First and Last on the River

After all the recent rain,  the river was running high yesterday 30th December 2017 and amongst all the bare tree branches, the last signs of the old year and the first signs of the new year were clearly visible on the edge of the fast-flowing water.

The last Guelder Rose berries on the river bank - food for birds from 2017 left for later in the winter. The root system of the Guelder Rose is good for preventing riverbank erosion and collapse.

 New Hazel catkins forming lamb's tails on young Hazel trees

on the river bank

Wildlife Record for 30th December 2017 to follow….here it is - at last:

The morning was quite damp after yesterday's rain, with thin cloud giving way to a blue sky dotted with small clouds, brightening the landscape. It was much warmer in sheltered places, with plenty of wild rose hips from the river surface up to the tree tops but not so easy to access. Most sloes had been stripped from the blackthorn but plenty remaining on just one tall tree on the river bank.

House sparrows (approx. 60) were singing from their sheltered hedges and bramble patches - always with one to two acting as lookouts at the top. Robins too (22) were singing short songs, not yet taking  up their positions for maximum effect when guarding their territory. There were larger numbers of woodpigeons than usual, counting wasn't easy as most were crowded into the topmost branches of the old trees. A carrion crow flying in disturbed a group of about 20 which all flew up together and further downstream another group were disturbed in the same way (total about 60). Only one collared dove was seen today.

Trees along the upper stretches of the river, in relative shelter, were crowded with birds, whilst other trees further south, on the Arun were shunned. Foraging or just perching in windswept areas is a huge waste of energy for most birds - they will always find shelter - no shelter-no birds!

Wrens, seen and heard, were not as numerous as usual, with only 6 seen, most of the usual population having probably moved away temporarily from their river bank habitat as the river levels rose, muddy and fast-flowing.

Dunnocks, on the other hand, seemed to think it was spring, some singing strongly, in open places or foraging on paths (7). Blackbirds (36) were seen in many different places, they are definitely birds which brave the rushing waters and are at home balancing on flimsy islands of twigs and debris in the water, foraging for insects, frequently flying up from the river into the trees to investigate other sources of food such as ripening Ivy berries. The river was flowing too fast for Grey Herons to spot any aquatic prey but two birds were seen close up, flying south along the river course and up over the oaks to the drainage basin beyond.  Eight herring gulls wheeled around above and only three black-headed  gulls were visible - none today on their usual playing-field.Even the carrion crows avoided the open grass today - seven were seen, mostly amongst the old bare trees, crowded with starlings (about 25) amongst the smaller birds whilst others hid away in their ivy-covered day roost, singing. Birds that only fly when they have to - the magpies (7) - were also jostling each, other finding space to perch with the many other species including a single jay heard calling.

With many of the choice berries and fruits having been stripped from the thickets, most of the winter migrants have moved on west but 3 redwing and 4 fieldfare were making their way through the dense hedges and thickets along the river plucking the remaining food. Songthrushes (5) some of which could be winter migrants were foraging low, on mossy branches or on the ground turning over the dense mats of fallen leaves in sheltered places often together with blackbirds, also possible visitors.

Of the finches, only one chaffinch was heard and no greenfinches, but large numbers of goldfinches were present,  a group of more than 20 were flying across to the field with others singing in a dense thicket and others feeding off the dry seed heads of grasses and dock alongside the path and on the field, bright in the weak low sun (over 30). 

Ever moving along the riverside trees in the sheltered stretches today were numerous blue tits, some chasing, some investigating holes in tree trunks but most following each other, foraging together. (more than 100) and great tits, finding plenty to eat  at the foot of trees amongst fallen leaves and in the Hazels (30 at least) with several coal tits (about 5). Right above me, 11 long-tailed tits were moving around through the treetop. In the same tree, a huge old oak, foraging restlessly were several goldcrests  flying over from other deciduous trees and a holly.  Further south, there was a good view of another goldcrest foraging continuously along the fresh branches of a conifer (6 in total). Whilst watching the deciduous tree goldcrests, I saw pieces of lichen dropping down from higher up in the tree - this turned out to be a silent foraging nuthatch. Another silent nuthatch was seen further north (2 total).

Two green woodpeckers were heard calling - a sign of rain! and in an oak on a sheltered bend on the river two great-spotted woodpeckers were calling and chasing each other (male and female) whilst in the river bend under the oak a mallard pair were paddling around. Between the tree branches a  sparrowhawk was gliding low, the sun catching its light colouring. It flew around slowly then suddenly took a dive down onto the trees and out of view.

Crab apples remaining on Deecember 30th 2017

(compare with previous post)

A Traditional December

December hasn't quite ended yet but here's a short summary of this month's weather and wildlife. 

(full record for survey to come later)

After a slow autumn with leaves colouring the landscape for longer than usual, winter arrived with cold weather which has continued throughout December, frosts alternating with sleet. About 50% of days this month were damp with misty rain or with heavy rain and gales, the welcome rain starting to replenish water levels in aquifers and reservoirs which had been subject to a creeping drought over the past year.

There have been mild intervals but few signs of an early spring; the autumn glut of acorns was reduced to nothing over a few days, although some could still be found under layers of fallen leaves under the oaks.

The wildlife highlights were three Little Egrets which arrived here over the first weekend in December, icy weather on the coast triggering their winter journey inland, following the river Arun upstream where the water is warmer and faster-flowing, unlikely to freeze, sustaining food for the little egrets in the form of small fish and amphibians. The birds were either perched on oak branches over the river or foraging in the river itself, as it was still quite low, suitable for paddling. They remained for a few days but the river level has now risen significantly and has remained so after successive heavy squalls of rain, brining muddy surface water runoff from fields far upstream.

The winter marginal deciduous trees held calling nuthatches, fast-moving goldcrests, many singing robins, quiet blackbirds many blue tits, great tits and groups of long-tailed tits with a few coal tits this December, dunnocks and wrens with a mallard pair usually visible on a sheltered bend in the river. House sparrows thronged the dense hedgerows as usual and song thrushes have recently been heard singing very short songs.

On the 20th there was a loud racket from scolding great-spotted woodpeckers in the oaks. two were chasing each other and a third joined in adding to the noise. Perhaps they were young birds competing for future nest sites. A fourth great-spotted woodpecker was seen to fly north and started to drum on a distant oak trunk. They calmed down but suddenly there was more noise, this time from herring gulls.

Five were mobbing a carrion crow, which was carrying food, a school lunch sandwich. The crow threw off the  mobsters and proceeded to eat the lunch whilst perched on an oak branch. 

On the 22nd, about 25 redwing were seen flying south along the river course and about 10 fieldfare  were seen flying low over trees, six collared doves were flying around in a group and a green woodpecker was calling from the wild field area.

Some of these crab apples remain to be eaten by blackbirds

which seem to prefer them long after the leaves have fallen. 

The Return of the Redwing

The bitterly cold weather (for us in Sussex) has brought a significant change to the riverside today,

28th November 2017.

Field Maple  on the river bank before recent gales.

Tuesday 28th November started with a slight frost with broken clouds allowing sunny intervals. The large old oaks still held yellow-brown leaves which were falling one-by-one in a cold NW breeze.
A 'juvenile' oak had a full set of dry brown leaves - a normal occurrence for a young oak. Hazels were full of small catkins. It was striking how the riverside had just come to life at a time when one would expect birds to be hiding in sheltered places and silent. All bird flight was speeded up - now fast and purposeful -  most birds were visible in large numbers, darting from tree to thicket to riverbank, it was a challenge to follow all the movement taking place.
The first birds seen were Redwing - migrants from colder lands, which had found a bonanza of berries and fruits along the riverside and were intent on following one another with scouts leading the way.
They moved rapidly along amongst the twigs and branches of Blackthorn and Hawthorn, plucking and eating as they went, leaving plenty of fruits for the rest of the following flocks. They did not need to fly any distance, just keeping to the linear route. About 100 were seen this morning, accompanied by small numbers of Fieldfare (about 15 seen). A few Redwing were foraging on the ground, amongst the deep layers of fallen leaves in the company of Blackbirds although they were not as easy to detect, their plumage matching the colours of the leaves, given away only by the movement of leaves being flung aside. Migratory blackbirds were also present in huge numbers, about 80 being seen, mostly foraging in the same hedgerows and thickets as the Redwing, although easier to spot and rather more ponderous.
Song thrushes, some probably migrants too, were foraging on the ground or low on the river banks and undergrowth (9).
One, probably a local bird, was singing from a thicket - sign of an early spring perhaps.
Goldfinches (about 60) were not as restless as the thrushes, having plentiful food close by in the form of plants gone to seed, such as Dock. Most were singing in their usual trees, sheltered and protected by ivy. Today they were crowded into a tall tree, with lookouts perched on the top branches.
The cold wind kept House Sparrows low in their bramble thickets and hedges (62) in south-facing patches where the low sun slowly warmed the ground - where they foraged on dried seeds -with no need for them to fly out into the cold. They had plenty of time to sing.

An inquisitive robin emerged from a leafless but dense hedgerow

which forms ideal protection for small birds agains predators such

as sparrowhawks.

As I walked past hedgerows or undergrowth, a robin would often dash out of cover in order to see what was going on, close up. Today fifteen were seen, only one trying out a very short song.

Starlings (about 90) had not been numerous during the summer and early autumn but now their numbers had increased, with a flock of about forty seen flying over the river and other groups singing and whistling in their 'day roosts', some joining in with the goldfinches, they certainly like company.
A sign of winter - the black-headed gulls were back on the grass field, foraging quietly.
(45) occasionally flying up, giving subdued calls but always returning to the grass. Few herring gulls were seen (8) but those flying were at home in the cold wind. It was to early in the day, too cold yet for thermals to develop, which explains why no buzzards were seen in the air. Woodpigeons (about 30) were mostly perched, hunched up in trees, with others flying as quickly as they could across the open areas into woodland.  Jackdaws were heard briefly, seen flying across over distant trees (4) and only one Jay was glimpsed whilst five magpies remained grounded, not needing to move far in the cold to find food. Two collard doves (a pair) flew into ivy. A great-spotted woodpecker was calling from one of the oaks but the loudest calls today came from carrion crows (13) scattered amongst the river trees. In the air a small group of 6 linnets flew very swiftly across and two redpoll were heard calling in flight. Two pied wagtails were concentrating on foraging on a path where dunnocks are often seen but these were sheltering low on the banks today. Down on the fast-flowing river itself, a pair of mallard ducks paddled in circles in a quiet backwater, completely sheltered.
Large numbers of blue tits (more than 60) were seen all along the riverbank trees, Alder, Oak and Field Maples quite crowded although many more were foraging on the ground directly under the oaks, finding small insects on the top layers of leaves warmed by the sun. One blue tit flew out of an old oak carrying a large dry oak leaf. It flew across to a small bare tree where it perched, holding the leaf in its claws - and plucked insects from the underside - although they could well have been spiders - a valuable food source.   There were large numbers of great tits (51) as well, most active amongst undergrowth at the base of trees on the river banks or foraging down lower amongst roots on the river together with wrens (9) which were definitely keeping out of the cold wind with only one or two singing. Four dunnocks in different places were keeping low down too, remaining silent as were a group of six long-taited tits foraging much higher up in the tops of Willows. Two coal tits were spotted  amongst the roving blue tits.  A bird becoming very scarce - the chaffinch - was heard but remained elusive, only two were seen and only one greenfinch. Bullfinches are more frequently seen, but today only two were seen, remaining hunkered down in their usual thicket where the large invasion of redwing probably took them by surprise. A single goldcrest was foraging in a Maple, with no sign of any in the windswept conifers. Rapid loud calls came from a nuthatch in an old oak - a sparrowhawk suddenly appeared and flew swiftly across, scattering small birds - one great tit turned upside-down in flight when it changed direction to avoid the hawk which was seen hunting again further along the river. Altogether seven nuthatches were seen and most heard calling, which is good news.
 Lastly, a mistle thrush flew into a high thicket and started to sing before the next group of redwing arrived.

The First Frost - and Fieldfare fly in

Yesterday morning, 5th November 2017,  the first frost of the autumn was visible early on - but soon thawed in the sun. The very bright clear morning changed and a cold breeze from the north west quickly blew in clouds, making a changeable day - but remaining consistently cool.

Birds had spent a cold night and needed to do some intense foraging during the short hours of daylight. 

Leaves were still falling gradually, the bare branches here and there allowing increased visibility through the thickets and canopies.

Field Maple, Hazel. Ash and Oak in different stages of leaf fall

5th November

This was intended as a quick look along the riverside rather than a full survey, as followed only a few days after the survey on 27th October. However after a quiet start with not much seen or heard, the sun finally reached the trees and activity increased. 

Today was special - on a bend in the river, a sudden movement - a kingfisher hurtled down into the river from the far bank and flew up to perch in the sun on a broken branch over the water where it sat for a minute - the finest view - then flew off upstream to perch on another branch, watching the river intently before flying off.

Several roaming flocks of blue tits and great tits made their way through the trees and thickets, with two or three coal tits seen amongst them. Goldfinches started to sing on the sunlit side of the Blackthorn and Hawthorn hedges where a pair of bullfinches were more easily seen foraging. A group of about eleven long-tailed tits were following each other through a nearby thicket, calling softly. Another group (7) were seen foraging together through the oaks and maples. (total 18)

Three goldcrests were seen foraging amongst the brilliant yellow Maple leaves and two more were seen further south flying from a willow into a poplar, avoiding the conifers which were swaying in the wind.(total 5)

The meandering rivers here provide a variety of habitats which give shelter according to the wind direction and warmth according to the time of day. Blackbirds (9) were busy low down in thickets, plucking fruits, leaving a single fieldfare to reach the higher branches. This fieldfare suddenly flew off, giving the first good view of one here this autumn -  but on looking up, several more were seen flying across, following the river course towards the north, these being joined by more and more, about forty in total seen against the clear blue sky. There are still plenty of fruits for them and for the redwings - three at least were glimpsed at the back of another blackthorn thicket over the river where a song thrush was also foraging, together with blackbirds and the roaming tit flocks. Robins were singing strongly on leafless branches where their colour would be very visible to others.

Flying strongly out in the sun over the banks were four Red Admiral butterflies, and a restless Brown Hawker dragonfly, ranging over the bank vegetation.

Three separate colonies of house sparrows were more active than usual, seeking sunny areas where they could also find food and plunge into the water to bathe. Eight wrens were seen and heard singing very short songs in various places along the banks, with three silent dunnocks lower in the undergrowth. These birds hardly ever seem to sit in the sun. Woodpigeons (15) were mainly seen high in the sheltered tree canopies where they could warm up in the sun all day. A Jay and two magpies, all silent, were flying across from tree to tree, whilst three noisy carrion crows flew over the starling day-roost where they could be heard singing. An early sighting of probably three redpoll flying across may mean a change in the weather elsewhere. Much closer to the river, a sparrowhawk glided quickly with the wind and a single common gull was calling whilst circling over a field. There was no sign of any black-headed gulls today and only two herring gulls were sighted in the air. 

Conditions for flight were again perfect for the common buzzards, and today three were seen, calling loudly to each other, circling over the river, drifting south with the wind. These are very vocal, communicative birds! Below- a certain mammal would have been spotted by them - walking proudly on the grass bank of a drainage basin - a splendid red fox showing off its thick winter coat and fine brush. As I walked along on the opposite bank it turned its head and stared at me for a while before trotting off.

Out of the wind, amongst the old oaks, a nuthatch called repeatedly, perhaps establishing territory for next year.

Buzzards Take to the Air

Friday 27th October 2017 - at last a change in the weather - it was a cold start after a clear sky at night and the day remained cool and dry with unaccustomed dazzling sunlight and a fresh feel to the air. The grass was wet with dew and long shadows cast by the low sun lasted into late morning - it was still British Summertime. Small clouds started to form in the slight breeze but for once there were no leaden rainclouds on the horizon. Riverside Willows had lost half of their leaves and cast less shade with most Ash trees almost bare. Hazel trees held on to their bright yellow leaves, whilst leaves were falling intermittently from the old oaks where thick layers of acorns still carpeted the ground. The northerly breeze meant that there were many sheltered corners along the river . These were populated by bees and other insects attracted to the last ripe fruits of brambles:

Two Seven-spot Ladybirds in the warm shelter of a curled-up Bramble leaf.

27th October 2017

Brambles, as we see throughout the year, provide sustenance and protection for a large diversity of wildlife - a key to the survival of many pollinators.

As the sun moved towards its zenith, loud chattering from house sparrows increased (56) but robins out-sang them with still short  but loud songs all along the river, choosing bare branches to perch on in full view (14). In one area where a dense thicket borders the river, out of sight on the sunny side, starlings had gathered in their 'day roost' to sing and whistle, even louder than the robins. The starlings can usually sit and sing together without the need to forage for most of the day, as food is plentiful in the damp muddy ground (more than 20). Magpies (7), a single collared dove and wood pigeons (about 30) were also inactive, the wood pigeons calling, basking and preening in the old trees, whilst large numbers of blue-tits explored the same trees in a random way, never still, young following older birds to find, perhaps, the best food. Where have they all come from? They are more visible and active now but some, as we know from sightings of ringed birds, make their way along the river course from nature reserves on the rivers upstream or downstream. About 60 were seen on the day. Great tits here (more than 30) at present seem to prefer their own foraging areas, amongst the willows and blackthorn over the river - and long-tailed tits (9) were seen in family groups rapidly making their way through willows, high up.

Ten blackbirds were seen, some foraging on grass, others seen amongst sloes and hawthorn berries in a thicket overhanging the river. Bathing and preening was their priority - essential after the warm humid weather and now they had the chance to bask in the sunlight and dry off properly. When the sun went in, so did the birds, all reappearing the instant the sun lit up the thicket again (like the Red Admiral butterflies seen on the flowering ivy!). A single song thrush was seen dropping down from a blackthorn thicket onto the flat mud of the river bank - others remained elusive - and a fieldfare was glimpsed in the same thicket.

Wrens (15) were singing short songs along the river bank, or uttering alarm calls and three dunnocks were calling down amongst the roots.

Alder catkins on the river bank

No greenfinches were seen and only one chaffinch heard but goldfinches were as usual numerous and very vocal, singing together in the hedgerows across the river bank, a few ventured out alone but always seemed to quickly fly back to rejoin the group (more than 25) whilst three bullfinches were

heard and glimpsed. It was a good day for the tiny goldcrests (5) which prefer foraging in the sun, always seeming to choose the sunny side of a tree, usually a conifer. Two chiffchaffs, migrant warblers made very quick movements amongst the leaves of deciduous trees - will they decide to stay here instead of migrating? A few are always in winter, even in the snow. A nuthatch was very present, calling loudly and moving around in the trees and two more were present in other locations (3). At last jays were more visible (4) busy collecting acorns still on the oaks.  A green woodpecker was jaffling from the wild field where ants throw up secret sandy hills. It's not all solid wealden clay here.

Loud terrifying calls came from further along the river - it was a grey heron objecting to attempts to steal a fish it had caught. The culprit war a gull, probably a herring gull.  23 herring gulls had been seen  in two noisy groups, one flying with the breeze, the other group moving north.

Silent black-headed gulls in winter plumage were circling over the grass playing field but decided not to land (40).  Seven carrion crows were seen in various places but only one ventured onto the field, whilst three jackdaws flew over.

Insects today were concentrated on Brambles, including the two Seven Spot Ladybirds, numbers of bees, with Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) most frequently seen and a Common Darter dragonfly warming up on a stony path.  A very late in the year Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male crossed the river bank shining metallic blue in the sun, finding plenty of midge-type insects to feed on; four Red Admiral butterflies flew over the river banks and a Comma butterfly, was found basking on a pile of old branches.

On the way back there was a good close view of a great-spotted woodpecker clinging to a thin topmost branch of a young tree, clearly surveying the landscape.

The stars of the day were six common buzzards making the most of the ideal circling, soaring and gliding conditions on thermals over the river. As usual I heard their calls before seeing them drifting over the river course, four were circling each other closely whilst two more sailed across in the distance.

They had probably been more or less grounded by the very poor weather conditions of previous days, no wind, very low light and no sun to heat up the land.

As I left the riverside some time later they were still circling in the low sun.

October Awakening

The scent of the riverside today, 22nd October 2017- damp autumn leaves and over-ripe fruits, pine needles shed in the gales, typical of this time of the year. A sudden alarm - a sparrowhawk seen close -up, tail spread for balance as it dived into a hedge full of starlings and house sparrows, ambushed in 'sparrowhawk weather' when a strong wind is blowing and every twig moving. This was the tail-end of storm Brian, flicking over Sussex.

Last week on 16th, in the early afternoon, storm Ophelia had caused consternation when it brought sand from the Sahara and smoke particles from bush fires in Portugal, sucked up from the land into a huge dark red cloud which move slowly over the countryside, causing birds to fly silently to their roosts. There were brief glimpses of the sun turning from yellow to orange to red, then darkness. Expecting torrential rain, wildlife hurried to cover but the cloud was blown across the land followed by brightening skies - the storm was over, without gales or rain here.

At the start of October, there was some welcome rainfall with the river level rising but nowhere near flood level. As leaves were falling (Ash before Oak) the ground brightened, reflecting the sun. On 2nd, Chiffchaffs, Robins and bullfinches were heard and seen and flowering Ivy patches were covered with various bees and wasps and numerous fresh Red Admiral butterflies nectaring in sunlit areas:

This Red Admiral and many others were attracted to the Ivy flowers.

The next day, 3rd October, a very quick look on the riverside revealed a pair of bullfinches, nuthatch calling loudly, numerous Blue and Great tits, house sparrows, chiffchaffs and three jays, Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies, Souther Hawker and Migrant Hawker dragonflies. Two more bullfinches were seen in thickets further upstream.

Red Admirals were seen on most other days, coal tits, goldcrests, goldfinches, green woodpecker, numerous wrens, nuthatches, one tapping in a tree, more jays, further sightings of coal tits, blue and great tits, long-tailed tits and  Common Darter dragonflies, one pair mating.

Dog rose hips (Rosa canina) brighten the hedgerows, but most

will be left by birds until the last of the blackberries and Hawthorn

berries are eaten.

They will be spotted by the winter migrants - Redwing and Fieldfare

as they fly in from the cold.

October always brings an increase in activity amongst birds and mammals as they sense rapid changes; the dwindling hours of daylight available for foraging, and the sun sinking increasingly low on the horizon. Food has been plentiful over this summer and initially there was no urgency to collect food to store - but now there is frantic movement on the riverside. Most summer migrants have left after feeding to build up layers of fat on their bodies which will provide energy for their long journeys south.

Local resident birds also need to put on weight, as food may become scarce with incoming winter migrants joining them, foraging along the river after long flights from the north and east. 

  

September ends - a summary of this summer

Summer has definitely given way to autumn now - the summer season this year has been exceptional for most wildlife here mainly due to the weather over the year so far but also due to the maturation of the riverside where changes have taken place, mostly for the better, in the riverine environment.

Most birds have had a very successful breeding season this spring and summer but numbers of greenfinches and chaffinches remain low whilst goldfinches and house sparrows have thrived.

Green woodpeckers, great-spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches are also doing well as are other birds such as blue and great tits and long-tailed tits - robins and wrens in particular. Blackbird numbers increased -and the songthrush population remained good although some were still rearing young late in the summer. Summer migrant numbers were good, with chiffchaffs especially numerous and these are still around - maybe more will stay to overwinter. In the last few days, large numbers of house martins and swallows have been flying along the river course, heading south and feeding on large 'clouds' of insects on the way - it seems to have been a good summer for them in most places too. Local resident raptors - kestrels, sparrowhawks and common buzzards have been taking advantage of the good hunting conditions over the summer, with occasional fly-overs by red kites. 

Insects showed a very strong increase - certainly from mid-summer onwards, damselflies and dragonflies were everywhere along the river and ponds here. The best sighting was a good view of a male White-legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes) on 17th July:

   White-legged Damselfly male on riverbank nettle at 17.15 on a hot afternoon.

These damselflies are very local to the area and quite elusive but are seen here each year, not easy to photograph. I was last successful in photographing one here about five years ago! They don't 'bask' in the sun but bounce around.

Butterflies too have been numerous, certainly compared with last year (2016) although numbers certainly dwindled after recent downpours and hailstorms. Also very local to the area, an active female Brown Hairstreak was the best sighting on 15th September with others seen for several days in the high leaf canopy some time ago.

Red Admirals are still flying strongly, with Speckled Woods and a few Commas still present.

The bonanza of fruits, berries and nuts will hopefully mean a good autumn and winter for wildlife here.

Autumn - and robins take over

Friday 15th September 2017 was sunny with an unusually clear sky, the day unusually still and at last cooler. Although it was only two weeks since the last record on 29th August (see previous post), the character of the riverside had changed completely. The grass was wet with dew with the taller grasses now dying down leaving flowering Purple Loosestrife to colour the low vegetation and plentiful Rose hips showing well amongst the hedges and thickets up to the topmost branches. On the ground under the oaks, carpets of acorns were growing even thicker without being collected by jays and squirrels which are not numerous this autumn. New buds could be seen between the old leaves and acorns on the oaks with no obvious leaf fall yet.

Fallen acorns - an acorn falling from the top branch of an oak directly

onto your head makes quite a thud. Jays and squirrels prefer to collect them 

directly from the branches, undamaged.

The fresh new songs of robins (36) filled the air all along the river, but listening carefully, some were definitely communicating with another (probably rival) robin rather than singing at random.

Wrens (15) could be heard singing on the banks but were no competition for the robins today.

The popular Blackthorn thicket held 3 restless dunnocks, with perfect and subtly coloured plumage when glimpsed in the sun. On the grass under the brambles a blackbird was busy,  persistently digging with its beak. At last it stood, head held  high with a worm in its beak, looking very strange as its head and shoulders were soaked from the wet grass. Others were seen (total 11) preening after bathing or foraging in the depths of the Blackthorn. One male was moving from branch to branch in a large Elder without success, the bush had been completely stripped of berries form top to bottom.

Only one jay was seen, crossing an embankment over carpets of acorns.

A young seedling oak tree probably about a year old where an acorn

has fallen from a very old oak onto soft ground on the embankment.

There were at least ten such seedlings in the area, as yet unnoticed

by passing herbivores.

Self seeded oak trees will usually have a more diverse shape compared with nursery-grown oaks.

As the sun rose gradually, warming up the hedgerows, house sparrows  (about 52) began to stir, the last bird to awaken, as usual. At this time of the year there is no need for them to forage from sunrise to sunset, with plenty of seeds and insects to choose from. The same applies to goldfinches (32) but these birds are usually more active, feeding on their favourites, Dock and Teasel seeds then flying together to the next patch or into a tree or thicket to sit and sing amongst dense branches. No greenfinches were seen or heard today and only one chaffinch. This doesn't mean that they are not present - but they are only present in small numbers. Only two starlings were seen today, the usual roosting flock was certainly out on a sortie - finding rich pickings in the ploughed fields. Woodpigeons on the other hand were present in reasonable numbers (34), some amongst flowering ivy, others in the trees or watching from fences, joined by noisy magpies (6) still in bickering family groups.

Bluetits were back on the scene in good numbers (about 50), investigating new habitats. Several were hunting for spiders around the outside surfaces and entry slots of bat boxes high in the trees. They appear to prefer spiders to insects - a spider forms a concentrated protein snack. Great tits are even quicker to investigate new habitats and take over new territories with nesting potential  (total about 20).

  Goldcrests (5) too were quick to move into an unfamiliar scene where a fallen tree presented fresh insect foraging.    Some Long-tailed tits could be heard calling but remained invisible amongst the leaves, high in the trees.

Only one carrion crow, two herring gulls and two rooks were seen in the clear sky, perhaps the lack of wind did not attract many gulls, corvids and raptors today but the fine close sighting of a sparrowhawk gliding, circling directly above me over the river made up for it. Amongst the trees, a pair of nuthatches called in an acorn-laden oak and a third silently flew across the river. Further downstream a fourth was calling from an ash tree. On the river itself a pair of mallard paddled quietly under the steep banks and a third (m) was seen nearby. Finally, the last of the summer migrants, the chiffchaffs  (9) were very fresh and active, with several close together collecting spiders in the sun amongst the Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

The star of the day however was a butterfly - a strongly flying but rather worn female Brown Hairstreak was ranging along the brambles and low Blackthorn branches at the base of the 'master' Ash tree. It was clearly looking for places to lay eggs on new Blackthorn growth and had probably already visited several choice twigs. Usually only one egg is left in one place, the butterfly moving on to select many different twigs.
As I was watching it, a calling grey wagtail flew across the river and into the shady banks.

Speckled Wood butterflies (27) were again the most numerous, preferring dappled shade on bright days. A few Large White butterflies were seen but numbers were much reduced. Three very bright Red Admiral butterflies were busy amongst the ivy.
Dragonflies were as numerous as butterflies on the riverside, with nine Southern Hawkers, most ranging across the river banks, a low-flying Brown Hawker in the shade, good numbers of Common Darters, males and females in various stages, indicated by variations in colouring and several Migrant Hawkers, with others flying too high to identify.
Bumblebees and honeybees thronged the over-ripe berries on the brambles, flowering Ivy and late honeysuckle.

A Tropical end to August

Tuesday 29th August 2017 was again very hot and humid here in Sussex despite the forecast for cooler weather. The tropical weather has been good for dragonflies during the last few days whilst numbers of butterflies continued to decrease.  Common Darters, Southern Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers, Brown Hawkers and two Emperor dragonflies have been out along the river banks and ponds with a few Banded Demoiselle Damselflies in dappled shade.

The river was low but flowing well, with riverbank Hazel tree leaves just beginning to turn yellow, some inaccessible branches bearing ripe brown hazelnuts. Hazelnuts are usually the first nuts to appear and are plundered by jays and squirrels well before ripening. Although there seemed to be far fewer Dog Roses flowering in the early summer, the profusion of ripening rose hips indicate that flowering was normal, the flowers perhaps not lasting as long in the heat of the summer. Bramble fruits were still plentiful, in stages from green to over-ripe  - certainly no lack of food for wildlife this autumn. 

Common Darter warming up on the bridge handrail

They can often be seen perching on hard surfaces - stones, rails, paths rather than on leaves.

A butterfly with similar perching preferences is the Red Admiral:

Red Admiral on the track! Watch where you walk and you may be 

rewarded.

It was good to hear robins singing again after the long silent summer, there were 19 along the riverside, most singing strongly, others foraging amongst dry undergrowth in shady hedges. Wrens were still hiding, only 7 were seen, several singing - whilst thin calls gave away three dunnocks, two of them juveniles in the deep shady roots.

The very dry surface of the earth meant that blackbirds and song thrushes had vitally disappeared, with only three blackbirds seen and no song thrushes. These birds need soft muddy ground in which to forage and the best places are low under the shady river banks, close to the surface of the water where they can bathe. The riverside trees and undergrowth being laden with berries, the birds can eat their fill at sunrise and in the evening, spending the hot daylight hours under dense foliage well out of sight.

Out in the open, two jays were having an altercation, with a squirrel joining in - this must have been about territory as the ground lies covered in ripe and unripe acorns, Hazel nuts and Hawthorn berries, far too plentiful for all to be cached or fought over. 

Five magpies were seen and heard, with 31 wood pigeons surveying the scene in various places, a few cooing. Carrion crows usually jolt dozing birds awake with their loud calls but only two were seen today. Loud calls from the sky - about fifty herring gulls in a close group sailed over - but no raptors were seen, the day being uniformly calm, quiet and hot, with no exciting gales or changes in pressure.

There were few finches too - only about 7 goldfinches well hidden in dense shade while a single bullfinch flew across into a blackthorn thicket without a sound. Eventually some house sparrows (26) woke up - but remained in their hedges, on the shady sides - even the sun-loving sparrows were feeling the heat.

The exceptions were the blue tits (65), great tits (36) and long-tailed tits (5) continuously on the move amongst the tree canopies and Sloe-laden Blackthorn thickets, catching insects and investigating fruits. Whilst the weather is warm, insects will be the preferred food.

Warblers on their way:

Looking into conifer trees, instead of goldcrests restlessly foraging, several  smart chiffchaffs were seen busily picking up insects, whilst others foraged low down on the river banks, 10 at least, and one juvenile or female blackcap trying out the Sloes. In the same area, contact calls revealed fresh willow warblers on the move (3) amongst the riverbank willows. On the wild field, whilst observing the butterflies, two young common whitethroats flew out from a bush across the brambles into a willow - they are also on their way now to the south coast where they will wait until the conditions are right for making the crossing to France, beginning a long journey to south of the Sahara. All the migrant warblers need to be constantly feeding up, gaining weight and strength at this time.

Butterflies and other insects:

Speckled Wood butterflies were numerous again, but large numbers of Large White butterflies have also recently appeared, ranging far and fast just about everywhere. There were a few Small Whites too and Red Admiral, several Comma Butterflies but no Gatekeepers. This time Dragonflies were more numerous than butterflies (see beginning of this post).

Small grass moths were seen in the field, with bees, mostly Honeybees on the ragwort.

Spiders:

Spider webs were obstructing pathways everywhere, spun in ideal conditions with no wind or rain to destroy them. These were mostly the work of Garden Spiders. They form a good source of food for  migrating warblers and any small bird.

Late Summer Butterflies and Moths

Numbers of butterflies dwindle as the days become shorter despite warm temperatures. The Meadow Brown butterfly is one of the longest-flying - usually appearing around the end of May and can still be seen at the beginning of October. It can therefore use a variety of food plants throughout the summer.

This late summer Meadow Brown is nectaring on a Thistle - a very popular plant for large numbers of insects when it flowers after midsummer food plants go to seed - a Bumble bee was sharing the flower with the butterfly:

The Meadow Brown flew off whilst the White-tailed Bumble bee (Bombus lucorum) buried its head in the flower.

Gatekeeper butterflies have a shorter flying time, usually from the end of June until the beginning of September.  They can vary a lot in size, the male usually being smaller than the female, but the easiest way to distinguish them is by upper wing markings:

Female Gatekeeper on brambles - the upper wings lack the  dark brown band markings seen on the male upper wing:

Male Gatekeeper on Bramble flowers - the difference is very easy to see when the butterfly is  basking and its slowish flight makes it easy to track. Fresh bright Meadow Brown butterflies can sometimes look like Gatekeepers at a distance but close-up can be seen to have single white 'pupils'

in the fore-wing black eye spots whereas the Gatekeepers have two white 'pupils' in each eye spot as in the photo of the female.

Unseen Creatures amongst the long grasses:

in looking for butterflies which fly off over the grasses at the last minute, more activity comes to light in the form of grasshoppers, crickets and Micro Moths  - the area is teeming with life normally invisible.

Moths - especially the Grass Moths -  small Micro moths are difficult to see close up and record in the field

- what are they called? In total, there are more than 2,500 Macro and Micro moths named, with new ones being listed each year, perhaps due to the changing climate.. 

 I haven't found out the names of these two - yet:

Nameless - is it a Wave? perching on the underside of a flowering Nettle stalk

Nectaring on Ragwort - another very popular food plant -

havent found out the name as yet. It's quite small with the wingspan 

less than the diameter of a flower head.

   

The Wind and Rain of August

Early August started as it meant to go on, with strong winds and heavy rain showers. Sunday 6th August 2017 was very damp after heavy rain and thunderstorms the previous day, with dew on the grass and the river running higher and more swiftly. An early start to this short survey - but the sunshine didn't last before fair-weather cumulus clouds moved in. Fruits and berries were ripening fast however. The wind direction unusual, blowing straight into usually most sheltered areas. The rain had brought a spurt of growth along the banks and hedgerows which helped to form low shelter however - and tall grasses were teeming with grass moths, spiders and grasshoppers again. During sunny intervals butterflies suddenly appeared too:

 Common Blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus)  basking after very wet weather. The white edges of its wings have been worn away but it was a strong flyer over the vegetation.

A Garden spider, one of many seen today, was making its way along the

strong web strand secured to dry Dock stems towards the centre of the web which held

a pre-wrapped unidentifiable insect prey. 

Woodpigeons (about 30) were cooing lazily from trees or sitting along the fences and two collared doves flew off from the top of a Blackthorn thicket. Six magpies were present at various locations along the river together with three carrion crows.  

Ideal terrain conditions for Blackbirds (16) this morning meant that most were visible foraging on the wet grass, with a single Song thrush, whilst a few were sampling ripe Sloes on the Blackthorn. Most robins were still in hiding with only five seen, some giving short songs. Wrens were also scarce, only 6 seen - but all of them singing, joined by two silent dunnocks amongst the river bank roots.

Eventually, as the day warmed up, house sparrows (about 50) woke up too and started to sing in their hedges. Two juvenile greenfinches were seen and only one chaffinch, all silent.

Walking further along the riverbank, reaching an area with a large old maple next to an old oak, the trees suddenly revealed large numbers of very active small birds, about 40 blue tits,  twenty great tits and more than 30 Goldfinches - these singing. The blue tits (total seen today about 70) and great tits (total seen today about 30) were in a roaming flock and within a few minutes had moved on.

These birds were quiet, but calls heard high in the canopy revealed 4 long-tailed tits. 

The area these birds were moving through contained Hazels, Oaks, Maples, Ash, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Rosa canina, Elder, with nettles and brambles growing on the opposite banks. It also contained a sparrowhawk seen a few minutes later circling over the wild field and river, the sun shining through its translucent wing feathers - no shortage of prey today as many of the small birds were juveniles.

These birds are resident here but a few migrant warblers were still present, two blackcaps and three calling chiffchaffs were seen.

The best sighting was of a pair of bullfinches sat together on low bramble stems on the bank, the male very bright. 

One pied wagtail and two herring gulls were seen in flight over the river and a nuthatch was heard calling from an oak.

Dragonflies:

Male Common Darter Dragonfly on the warm and sheltered stony path.

It was watching a small fly  zipping back and forth - only its head moved, its eyes following the fly.

Although very windy, dragonflies were flying in most places, with strong-flying Southern Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers, Common Darters, and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies under the shelter of river banks.

Butterflies:

as with the dragonflies, most butterflies were keeping to sheltered areas - Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, large numbers of Speckled Woods (about 45) in wooded places and tall hedgerows, a few Common Blues on the tall field grasses, Commas, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Frittilary and last but not least, Brown Hairstreak butterflies - four or five on the high canopy of a mature Ash tree  amongst other trees on the more sheltered morning sunny side, flying erratically fast-disappearing into the foliage then reappearing.

This was intended just to observe butterflies and dragonflies - but large numbers of moths were seen too.

See future August post.

    

A Summary of Summer in July

This July has been very active on the riverside and there has been much to record as new plants mature and attract more wildlife, with the great benefit of good weather.
Butterflies were very numerous this July, with Gatekeepers easily the most frequently seen species in most locations, especially ranging along riverbank vegetation and amongst the long grasses and wild flowers in the wild field. They were not seen on areas of cut 'amenity grass' until wild flowers grew up amongst the grass. As mentioned and shown on the post for 14th July, Holly Blue butterflies began to appear again early - first seen on 9th July with subsequent sightings on 17th and 18th. Meadow Brown butterflies were present on most days, some looking rather faded. Large, Small and Green-veined Whites were also present on most days, as were solitary Red Admirals looking very fresh.
Ringlets were seen on rare damp days and Comma butterflies were seen on several days as were Small Tortoiseshell butterflies amongst young nettles or basking on warm stones. Skipper sightings became scarcer this month, most being Small Skippers, on warm dry grasses. It was good to sight a few Purple Hairstreak butterflies high in the canopies of old oak trees before the wind strengthened

and clouds covered the sun.

Meadow Brown butterfly basking

 28th July 2017

This summer has so far been good for dragonflies too, with Southern Hawkers frequently seen ranging along the riverbanks and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies being especially numerous, ranging low over the low river (mostly females) and along the river banks and grasses (mostly males), on a hot
day often preferring semi shaded locations, their brilliant metallic colours shining where the sun touched them.
The star of the riverside this July was a Male White-legged Damselfly on 17th which will be featured in an later post, with a photo. (September 30th, summer summary)

Guelder Rose berries beginning to ripen

17th July 2017

Birds (see full record on 28th July) were mostly keeping a low profile this month, moulting and recovering from nesting but with many continuing to nest and feed young. Swifts were seen on most days flying over the river course, also small groups of foraging House Martins. A red kite was seen gliding over the river course on 15th and more frequently several buzzards were seen and heard. With large numbers of juvenile birds on the riverside, sparrowhawks were waiting under cover  and could occasionally be seen dashing through the undergrowth and into hedgerows. Green woodpeckers were heard and sometimes seen on the grasses and great-spotted woodpeckers were kept busy with young in the old oaks over the river. Nuthatches could often be heard calling amongst the branches whilst the only true song came from lone song thrushes sometimes singing all day but mostly during the long evenings. Blackbirds are always present along the riverside but in July remain quiet, most having several broods of young.

Males are most often seen foraging on the damp shady long grass where the ground underneath has remained wet. Silent robins follow and benefit from the loosened earth.  

Some snatches of song from summer migrants - blackcaps could be heard and chiffchaffs remained very vocal - contact-calling. Towards the end of the month large numbers of 'yellow faced' juvenile blue tits and great tits were seen being fed by adults or foraging on insects under leaves on the trees,

most remaining silent. Goldfinches were beginning to group together to sing in dense thickets close to plentiful supplies of seeding grass and dock seed. Jays were foraging, competing with squirrels for early  Hazelnuts and ripening Hawthorn berries - leaving signs of their foraging - a carpet of empty nut shells under the trees:

Hazel nuts will not be left to ripen but will rapidly be taken by jays or squirrels

but with large crops of fruits, berries and nuts this year there will be plenty of choice.

Ripening Hawthorn berries on a young tree. Older trees have

already been raided of large amounts of more mature haws.

The Heatwave Ends

Since mid July, the riverside has gradually returned to normal, refreshed with traditional summer showers alternating with warm sunshine, the baked earth cooling down, producing a diversity of plants and flowers, with a good range of insects associated with them. Growth had been delayed during the very hot dry weather, grasses began to go to seed early and go brown, then suddenly, almost overnight new fresh green growth appeared like a second spring.

Today, 28th July was perhaps not the best day to do a wildlife survey as the sky was overcast and the southerly wind in the trees made it noisy - but the rain only arrived later, after midday. As usual at this time of the year, birds were hiding and most remained quiet - the only calls heard were those from juvenile birds demanding to be fed, or warning calls from adults sensing danger.

Despite the lack of sun, very large numbers of Gatekeeper butterflies were ranging along the riverside bank vegetation and on the wild field areas where there were tall grasses and thistles alternating with numerous patches of Bird's-foot Trefoil, Vetch and now Fleabane just starting to flower.

   Fleabane on the field today, 28th July. The flowers remain open during overcast weather, a magnet for insects, including butterflies, notably the Small Copper.

Listening carefully, numerous small calls from juvenile birds well hidden amongst dense foliage could be heard. Adult blackbirds (9) were seen foraging for grubs and worms on the grass and in muddy areas it was clear that many birds, blackbirds, song thrushes and robins had been working, probing the surface, larger birds making it much easier for smaller birds to find food. Blackbirds were seen with beaks full -carrying food across to the hedges where there were nestlings calling. Older juveniles were calling from the safely of Willow trees where adult males were flying up with 'ground food' to feed them.
Woodpigeons (30) were the most easily seen today, several cooing drowsily. Blue tits (41) and great tits (28) were difficult to see - hiding in the more sheltered thickets. Most seen were juveniles, the yellow plumage on some individuals as bright as a canary!
Normally robins are numerous, advertising their presence and guarding their territory by singing from prominent perches but only two were seen and heard today - with large numbers still present but having time off to rest and moult, gaining strength and bright new plumage after breeding. soon we will be hearing their first 'chinks' of the autumn. Dunnocks (4) were traceable by the thin high calls of their young in a dark shaded tree with Long-tailed tits (3) foraging not far away, also traced by their calls.

Bird's Foot Trefoil and Vetch on the damp meadow

Wrens (10) were more visible, some still nesting and collecting food for young, with fledged youngsters  exploring roots and fallen branches near their old nests. They may roost together in these at night. 

The loudest birds on the riverside today were nuthatches (3) one giving sudden loud alarm calls from an old maple over the river. Two others were heard calling in different locations - also giving alarm calls, warning their young. A great-spotted woodpecker, probably a juvenile called from an old riverbank oak but magpies (5) were quiet for a change. A green woodpecker called from the high drainage basin banks which are good areas for ants.

Summer migrants are still present with chiffchaffs (6) continuing to sing, both adults and juveniles contact-calling and a single blackcap giving alarm calls whilst foraging amongst the brambles over the river. Further along a whitethroat was seen flying out of the brambles - the fruits ripening fast now.

House sparrows (47) were slow to appear this morning with most deciding to stay put in their hedgerows, some calling. Only one chaffinch was heard and no greenfinches - but small groups of goldfinches were seen flying over from the wild field (12).  A jay flew across the river whilst two carrion crows were foraging on the short grass and a third was seen flying over with a discarded sandwich. Three herring gulls were flying high whilst a buzzard sailed in the strong breeze under a cloud, flying into the cloud followed by an angry herring gull.

The stars of the day were the insects, which despite the lack of sun and the presence of a strong wind

were present in good numbers.

The gatekeeper butterflies were very numerous in almost every location, along the riverbank vegetation  - ranging over the wild field, over and amongst the long grasses on both the north and south embankments:

A Gatekeeper butterfly on flowering Water Mint on the damp meadow.

One Gatekeeper was chasing a Small Skipper but most were basking on brambles and grasses, remaining closed until the sun appeared when they opened to catch the warmth, closing again immediately the sun went in, flying on to gain a warmer location.

Meadow Brown butterflies were active too, looking rather faded compared to the bright Gatekeepers.

Ringlets were seen in damper areas, low down amongst the vegetation, whilst Speckled Woods, still numerous, ranged high and low, pausing to bask on bramble leaves. High amongst the canopies of two old trees, an Oak and a Maple, erratically flying small butterflies were seen - Purple Hairstreak butterflies, their action typical of the Hairstreak.

A Red Admiral was seen in a windy location, basking in the shelter of a steep river bank on the Arun on the brambles.

Two Southern Hawker Dragonflies were seen ranging back and forth under the trees and several Banded Demoiselle Damselflies brightened the river banks when the sun emerged.

On the wild field and the embankments, hundreds of small grass moths flew up from the damp grasses, always flying a short distance then landing to perch on blades of grass, rapidly swinging around to the underside where they remained hidden from view, making it very difficult to identify them. Small Grasshoppers and Crickets

were numerous too, especially on the banks of the large pond - and also easily disturbed.  At least one was identified as a Roesel's Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii).