on a hazel leaf on the river bank, in the sun.

Hedge Woundwort (Stachys sylvatica)