February 2016 - weather has proved to be as erratic as that of January and just one day, Friday 19th February was a good example. Early morning and the promise of a fine day ahead with no wind, quite warm in the sun. The riverside still very bare but with more fresh green growth on the banks and in a few very sheltered places overhanging the river the Blackthorn was already in blossom, twigs heavy with a strange mix of lichen, buds and flowers.
Blackthorn blossom over the fast-running river
It was still frosty in the shade underfoot - a welcome change from the usual deep mud and the clear blue sky had awakened birds to the coming spring - the riverside suddenly became full of song as soon as the sun hit the trees and thickets. A complete change today as wren song dominated along the river course. Robins were singing loudly too but last month they had sung unopposed, except by each other.
Another sound indicative of spring was the call of great tits which have long been silent but now seemed to be everywhere.
House sparrows (70) were immediately heard, at first in the sunlit hedgerows, pairs chasing, diving into the riverbank undergrowth where they were completely hidden, then out again across the river - still chasing, with more singing amongst the dense ivy together with starlings. Robins (26) were again singing, most individuals selecting prime sunlit branches where their colour shone - they couldn't be missed, especially amongst the Blackthorn blossom. Other individuals could be found in their usual territories of bramble thickets and hollies. Wrens (21) were now singing loudly, out-singing the robins in places - and most were easily seen amongst the bare twigs and last-years stalks of river bank vegetation.
Starlings (47) were now in singing mode too, uttering a confusing mixture of calls, whistling, warbling, clicking and even trying an imitation of the yaffle of a green woodpecker - but could not match the force of voice which the woodpecker uses to make itself heard over long distances.
Suddenly a real green woodpecker yaffled loudly from the long grass across the river - Rain!
The morning was still sunny at this stage but the low rainclouds were advancing. Another
green woodpecker was heard further along the river
(2) - they can't be wrong….and weren't.
There was a huge amount of activity amongst the
blue tits (about 50) and
great tits (19) whilst the sun still shone, with many now singing, the blue tits mostly bickering and alarm-calling whilst the great tits were all singing their strong spring songs, one of the best indicators that the winter is receding here on the river.
Long-tailed tits (12) don't indulge in song-posing but usually use contact calls whilst foraging in groups, although today were seen foraging and investigating possible nest-sites in small groups of two or three - another sign of spring. Dark conifers appeared to be empty of life but tiny movements in the shadows turned out to be
four goldcrests foraging, occasionally lit up by the sun. When the rain came, the conifers were the best places to find shelter, ivy and hollies a good alternative.
A brightly coloured bird appeared overhead and flew high into a maple -
a redwing - perhaps it was looking out for more redwings to join the migration back north - they are well-fed, no shortage of food here this winter.
Song thrushes (6) were seen today foraging under hedgerows and on the grass but only one was singing - it's voice carrying far along the course of the river.
Blackbirds were still numerous
(34) some of which are winter visitors which will also be returning across the cold seas. They were just about everywhere, but none singing, all but one intent on feeding up. The odd one was on the grass spreading out its tail and wings in the sun - but even this one soon detected an earthworm and quickly pounced.
Two dunnock were quietly foraging under a tree whilst
chaffinches (7) and
greenfinches (2) flew from tree to tree, one chaffinch calling softly as it flew and another called more loudly.
Goldfinches (27) are far more numerous here - and today were mainly occupying a large ivy-covered tree in the hedgerow, singing continuously. Just one very elusive male
bullfinch was calling from the back of a hedge and remained in the shadows. A noise on the river and
a moorhen flew up with splashing feet - and further along - a peaceful scene -
three mallard - two males and one female were sitting in the sun on a sheltered bend in the river on the muddy bank at a drain. They usually frequent the drainage basin but the wind had suddenly swept up waves on the exposed water causing them to find a warmer spot to sit and preen. Pairs of
carrion crows (12) were obviously prospecting for nest sites, facing up to loudly
cursing magpies (7) intent on establishing their own sites.
Woodpigeons (50) were active in riverside trees trying to reach the very last remaining ivy berries, feeding on fields or lazing in the sun on branches, preening, whilst a few
herring gulls (11) flew over.
Black-headed gulls (
23) arrived and came in to land on the short grass to feed, all except one still in winter plumage.
Amongst the old trees on the bank
nuthatches were calling and foraging,
six in total but in three separate locations, probably pairs with territories well established by now, giving loud warning calls as soon as a stranger is detected. Two great spotted woodpeckers were about as well, one flew over my head into an oak, uttering a short call as it landed and
a silent jay flew off into a nearby hedge.
Starlings on the old 'Heron Oak' over the river face into the wind.
The dark clouds were rapidly approaching, with a squall sending me to shelter under a leaning ivy-clad tree for a short while. It was noticeable that again the riverside fell quiet then came to life immediately the sun reappeared. Good for
raptors too as the sun was strong enough to set up thermals.
A very fine close view of a
common buzzard gliding leisurely low across the trees over the river, circling over me, eyes fixed on the wild field below. Upstream a
sparrow hawk flew fast and high -it had decided not to bother the buzzard. The best view today was good news; looking up into an old oak where several grey squirrels were chasing,
a kestrel flew down and landed in the same tree very close to me, settling on a branch, looking down intently onto the 'reptile field' below for small mammals in the long grasses, then eventually flew off and around the same trees, circling as the buzzard had done over the river margin.
