A Wildflower and Blackthorn Blossom Spring

A spring first yesterday, Thursday 30th March 2017- several male Orange Tip butterflies were seen on this very warm afternoon flying along the riverbank verge and around clumps of Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) on the damp meadow.

Full record: 
Tuesday 28th March 2017 and a typical, traditional spring day. Looking back at this time last year, there is no comparison - in late March 2016, a sudden cold northerly wind took over after several overcast and very windy days with Storm Katie sweeping through bringing 35mm of rain and floods into Easter Monday ending in a cold and frosty day on 1st April 2016.

This year spring has so far been an ideal image of spring, full of blossom, catkins, warm breezes and soft rain showers between long sunny intervals. This Tuesday started off in bright sunshine which diminished as the day went on but it remained hazy and reasonably warm. Blackthorn blossom everywhere so profuse that foraging birds, normally easily seen were hidden amongst the flowers.

Blackthorn blossom along the bank  (Prunus spinosa)

The river was lower but still flowing fast, slightly cloudy. Riverside banks and verges were brightened with Lesser Celandine and under the trees Wild Garlic formed continuous carpets, not flowering yet, but with a few white buds emerging.Young nettles were coming through the dry stalks and leaf mould as growth had died down completely over the winter due to plenty of frosty nights, unlike the previous winter when there were almost no frosts. On the river bed, new aquatic plant growth was just visible in shallow areas. Cow Parsley was young and green, dandelion flowers just opening and Wood Anemone spreading further along the banks under trees than ever before. In warmer sunny but damp areas Cuckooflower clumps were also more prevalent. Blossom was blowing across the river in the increasing South Westerly breeze.

The River Arun meanders through spring growth

This Tuesday was a fine day for all the wild inhabitants of the riverside and birdsong was loud and continuous, with newly arrived Chiffchaffs adding to the chorus of resident birds. The Chiffchffs (16) are fortunate this year in arriving to find good weather and plentiful food to sustain them. More warblers will be arriving now on the southerly winds to join them. A single male Blackcap was heard singing in a Willow - the 'winter' Blackcaps having left some weeks ago. Robins (21) all appeared to be singing, selecting prominent perches whilst other strong singers, the wrens (22) were advertising their presence but were also busy nest-building - with a good view of one individual collecting moss from the roots of a tree close to the surface of the water, hauling the moss up to a higher  location on the bankside - it will build several nests for the female to select one - and complete it.

Dunnocks usually select dry banks as they prefer to forage amongst less soggy undergrowth but nevertheless nest low down. Five were seen with three chasing in a Willow. Down on the river itself, a mallard pair quietly paddled close to the bank where for several years they have nested in the shelter of a sharp bend in the meandering river, well out of sight.

House sparrows were the most numerous species on the river bank (about 60) in several groups, all choosing warm sheltered sunny locations in brambles and hedgerows, singing. other finches were also singing, with a group of goldfinches (20) about 15 singing together in an old Blackthorn thicket whilst others chased amongst the branches. Chaffinches (5) were singing and more easily seen but still remain few in number here. The dashing shadow of a sparrowhawk flew through a gap in the thickets, unseen by most birds, and unsuccessful in its ambush, maybe it will hunt again when the light goes, in the dusk. A kestrel soared in the breeze, hovered for a few seconds then disappeared.

Even without the visiting migrants, probably now back in their summer lands, blackbirds are very numerous and visible (26) with most favouring flat banks and small 'debris islands' on which to forage, where they can bathe unseen too, always flying up to a sunny branch to dry off and preen. Some were singing loudly whilst others were collecting food, probably nesting. Three songthrushes were seen, foraging on the damp mud underneath hedgerows and one large mistlethrush was standing still under a Willow in the mud, watching.

With plentiful Willow catkins attracting insects, foraging blue tits were attracted too, about 30 were busy foraging amongst pollen-laden catkins with some singing and others investigating possible nest holes. in nearby oaks. Long-tailed tits have been nest building for some time now - they start early with their intricate structures, often hidden out of sight - safe under brambles. Six were seen - three pairs in different locations along the bank - all close to bramble patches on the steep banks. Great tits were now singing loudly, each seeming to have it's own individual call but all identified (20).

Conifers always seem to bear the brunt of the wind here and today their branches were catching the breeze as usual but the unmistakable profile of a goldcrest was moving rapidly from branch to branch, in the shade, the sun catching its colours now and again. They won't be nesting for a while yet but are  finding foraging easier now that many insects have emerged in the warmth over the river.
The Conifers are also very popular with woodpigeons which sometimes nest in them, usually amongst the lower stronger branches whilst Magpies choose higher branches, anchoring their structures to the trunk. No sign of these nesting here at present but 7 were seen. The woodpigeons (34) were seen foraging on the slopes of a drainage basin  and sitting in oaks, surveying, whilst only three collared doves were seen, one heard, calling from ivy.  Ten Jackdaws were seen nearby, most very vocal as it appears they are nesting in a copse not far away.   Two rooks were seen flying across, with 5 herring gulls high above, the black-headed gulls having left some time ago for they breeding grounds. Pairs of carrion crows were present on grassy locations and calling from tree tops (14).  About 30 starlings were gathered together, murmuring and whistling their songs in their day roosts.
A nuthatch called from a distant oak - and looking up through the branches a buzzard was seen flying over, gaining height, with another following closely.

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) on the banks and 

wet meadow with last years dried grass and nettle stalks providing cover.

Numerous bees, mainly Buff-tailed bumblebees - Bombus terrestris and Red-tailed bumblebees - Bombus lapidarius,   Hoverflies and some beeflies patrolled the riverbank vegetation, homing

 in on Willow catkins full of pollen. 

More Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (see photos on previous post) were ranging or basking along the riverbank verges and sunny parts of the wet meadow with a fast flying Holly Blue butterfly seen being chased by a bee...

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) covers the partly shaded banks

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) appears through a shady

grassed area under an oak tree.