Survey for 26th November 2020 - winter is here

The 26th November was another dark and cloudy day but slowly brightening. We can now see how important hedges are for wildlife. A thin, closely-cropped  decorative hedge with tidied and raked roots is not much use, providing no cover or sustenance for wildlife. A genuine old hedgerow would have been planted for a good reason, always strong and dense enough to prevent a rampaging bull or herd of stock from breaking through and escaping onto a neighbouring farm or disappearing down the lane. Wildlife would take full advantage of these old species-rich hedgerows which would always contain berry and fruit-bearing species and remain year on year. If you can see through a hedge in winter - it's not good enough.

Spindle fruits - an unusual clashing mix of colours - bright pink with bright orange seeds. This occurs in ancient woodlands and old species-rich hedgerows growing at random mixed in with other hedgerow plants.  It's unnoticed until the autumn when the fruits ripen. As with some other fruits birds can cope with the inedible seeds. It's one of the most favoured by robins which claim and guard  'their' bush.

Blackthorn is a good hedgerow example, with an unruly and generous habit sending out shoots in all directions from roots to the very top, swathed in blossom in early spring and bearing sloes in autumn in time to provide sustenance to flocks of winter migrants together with our resident thrushes. 

On 26th, after high water levels on 15th, the river was flowing well but had done no damage. A Blackthorn tree branch had spread itself across the river, an old branch covered with lichen and sloes, presenting no difficulty for most birds trying to reach the fruits. Overhead a typical winter sight, a small flock of pied wagtails flew over heading south whilst house sparrows (about 60) were active in small groups flying across and calling from hedges. Many were just visible under dense bramble picking at seed heads of uneaten blackberries and thistles. Good numbers of robins (26) were now singing loudly, several answering each other along the banks and Hazels. Four Dunnock were seen, two of them on a path and the others into a hedge. It was good to see increasing numbers of wrens now (15) , most visible flying low from undergrowth and banks and a few now singing.

Other small birds, blue ts  (27) and great ts (15) were calling and moving quickly from tree to tree and a single coal t was seen in a hedge. Of the finches, only a single chaffinch was present and again no greenfinches. About 20 goldfinches were active, five flying across in a group and about 15 singing from a thicket together. A bullfinch was heard calling for a second, on the opposite bank and a winter blackcap was present in a thicket nearby. Three goldcrests were seen moving fast amongst the needles of pines further south.

Loud calls came from a great-spotted woodpecker which gave good views perched on a branch directly above whilst eating an unknown item. There were very good views too of a treecreeper creeping up branches of a bare tree. It soon moved aside onto an oak, a far more interesting tree. As usual, nuthatches were present (4), one calling from a maple and the others in various oaks along the river. They seemed to know each other and were probably related.

  Blackbirds,( 41), their numbers augmented by visiting birds from Eastern and Northern Europe, were perched on the Blackthorn or foraging in the dense undergrowth, the migrants probably recognised by their heavier build. Two fieldfare, definitely migrants, were also seen amongst them. Later they were joined by a few redwing (9) also definitely winter migrants, reaching out to grasp and eat sloes as they made their way along the hedges. Song thrushes (5) were more elusive, foraging low, darting into undergrowth and brambles - one gave a very short song from a branch.

Looking up, several carrion crows (13) were scattered in various trees, three in an old oak calling loudly, whilst others selected similarly high lookout perches. The loudest were the jays (5) again appearing very aggressive and unusually visible.   14 herring gulls and only two starlings were seen flying across the river together and  6 magpies flew into trees, strangely silent. A single jackdaw flew across the woods.

The most memorable bird today was a sparrow hawk which suddenly flew out of a thicket across to a tall hedge. It made a level dash into  the  branches and set up many birds including at least 30 wood pigeons which all flew up together whist the smaller birds scattered in all directions. All along the riverside there were about 65 wood pigeons in various places. 

The sparrow hawk was unsuccessful and the birds settled again after a while but then were all set up again by a police helicopter which arrived to hover over the bridge area, circle for some time then disappear. For the second time the birds returned and settled once more. After this the sparrow hawk was seen again (or could have been a second one) this time perched in a tall tree not far away.

November summary - the first frosts and high river water levels

Octobers rain and wind continued into November but with mild temperatures. Wind had caused some minor damage but mostly served to clear leaves from the trees.  Robins were singing strongly on 3rd, with active, silent blackbirds and a few fieldfare seen along the river bank blackthorn thickets. They always appear to be awkward and unaccustomed to foraging amongst the thorns at first. Blue ts, great ts, wrens, house sparrows and dunnocks were present too.

The first frosty morning occurred on 4th but frost quickly disappeared in the sun. A  common buzzard was seen after thermals developed in the afternoon, casually circling whilst being harassed by two carrion crows - it didn't bother to fly away. Robins were again quite numerous as were house sparrows and starlings. The usual dunnocks were visible too. 

Thursday 5th November started under dense fog and mist - with a slight frost. The mist remained for most of the morning. More dunnocks were foraging on the path, robins, carrion crows, herring gulls, blue ts and great ts, blackbirds and nuthatches were present as the mist cleared. It was good to see that new planting, including Hornbeam was being carried out along the new bridge access road. If allowed to grow dense enough it will be used as shelter by small birds as is the existing hawthorn hedge.

By the 9th, more Hornbeam had been planted and the weather had become warmer. Carrion crows, were calling loudly but could not match the local jays. Quiet calls were from a bullfinch - with house sparrows, dunnock, blackbird, many robins, two fieldfare all present, and a green woodpecker was heard calling.

A young mixed hedgerow growing well and now forms habitat for blackbirds and song thrushes, together with small mammals. 

Wednesday 11th was warm but very dark with thick cloud but robins were singing well with good numbers of blue ts, great ts and a family group of long-tailed ts flying across a gap in the trees. A nuthatch called from an old oak. Suddenly a small raptor appeared, flying very fast over the bridge then made a rapid turn out of sight as a group of finches, probably goldfinches flew over. Was this the same raptor seen before - again too small to be a sparrowhawk, It had a greyish back and slim wings which it closed as it  twisted and disappeared fast - merlin? It is possible that it had taken the opportunity to follow its prey down to the river from the fields near the railway line, where an area has been levelled and sown, eventually intended to become playing fields....The birds it hunts will feed in fields elsewhere and it will follow them quickly.

Sunday 15th was memorably for the speed at which the water rose in the river after a very wet and windy couple of days. By Sunday afternoon water was out of bank in places on the riverside  - a normal occurrence here - after all, the whole riverside is formed by the ancient river bed which was split into different channels and streams over the years. By Monday 16th the river level was down again.

There was overnight frost again on Friday 20th but the day warmed up quickly with foraging birds out in force - notably three or more redwing, many blue ts, great ts, blackbirds calling nuthatches (3) carrion crows, wood pigeons, herring gulls, house sparrows and robins all very active. The same birds were seen on 24th when it had become warmer with dunnock, herring gulls harassing a grey heron flying with prey then four redwing along the river thickets,  two songthrushes, one singing a short song, and a foraging goldcrest in an oak.

On 27th several small groups of goldfinches were seen flying quite fast but not being chased, and there were good views of nuthatches,

Our scheduled meet was held on Sunday 29th observing Lockdown 2 rules, each person working independently. Standing on the bridge I saw a little egret fly north across it just above the trees then land on an oak from where it had a good view down onto the clear river. Sitting very still it is hardly noticed despite its gleaming white feathers. Every winter two or three little egrets fly upstream from the coast as soon as it becomes cold and frosty, seeking warmer waters and sheltered perches to watch out for prey. The larger grey herons are with us all year as their traditional heronry is just upstream on the banks of open water. They are picked upon by herring gulls seeking an easy meal if they can grab the grey herons catch.

A full survey for  26th November is coming on the next post.

 

Survey at the end of October - dark skies , bright fruits

The 30th October 2020 was probably not the best of days to choose for a survey but was typical for this time of the year.

Very low light levels were expected but misty rain early on cleared somewhat and it became brighter but remained overcast. Healthy Ash leaves had been falling and formed a scattered bright carpet whilst Hazel and Hornbeam leaves were turning colour, most remaining on the trees. Under the oaks fallen acorns had ripened and crunched underfoot. The river was high and fast-flowing, the highest it has been since early this year, and water was visible in the ponds.

Crab apples added to the brilliant reds of Rose hips, the fruits of the many riverside Dog Rose plants, some growing incredibly high, an attraction for overflying birds. Spindle plants now suddenly became more visible with bright pink fruits appearing. Honeysuckle was still flowering on an old fence.

A dark sky fails to darken the riverside landscape here with shining red Guelder Rose berries. Note that the old oak in the background still retains its green leaves. October 30th 2020.

Nuthatches (3) were the first birds to be heard today, calling from the old Oaks, establishing territory.

Next were blackbirds (10), some foraging under a young bank side species-rich hedge. The blackbirds were just giving quiet contact calls rather than loud alarm calls until a magpie approached one.

House sparrows (76) were easily seen and heard, some singing in a hedge and about twenty active in a Blackthorn thicket. Further along there was a another colony at the other end of the long hedge, audible from quite a distance. 

 Goldfinches (7) were quietly singing in a low thicket unaware that a foe had just flown swiftly past, making a rapid change in direction, stooping directly down. The group flew up in a closed group, away from the trees. It was a raptor, too small and swift for a sparrow hawk. Later it was seen again, perched for a while on a tree with its back turned, looking over its shoulder - a Merlin?. It hasn't been seen since, having probably returned to fly low over the fields where there are flocks of small birds to chooses from.

Blue ts (11) and great ts (5) were seen in the trees, fewer than usual but perhaps this was due to the brief presence of the small raptor..as large roaming flocks of ts have been seen in the area on other days.

 A Jay was shrieking from an oak, its call by far the loudest, with another nearby answering back. As I walked under a large oak bough yet another Jay called out, and moved along the branch to give a good view of its very smart plumage.(total 3). Robins (23) were now singing in good form after a long summer. The dark grey skies are no problem for them, their large eyes being perfectly adapted to dark days and nights. Four dunnocks were seen, two in undergrowth and two exploring the footpath surface for insects. Most woodpigeons were out in the fields foraging but there were about 32 seen along the river, some dozing in the trees and the rest foraging groups on the damp grass.

A single magpie and a single herring gull were seen flying over whilst carrion crows(6) were calling from trees or foraging on a field.

Finally a song thrush was singing, just a short song at present.

and a large Bumblebee flew past - they are certainly still flying strongly.

These bright red Crab apples will last all through the 

winter as emergency sustenance for birds when most of the more palatable fruits have been eaten.

October 2020 - a summary of autumn wildlife

October  this year has, although variable,  been a typical autumn month, starting cool, bright and breezy with good amounts of rainfall. The river was soon running faster and higher, showing signs that the Millpond at Warnham was being replenished with the water flow spreading out and moving the river bed silt, not just flowing over the shallows. During the first week chiffchaffs were still present and making contact calls in most dense thickets on the banks. The ground became very damps with robins, blue ts, great ts, house sparrows and blackbirds foraging for invertebrates. on the surface. Lower down the ground remained dry. 

Looking upstream the October leaves, turning yellow, lightened the landscape. The foliage of Ash trees and Willows  was extremely bright and remained on the trees until the seasonal gales arrived.

Fine continuous rain during the second week gave way to a fine day on the 9th. After a cold night, bird activity suddenly increased. The first sign was a Water Shrew which had been hunted and caught by a raptor but then suddenly dropped onto the ground when the bird found it completely unpalatable.

Two groups of goldfinches were singing in separate thickets whilst blue ts, great ts, and nuthatches moved quickly through the trees. Robins and a Dunnock were sifting through the layers of earth on the ground  where leaves had blown aside.

Several Speckled Wood butterflies were seen chasing and spiralling as well as Large Whites. Numerous house sparrows were present in a group on the riverbank vegetation but amongst them a stranger - a tree sparrow, clearly seen preening for quite a while in a bare tree. The differences were clear but maybe it was just odd plumage colouring ....no sign of it since then.

It was mid-October before wrens started to sing again. They  had been present but very elusive working their way amongst the mossy roots and tree trunks on the banks. Dunnocks were seen too but favoured pathways rather than muddy slopes., springing out from hedges onto paths where they could see invertebrates crossing. or warming up. A kestrel was seen flying west in a north wind on 14th then on 18th a common buzzard was seen  landing after a cold start to the day. Before then, on 17th, robins, house sparrows, two wrens, a green woodpecker  (on ant-heap  area) , two chiffchaffs chasing, blue ts, great ts, and a calling goldcrest and groups of singing goldfinches were seen in various locations along the banks.

By 24th it had become windy but remained warm.  On 25th October, the day of our meet, we were caught in a hailstorm - a  great spotted woodpecker had been heard calling loudly in the warm sunshine before the deluge, although the green woodpecker, the 'rain bird' was silent. The hail had cooled the atmosphere and the weather was mostly colder, wetter and more windy for the rest of the month,

Crab apple tree weighed down with a huge crop of bright red crab apples 

on 30th October 2020. The branches will spring back much later in the winter when the thrushes have eaten all the fruits. Tasting bitter and very hard, the crab apple of this variety is excellent survival food for our resident thrushes (especially blackbird) and also our winter migrant thrushes feeding up for their journey back to their breeding habitats in eastern and northern Europe in the spring.

The survey for 30th October 2020 follows on the next post.

September and singing starts

 This full record survey was made on 28th when changes were taking place on the riverside - after the hot summer..

It was an ideal day, with high cloud , sun, not much wind (WNW) and the ground still very dry.The Blackthorn fruits were mixed in with bramble fruits and hazels were alive with singing birds catching the early sun as it had been a cool night. Hazel leaves were turning yellow but not yet falling and the ground was littered with acorns, The leaves of the old oaks were still green but curled, their shapes having been caused by the intense heat and strong winds of previous weeks. Maples were still green but with with clumps of brown winged seeds. Fine grasses on the slopes were full of active insects and amongst the grasses tall anthills could now be seen. 'Sussex anthills' rather than the giant types seen elsewhere in the world, and not usually obvious until grasses die down.

These anthills are important for green woodpeckers which have always occupied the area. They do not migrate but traditionally stay in the same very local area provided their ant food sources are available and there are large trees for them to nest in. nearby. They make or reuse nest holes in large branches or trunks, like great spotted woodpeckers. They are quite often seen flying up from the long grasses where they have been feeding unseen around the bases of the anthills:

This anthill shows where the green woodpecker has been feeding on ants at the base of the hill, unseen, as the 'top' of the narrow hill is just visible near the top of the photo.

In the winter if there is heavy snowfall the green woodpeckers have been seen digging in the snow where drains run under the fields, preventing the ground from freezing,

The good weather prevailed and with it the sounds of the landscape here. Birdsong was dominant after what seemed like a long silent spell during the hot weather. The only other sound was the thud of acorns falling onto the dry ground. Poplars were rapidly losing their leaves and did not contribute to the noise as often happens in windy summer conditions with noisily rustling leaves.

House sparrows (c80) were by far the most numerous bird, preening and singing in the sun in hedge colonies. What a difference from August - robins (32) were seen singing short songs, some loudly others 'chinking' their usual autumn call. Wrens were still few in number (8) most not singing yet. Goldcrests (5) were heard calling and seen fast-foraging directly above me in the old oaks, not far away from the conifers where they nest. Always seen but in small numbers, dunnocks were keeping under the low undergrowth and mossy roots (2).  Blue ts (39) and great ts (12) were very active, swinging from bramble shoots, foraging on twig islands and high up amongst climbing dog rose hips, still often invisible and seen only when they fly out of a thicket and into the next along the river. Moving much faster, chiffchaffs (5) were visiting each twig on a chosen tree and could be heard making contact calls - easily located whilst blackcaps (4) foraged at a slower pace also calling. Both these species are well known to overwinter  here  in small numbers when most migrant warblers leave our shores for warmer climates. These may be birds which migrate here from even colder climates or may be the summer birds staying put. Some  of the blackbirds and song thrushes here over the summer have been migrants which have now left, leaving the resident birds - 19 blackbirds, one or two still moulting, and just one song thrush were seen today

Goldfinches have been present in good numbers feeding on abundant seeds from the hot summer and today there were 22 in several groups, softly calling together from thickets. One female bullfinch was seen perched in the blackthorn. Trees held wood pigeons in small numbers, with others feeding on short grass (22) whilst 3 carrion crows were on their usual field under the tree where they nest. Three magpies were seen flying across near two jackdaws whilst a jay called aggressively from a small tree at another close by (2). A well known old oak, called 'the Heron Tree' stands on the steep river bank overlooking a drainage basin and today a single grey heron was seen heading towards it, leisurely flapping whilst three herring gulls flew north, towards the school, calling. Further south a common buzzard was sailing over the river course. About 25 starlings, some flying in a group and others singing softly from their ivy roost were seen.

Several  nuthatches were present in various trees, one making a horizontal walk along a bough extracting insects from the bark, loudly calling down at me. Another was tapping on the trunk  of an ash tree and others were seen in other trees and heard calling (total 8)- time to sort out territories now that this year's juveniles are grown. A single great-spotted woodpecker was seen then heard tapping - but not drumming. The probable presence of a sparrowhawk was noted as it had left a neat pile of woodpigeon feathers on a footpath.

Insects such as craneflies were very numerous over the ponds and river.

Ten Speckled Wood butterflies were seen in places in semi shade and one Migrant Hawker dragonfly was ranging over the riverbank.

September Wildlife - Summary for the whole month

 After the excesses of August, September 2020 was a more predictable month, mostly warm and humid with fewer stresses on wildlife. Fruits ripened and some leaves showed the first signs of autumn.

The 2nd was bright, breezy and warm, with a green woodpecker calling loudly, a Southern Hawker dragonfly patrolling the banks, many Speckled Wood butterflies in dappled shade, robins, chiffchaffs, house sparrows calling, with dunnock, blue and great ts and nuthatches seen and heard. The 5th was cooler and cloudier with nuthatches increasingly vocal and Migrant Hawker dragonflies now more numerous. These are smaller and less brightly coloured that the Southern Hawker.

Crab Apple tree laden with fruits which will later turn bright orange and attract many birds. Sometimes the ripe crop can disappear within a day, eaten by newcomers flying in.

Further north another Crab apple variety we planted yields an entirely different crop, late, the fruits serving wildlife in the depths of winter.

The following day was fine, sunny and cool, with Red Admiral butterflies , Large Whites and Speckled Woods seen. Two juvenile blackcaps were very clearly seen contact calling on their way along the river bank thickets together with blackbirds, robins and wrens, and the ever present and lively house sparrows were preening in the sun and eating ripe blackberries.

The evening of the 6th was very memorable with a Bat Survey carried out in the evening:

Starting out slightly earlier than usual with good insect conditions, around 16degsC, a light breeze SSW, dry but with clouds moving slowly over the sunset, heading south first I immediately encountered Common Pipistrelle bats with two Soprano Pipistrelles flying quite high up , about 5 meters, amongst grown trees and riverbank trees. These bats were seen against the sky as it was not yet dark, but cloudy. Looking up from under an old Oak, I saw a grey heron sitting high on a branch, looking down at the river. Was this its evening roost? On the way back there were many more bats, becoming less visible but very audible using the Bat Detector. Suddenly the numbers of very low flying bats increased and it became evident that the bats were weaving around the embankment fruit trees where early windfalls were attracting huge numbers of insects. It had quickly become dark but the bats were easy to detect.

The second week in September was mostly warm and humid with adult mallard ducks progressing slowly along the river, unseen under the banks. Moorhens gave their characteristic calls, giving away their presence. Abundant insects attracted more warblers - chiffchaffs and blackcaps along the river and good numbers of blue and great ts, flying amongst the young trees, just growing to the right size to encourage low-nesting birds. Chiffchaffs especially, together with some common whitethroats in the spring. A spotted flycatcher was perching on a rather bare small tree in the middle of the field, with a Migrant Hawker ranging the periphery. A Common Blue butterfly was also seen near some ants nests.

The third week in September became hotter again with an oppressive haze and very slight NE breeze. Blackbirds were still obviously moulting and few birds were singing. The ground again became very dry on the surface with birds seeking the damp shade. House sparrows however thrived in the heat and were seen 'spidering' each morning as soon as the sun reached the branches. On 20th  a Brown Hairstreak female butterfly was ranging along a path, seeking out the nearby Blackthorn branches along the river bank. It gave good views as it perched on a dead leaf near the ground before flying up to the Blackthorn.

Towards the end of September, grey herons were seen more frequently flying to and from their roosts and river feeding grounds holding small fish and amphibians. Red Admiral and Speckled Wood butterflies and  Migrant Hawker dragonflies were still quite common, with our local resident birds - bullfinches - heard calling occasionally. Blackcaps were still present on the last day of the month. Pied wagtails were now passing through across the river, perching on rooftops with sightings of a few meadow pipits too.

A survey for 28th September follows in the next post...

Raining Acorns

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

THIS POST IS FOR  HILLS FARM CONSERVATION GROUP NEWS...

THE NEXT POSTS - FOR OCTOBER - on Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation will be coming here soon.

The day of our September meet,  Sunday 27th September 2020 was a very windy day and much cooler - around 13deg C with a 15mph wind from the NNW. The only showers this morning were of acorns falling from the Oaks - a record crop this year, now ripe.

Birds started to sing from 11.00 onwards in the slightly brighter conditions with blackbirds foraging on the damp ground. Nuthatches called from the Oaks and house sparrows crowded the hedgerows, singing. Robins were starting their autumn song. The previous day a pair of mallard were busy inspecting the river, now clear and faster flowing but still low.

Some apples on one of the bankside trees were still green but most had ripened more quickly. Some varieties had ripened and windfalls had quickly been eaten of carried away by wildlife, leaving no trace. Every single tree had born fruits in abundance this year but at different stages of the long summer!

Our next scheduled meet is on Sunday 25th October 2020

British Summertime ends!

A Chill in the Air

 Sunday 30th August 2020 was clear after a chilly night the North West wind this morning did not seem to affect wildlife. With most trees and shrubs still in full leaf, the many meanders in the river provided shelter and plenty of muddy basking locations in the sun. Clouds scudded rapidly across allowing the sun to warm the landscape.  Grass had greened up completely after having become dry and brown and boughs on the old oaks were heavy with acorns, most still green. The oak tree leaves had been visible affected by the extreme heat and strong winds but remained green but with curled surfaces:

Green Acorns cascade from an oak bough low over the river bank.

Field Maples held bunches of winged seeds ready to spiral down onto the river banks. Fruit trees too remained very green, indicating that there was still plenty of water under the hard dry clay surface

There was a feeling of freshness after months of 'tropical' heat and humidity. The river was running clear and higher than usual but still leaving plenty of muddy islands in places, where birds were bathing and catching insect prey. Most juvenile birds will still prefer insects to seeds - even 'seed-eaters' such as finches at this stage.

Here is a full survey:

Robins (18)  had started their autumnal 'chinking' - one of the first sounds of autumn, rapidly devouring the very last of the Elderberries.  Two dunnocks were lurking in deep shade on the river bank with 3 wrens only - none singing - we know they are present but are still not establishing new territory yet.  

Alarm calls indicated the presence of blackbirds (9) still mostly hiding in moult or bathing and preening whilst there were only glimpses of two song thrushes low under a hedge. 

   Blue ts (about 30) were foraging in various locations with great ts (18) and long tailed ts (3) - but see later.. also searching the bare stems for Elderberries but swiftly moving on. Woodpigeons (33) were lazily calling or dozing on the tops of Field Maples. Only one herring gull was seen and no raptors - perhaps it was too windy. There were however five carrion crows, five noisy rooks and then a flock of about 15 in the air, heading silently north-west. Two jays were calling from the area where a pair had nested in the spring. No need to fly very far this year as there are carpets of acorns already for them to start caching although they will have to wait as the ground is far too dry at present. Seven Magpies were seen, mostly calling from tree canopies.

Nuthatches were quite numerous, with this years young still amongst the trees, calling or objecting to my presence (total 8). One was foraging, treecreeper-like on the bark of an old oak, climbing upwards (who said that they only creep head down?) They forage in any direction and are quite acrobatic. They are also extremely observant and notice any movement, objecting to anything approaching, whilst treecreepers are usually too preoccupied.

Migrant warblers were still very visible with 11 chiffchaff, several giving contact calls but one giving the typical chiff-chaff song and 14 blackcaps, some juvenile. Two had discovered an Elderberry bush with berries, hidden away amongst willows. There may be a few of these warblers which will decide to overwinter here. Given the abundance of fruits and berries here they may do well.

Abundant fruits for birds and small mammals - sustenance for the winter

It was good to see three goldcrests moving fast along very slim branches of a Field Maple, again well away from their conifers. Finches were numerous today, (except greenfinch and chaffinch which were not seen) - with about 40 goldfinches in several groups, some in the air whilst others flew down into the long grasses, now full of seed, then suddenly a large close group of linnets appeared over the expanse of long grasses in the distance, a few more goldfinches amongst them. It was excellent to see about 80 at least, where they have always been seen in the past! They all dropped down onto the grasses then all flew up again, circled around and dropped down again, repeating this many times. They had certainly found a fine location to feed  - the wild grasses and wild flowers all a fine source of dry seed.

House Sparrows, always present in good numbers, were seen in many locations - in hedgerows, verges and bramble banks - feasting on ripe blackberries as well as seeds. (about 80 in total) They have thrived during this hot summer, rearing more broods that usual. Another bird doing well this year is the sparrow hawk - one was seen today in the air - flying purposefully into the wind.

But there was more to come!

Returning over a footbridge with a view of the river banks either side, a 'roving' flock of blue ts, great ts, and long-tailed ts suddenly appeared upstream, through the trees, all heading in the same direction, downstream, not really roving or roaming - not slowing to feed amongst the leaves but all moving quite fast . Amongst them there was an odd bird out, going the wrong way, slightly confused, it avoided them and waited, clinging to a dead branch, then flew out a short distance, caught a an insect, dropped it, caught it again and flew back to its perch. After the 'flock' had gone it resumed its activities, fly-catching. It remained in the same tree with some dead branches, giving a very good close-up view. Definitely a spotted flycatcher! More than 70 birds in the flock had flown past it but it stayed put and continued flycatching long after they had disappeared.

Butterflies and dragonflies were keeping out of the wind in sheltered spaces: A Banded Demoiselle damselfly male was flying close to the surface over the river whilst four Southern Hawkers were ranging low over grasses and banks with one Brown Hawker dragonfly and a Common Darter seen. Large White, Small White  Speckled Woods,  Gatekeeper and Red Admiral butterflies were seen ranging the bramble banks. Fleabane, thistles and Brambles were the main attraction for most of the butterflies.

Too hot, too windy, too dry - this was August 2020

 The whole of the month of August 2020 was about wildlife having to adjust to changing conditions with record temperatures in the first and second weeks - sometimes too hot for butterflies but with good numbers appearing, together with dragonflies as soon as conditions were right.  A sort torrential rain shower cooled the earth on 13th leading to humid conditions but at least juvenile robins were active in the undergrowth.

On 15th there was unbroken cloud all day with fine misty rain and another torrential rain shower the next day. Birds soon became very active, with great-spotted woodpecker, calling nuthatches, colonies of goldfinches quietly singing in the thickets, song thrushes under cover with house sparrows nearby. Blue ts, great ts and blackbirds were foraging - perhaps that's the wrong word as they were surrounded by ripe fruits, mostly on the bramble banks without any need to search. 

Once the rain had cleared the butterflies reappeared with Speckled Woods the most numerous the on the following day, the 17th,  after another heavy shower, several Banded Demoiselle damselflies, mostly chasing males were seen low over the Arun with some immatures warming up. Two Comma butterflies were ranging over the bramble banks close by.Gatekeeper butterflies were still flying. It became fresher after continuous rain on 19th and from 21st very windy with gales all day on 21st. The wind dropped on 22nd and four Southern Hawker dragonflies were seen in four different locations with two very bright young ones - one hanging vertically onto a nettle stem, jus watching. Gatekeepers, Large Whites and five Holly Blue butterflies were active and looking down amongst the long fine grasses, there was constant movement with huge numbers of small grass moths and grasshoppers. Hidden in the grasses were windfall fruits. tempting blackbirds. More wet and windy weather followed. The full survey was done on 30th August. See next post.

                                                                  

              

                                               Young Fleabane provides food and dense shelter

                                                for butterflies in late summer.

Gatekeepers and Fleabane

The transition from July to August 2020 was remarkable for unrelenting heat. The earth was baking at least on the surface and butterflies reacted by dropping down into the cool shade of the long grasses or into dense hedges during the day, flying earlier in the mornings and in the cool of the evenings in the low sun. 

Fleabane flowered later than most wild flowers here as usual but immediately attracted insects. Here is a Gatekeeper butterfly on a Fleabane flower with a small Hover fly (probably) on a smaller flower.

The broad and bright yellow flowers last well but rain and cooler weather soon encourages them to form round seed heads. The seeds are shaken by the wind and are not winged like the Dandelion and thistles therefore Fleabane is more likely to be found growing in clumps which spread over the years.

The soft leaves provide good protection from rain and sun for insects.

By the third day of August a 10mph north-westerly wind provided cooler temperatures and brought cloud but still no rain.

Young nuthatches were calling from river bank trees - four in different trees, exploring their surroundings. Gatekeepers were of course the most numerous butterflies  but Speckled Woods, Ringlet, Large White, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue and Comma were all present with a Southern Hawker dragonfly ranging along the banks, ignoring them.

In the air a Red Kite was sailing north, wings bent against the wind. Looking at the Red Kite, it was clear that many smaller birds were catching insects directly under the base of a very tall cumulus cloud. They were swifts, house martins and some sand martins, visible for some time, keeping under the cloud.

July Survey - brightening up after rain

The 28th July - the day of the survey was partially cloudy, brightening after dark clouds moved off. A westerly wind meant that traffic was now audible - we are missing the somewhat strange silence of previous weeks. Recent rainfall was very welcome, with fruits ripening. Bramble bushes were covered in red berries, not yet ripe, with bees on thistles waiting for the sun to appear every few minutes. Butterflies were poised for action too, waiting low down on grass stalks and vegetation, most reappearing within a second of the sun shining. 

Butterflies seen were Ringlets:

Ringlet perching on willow leaf July 2020.

They can be active even in cloudy damp weather when other butterflies would not appear.

Others seen today were:

Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, and Comma.

The ground was well soaked and the scents of the wild flowers, grasses and shrubs magnified. Clear water flowed well in the rivers. A Bank Vole was seen running to safe cover under brambles.

Few birds alerted others to their presence, remaining silent when moulting  - but nevertheless some gave away their presence. About 60 house sparrows were present in various hedges and bramble patches and amongst Blackthorn and a total of 34 wood pigeons were counted some feeding on the grass and others  calling from possible nest sites.

It was interesting to find some blue tits eating fruits from the trees where they usually forage for insects (25). Great tits were more elusive (11) along the banks. An amazing sight today, seeing birds in such small numbers, was a troupe of 25 long-tailed tits following each other flying from west to east over to our side of the river where there are more mature trees. Some were perching on Willows halfway across 

the river and one started out from a willow then turned back, perching on a dead branch, waiting until another came and both flew across together. They were mostly juveniles, led by several adults. In the same area with young Willows were two blackcaps, a juvenile and an adult male, moving around slowly in comparison the the long-tails, with no desire to join the crowd.

 Blackbirds (7) remained very alert, frequently giving alarm calls when disturbed by other birds. Song thrushes, always alert to new possibilities, were investigating recently disturbed ground left by fallen branches and at least two still had nests low down in the undergrowth where they were feeding young (5). One on a steep bank

 gave a very short song. Wrens were remaining well hidden all along the river and the sound of the wind in the Poplars drowned out any attempts to sing. (6). Robins (4), usually everywhere along the river were silent, moulting, with only one heard - giving an alarm call.

  Seven carrion crows , a magpie and a single jackdaw were seen and just one starling - the juvenile starlings having all left to join other young starlings ranging along the south coast. They cause quite a stir when they have just fledged and are still reliant on adults - being noisy, very hungry and demanding the best perches from which to survey the landscape or dry off after bathing. A great-spotted woodpecker called from a river-bank Ash whilst another was calling loudly from an oak further downstream. Nearby a sparrowhawk made quick dash across the bridge. On the opposite bank a nuthatch called out, perhaps a warning to a group of mostly juvenile goldfinches. More were seen upstream calling quietly (21).

The Endless Summer continues

The second half of July 2020 proved to be just as active with no sudden changes to the weather although the phrase 'another fine, warm day 'changed to 'another fine hot or very hot day'.

The river continued to flow well and clear with calls from moorhens heard under the steep banks and groups of Banded Demoiselle damselflies seen on most days. Song thrushes made the most of the damp early mornings after overnight showers, seeking out snails to hammer on the stoney paths. Goldfinches were forming larger groups and swifts were a daily sight feeding on insects overhead.

On 17th July, butterflies dominated the landscape with Gatekeepers the most numerous, Large White and Green-veined White, Brimstone, Ringlets and Holly Blues were seen together with many bumblebees on the brambles. Near the Hornbeam hedge a pair of mating Gatekeepers were seen on a young Ash:

Gatekeeper butterflies mating. The eggs are usually laid on fine leafed grasses, which are plentiful here on the embankment. The caterpillars are slow growing and will overwinter low down under dense cover. The are not spring butterflies but are usually first seen flying towards the end of June.

Birds present on 17th July included goldcrest, green woodpecker, robins swifts blackcaps goldfinches, song thrushes,  blackbirds and dunnocks.

A typical day towards the end of July, the 23rd, wildflowers noted were Vetch, Fleabane, creeping thistle (good), ragwort (good), Knapweed, Tufted Vetch, Purple Loosestrife, creeping Buttercup, Bird's foot Trefoil and more - all good for insects.

Birds present were grey wagtail, chiffchaff, song thrush, bathing blue ts and great ts, herring gulls, wrens, dunnock, robin and a large common frog dropped by a grey heron onto the footpath.

Endless Summer - but it's only July

Summer started early this year, with more fine weather before July than in a complete summer in past years.

Here is a summary of notable 'events' for the first half of July 2020:

On the first day, the usual birds were about - wrens, several singing blackcaps, goldfinches, Blue and great tits, a juvenile robin, foraging song thrushes, a Herring gull chasing a grey heron and a young buzzard flying low.

The first Small Skipper butterfly of the year here was seen over the flowering brambles and grasses together with more Marbled Whites, flying low to avoid the wind.

 On the second, Brimstone, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown butterflies were seen with

 another first butterfly, a Small Copper.

The day after, several Red Admirals appeared, and one Ringlet. Several swifts were seen under the cloud layer. Light drizzle followed with blue tits eating or collecting  caterpillars off the leaves of a young Oak on the fourth. with more Ringlets, Red Admirals, Meadow Browns, Brimstone, Large and Small Whites, Gatekeepers joined by Holly Blues and a Comma.

Holly Blue butterfly July 2020

This is quite common wherever Hollies and Ivies are growing on the banks and can often be seen flying very high amongst the foliage.

The 6th July was notable for many high-flying swifts, some directly overhead (over the river).

A buzzard was being 'mobbed' by a single carrion crow. With less wind on the 7th, even more swifts were seen under low cloud, catching insects and the first Southern Hawker dragonfly was seen flying straight and fast. Blackcaps and silent chiffchaffs were in the bank side willows, and Green-veined Whites and Peacock butterflies joined the others in a sheltered clearing.

Warblers, some moulting, were busy foraging low amongst the dense brambles and nettles. Great-spotted woodpeckers, song thrushes and nuthatches were heard in several places, with several small groups of quietly singing goldfinches. Swifts again ruled the skies.  On 10th another Southern Hawker was patrolling a Blackberry hedge in the sun in the presence of Red Admiral butterflies. There were still small flocks of juvenile starlings exploring the landscape.An over-flying kestrel was hunting on 12th whilst the presence of a sparrow hawk caused some birds to seek dense shelter. 

Butterflies were the most numerous so far this summer with the grasses occupied with many small grasshoppers.

Gatekeepers were now the most frequently seen butterflies everywhere, even along the Hornbeam hedges bordering the embankments. They are very territorial and chase any other butterfly that flies into  their own 'flyway' or basking patch:

12th July 2020 - Gatekeeper male defending its patch on the  Hornbeam hedge.

It's the first time Gatekeepers have chosen this fairly new hedge although it is very close to some fine bramble banks and embankments with a variety of native grasses and wild flowers.

Survey , the end of June 2020

Full record - Monday 29th June 2020 was windy but dry, with sunny intervals - a very different scenario from the May survey done during the restrictions on travel. Now there was the extra distraction of noise from a distance to take into account. Where birdsong had dominated before, now road noise was blown across by the prevailing wind. In addition,  small contact calls from birds could be overpowered by the natural sound of the wind in the leaves. The vegetation was still green as rain had fallen on several days and the sound of water in the rivers was welcome. Many Bramble blossom flowers were now falling, with green berries appearing. Meadowsweet was flowering well in many patches, the scent filling the air with the wild Honeysuckle on the fencing. Bees were crowding around freshly flowering Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea and the flowering Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense, each plant hosting a crowd of bees and other insects, butterflies a speciality. On the Bramble margin of grassland, a Red Admiral butterfly was seen basking on a small mound of dry grasses, soaking up the sun, whilst another, far more active, flew in to join it but was chased off and flew to the brambles.

Red Admiral butterfly basking in the late June sun 29th June 2020

House sparrows could be heard singing from the bramble patch here whilst more were singing from their usual hedges and day perches on the river bank (52) Many more were still nesting.

Every few meters another blackbird (21) would be seen foraging on the damp grass verges, not for itself but to carry to young in nearby nests. Others were seen preening after bathing in the river. The next activity is often to do some 'sunning' if the sun is out. This means flattening down on the ground with wings outstretched, oblivious to surroundings. Normally the bird comes to life just as danger approaches or is alerted by the sound of a wood pigeon taking off from its perch, flapping madly. Most birds owe a lot to ever observant wood pigeons! There were 26 seen today. Robins (8) were seen in fewer numbers than usual - moulting for many means hiding away. Two dunnocks were under the banks, far less visible than the singing wrens (17) - one was very visible, singing from the branch of an Elder bush, guarding it as it was full of tiny green berries which after a some weeks will be ripe.

A sparrowhawk just flew up and disappeared whilst a song thrush started a short snatch of song. Others were heard in different locations (7) with most singing now and again, only one was loud.

Blue tits were far less visible and audible, keeping under canopy cover, juveniles following adults (31).

Even less visible were great tits (12) keeping low in the undergrowth and mossy roots unlike blackcaps (8) which were singing from higher branches and moving fast amongst the willows.

A single garden warbler was heard singing, also in the willows, whilst 10 chiffchaffs moved around,

their simple contact calls very audible. They started nesting quite early on as are amongst the first arrivals of the migrant warblers. A few over-winter here too but need plenty of vegetation to provide shelter. It has been a good summer for them as they did not face hard conditions on arrival this spring.

Brief calls were heard from a nuthatch nesting in an old oak - they are still very quiet at this stage.

Of the larger birds, starlings were doing well with 56 seen, most in small groups of juveniles flying or feeding together. Later they will disperse into the countryside.

Flowering Meadowsweet on the wild field

A single jay was flying across from the area where a pair nested after initial loud squabbles.

Carrion crows had a hidden nest in an old tree with a very good wide view over the field below and could be seen eating their catches on the field. Little could distract them, even loudly squealing micro-dogs did not bother them. (7 in total, other crows seen flying across).

Only a few herring gulls were seen (7) and a buzzard flew across - this did disturb the crows when it flew over their nest.

Several high-flying swifts were catching aerial insects above the river and lastly a kestrel flew over into the wind.

There were many Bumblebees, including white-tailed, red-tailed and buff-tailed together with many smaller bees and hoverflies concentrated on wildflowers and brambles with many butterflies despite the windy conditions:

Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell

Gatekeeper and MARBLED WHITE

More June Firsts for 2020 and an embankment first too.

The previous post was for June 2020 up to the 9th - this is for the second part of June - the natural progression of summer. The 13th June saw goldfinches busy pulling seed heads from Dandelion flowers. Singing wrens were numerous, voices echoing along the banks, the pied wagtail pair was seen foraging for their young and a grey heron seen flying over to the Heron Oak. The next few days were humid, mostly overcast with some very dark clouds.  More song thrushes, together with blackcaps, wrens, robins, many goldfinches, house sparrows were singing however - and goldcrests were active in the pines.

On 16th a first appearance here this year of Meadow Brown butterflies nectaring on Brambles and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly - not the first.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) this one is rather faded, probably having spent a few days restlessly ranging over the grasses and Brambles. All good grassland will have many Meadow Browns at the height of summer but they are always active, seldom seen basking here.

Torrential rain on hot ground on 17th increased the humidity. Birds were seen drying off, preening and singing. A grey heron was seen heading this time to a small pond where the rain had collected, perhaps anticipating more frog activity.

There were more heavy spells of rain on 18th but more Meadow Browns too amongst the long grasses. Just south of the new bridge a blackcap family was seen, the male singing and the female and juveniles active in the trees nearby. Large White butterflies were ranging over the nettles and two magpies were chasing a grey squirrel, so close that one held the squirrel's tail in its beak for a second. The usual wrens, dunnocks, blackbirds, song thrushes and robins were finding foraging in the damp earth easy.

A new area of grassland has appeared with wild flowers growing well. This demonstrates how quickly a barren area can become full of interest, attracting many species of wildlife. It had previously been 'tidied' and mown to keep down the 'weeds'.

On 22nd a sparrowhawk was seen circling and gliding overhead, getting closer and closer to the river. It had probably spotted a group of juvenile sparrows drying off after bathing in the shallows. It drifted away south however. A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was seen with more Meadow Browns on the Bramble banks. Blackcaps were singing and a great-spotted woodpecker called.

The first Meadowsweet was now in flower and the weather changed, with temperatures above 30 degs C and easterly wind on 25th. There were 'dry' low-altitude thunderstorms overnight and the morning of 26th June was cooler  with swifts flying under the cloud before the rain came later on. Other birds were active, with song thrush, blackcaps, common whitethroat, garden warbler all singing, and house sparrows, a pair of jays and crows in their nest, all calling. It was ideal weather for butterflies too, with many Meadow Browns, Large and Small Whites, Ringlets, then a Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male perched on the large leaf of a fresh Bramble shoot.

The 26th was a day to remember for the first sighting on a bridge embankment of Marbled White butterflies - the first to be seen in this riverside location.Two were 'jousting' for a while on the bank then more were seen on the diverse embankment grasses and plants which have been allowed to grow since the bridge was built ten years ago. There were eight Marbled Whites altogether some on each of the two embankments.

More rain, more singing song thrushes and more swifts were seen amid rain showers throughout the 27th, then a very windy and damp day on 28th and most birds were hunkered down but many Meadow Brown and Large White butterflies were active low amongst the grasses. A single Holly Blue was present too, then the first Gatekeeper butterfly for 2020 appeared!

A full record for June 29th follows in the next post.

June - it's Clover Time

After the heat of May, June was cooler, with some welcome showers to help retain the brilliant green of   vegetation and save the growing fruits from drying out. The most important benefit though was to maintain the proliferation of insect life - providing food essential for young birds.

Bees of course continued their work as pollinators:

Bee on Bramble flower.

 There was a record amount of Bramble blossom this June which quickly became covered in bees, mostly Honeybees but also Bumblebees - White-tailed, Buff-tailed and Red-tailed Bumblebees, not forgetting butterflies and Hover flies.

In additions to the Bramble blossom, wild flowers such as clovers were growing exceptionally well  in grassland and formed dense carpets in places, their abundant nectar and scent attracting more insects:

White Clover trifolium repens -

hopefully this will spread and increase, together with the earlier Dandelion plants.

Red Clover  Trifolium pratense

Bumblebees pollinate its flowers.

It is so good to see the return of Clovers to grassland - and of course other wild flowers such as Dandelions and Daisies.

The 2nd June 2020 was fine and warm, becoming windy later, with most birds still nesting. Adults seen carrying food to nests or feeding fledged young were chiffchaffs, pied wagtails, carrion crows, blackbirds, blackcaps, wrens, robins, dunnock, goldfinches, goldcrests and several preoccupied song thrushes so intent on preparing snails for their young they hardly noticed me on the path of hard stones. As the wind increased, a common buzzard was seen sailing over the river course.

A Banded Demoiselle damselfly male was seen ranging across a field next to the river, flying low under the wind and a Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly male was perching on a wide Hazel leaf in the sun. 

The next few days were cloudy and cooler with more showers. On 5th June, it was interesting to see an adult goldcrest fly from a Scots pine in pursuit of a moth almost larger than itself - dashing in a zigzag route from the tall tree. Halfway down the goldcrest nipped the moth's wing and it fell to the ground  where the bird retrieved it and carried it up to its nest high in an outer pine branch.

On 7th June the activity of feeding young continued but with some blackbirds, blackcaps, house sparrows, wrens and robins singing quietly and a nuthatch calling.   

Another male Banded Demoiselle damselfly was seen over the bank.

 Loud calls were suddenly heard -

this was common buzzard being chased over the bridge by carrion crows - all the noise coming from the crows not the buzzard, which quickly shook them off.  Higher up over the trees a swift was seen on its own but four greylag geese were flying south beyond it.  

A Southeasterly breeze and some sun on 9th June encouraged some birds to sing more - dunnock, wrens, common whitethroat, nuthatch, robins, blackbird song thrushes, chiffchaffs, house sparrows and of course the master-singer of the summer here - the blackcap - all very audible. Calls from a magpie and a group of herring gulls could not compete with loud calls from a grey heron being harassed by the gulls. It flew off towards a pond. Blue tits, great tits and long-tailed tits, many juveniles amongst them were foraging in the riverbank trees, some drying off after bathing in the river. Wrens - very numerous here seemed to combine nest-building or re-building with singing - a large fluffy Woodpigeon feather was seen flying low across the river - carried by an invisible wren. 

Bramble blossom was still attracting many bees.

The next few days were partly overcast with drizzle - the grey heron, or more than one, was heard calling several times, together with herring gulls; the fledged pied wagtails were still being fed by the adults; crowds of fledged house sparrows were joining in with singing and bathing and small numbers of swifts were seen most days catching insects under the clouds. 

Survey 28th May 2020

After a dry and sunny day the 28th May was windy - from the east north east but very clear and bright. The riverbank was still in the shade and the grass damp. All along the banks here the Rosa canina was in flower, with spectacular flowers hanging in fronds caught up and supported by tall trees, part of an old species-rich hedgerow with Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Field Maple, Elder, Hazel, Bramble Holly and of course oaks.

Dog Rose - Rosa canina, climbing high

over the river.

The first birds seen and heard were Song thrushes one foraging on the damp ground and one singing from the tall hedge. (2). Robins were mostly still nesting but eleven were seen and most heard singing.The largest number of birds today were house sparrows, more than seventy, their colonies distributed within short flights from the river. Most were in thickets on the banks awaiting the sun when they would bathe and preen, this years juveniles with adults. Others were busy with second or third broods on the nest.

Blackbirds (23) were numerous too, the conditions have been perfect for them so far and their song carries far without the usual background sounds his year. They are the stars of the Dawn Chorus.

Fifteen goldfinches were present, many more were nesting but unobtrusive until the young fledge and join a group with adults. Many wrens were singing (26) along the banks but the real number would be much more than double with those nesting. They have chosen good sites in the undergrowth this year. Dunnocks are always elusive (7) but those seen were mostly singing, with 16 woodpigeons seen watching over the activities of the smaller birds in various places. A pair of collared doves were well hidden in the ivy.

Blue tits (30) had already found areas where the sun was warming up the river and several juveniles were in a group, dishevelled after bathing. Adults were seen collecting caterpillars from fresh oak leaves and darting around amongst the branches before disappearing into nest holes. 

Fourteen great tits were seen but very quiet, with only a juvenile calling from the undergrowth.

Long-tailed tits were heard - with only three visible following each other through the dense canopy.

A great-spotted woodpecker and a single nuthatch both gave short calls from the oaks whilst a single goldcrest flew across between the same trees.

A magpie gave an alarm call but did not cause panic. Two others were seen (3).  Five carrion crows were seen, two on the grass, with very glossy plumage and three more in the air. Later two jackdaws also flew across, but corvids were certainly few and quiet today. Only one herring gull was seen flying over - and two starlings.

A sparrowhawk enlivened the airspace several times, searching for the best site for an ambush, and a fine bright male grey wagtail flew low over my head and landed on a shady bend in the river whilst a female flew around their river bank nest (2).  

Lastly, the migrant warblers:

Nine blackcaps were seen, a pair foraging for food for young in the nest, not singing, whilst another seven foraged and sang in different locations along the banks, mostly in Willows. Three common whitethroats in various locations were busy amongst the nettles and brambles and six chiffchaffs were heard, also mostly in willows. Contact calls were also heard. A garden warbler was just visible singing, in the Blackthorn.

Honeysuckle with bee

28th May 2020

Damselflies were emerging in the sheltered parts of the rivers, with three Large Red Damselflies, twelve male Banded Demoiselle damselflies and five females around the nettles near the water, a single Azure Damselfly and two male Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies chasing and one female.

Butterflies seen were:

several Speckled Woods and three Orange Tips.

Mayflies, Ladybirds - seven spots - and many bees were ranging the banks and grasses.