The first 'true' dragonfly appeared here on 23rd May 2018, and was one of the early dragonflies, a Hairy dragonfly (Brachytron pratense). Conditions must have been just right for it to have emerged within the last few days and it was now flying strongly, patrolling its site over the bank vegetation in bright sunlight. Subsequent sightings of the dragonfly were good but always in flight rather than perching.
Here's the survey for May 23rd:
Wednesday 23rd May 2018 was misty to start with but then clear with continuous sunshine. There was a dry breeze and no dew on the grass. It was good to see small fruits most about 1cm across, forming on the all the young fruit trees. the blossom had been spectacular with good pollination.
Young fruits forming - frost had not affected the blossom this spring
The breeze was rustling through the trees, all now suddenly in full leaf, and birdsong was carried along the river course; house sparrows (over 100) were gathering in groups along the banks, their numbers magnified by newly fledged youngsters closely following the adults into a new strange world, with running water and muddy banks on which to bathe and preen. Adults were still collecting insects to feed their young.
Resident birds have done well this spring - although nesting was delayed, numbers are good but many migrant species have been very late in arriving, held up on their journeys by bad weather and freezing north winds. Numbers of swifts, swallows and house martins are all fewer than usual and those that survived are late in arriving. Today it was very good to see at least 8 swifts above, over the river. Migrant warblers are affected too, arriving late, but fortunately finding good habitat conditions here, locally, the growth of riverbank vegetation and insect life having been delayed as well.
Blackbirds (34) were singing strongly here, with no lack of food for their young in the long damp grass. Wrens don't move far and hold very local territories, so they are a good indication of healthy habitat from year to year. Today there were 26, most of them singing and flying low short flights across from bank to bank. There are more sitting unseen and unheard on nests. Robins were also heard singing (15) but many more are on nests, perhaps incubating a second brood already. Loud and seemingly endless song carrying far down the river came from a song thrush, with more birds (5) singing in different locations close to the river or seen foraging low down under hedges and around tree roots.
Most birds feeding young at this time of the year are searching for insects - and moths are no exception.
Here is one seen during the day feeding on a dandelion flower:
This is a Burnet Companion moth (Euclidia glyphica) nectaring on an essential food plant -
dandelion - one of the best plants for insects and therefore for birds - destroy the dandelions and other common wild flowers and you destroy the insects that feed on them - meanwhile depriving young birds of food.
Blue tits (22), great tits (16) and long-tailed-tits (1) seen today were collecting small insects too - mostly caterpillars and aphids found on the undersides of leaves on trees and nettles, and small spiders.
These resident birds were late to start nesting too and the relatively small numbers seen means that they are still raising young in the nest and don't fly far to forage for food.
Looking up at the conifers - with branches moving in breeze it seemed unlikely that any small movements would be detected - but 3 goldcrests were seen, one flying in and two more on the top branches. Woodpigeons were seen in small numbers too (10) and magpies (5). Carrion crows (6) were probably surveying for easy prey, whilst about 30 herring gulls wheeled high over the field and drainage basin. A raucous cry gave away a grey heron well hidden on the bank - they are usually quite silent but this one may have been accompanied by a juvenile both from the heronry to the north. On the river itself two mallard ducks, male and female were swimming downstream followed closely by two more males.(4 total). Angry calls from over the river made me look up over the riverside trees - a low-flying sparrowhawk was being harassed by two crows . It soon threw them off. and disappeared. Starlings (4) had formed groups including juveniles and had flown elsewhere. They usually return to their 'day roost' amongst ivy in the afternoon. Two jays were seen, one being chased by two magpies in a tree and a single nuthatch was flying through branches towards it's nest - they are also late in nesting this year. Dunnocks (5) are always present but seen in small numbers as they seek out dark and secret places well inside hedges or amongst roots where they remain well camouflaged, only emerging to forage for insects on a track or to sing from an elevated perch on a branch in spring. Chaffinches have been singing but only two were heard today - and no greenfinches. Goldfinches on the other hand, were quite numerous again (34), singing in several groups along the river amongst dense thickets. Their survival here during the winter is dependent on seeds, especially Dock seeds. Teasel seeds are also a favourite.
Bullfinches were also nesting and remained under cover but one was heard calling and a second was seen flying into a thicket. High above, a common buzzard was circling, catching the thermals from the sunlit land.
Migrant warblers were present in good numbers along the river, with a total of 12 chiffchaffs, all singing, collecting insects, fast moving, partially hidden amongst fresh green leaves - and 13 blackcaps, most were also singing a far more complex and melodious song. Another song-specialist, the garden warbler was heard singing too. Common whitethroats (9) are doing very well, here, some were still singing but nesting is taking priority. Nine were seen, now keeping mainly to low dense undergrowth such as nettles or brambles - or low in dense thickets in various places along the banks. They usually have two broods. A single willow warbler was heard together with a chiffchaff in a willow.
A Speckled Wood butterfly with wings closed, perches on
a new Bramble leaf.
Insects:
Hoverflies, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, day-flying moths, numerous bees including Red-tailed and Buff-tailed bumblebees were seen.
As the day warmed up, insects thronged the river, most just above the water but many more over the banks. Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies were present in good numbers, both males and females, taking advantage of easy prey in the form of small insects and midges, perching on broad leaves (Dock is a favourite) pouncing on flying prey or dashing out over the water in pursuit. Banded Demoiselle damselflies were more numerous, with the brilliant blue males most easily seen, often chasing just over the surface of the water in sunny sheltered parts of the river with more exploring the banks and grasses beyond. A Large Red Damselfly was seen too - perched on nettles - but the star of the day was of course the Hairy Dragonfly.
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