The Sudden Sun

Friday 28th December 2018 started with a uniformly overcast sky. It was so dark that waiting for a while for the morning to brighten up seemed a good idea - but by 10.30am there had been no change in the light, so there was no option but to start the survey.

 Wildlife has no time to wait and this was certainly evident today.

More than halfway through and a rapid change took place - a glimpse of blue sky in the north west  - and the dense blanket of cloud began to move away. No,  it's not a hill on the horizon but the dark cloud, rolling back to allow the sun to appear in a clear sky.

28th December 2018 was a good day for observing, with no rain, no wind, the ground still damp  and a slight mist disappearing. Quite amazing on such a dark day, when one would expect to find not very much happening…the riverside was full of voices, birds calling and singing all along the banks. The gloom was no deterrent to birds . The river was lower but fast flowing  under the Hazel branches all decked with catkins.

Most birds favoured the treetops for foraging, obtaining the maximum amount of available light, ready to catch the sun if it appeared. There was no need to lurk and conserve energy today in the mild weather. At last the ponds held a reasonable amount of water and there was plenty of mud under the grass, blackbirds throwing leaves aside, foraging.

House sparrows, usually at their best in sunny  dry weather were today the most numerous species, about forty singing loudly in the dense hedges with lots more on the river banks, bramble patches, thickets and low branches (over 100 in total). As soon as the sun appeared, some dropped down the riverbanks into the shallows to bathe, then reappear on the brambles to dry off and preen.

Woodpigeons (about 30) were in small groups or pairs, tumbling around in the ivy clumps scrambling and sometimes falling when reaching out to pluck ripe Ivy berries, plentiful at present.

Blackbirds were about in good numbers (52) along most parts, foraging on the soft ground or amongst Ivy berries, flying low across from one thicket to another, some quite vocal, giving soft calls or loud alarm calls. Singing song thrushes were quite easy to see today, (9) choosing prominent perches but more were foraging largely unseen in the undergrowth. Three redwing were seen flying low across a bank, seeking out the last sloe berries and fieldfare (total 7) were seen here and there, flying across from old oaks to old Field Maples, foraging on the grass and a single one intent on plucking Guelder Rose berries on a small bush directly in front of me.  

Guelder Rose berries amongst the dry branches, attracting birds from a distance

A single very upright mistle thrush was seen on the grass, heavier in build than the song thrushes.

Close by but well hidden, a pair of mallard paddled round the meander in the river where the river flowed more slowly. The lower banks had been scoured by recent high water after rain, but the higher vegetation gave good cover to wildlife where needed. Further upstream a moorhen was just making a splashing take-off.

A small flock of 18 linnets suddenly flew into the treetops of a young copse, stood still for a minute, then took off together whilst another flock of 14 circled low and disappeared into an Alder tree (total 32). Further south, several chaffinches were seen in different places, foraging and even one was heard singing (5) - but no greenfinches. The successful goldfinches were seen in small groups seeking out seed heads of grasses, the important Dock and Teasel their favourite on the wild fields (30). Further numbers remained hidden in a thicket, singing softly where they were joined by 6 starlings.

Willows are always a favourite with birds throughout the year, when in full leaf and when bare. Today a pair of bullfinches were moving around amongst fine willow branches overhanging the river.

At this time of the year corvids are mostly foraging on agricultural land nearby but 5 carrion crows  and 2 jackdaws were seen, with two jays annoying a blackbird and 6 unmissable magpies were high in the old field maples. At times the sky was filled with gulls in flocks - most of these are usually herring gulls (40) - but today a scattered flock of about 50 black-headed gulls outnumbered them with just a single adult foraging on the field. A sparrowhawk whizzed past me through the trees, intent on ambushing a nearby bird, hidden from my view.

Still looking up into the rapidly changing sky, a grey heron was seen circling, working its way south-east over the river, then a second one was hunting low around one of the ponds towards the north, almost certainly hoping to catch one of the numerous amphibian inhabitants (total grey herons 2).

Blue tits were very numerous (75) all along, very active just about everywhere, foraging. Most were high up in the trees, working their way to and fro, seeking out insects from amongst the choicest lichen-covered twigs and branches:

Here's a small fallen branch with a variety of lichens and mosses

harbouring a variety of tiny insects searched for by small birds.

Great tits were numerous too, (41) but more were seen in undergrowth and low branches, not in a mixed flock with other tits this time although 8 long-tailed tits were mixing with the blue tits in the treetops with two coal tits. Further along amongst undergrowth, low hedges and brambles, silent dunnocks (7) foraged, well camouflaged, sharing the rich habitat with wrens and robins. Robins were however very visible, almost all singing loudly (29), with some wrens  choosing to sing whilst others were moving around mossy tree roots (18).

Seven goldcrests were present, two fast-moving in an old oak whilst two more were high in an Ash and three more were foraging together in a conifer, brilliantly lit by sudden sunlight. In the same area, also lit by sunlight, a very good view of a single chiffchaff foraging.

Towards the north a male great spotted woodpecker was visible for a few minutes carefully foraging for insects in a tree on the bank.

Throughout the survey there was hardly a minute when the calls of  nuthatches could not be heard. It has been a very good year for them with dry weather and plenty to eat. Now is the time when the young have to establish their own territories, their parents occupying their 'traditional' sites leaving the young to find new locations, not usually very far away. They have several different calls but all are quite loud, most intended to warn intruders off their territory. There appeared to be two pairs of adults at least and the remaining birds probably youngsters, a total of 12, in different regions along the riverside.

Blackcaps in the Spindle bushes - it must be Winter!

Monday 26th November 2018 was brighter than the previous day which had been very dull and cold with fine rain. The low sun appeared in a blue sky, highlighting the gold and coppery leaves of the Oaks, standing out against the other bare trees. The riverside was full of birdsong here in the Blackthorn thickets still full of sloes and oaks long bare of acorns. Standing in one spot and rotating, a good number of species could be heard and observed all at once. There was not much wind, just a breeze blowing leaves along the grass where sturdy migrant Blackbirds foraged. Blackbirds could be seen just about everywhere along the river, on the ground and in the thickets picking at sloes, some in the sun, preening or sunning, clumsily perched an twigs  (33). The first singing song thrush of the winter was heard the day before and one was singing again today. Two were seen. Redwing have so far been more numerous than song thrushes or fieldfare, with six seen foraging in the Blackthorn or surveying the landscape from hedge tops. Four fieldfare were foraging along the back of the hedges but there may well have been more, well hidden from view across the bank. 

Oak leaves on low branches in the setting sun on 26th November.

As usual in winter, the small local birds form groups ('roaming flocks'), finding safety in numbers. Today there were about 50 blue tits spread out in a disorganised flock, some chasing whilst others were seen on twigs prising the lichen off to access hidden insects. Great tits (38) joined up with them here and there. Long-tailed tits were very active, giving themselves away by contact-calling following each other amongst the willow tree tops (a total of 18 in three groups). Four coal tits flew into the tall hedge at intervals, probably caching seeds or nuts. On the periphery, goldcrests were fast-moving, collecting insects amongst the leaves still on the willows and oaks (5) nowhere near their summer breeding habitat of coniferous trees.

House sparrows have had a very good summer this year and large numbers are heard and seen on the river banks and hedgerows now. They never move very far off from their original colonies. Over 90 were around today in several colonies singing (calling, chatting) loudly. Goldfinches were numerous too (about 60) some singing softly, often in the company of house sparrows, filling dense thickets. Lately starlings (about 40 today) have moved in with them as well, to roost and whistle during the day when there is warmth from the sun. A bullfinch was hear calling from the back of another thicket on the river bank. A group of four linnets were seen flying across over the wild field. Many seeds remain to be foraged later. Bramble seeds on small seed heads are plentiful this autumn.

Robins were singing from perches all along the river (19), some very loud and close. During the week, noise from the development does not put them off. They usually stick to their chosen territories and are not distracted. The worst threats for the males are other males. Wrens too were singing (11) mostly from lower branches and roots. Dunnocks (8) seemed to be more numerous and vocal than usual, not so much singing but calling. A single treecreeper move fast up a sunlit tree trunk and disappeared, possibly disturbed by a jay flying upstream. A second jay was seen nearby - they are elusive during summer months - always present but much more easily seen in the bare trees.

Carrion Crows are always present but in small numbers. Today there were 12 mostly in ones and twos sitting in the old oaks and field maples. Magpies were more active (11) clumsily climbing around in similar trees, they prefer their own company however. Normally Jackdaws are seen flying across to and from the woods only in very small numbers but this autumn the numbers seen have increased dramatically and today 45 were seen most flying together calling, quite high, followed by smaller groups all at a similar altitude, all heading in the same westerly direction as if they were migrant birds from the east. None were landing or diverting from their route. More have been seen since.

Does their appearance mean they have been driven here by bad weather elsewhere? They don't seem to interact with other corvids here. Eight rooks were seen entering the wood but we don't have a rookery nearby. There were only two black-headed gulls on the playing field, nine herring gulls circling in the air further north, a collared dove pair in ivy and 24 woodpigeons in various places, most also amongst ivy, eating the ripe ivy berries.

A green woodpecker was heard calling from the north and another further south (2) and nuthatches (6) have been establishing their territories in several locations, calling out loudly to warn others away.

Two raptors were visible today - a kestrel flying across with the wind and a common buzzard circling.

 The stars for this survey were winter visitors:

A beautiful view of a female blackcap in a small thicket where most of the fruits and berries had already been plucked by larger birds. They had however left the bright pink/red fruits of the Spindle hanging on fragile twigs over the river. The blackcap was plucking these, as a robin would. Another blackcap was higher up at the top of the thicket, clearly seen, These are probably winer migrants.

Last but not least, the largest bird seen today - a little egret was seen flying low along the course of the river, upstream brilliant white in the sun, legs and yellow feet trailing. It, or a second one, was later seen flying downstream. Looking across the river soon afterwards, I saw the little egret paddling carefully in the river on a bend where the water was still shallow, watching the water intently….

More on these later!

Winter Migrants find a Temperate Climate

The middle of November was mostly damp and mild, with the rivers high and fast, carrying some mud from far fields upstream. It will be a while before ground water levels reach the usual height for this time of the year however. 

Conditions east and north of our shores have recently worsened, triggering flocks of birds to head west and south in search of food and shelter, given favourable winds. 

Locating rivers,  lakes and shores from the air is easy for birds and our winter migrants, redwing, field fare, continental blackbirds and song thrushes mainly, don't take long to get here. They drop down suddenly into thickets and proceed to explore the immediate area for food. mostly berries, the numbers of birds in the hedgerows and trees increasing hugely overnight. Splitting up into smaller groups they will select sheltered areas, feed then sit together, resting in the warmest sheltered thickets. Some will communicate by calling or singing, filling the riverbanks with sound where the day before all was quiet apart from one or two local robins and wrens. Goldfinches and starlings often fly to join in.

A Willow seen through the bridge railings, the design perfect for spiders

 to form webs to trap insects carried by the breeze above the river.

In turn, birds fly in to glean the trapped insects!

Nature will win in the end.

On Sunday 18th November 2018, after a cold start, the skies were clear with the sun quickly warming up surfaces. There had been a large increase in bird numbers, with many more blackbirds, more song thrushes, newly arrived redwing and fieldfare all exploring thickets for berries and fruits from top to bottom. Blue and great tits and a few coal tits were also busy foraging - but gleaning invertebrates from the undersides of leaves still left on trees such as willows.

Linnets in flight, bullfinches and goldfinches were also present, with noisy jays still finding plenty of acorns amongst the fallen oak leaves.

  

A Bird's Eye View of the Landscape

As no two days are alike here, following a routine is out of the question for wildlife anywhere in this country, especially in the south, in Autumn. Adapting to circumstances is the key to survival - birds are opportunists, as they don't hibernate, they either migrate in good time or stay to share their habitat with incoming birds, winter migrants. These leave rapidly freezing plains for more temperate lands - there's no better place than here in the south - and once discovered birds will return year after year….

 A view of the river in November with willows on the left and old oaks on the right.

Birds flying over the landscape follow the river, focussing on the glint of sunlight (or moonlight for night-flyers) on the water and the ribbon of trees and thickets along the banks.

Here a bridge was built over the river in 2011 but wildlife soon adapted to make use of the new feature. Kingfishers continued to fly low along the river, under the bridge, even when scaffolding was still in place during construction. Resident birds stayed put in the river buffer zone, the old Oaks and Field Maples, thickets of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Holly and Ivy sustaining and sheltering them.

It's our responsibility to protect the riverside habitat whatever changes are made nearby- and improve it for wildlife, extending the wildlife habitat in all directions.

The Best of Brambles

Brambles are beautiful all year round, for different reasons. This year most were early to fruit  in the sun and wildlife took advantage, selecting the best fruits and leaving the rest to dry out in the heat. Fortunately rain fell just in time to save the fruits and generate fresh leaves where the old leaves and stems were drying out. After birds and small mammals had had their fill, riverside insects took over, collecting sugars left in the dried fruits. Even now there are seeds left to be foraged by autumn birds.

There are many varieties of Bramble here and some have fine autumn colours:

On 12th November 2018 the colours were vivid along the bank:

Contrasting with the old oak in the background.

The young bare tree in the middle distance is a fruit tree which has thrived since planting due to the protection given to the young growing trunk and branches by the dense bramble shoots around it. Traditional forestry employed brambles as effective protection for newly planted trees, especially from browsing deer, and this has worked well here.

Brambles are good for numerous reasons and help maintain a diverse ecology.

New Bramble shoots appeared after the first rain, the new leaves turning

red after a few weeks.

On the day these photos were taken, 12th November, the riverside had come to life after heavy rain the preceding day, with numerous starlings singing together with goldfinches and house sparrows along the river thickets. Black-headed gulls flew over, fast in the wind. Blue and great tits were foraging along the Blackthorn thickets but there were no signs yet of winter migrants. The river was flowing quite high and fast and a kingfisher dashed across low over the water.

By evening a storm had moved in, bringing heavy hail then rainfall, thunder and lightening. 

Brilliant November

The month of November is not usually described as brilliant  but this year the autumn colours have continued to last well into the month, brightening the riverside even on the most dark and dank days with rapidly diminishing hours of daylight. This was the scene on 10th November:

The contrasting colours of Oaks in the foreground and Poplars in the background, along the river bank on 10th November 2018. The brilliant yellow leaves were fragile and did not last very

long once it became windy - but the coppery oak leaves were a lot tougher.

On the same day, not far upstream along the river, the picture was quite different:

The sun falls on the sheltered river through branches retaining some of their leaves - Willows and Blackthorn - but the colours seem spring-like here! Recent rainfall had refreshed the river, with leaves being carried fast downstream, some to form small islands with twigs which are beloved of Moorhens and smaller birds.

Fruitful October

October's survey showed some rapid changes in conditions, with wildlife adapting fast.

Wednesday 24th October 2018 started just after the early morning cloud cleared. The wind had eased off with most Ash trees having lost leaves, carpeting the ground with light yellow and green. The ground was dry but with no frost although it had become colder during the past few days. A slight breeze wafted the few leaves left on the riverside Willows.  There were plenty of berries untouched by birds and mammals, the riverbanks are still awaiting visiting winter migrants - perhaps they will be late this year as the ground cools down more slowly and with more food remaining in their summer habitats.

A bank Field Maple on 24th October 2018.

The river was flowing well but low - rainfall had still been scarce, but at least brambles and nettles, which had formerly been dying off early, had now been refreshed with new growth. Ivy was flowering and clumps of berries were visible in sunny places. Brambles were buzzing with a variety of insects, mostly wasp-types which will move on to forage on any other late flowering plants. A fine honeysuckle

'hedge' scrambling over an old fence was seen flowering  earlier this month, attracting late bees and at nightfall, bats, foraging for moths.

Late-flowering Honeysuckle on the wild field, attracting bees, moths - and bats! 

It's berries will later attract birds.

House sparrows were the most numerous birds along the riverside today (about 80) in several colonies amongst the Bramble patches and hedgerows. Of the finches, it's strange now to find that Bullfinches are more frequently seen and heard than Chaffinches and Greenfinches! Two bullfinches were calling at an upstream location on the river and another two were on the river-bank Willows some distance away (total 4) whilst no chaffinches of greenfinches were seen or heard. If they are seen or heard here they are never in groups as they used to be, in those days it was quite rare to see a bullfinch. Goldfinches are doing well and are always present in varying numbers - today about 15 were singing quietly in a tangled thicket full of sloes - and house sparrows.

Starling numbers are decreasing almost everywhere but at least we nearly always have a fair number here along the river. Today about 30 starlings were singing together in their day roost - on the sunny side of an old ivy-covered tree. 

Four dunnock were seen, one singing for a short while. With falling leaves they become more visible but quickly move under the cover of roots and undergrowth. Robins (25) were now singing in their territories, their song varying, some only 'chinking' whilst others were singing full songs, sometimes perched only a few meters from another singing robin. There were now a few more singing wrens (16) along the banks, active across the low river, feeding on insects, whilst blackbirds (14) - still only our 'resident' birds - were guarding sources of berries, giving alarm calls at the approach of others. Song thrushes were keeping hidden, low amongst the fallen leaves and under hedges, just two were seen - again no sign of visiting migrant thrushes yet, apart from two redwing moving along at the back of a thicket, probably scouts.

Blue tits (46) were foraging rapidly, high up in the old Maples and Oaks which still held most of their leaves, with no gales to hasten the leaf fall. Great tits (18) were choosing to forage amongst Hawthorn berries, the Hawthorns will probably be bare of berries well before the Blackthorn of Sloes as the berries (haws) are small enough for more species to eat. Two elusive coal tits were seen flying into the tall hedge - they never seem to be seen in large numbers here. There were two goldcrests, seen again fast-flitting in the old riverbank Oaks, nuthatch territory, quite far from where they were most often seen in the past - amongst tall conifers. Four nuthatches were present in four different locations, in Oaks or Ash trees as were a single Jay and 16 woodpigeons, watching from branches. 

Looking above the tree canopy, a common buzzard was gliding over the river course whilst four magpies and six carrion crows were flying from tree to tree, the latter not having spotted the buzzard.

Two jackdaws and Herring gulls in small numbers (12) were seen flying high and a tight group of linnets (8) were flying across the river towards some bare ground.

Finally a kestrel flew past, quite low, to investigate a verge which had just been mown.

The only butterflies seen were a few Speckled Woods and a Red Admiral. 

A Migrant Hawker flying over a sunlit sheltered part of the riverbank was the only dragonfly seen today.

Guelder Rose adds to the rich variety of autumn colours this year

24th October 2018

Red Admirals thrive in the Autumn

Red Admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta) are more likely to be seen here in October than in March, with numbers gradually dwindling towards December. Their success during the autumn is partly due to the flowering of Ivy when many of these butterflies can often be seen scrambling over a clump of Ivy, feeding on the nectar. During the warmer months they need Nettles on which to breed. This year has been a strange year as nettle leaves and stalks started to dry out in the parched hot summer weather but as soon as it started to rain again  rapidly gained new growth which has continued during October.

Red Admiral perching on fresh young nettle leaves growing up with fresh grasses 24th October 2018. Nettles are the food-source for the caterpillars of several butterflies, including the red Admiral, the Peacock and the Small Tortoiseshell. 

Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were very scarce this year but at present it's not certain why.

Late Summer Survey

Late Summer - or Early Autumn?   25th September 2018 was fine and clear after a cool night, no wind and dry although the last rain was only two days ago. Bank side trees still held plenty of fruits and the base of the bat flyway hedge revealed much activity. Hazels still carried most of their leaves but were getting bare on top, providing lookout perches for small birds. The river was fast-flowing after the recent rain, with crowds of 'Mayfly-type' midges hovering above the water in the still sunlit air.

Rosa canina rose-hips are prolific this year

Under an old oak - a cracking sound from overhead, then a thud as another acorn falls onto the dry ground, hitting leaves as it falls from a branch high in the canopy. Some of the old Field Maples have a more advanced leaf-fall, but each tree is different from the others of the same species, as the locations vary in this diverse landscape. This is true for the old oaks as well. A sudden breeze ruffles the leaves and the thudding of falling acorns increases - another bonanza autumn for small mammals and nut-eating birds. With more rain, the ground will soon be soft enough for them to start 'caching' supplies for the winter.

A month on from the previous record and robins have doubled in numbers, (26)  all of them singing loudly now, although there seemed to be fewer wrens (9) only one or two singing but those seen were clearly visible on low branches,  hedge bases or river banks. There are usually very few dunnocks visible but today 10 were seen in various locations, several singing but most were probably this year's juveniles, warming up, preening and chasing each other. They have done well with no summer floods to wash away nests this year. Given the right habitat they won't move far away.

Fast-moving blue tits  (about 40) were seen, mainly in mixed 'roaming flocks' together with other small birds following each other from tree-to-tree. Great tits (28) join in but there are always small groups which seem to inhabit the same choice location all year, mostly in sheltered places amongst large roots and branches. Coal tits too (2) mostly keep to their own groups.

Most migrant warblers have left the country for the winter but 2 blackcaps were seen and 3 chiffchaffs, all singing very short songs or making contact calls from the blackthorn thickets.

There were no signs of any migrant thrushes at this stage - far too early perhaps  - but bad weather in the north east will soon drive them over to us, when the wind direction is right. At present 12 blackbirds (thankfully now moulted into adult or new plumage) were seen, foraging on the ground or amongst the Blackthorn, together with 2 of our resident song thrushes. In the same thickets, two bullfinches were seen, probably a pair, the male calling very softly The only other finches seen today were house sparrows (about 50) in the best (warmest) locations in the sun on blackthorn thickets, on the river bank after bathing and amongst the warm brambles, some of which were still bearing Blackberries.

Hawthorn Berries awaiting the arrival of hungry migrant thrushes.

At this time of the year, with such rapid changes in weather, day length and food availability, birds cannot be expected to appear in the usual places. A good example today was the appearance of 2 goldcrests working their way along the bank in the company of blue tits and great tits amongst a rich variety of deciduous trees - a long way away from their usual conifers, whilst calls revealed 2 siskins then a group of 9 long-tailed tits following each other along the river willows which were rapidly losing their leaves.

At several different locations, a total of 6 nuthatches were calling and foraging in the old Oaks and Ash trees on the river banks, the time for establishing territories had started early, the young ones needing to find suitable nesting places by the time winter arrives. A great-spotted woodpecker was calling, flying into an old Ash.  Jays were as noisy as usual, (2) objecting to the presence of magpies (9) in the oaks whilst wood pigeons stared down on them, unmoved. More wood pigeons were seen foraging or flying across. (18 total) Four carrion crows were also present in the oaks, selecting topmost perches to call from and 3 collared doves, one calling softly. were in an Ash tree.

Looking down at the river, a moorhen was slowly paddling in a quiet meander when a kingfisher flashed past low over the water. Along the Arun, upstream where the water was flowing clear and fast, 2 grey wagtails were seen and heard, then two restless juveniles perching together on a thin branch across the river, flying out across the water onto the muddy flat bank then flying back to their branch again (total 4). They repeated this many times, snatching at low-flying insects. 

Starlings were resting today in their day roost, quietly whistling and singing in the sun. (about 20)

and 4 herring gulls were seen flyng across.

Masters of the sky today were the Common Buzzards, 6 in total. At first one was seen flying leisurely overhead, then 4 more were seen circling each other, calling and drifting with the wind, in a group. The last one appeared on the horizon, with a group of house martins foraging for flies lower down.

The house martins appeared as a group (at least 20 at any one time) then moved off and other groups moved in over the river course feeding on the aerial insects,  low over the oaks, hazels, willows, maples and thickets, then up higher then swooping down again. They were present here for the rest of the day,

probably making their way slowly south.

Butterflies still present were Speckled Woods and Large Whites with strong-flying dragonflies  -Brown Hawkers, a Migrant Hawker and inquisitive Southern Hawkers.

The conditions were so good that a bat survey was also done the same evening, during which an impressive Noctule bat (amongst many others) was detected and seen before the light went.
(see previous post below).

Bats and Birds

More on bats - but first the birds:

 Several days later and more fine weather, another look at bats.  Tuesday 25th September was another fine day. House Martins were circling in groups over the river, with varying but large numbers seen all morning, then more again towards evening when the air cooled.

The reason they were visiting the river was clear - abundant food was available in insect form, concentrated over the water.

The House Martins will be migrating soon and large numbers were already being seen on the south coast. Those seen today would soon be joining the migration as the hours of daylight diminish fast.

Dappled sun and shade on the warm river water and bank-side mud  brought out the insects

which could be seen low over the surface and high in the air over the river course.

House Martins quickly picked up the clouds of insects  over the tree canopies and were flying high and low following them. They won't go hungry on autumn migration this year, at least for the first few days.

What is good for house martins is also good for bats. Day-flying insects gave way to night-flying insects in large numbers. Covering the adjacent stretch of the river,  at dusk the sky was still bright in the west, as before, and bright enough to see bats flying rapidly, erratically across from one large oak to another, diving low over my head then up into the canopies, they can change direction much faster than birds - they are flying with their fingers - an exhausting process which means a continuous supply of food is needed. Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle bats were in the majority but Natterer's bats could be heard too. The bat detector was detecting numerous comings and goings in the dark of the trees. Echolocation was used as well as eyesight at first. It was clear that most bats were emerging from local tree cavity roosts and starting to forage immediately. Moving out from the tree margin however onto the short sterile grass of the recreation field at first no bats could be detected under the clear sky - but taking just a few steps closer to the overhanging trees bats were soon picked up. One or two were even audible flying across the corner, taking a short cut.

A large bat was seen to fly downwards over tree canopies from the evening sky, then very loud sounds on the bat detector  revealed that it was a Noctule, the largest bat encountered in this area.

After a slow start, bats seem to be doing well this year. They should survive in good numbers provided that their traditional roosts (both summer and winter) are protected - by conserving old trees in their natural state with holes and cracked branches and bark and natural understorey  vegetation with the local riverine ecology preserved. 

Bats need water as their unique physiology demands high levels of moisture intake from their insect food as well as the availability water in rivers, ponds or lakes.

Best for Bats

Tuesday 11th September was a fine day, with large clouds of small insects gathering over the river and river banks here and there, and larger insects crowding over bank-side vegetation where there were ripe fruits, with no wind to sweep them away. The evening sky was clear and bright and still light at 20.00 when the bat survey commenced after an impatient wait after the sunset at 19.19. Bats could still be seen by eye, silhouetted against the clear sky, for about 15 minutes but at 20.15 the sky was dark - plunging the riverside into darkness, time to use the bat detector.

Bright moonlight such as this, taken on 22nd July, can put bats off travelling and foraging - but on this night - 11th September, there was only a sliver of light, low over the horizon.

Starting at the base of the bat flyway hedge on the river bank, there were good numbers of Common Pipistrelle bats with some very obvious 'calls' (echolocation signals) from Soprano Pipistrelle bats interrupting them as their foraging flights crossed. Heading for a location where the river widens, some echolocation calls from Daubenton's bats were heard. Characteristically, initially the largest numbers of bats were in the vicinity of the very old riverbank oaks, with the earliest activity noted whilst it was still dusk, from bats emerging from their roosts in cracks  and holes in the old branches. These roosts may well have been used for hundreds of years where an oak could have been damaged by a storm and survived, as oaks do.

The timing has to be just right for recording the presence of bats using a bat detector, as most bats emerge from their roosts at dusk when they use their eyes to  forage, and we use ours to look up and see them darting amongst the tree branches. Later as it grows dark, they 'switch on' their echolocation ability which guides them, taking over from eyesight. Therefore we should not expect to 'hear' bats using a bat detector until it is dark. Bats make audible calls too, when communicating with other bats. 

Habitats that attract foraging  insects are best for bats - streams and rivers sheltered by vegetation with flowering and fruiting plants and sheltered woodland or wild fields and field margins. Bats, like birds and insects, are important pollinators too.

It's Green Again

On Friday 24th August 2018 there was not much to remind us of the long hot dry days of previous weeks, with worrying signs of a drought gone. The day started fine and cool with slight cloud moving in, damp after showers and a light breeze from the west.  Fruit trees, Hazel, Guelder Rose, Hornbeam and Hawthorn all looking fresh, with Bramble, Elder and Blackthorn laden. On the ground, green acorns crunched underfoot with windfall apples here and there amongst them. Nettles, important for butterflies, were sprouting new green leaves, Speckled Woods perching upon them, warming in the sun.

Ripening fruits on Blackthorn, thanks to the rain.

Food for our winter migrant birds and plenty of new shoots for the Brown Hairstreak butterfly to choose from to deposit single eggs - next year's butterflies.

The most active birds on the riverside were woodpigeons and warblers;  woodpigeons can nest almost the year round but choose July, August and September as the optimum time to rear young, when food in the form of seeds, leaf material and berries is plentiful as, unlike most other birds, the young are not fed on insects, but are fed a 'plant porridge' regurgitated from the crop by the parents. Today 42 wood pigeons were seen and quite a few heard cooing and flapping wings. Four collared doves were seen in ivy-covered areas. They have a long nesting season starting around May but are far less conspicuous than the bold woodpigeons. At one stage a few years ago they were increasing in numbers, having only reached the UK in the 1950s but now seem to be declining again, perhaps due to the decline in their main habitat, farmland and farmyards. Carrion crows (5) were seen mainly feeding on the ground, extracting worms after the rain had softened the surface. Given the chance, they will take unguarded wood pigeon and collared dove eggs and chicks, as will magpies, although all those seen today (5) were clumsy and noisy youngsters. A single jay was trying to be heard, calling and jumping from branch to branch.

After what seemed like many weeks, blue tits were back again in force (over 60) all along the river, most of them juveniles following adults foraging from tree to tree or bathing low down on the river bank and drying off amongst the brambles. Great tits (26) were seen, some juveniles chasing amongst the willows. Robins (12) were starting to mark their territory with song now that moulting is complete and they can confidently show off their bright winter plumage. Elderberry bushes were very popular, each one guarded by a 'chinking' robin. Wrens (20) too were taking up their territories, actively chasing competitors out of sight, most singing again now. They do not usually monopolise a choice berry bush but guard a specific section of river bank, with a good variety of old roots, ivy and dense vegetation.

Only four blackbirds and a single song thrush were seen, obviously most were still moulting and in no state to be seen with missing flight feathers, but skulking in the damp undergrowth, fortunately now finding plenty to eat after the rain, including windfall apples. Three dunnocks were more daring, foraging out on a path in shade. Several colonies of house sparrows (more than 60 birds) were singing from their hedgerows whilst others visited the river bank where numerous juveniles took cover, some lined up on a hidden branch begging to be fed by the parents, safe from predators such as sparrowhawks.

Purple Loosestrife, damp meadow grasses and Reed mace at

a pond, now becoming damp again.

Moorhens (2) have done well this summer, the rivers here being ideal habitat with plenty to eat and sheltered places to nest. They eat blackberries and elderberries as well as aquatic plants. Several young have been seen nearing adult size, surviving predators. Mallard were all hiding today but have also successfully reared young to adulthood.

Our visiting migrant warblers were not showing signs of leaving quite yet, the warm weather being a reason to stay put a while longer. A male blackcap was seen amongst brambles bearing ripe fruits on the river and a chiffchaff was calling from a tall poplar. Common whitethroats have had a successful summer rearing young in their traditional nesting habitat where they return each year, one was seen today, - but the main event was a fine sighting of two lesser whitethroats foraging on elderberries for some time, close and clearly seen across the river before they retreated into the back of the thicket.  

Goldfinches (15) were now assembling in groups in the old trees from where they will fly down together to forage on grass seeds and especially on their favourite, Dock seeds, their staple food for the winter, whilst for the bullfinches (2), Elderbrries are the main attraction, when they are finished, there will be plenty of other berries and fruits.

Another successful  woodland bird has been the nuthatch, with six seen and definitely heard today, several of them juveniles. As I was listening to them, a great-spotted woodpecker flew over. These have been seen and heard more frequently this summer too. 

High above,  five herring gulls flew across and a common buzzard was gliding in the sun, circling over the river.

Hot and dry weather favours butterflies and after the rain, dragonflies appeared in good numbers.

Speckled Wood butterflies have been, and still are, the most numerous but Purple Hairstreaks appeared amongst the oak branches, whilst brilliant-coloured fresh Comma butterflies were seen here and there on the brambles in the sun, with Small and large White butterflies ranging the banks. 

Dragonflies seen today were Southern Hawkers and Migrant Hawkers ranging across the river banks, with large numbers of flying insect prey to choose from.

Southern Hawkers abound in August

This August, with its extreme contrasts in weather conditions, has been a good month for Southern Hawkers, dragonflies with character. They are seen each summer here, but not in large numbers - this year there have been more than usual, patrolling the same locations as usual, with some venturing further from the rivers as they are strong flyers, even in overcast weather.

Southern Hawker dragonfly male  (Aeshna cyanea) on elderberries.

This dragonfly has veered off the usual territory along the river to investigate the young hedgerow along a footpath which consists of many different hedgerow species - Elder, Dog rose,  Guelder rose, Hawthorn, Willow, bramble and more on a very hot day. The Elderberries hang in large bunches, but most are not yet ripe.

This doesn't trouble the Southern Hawker, which is a carnivore, despite giving the appearance of making a meal of the berries - it is just hanging on, in a typical resting pose, clinging to the fruits.

The hot weather has been beneficial to all kinds of insect life and dragonflies have found abundant prey to feed on.

These Hawkers perch with wings outstretched but are called hawkers as they spend most of the time flying, patrolling, prospecting for breeding sites along the river, and challenging rival males when encountered. Their choice of a river breeding site is important as the larvae spend over two years developing in the water, feeding on tadpoles or small fish. They will not survive in polluted waters. Once emerged in their adult form, the type of terrestrial riverside habitat they find is also a key to their survival. The mowing of riverside grass will be very detrimental to their survival as adults. This is true for many dragonflies. 

Hot and dry - a summary of July

Here is a summary of life seen here on the riverside during July 2018, as the survey on the previous post was made the day after the first rain fell, at the end of a very hot and dry month.

This is in the order of appearance.

Birds:

Where both adult and juvenile birds are seen, the text is in bold.

wren,    blue tit,    common whitethroat,   robin,   house sparrow,   blackcap,   garden warbler,   blackbird,   chiffchaff,   carrion crow,   magpie,   great-spotted woodpecker,   song thrush,    nuthatch,    great tit,   woodpigeon,   grey wagtail,   mallard,   buzzard,   jay,   goldfinch,   chaffinch,   greenfinch,   herring gull,   collared dove,   kingfisher,   pied wagtail,   red kite,   kestrel,   green woodpecker,   swift,   house martin,   swallow,   sparrowhawk,   moorhen,   grey heron,   willow warbler  

Dragonflies:

Banded Demoiselle damselfly+,     Southern Hawker,    Brown Hawker,    Migrant Hawker

Butterflies:

Meadow Brown+,   Large White,    Small White,    Green-veined White,   Speckled Wood+,   Small Skipper,   Large Skipper,   Ringlet,   Gatekeeper++,   Red Admiral,   Comma,   Peacock,   Purple Hairstreak      

Dragonflies and Butterflies which were seen in large numbers are marked +

Bees,  hoverflies, grass moths and grasshoppers were numerous too.

A young Oak is protected by mesh in a 'nursery' of taller plants

which shade the ground from the fierce sun.

Rain at Last!

As forecast, it rained all day on Sunday 29th July 2018, the first rainfall to last more than a few minutes here since 17th June. About 22mm fell over 24 hours - fortunately in a steady way without the destructive cloudbursts experienced in other regions which caused flash flooding. The following day, Monday 30th July, remained overcast with drizzle at first - but it was an opportunity to do a survey.

So gentle was the rainfall that spider's webs across the brambles were strong enough to support the raindrops.

On 30th July it was cloudy with intermittent showers. Small clumps of leafy twigs shed by trees in the wind covered the parched grass. Small green shoots were already appearing however. Rosebay Willowherb, dried Dock, young Hazel and Hawthorn were all doing well promising sustenance for wildlife. The river was quite fast flowing  but still low and damp banks were well vegetated. The canopy of the large Oaks is so dense that rain had not dampened most of the lower trunks and large branches. Birds could easily sit in a tree day and night without getting wet, feeding on insects dwelling in the oaks on leaves and bark and the understorey beneath.
In this strange world, partly scorched and partly refreshed by rain, wildlife was slow to move. The ground was still hard everywhere in the open where normally birds would be out foraging and most were scuffling in undergrowth in the damp shade along the river, or down low on the river banks.
Eight blackbirds were seen, some certainly still nesting, occasionally giving alarm calls and feeding their young rich pickings from the shallow river banks.  Two song thrushes were present, one singing quite loudly and one juvenile at the base of a hedge. Woodpigeons were certainly nesting or chasing and cooing amongst the branches (24). Seven carrion crows were present, almost the only birds which were foraging on the hard ground,  later joined by three magpies with two more seen flying over, with four herring gulls sailing over at height. Later a flock of about 20 starlings flew over towards their day-roost which is sheltered from the rain.
No bird here enjoys the heat and dry weather as much as the house sparrow, but now that the rain had arrived, they were keeping low in the dense vegetation, with about 20 seen in a hedge. Four dunnock were seen in a sheltered clearing on the bank, flying out to collect insects at the edge of the brambles. Normally wrens are numerous and can be heard and seen all along the river but only six were seen, as most were keeping silent and out of sight on this day. They haven't moved away, as were singing again later when the weather had improved. Robins too were rather scarce with only 9 seen and heard - some are still in moulting phase.  Blue tits (29) and great tits (10) were active in the thickets, foraging amongst the damp leaves in Oaks, Hazels, Willows and fruit trees attracting a large variety of insects.

Summer fruits to sustain riverside wildlife well into the autumn and winter.

Summer migrants were still present with common whitethroat juveniles heard calling not far from their nest area (2) - they will soon be on their way south. Two chiffchaffs were persistently contact-calling, they may be staying over winter, or flying south for the winter. As the sky brightened, three blackcaps were seen in different places, a male called and flew into a young willow in the field, a female was seen amongst brambles  whilst another, further along, flew across the river to forage on blackberries.

A nuthatch never misses anything invading it's territory and as usual suddenly called loudly from an oak branch immediately above me, whilst in the distance another nuthatch called. (2)

Given the overcast weather, butterflies were not expected to be seen but here's a list of those present…

some attracted to Fleabane:

 Fleabane was doing well in the field despite continuous rain the previous day

Butterflies present:

Purple Hairstreak, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White.

Dragonflies:

Southern Hawker, Banded Demoiselle damselfly.

Innumerable Grass moths.

A full list of wildlife seen here during July 2018 follows in the next post (August 17th) as this day was definitely not representative of the 'heatwave' July.

Hoping for Rain in July

As July progressed, with each day seemingly hotter and drier, the fine grasses wilted and dried out where there was no shade, whilst other plants came into bud then flower, with berries developing all within a few days. The berries however remained small, needing water. Butterflies continued to appear in large numbers, with Gatekeepers seen even on the hottest days. Speckled Wood butterflies were also numerous, most choosing the dense shade thrown by the old Oaks and Maples on the river bank:

 A Speckled Wood butterfly hanging onto a nettle leaf - with wings closed to

prevent over-heating in the strong sun,

they usually prefer chasing in spirals high up into the shady tree canopy to basking in the sun at any time and even remained very active on the hottest days.

The rivers continued to flow well but water levels dwindled, although the steep shady river banks were damp, attracting birds seeking out invertebrates lodged in them.

Riverbank vegetation mirrored in the clear water with Salix growing across.

22nd July 2018

Willows with roots at the water's edge have grown well this year and are 

frequented by warblers, especially Phylloscopus (chiffchaff, willow warbler).

They forage for insects amongst the leaves but also thrive on insects over the water,

'flycatching'

Another butterfly,  the Comma (polygon c-album) , mingles with Speckled Woods and Gatekeepers over bank vegetation and its caterpillars feed on the edges of nettle leaves. Only usually seen in small numbers, there were always one or two present n the same locations as the other two species but often seen basking with wings outstretched. When perching with closed wings however it can be almost invisible.

 This Comma butterfly is perching with outstretched wings in order to catch the faint sunshine on a rare cloudy day. 

Unfortunately, promising thunderclouds yielded no rain here, but did cause the river level to rise slightly as rain fell in the catchment area upstream. 

13th July 2018

    

A Memorable Week in July - Gatekeepers!

The first week in July 2018 has been especially memorable here,  with large numbers of butterflies patrolling the grasses, brambles and nettles along the warm river banks, in the sun and dappled shade. During the first four or five days of July, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Speckled Woods, Large and Small Skippers, Green-veined Whites, Large and Small Whites, Commas and Red Admiral were seen foraging and chasing amongst the rapidly drying grasses, flowering Brambles and Dog-roses.

On the 6th July however there were suddenly many more, hundreds of Gatekeepers had emerged and were restlessly flying from plant to plant, very few pausing to bask on leaves or flowers - perhaps it was too hot. They are late to emerge this year, after the cold winter.

A small bright male Gatekeeper perches for a second on a Bramble leaf before flying off to chase another amongst the mass of leaves and flowers, in sunlight and cool shade, then across onto the embankment grasses where hundreds more were active.

Another Gatekeeper amongst the grasses, now outnumbering the Meadow Brown butterflies.

They are quite easy to distinguish from any other butterfly. The other most common species present was the Meadow Brown - but this is larger and not as bright, with a dull orange patch around the single white pupil in a black eyespot and the wings dull brown and grey-brown. The Gatekeeper's eye spot has two white pupils in a black ring.   

Skippers have bright light orange and brown wings but lack eye spots and usually bask with wings half-closed.

Birds were still very active here all week too, with common whitethroats,singing wrens, blackbirds, song thrush, chiffchaff, blackcaps, garden warbler, dunnock , house sparrows, calling great-spotted woodpecker, nuthatches, great tits, blue tits, all with 'yellow' juveniles in tow and a grey wagtail flying over the water. A grey heron dropped a common frog whilst being chased by a herring gull.

Banded Demoiselle damselflies, both male and female were seen perching in the early sun on the river bank vegetation, waiting to pounce on small insects above the water and Southern Hawker dragonflies were seen ranging along the banks.

A Butterfly June

Friday 22nd June 2018 began, as usual, in bright sunshine, with a cool northerly breeze, becoming hot later.  The ground remained green and damp in shady places, with Bramble still very much in flower along the banks, attracting numerous bees and other insects whilst the long grasses were thronged with butterflies - mostly Meadow Browns in the hot sunny areas and good numbers of Ringlets in dappled shade. Speckled Woods also frequent dappled shade but usually range along woodland and tall thickets. Several Green-veined Whites were present too with unusually high number of Large Skippers in their favoured habitat, long dry grasses. If perched, they look just like orange-brown dead leaves which suddenly spring to life. 

Banded and Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies are still present along the river, chasing under the steep banks and perching on nettle and Bramble leaves, in wait for insect prey. Along the banks several bright Comma butterflies were ranging, fast flying and inquisitive. Loose clusters of Stitchwort were growing well  amongst the tall grasses and flowering Common Mouse-ear was seen on the shadier banks:

Common Mouse-ear on green banks

With such a slight breeze it was very quiet indeed on the riverside - apart from birdsong. All kinds of 'rustling' occurring in the trees and tickets was significant today as there was no wind.

A large clump of Rosa canina was flowering abundantly, facing the sun on the river bank, covered in bees and flies:

Dog Rose - Rosa canina in the sun, overpowering the Brambles

This was Sparrow Weather - house sparrows (65) could be heard in colonies all along the river course - they love the hot weather but also seek out water where they can drink and bathe. The river provides plenty of safe places here. No silent summer yet - singing blackbirds (25) could be heard, near and far,  their voices echoing, whilst others were 'sunning' on verges, wings and tails spread out in

the sun. Fledged juveniles were foraging nearby and other adults were nesting with second broods.

Song thrushes continue to sing loudly (5) and were seen under green damp hedges and undergrowth, foraging.

Also very audible were wrens (26) most singing again whilst others watched over newly fledged young. There was a fine view of four fledged juveniles keeping close together, learning to forage on branches over the river, lining up together on a small twig just above an adult  grey heron foraging on 

the river, which flew off, it's fishing disturbed by the juvenile wrens. Much further away downstream a juvenile grey heron was fishing under the steep banks (total 2).

There were now many blue tit  (58) juveniles forming groups in the thickets, easily visible with their yellow plumage mixing in some places with juvenile house sparrows. Great tits (18) seemed to be keeping in family groups,  'yellow' juveniles and adults foraging together. Noticeably absent at first were robins whose song is often the first to be heard - but not today. Only 9 were seen, with 5 singing.

Their 'absence' doesn't mean they have flown away but are probably in hiding, perhaps raising more broods whilst some may already be moulting.Three dunnocks were seen and heard in the undergrowth. Like the robins, few goldfinches were seen and heard (6) and only one greenfinch.

21 wood pigeons were seen, some calling and 5 magpies just sitting in trees, chatting. A small total of 4 carrion crows, sat inactive in the heat of the day - and a single herring gull was sailing high.

With the longest day only yesterday and continuing fine weather most birds do not have to frantically seek food all their waking hours and can rest, hidden from view for a while.

Nuthatches (11) however have now become noisy again, with fledged young calling loudly, still keeping to their nesting territories.  A distant green woodpecker nest still held young, making the loudest calls! whilst one adult was seen flying across. It's been a very good summer so far for ants - food of the green woodpecker having a wide choice of ants nests to forage from. A great spotted woodpecker flew across to its tree but no young have been seen yet.

Lastly, our summer migrants are still active here, with four whitethroats still nesting, chiffchaffs still very vocal (6), a single singing garden warbler and ten blackcaps, most of these singing too.

Finally a mallard family enjoying the calm slow waters of the river, perfect for rearing young - the adults only were seen today but later were seen with at least 8 duckings in tow.

Just above, a common buzzard was seen being chased by a carrion crow.