Here at last is the survey for Monday 30th December 2019
A lot more water having gone under the bridges since then.....
also a summary of the whole of 2019 will appear here soon.
It was a misty start but gradually clearing to a fine day. The ground was still very muddy after the high waters receded from where parts of the rivers Arun and Boldings Brook had spread over their banks. Some small branches and twigs had been washed up and carpets of fallen autumn leaves had been shifted around but strongly rooted vegetation, shrubs and trees had prevented erosion of the river banks.
Birdsong was continuous, increasing as the sun rose, with house sparrows in small groups moving to uppermost branches and twigs of bracken and bramble, about 130 in all along the river and probably many more well hidden. Robins (34) were mostly singing. Two were splashing in a pool in the sheltered trailing edge of a debris island - these 'islands' providing the only access to still water in the fast moving rivers. One robin flew over my head and 'plummeted' down into the bank vegetation. It has spotted a wren invading its territory. The high water levels have restricted the habitat of wrens recently but they soon re-establish their territories and ten were seen today but only one singing, the rest were silent or giving the occasional alarm call. Dunnocks seem to have been unaffected, as four were present. Only one chaffinch was seen and one greenfinch heard but 20 goldfinches were present in two groups in thickets, quietly singing.
A great-spotted woodpecker was seen giving loud calls in an old oak and another was heard drumming further north. Nearby another was calling in flight. (3). It was good to hear a green woodpecker calling across the river from a grassed area unaffected by water levels. More yaffling was heard later, probably from the same bird. Good news from the nuthatches as five were seen and heard calling loudly in their established territories in various locations along the river in the old oaks and an old ash.
Song thrushes had been singing for some time this winter, the first heard in late November and today there were 13, each singing in different places, some loudly. Ivy berries were a great attraction. Blackbirds, probably a mix of residents and migrants were all intent on foraging, mostly low on bank vegetation or previously inundated riverside grasses (26) - absolutely quiet. Only 6 fieldfare were seen amongst trees with ivy berries or on the grass - and only two redwing, also foraging. It was good to see a single mistle thrush on an oak, staring down at me not singing.
Carrion crows were very vocal, most in the trees but some in a small flock. Perhaps the mist had delayed their morning take-off to the fields (total 33). The same reason may apply for the numbers of wood pigeons seen here (45). Starlings were present (15) but most just whistling and singing in their Ivy-clad day roost. Scattered amongst the tree tops were about 9 magpies and numbers of collared doves seem to be increasing again now, with 10 seen, most in pairs. Jackdaw numbers have also slowly increased with 20 seen today, all heading purposefully west to distant fields and 7 rooks in the distance. A single jay flew out across the river and eleven herring gulls were seen in the air.
Lastly the small birds, more easily seen now that most trees are bare. Four goldcrests were seen two in a conifer and two in an oak some distance away, fast-foraging. All along the riverside blue tits were busy, more or less anywhere, not conforming to a flock, amounting to 130 with about 40 great tits, some now calling, moving in their own small groups. Long-tailed tits were also seen in small groups, at least ten and last but not least, three coal tits in the pines.
A lot more water having gone under the bridges since then.....
also a summary of the whole of 2019 will appear here soon.
It was a misty start but gradually clearing to a fine day. The ground was still very muddy after the high waters receded from where parts of the rivers Arun and Boldings Brook had spread over their banks. Some small branches and twigs had been washed up and carpets of fallen autumn leaves had been shifted around but strongly rooted vegetation, shrubs and trees had prevented erosion of the river banks.
One of the old oaks on the riverbank standing strong and full of wildlife.
The low sun lit up fresh Hazel catkins, always a first sign of spring but there were still Hawthorn berries and Rosa canine rose hips still plentiful. Hornbeam, young oaks and most brambles still have leaves, now brown and wind worn but providing valuable shelter for small birds and mammals but as always, Ivy is the best sustainer of life in a winter wilderness here.Birdsong was continuous, increasing as the sun rose, with house sparrows in small groups moving to uppermost branches and twigs of bracken and bramble, about 130 in all along the river and probably many more well hidden. Robins (34) were mostly singing. Two were splashing in a pool in the sheltered trailing edge of a debris island - these 'islands' providing the only access to still water in the fast moving rivers. One robin flew over my head and 'plummeted' down into the bank vegetation. It has spotted a wren invading its territory. The high water levels have restricted the habitat of wrens recently but they soon re-establish their territories and ten were seen today but only one singing, the rest were silent or giving the occasional alarm call. Dunnocks seem to have been unaffected, as four were present. Only one chaffinch was seen and one greenfinch heard but 20 goldfinches were present in two groups in thickets, quietly singing.
A great-spotted woodpecker was seen giving loud calls in an old oak and another was heard drumming further north. Nearby another was calling in flight. (3). It was good to hear a green woodpecker calling across the river from a grassed area unaffected by water levels. More yaffling was heard later, probably from the same bird. Good news from the nuthatches as five were seen and heard calling loudly in their established territories in various locations along the river in the old oaks and an old ash.
Song thrushes had been singing for some time this winter, the first heard in late November and today there were 13, each singing in different places, some loudly. Ivy berries were a great attraction. Blackbirds, probably a mix of residents and migrants were all intent on foraging, mostly low on bank vegetation or previously inundated riverside grasses (26) - absolutely quiet. Only 6 fieldfare were seen amongst trees with ivy berries or on the grass - and only two redwing, also foraging. It was good to see a single mistle thrush on an oak, staring down at me not singing.
Carrion crows were very vocal, most in the trees but some in a small flock. Perhaps the mist had delayed their morning take-off to the fields (total 33). The same reason may apply for the numbers of wood pigeons seen here (45). Starlings were present (15) but most just whistling and singing in their Ivy-clad day roost. Scattered amongst the tree tops were about 9 magpies and numbers of collared doves seem to be increasing again now, with 10 seen, most in pairs. Jackdaw numbers have also slowly increased with 20 seen today, all heading purposefully west to distant fields and 7 rooks in the distance. A single jay flew out across the river and eleven herring gulls were seen in the air.
Lastly the small birds, more easily seen now that most trees are bare. Four goldcrests were seen two in a conifer and two in an oak some distance away, fast-foraging. All along the riverside blue tits were busy, more or less anywhere, not conforming to a flock, amounting to 130 with about 40 great tits, some now calling, moving in their own small groups. Long-tailed tits were also seen in small groups, at least ten and last but not least, three coal tits in the pines.
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