Abundant Choices - the Survey for 28th September 2022

 Wednesday 28th September 2022 was a fine day with a cool start,  probably the coldest morning so far this autumn. Small faint clouds wafted across the blue sky in a gentle breeze. It was shady under the Oaks, with branches still weighed down with acorns, but more underfoot. Insects crowded onto the new nettle leaves which had sprung up after the heatwave had accelerated the drying out of the first growth. Rose hips in large bunches were covered in glistening spider webs linking roses and nettles. Field Maple leaves were still green but decked with dry golden winged seeds, ready for the first windstorm. Crab apples were assuming a uniform colour now and will turn from orange to red for the winter. The brambles had succeeded in producing very mixed bunches of blackberries unattractive to humans  - all the more for wildlife at present and during the winter.

A Speckled Wood butterfly easily overlooked feasting on the

rather unappetising (to humans) profusion of berries but perfect for 

insects and birds.

Speckled Wood butterflies were still a common sight during September, with five seen today and five Large White butterflies too but on the grasses in the sun. Two Southern Hawker Dragonflies were seen patrolling the banks.

Clumps of fresh Fleabane were showing good flowers which had gone to seed, hopefully generating many new plants to attract more insects such as butterflies next year. Unfortunately the heatwaves this year did not allow the first flowers to survive, the petals being singed off before seeds could develop.

It was good to see that insects were attracted to this 'autumn' flowering however.

The first bird this morning was a Grey Heron flying across the river, then two Blackbirds were seen on the shady damp grass under the trees with a third in the undergrowth (3). Passing by the well-hidden but often audible Starling Roost the sound today easily matched the sounds from the nearby school playing fields during break. There were 9 starlings seen but many more well hidden amongst the dense vegetation. Noisy Magpies were chasing competitors in the tree canopy all along the river (10 seen) with mostly immobile Woodpigeons (30) cooing from the old oaks, with old feathers drifting down from their nests, some still in use.  Keeping their distance were 4 Carrion Crows in their usual lookout tree, observing every slight movement below. Four Herring Gulls were seen heading towards the school for break time whilst two Jackdaws flew out from the woods. Further across a field three Roe Deer were quietly browsing on the grass, undisturbed by construction activity not far away. Not a rare sight here,

but not as common as in the past. 

Throughout the morning there was some very impressive birdsong from the small birds with some first 'early winter' song from Robins despite some noise from the construction site, with numbers increasing this month (29). Wrens were starting to sing too but only 6 present today. House Sparrows were calling, flying from the tangled bushes into the sun in good numbers (30). Blue and Great ts, 18 and 7

were not as vocal yet but active in the Ivies, Oaks, Blackthorn  and Hollies. There were no large groups of Goldfinches heard  but 5 were seen. There were probably large groups forming to feed on the grass seeds in the meadows but they are easily disturbed by the shadow of a Sparrowhawk flying across! One Treecreeper was seen on a Willow trunk and two Nuthatch, one calling on the same trunk of an old Oak.

It was good to see a Chiffchaff and to hear a contact call from another close by whilst a Great-Spotted Woodpecker was seen near the top of an old pine, still and silent, watching. A single Goldcrest was seen in a nearby pine fast-foraging. It was now becoming quite breezy, with dark clouds approaching but still sunny.

Finally a Red Kite was seen flying westward above the tree canopy.

Now observations from

September 2022

(note these are not surveys but just noted en route)

1st September - flock of Greylags Geese seen and heard flying over

2nd - Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaffs, Goldfinches

(3rd  - House Martins and nests in TOWN CENTRE)

4th - Robins singing everywhere in full plumage

5th - Giant Thunderstorm at night. Robins joined by singing Wrens

7th - another overnight thunderstorm - river higher and flowing faster

8th - Overnight torrential rain and another am. Birds quickly resumed their song.

9th - Moorhen flapping and paddling in river, Robins.

11th - Robins, Wrens, 2 Nuthatch calling, 2 Brown Hawker Dragonflies, 2 Common Darter dragonflies, many Large White butterflies, 2 Brimstone, spiralling Speckled Woods

13th- Robins, Goldfinches and flock of 40 Starlings

14th - Herring Gulls, Robins, House sparrows, Goldfinches, Moorhen in river, (calmer conditions) Grey Wagtail juvenile across along river

16th - Common Buzzard Robins, Nuthatch, Wrens

21st - Common Hawker Dragonfly, Grey Heron fishing in River

22nd - Robins, Moorhen River flowing well, Southern Hawker dragonfly, Migrant Hawker dragonfly

25th - Southern Hawker dragonfly Speckled Woods, Nuthatch loud, Dunnock 3 

29th - Common Buzzard 

30th - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff 2, Sparrowhawk, Southern Hawker dragonfly.

 

A Summary of the whole of August 2022 - Heatwave 2

 One heatwave is enough for one year but August suddenly became very hot again, and the heat lasted longer but thankfully less severe.

The month began with drizzle and breezy but with a foreboding Red Moon on 7th heralding the return of the hot weather bringing out the Grasshoppers, Crickets, ants and bees from their nests in the dry sloping ground. Jays were seen investigating the thousands of young acorns in the old Oaks. On 11th it became very hot with a yellow sun which continued the following day with the humidity down to 24%, very dry for West Sussex. Common Darter dragonflies were out. In normal summer weather they usually choose the driest stoney paths on which to bask and warm up.

 Young House Sparrows were performing their first 'Singing Together' chorus in the hedgerows since fledging.

The atmospheric pressure fell on the 14th and it remained very oppressive in continuing heat the following day. On 16th, after eight days  the heatwave collapsed and gave way to very welcome rain in the dark morning with House Sparrows remaining under cover in the thunder and lightning that followed. As the rain cleared it was good to see that the river was running faster, with a brilliant view of a Kingfisher flying low over the water. Blackbirds appeared along the river banks, foraging in the wet undergrowth. The next day, bird activity was remarkable with all the usual summer birds reappearing as it started to rain again. Chiffchaffs were calling to each other and the mid afternoon temperature had fallen to 18 degrees C.

On the 18th a Kingfisher appeared, calling and flying fast heading south along the fresh river, the water level having risen slightly again. There were more birds, including three Dunnock on the path. Fine drizzle continued on 19th with bright Hawthorn berries glistening on bankside trees.

Hawthorn berries remained on the trees

The sight of red Hawthorn berries here is quite unusual as normally they are plundered by wildlife before reaching ripeness every summer, as are often the first berries to appear in the summer.

On 22nd and 23rd there was more reassuring drizzle with active Jays, Speckled Woods and Large and Small White butterflies along the banks - and more rain on 25th. On 26th a Southern Hawker dragonfly was active, and several Gatekeeper butterflies seen amongst the newly flowering Fleabane.

By the end of August it was back to normal along the river with Sparrowhawks hunting again.

The End of August - the survey two weeks after Heatwave 2

 August 2022 recovering at last. By mid August there had been over a week of Heatwave days, making it  an unprecedented summer. It was encouraging to watch the return of normality along the river.

Wednesday 31st August 2022 was mostly sunny but with light cloud and a northerly breeze. The grasses were greening but the paths very dry. Aircraft contrails crossed the sky. Most of the leaves yellowed by the heat had fallen into the lear running water, forming a very green and fresh landscape. It was neither hot nor cold. Woodpigeons (37) were still nesting and cooing amongst the high branches with Rosa canine hips towering above through which Great Spotted Woodpecker holes were now visible, unoccupied, with loud juveniles exploring new territories. Other tree trunks could be seen with attempts at 'drilling' where the woodpecker had given up and moved to more favourable sites.

A loud low helicopter sent the Woodpigeons off, they returned only after the aircraft had double back to investigate my presence,  then lost interest. The wooded area over the meander in the river was thronged with Speckled Wood butterflies amongst ripe bitten sloes, Blackberries and apples. The long grasses, growing in a mix of shade and sun were full of insects, many small grasshoppers and various ant species and grass moths. Most of the fruits were still on the trees, it being far too early for the usual autumn ripeness.

One early windfall, still green

Numbers of birds were quite low, but not unusual for this time of the year. Woodpigeons were the second most numerous, only because they were still nesting and vocal (37) whilst Carrion Crows, never enough to form a flock, were audible but only 6 were seen.. Magpies (12) were quite audible with quarrelsome juveniles and only two Herring Gulls were flying over. Three Starlings were seen, calling.

The most numerous were the finches, not unexpected-  after all they are hot-weather birds, their main source of food being seeds. House Sparrows were fewer in number than usual but visible in their usual habitat, dense hedges and bramble bushes (41) whilst there were at least 50 Goldfinches in a 'charm', a loose flock flying together across the path from the shady Oaks to the meadow full of seeding grasses and Dock where they dropped down to feed. A Sparrowhawk whizzed across and set them up, but there was no catch for the hawk, the numbers must have confused it. Later it was seen again, perhaps trying to hunt single birds but they all kept together. A second Sparrowhawk (2) was seen approaching but turned away.

Over the same meadow, a Common Buzzard was seen heading south, across the A road. The area often has good conditions for raptors using the thermals as soon as the sun rises and when there's a prevailing wind, conditions are good for take-off and landing. Two juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard in the dense shade of the trees, Oaks and Field Maple close to the river.

Of the small birds, only 6 wrens were seen, some calling very short calls, 33 Blue ts and 8 Great ts along the shady river bank trees, with two Blackbirds foraging in the undergrowth. A single Nuthatch was seen in trees nearby, silent.  Robins (7) along the river were making a gradual reappearance but silent, and our summer visitors the Chiffchaffs (4) were still about, making contact calls with others about to leave on migration to their winter habitat, or maybe they'll stay here, some always do.

Speckled Wood butterflies were the second most numerous butterflies with Large White butterflies easily the most numerous everywhere, in sun and shade. Small White butterflies were seen too.

Common Darter dragonflies were seen chasing across a pond with some basking in the sun on the gravel path. A Common Blue Damselfly was seen on aquatic plants on the edge of the same pond  where tall leaves caught the sun in an otherwise shady environment. Lastly a Southern Hawker dragonfly was was seen patrolling the river bank at head height, observing closely.

A summary of the whole of August follows in the next post.

 

A summary for the whole month of July 2022

 Here is a quick summary for the build-up to the heatwave then the gradual return to normal.

July started to heat up from the first week allowing wildlife to become accustomed to the unusual conditions. 

On 1st July clumps of flowering Senecio jacobaea (Common Ragwort) were flowering on the verges, some flowers and stems being eaten at speed by large caterpillars:

Impossible to miss these voracious beings from the path, making short work of the plants, they had finished their work within a day or two and were not seen again, having consumed the whole plants, flowers, leaves and most stems. The brilliant black and red Cinnabar moths were not seen here this summer although they are day-flying moths (Tyria jacobaeae).

On Sunday 3rd a look at the meadow and river bank revealed Male Banded Demoiselle Damselflies on nettles and several Common Blue Damselflies over a pond. Marbled White butterflies , Ringlets, Small Skippers and Meadow Brown butterflies thronged the drying grasses, discovering patches of Birdsfoot Trefoil here and there. On Sunday 6th Meadow Brown butterflies were numerous and Whitethroats were heard singing and seen in the shrubs whilst Blackbirds were seen scuttling in the undergrowth carrying food for nestlings in the deep shade. On 11th a Red Kite was seen being chased by a single Herring Gull and there was a noisy altercation between a Common Buzzard and a Carrion Crow. The crows are fierce defenders of their nests high in the trees.

By the 12th of July it had become very hot along the paths, water was still flowing well in the rivers, Fleabane was flowering in clumps and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies were seen ranging over the banks and nettles. Marbled White butterflies were again numerous together with a few Large Whites, Small Skippers and Meadow Browns. A large singing 'charm' of Goldfinches flew across the same meadow from the riverside trees, separating into groups to forage on meadow seeds then returning into the shade, still singing. The following day the 13th - Goldfinches were still present, singing again. A Grey Wagtail was seen flying low along the river and a song thrush was seen in the dark undergrowth.

A first for July - Gatekeeper butterflies on the Hornbeam hedge over the bridge, restless. They do not usually bask in the sun. All the fruit trees now have fruit in various stages of ripeness.

It had become very hot and very quiet by 17th although male Brimstone butterflies , Large Whites and Meadow Browns were seen.

July 18th and 19th were Red Desert Moon (my description of a highly polluted atmosphere) heatwave days and nights, 'sticky' dust, thunder and drizzle A Red Kite was seen on 21st, then Rain on 22nd. Some birds were obviously moulting with odd feathers missing, all very reluctant to be seen. On 24th some wildlife began to reappear, with two Nuthatch, Common Buzzard and Carrion Crow, Brimstone, Speckled Woods, Gatekeepers, Meadow Brown butterflies,  and many Large Whites and a Southern Hawker Dragonfly.

The 25th July was a notable day for the appearance of swifts flying fast foraging on aerial insects in cloudy conditions, a Common Buzzard, many Goldfinches singing and crowds of juvenile Starlings.

The next day 26th - a Treecreeper was seen together with 7 Long-tailed ts and a Whitethroat.

The 29th was the full survey (see previous post) and by 30th the usual birds (Dunnock on paths, Blackbirds alarm calls, House Sparrows in hedgerows,  and more) were reappearing, although it remained very warm.

August 2022 survey and summary with Heatwave 2 follows in next posts..

Then September 2022.

Catch up with the summer heatwave!! First the survey for July 2022

The Survey for 29th July 2022 marked the welcome end to a month with an unprecedented heatwave. A summary of the whole of July will follow.

Friday 29th July started with bright conditions, high cloud, a slight breeze and very dry but with the short grass still green. Fruits on the trees were doing well but not yet ripe. Occasional walkers were making slow progress as if exhausted still, as with the river, flowing but slowly, audible. Some large but delicate Hazel leaves had turned yellow and started to fall, not through lack of water but as a result of direct heat from the sun. Small birds were flying from the sun into the shady side of the river, having rapidly warmed up after a cooler night. Good numbers of birds were present but very few were singing. They perched above some bitten and over-ripe fruits, ignored for the present. Goldfinches were the only birds to be heard. Oaks held huge numbers of acorns, many still green, different trees holding different loads, branches and twigs moving very slightly in the gentle breeze. Woodpigeons were active in selecting nest-sites all along the coolest banks, this year choosing low, damp, shady sites as most birds and animals will do during excessively hot summers. Brambles were sending their new shoots low along the ground, providing shade and shelter for their own roots and for other plants too. Earlier all bramble shoots and nettles grew fast and vertical, twice their usual height.

Blackberries at various stages of ripening after the first rapid

growth. 

The earlier Heatwave had sent birds under cover, and the abundance of easily accessible food meant there was no need for them to fly constantly from branch to branch or tree to tree during the heat of the day.

Thirty-five Woodpigeons were the most active flapping around inside hedges and Ivies, dropping down to the river to bathe and drink occasionally. They keep cool by not moving much, occasionally wing-stretching. Blue ts (31) in Hazels, Oaks and Blackthorn and Great ts (8) were the most active birds, with the latter mostly hidden in the undergrowth today. Four Long-tailed ts, all juveniles were sitting together in the Willows over the river, their tails now fully grown and close by three Chiffchaffs were calling contact calls with two more flying across the Willows (total 5). House Sparrows (86) were as usual the most numerous, picking at various berries and seeds along the hedges.. The most vocal birds today were Goldfinches (27) very bright, with juveniles. Theirs will be a bounteous autumn with plenty of excellent foraging on Dock and other seeds. It's already apparent. Wrens were quite scarce, only 8 seen and 4 of them calling, keeping very close to the river. There were 4 Dunnock on the shady path, a usual number and usual place, but one near the new pond. Further along the shady river one Blackcap was seen in Willows and one Grey Wagtail very low-flying over the water under steep banks.

No Song thrushes were seen and only four Blackbirds, all within very close proximity to dense undergrowth. A gentle morse code tapping gave away the presence of a Nuthatch in an old Oak whilst a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker and an adult called to each other from an Ash (2).

Carrion Crows were very visibly moulting now, one flying over my head with missing middle feathers from the tail. (total crows 4). Several juvenile Magpies ( 7) were heard nearby whilst a single Jay was seen flying into a tall hedge. Further along between two ponds a Green Woodpecker was calling loudly. It was an area with several ant's nests in the dry cracked border.

Finally just two Robins were seen, one singing. They are usually one of the most numerous birds to be heard and seen but fall silent and remain hidden whilst moulting. 

 Now for the Butterflies and Dragonflies:

It was notable that there were now quite a few clumps of Fleabane all freshly flowering as the previous clumps, flowering during the Heatwave seemed to have not withstood the heat and been singed and 

dried out. ie the yellow flowers had black petals, not seeds.

Butterflies:

Large White, Comma, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Small White, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Brimstone, Common Blue butterflies on Fleabane, Peacock, also on Fleabane.

Dragonflies:

Banded Demoiselle Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Darter Dragonfly

Many bees, grasshoppers, crickets in the dry long grasses which were thick, tangled and going to seed.

Note there were NO areas of bare, dry cracked earth. As soon as it rained the grasses grew up with green shoots.

(Next posts will be some observations over the whole of the HEATWAVE month of JULY 2022

then the surveys for August and September 2022

 

Survey for June - a Startling Summer begins

 The survey for June 2022 was done on 28th, a variably bright sky with sun and cloud and a southerly wind. The air was fresh after a heavy shower the previous day which caused the river level to increase slightly. Meadowsweet on the bank was flowering and Hazel leaves gave the landscape a bright green shade, even under cloud.What a contrast to last year, seeing so many young fruits on the trees. A Blackthorn held surprisingly ripe fruits, some had already been spotted by birds which had stripped off the fruits and left the stones on the branches, perhaps whilst the fruit was not ripe enough to pull away whole. There were bird droppings below the branches.

The growth was surreal, with nettles springing up and brambles twice as tall as is usual. Many bees were frequenting the brambles, tall grasses and strong patches of Bird's foot Trefoil.

Butterflies were the main feature of this survey, several new to some locations which have matured this spring where wild grasses and wild flowers have been allowed to grow un mown.

One of these areas held many Meadow Brown butterflies with some Ringlets in low areas, then suddenly within less than a minute of the sun appearing, a Marbled White butterfly flew across, then many more were seen over the grasses with fast and restless flight. only one perched for a second and then was off, it perched just long enough for a photo: 28th June 2022:

Marbled White butterfly (Melanargia galathia)  not seen before in this location

Amongst the grasses were many less obvious butterflies, the Meadow Browns:

The Meadow Brown (Maniola justina) is quite numerous and is usually seen first in May.

Another butterfly present was the Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)  in good numbers but often overlooked but usually seen in well managed grassland which hasn't been cut as they overwinter in tall grass sheaths. Mowing will destroy the small caterpillars.:

A sign of good land management here!

These areas need protecting. Mowing is incredibly destructive.

In addition to these butterflies there were several Large Whites, , 4 Commas, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Woods, 3 Brimstones, 2 Red Admirals and a rather faded Painted Lady (it may well have flown north across the channel as these are migratory butterflies).

Now for the Birds:

Whilst it was interesting to watch butterfly activity on such a variable day with alternating sun and cloud, when butterflies react within a split second, dropping down under cover when the sun goes in in most cases and flying up resuming activities as soon as the sun shines again, birds also react, often in advance of rain or sun. Birds will often perch on outermost branches waiting for the sun or drop down into dense foliage before rain. Today the first birds recorded were Chiffchaffs (8) some singing in the Willows. Robins were mostly keeping out of sight but 4 out of 8 were singing. Just two Blue ts and two Great ts were seen, a very small number but obviously still nesting under dense cover. Blackbirds were still rearing young but 12 were seen, several giving alarm calls when corvids came too close. House sparrows were also nesting, most in dense hedgerows or on buildings (45) but only two Starlings were seen, close to their roost. There can be larger numbers but usually when there is an overcast sky full of midges and flies! There were 13 Herring Gulls in the air and 10 Carrion Crows in various trees whilst a total of 34 wood pigeons were mostly  calling and chasing, nesting will take place later. A single harsh call revealed a Jay in dense cover, having survived a winter with our acorns, like the squirrels and 9 noisy young Magpies nearby

There was only one Goldfinch seen, with most probably nesting out of sight and a single Green Woodpecker called softly - they have been nesting, not advertising their presence in the trees.The other summer migrant warblers present were loudly singing Blackcaps in the tree cover over the river (7) and  4 Whitethroats. Unusually there were 7 Song thrushes in various places, most singing - a good sign.

There were good number of wrens (38) most singing and a Sparrowhawk which dashed across between trees, over my head. House Sparrows had fallen silent but resumed their song in the hedgerow as soon as the hawk was out of sight.

The huge growth of vegetation has give Damselflies extra cover on which to perch and only a single Banded demoiselle Damselfly and some distant Common Blue Damselflies on the margin of a new rather bare pond were seen.

May Damselflies and Butterflies from 2022 Survey

 Added to the 27th May Survey (previous post) are the insects seen:

Butterflies:

Two Speckled Woods basking on a leaf, two Small White, three Large White, a House Sparrow unsuccessful in its attempt to catch one; too many bees to count everywhere on brambles in the sun on the river banks, a Holly Blue, two Green-veined Whites, and a Comma butterfly. There were large numbers of Hoverflies, most over grasses on the embankment slopes.

Damselflies:

In addition there was a fantastic mix of the two most prevalent Damselflies here seen emerging from the river and others chasing over the surface, hunting insect prey or basking on leaves on the banks in the sun. These were Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies (six male and three females) and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies. (one male and two females). Most of the males were low down on river perches ie twigs and branches following small insects eg midges with their large eyes and flying up to grab the prey and return to a perch. Females were seen further away on bank-side leaves or flying over grasses.

These are not the typical pond dragonflies but are river specialists. Here, having two rivers providing different habitats, they can fly to areas close by to locate optimum habitats. One was seen chasing a Large Red damselfly.

The day of the survey was not the first time the damselflies had been seen this spring. They were present on the river on 17th May, a fine warm day, with two Red Kites sailing above.

A male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly (no demarcated 'bands' on the wings)

There were several other males but with with clearly demarcated  'banded' wings which refused to remain still, being actively aggressive towards other males. These are simply called Banded Demoiselle damselflies.

A female Banded Demoiselle Damselfly warming up on a leaf further from the water.

The females are not visibly  'Banded' but have quite fine greenish wings with a metallic green body and a white false wing spot near the end of each wing. There is a photo of two perched on leaves in the previous post. They favour large flat leaves facing the sun, such as Nettle or Bramble.

These will not be present in polluted waters.

After May showers - survey for 27th May 2022

 Friday 27th May 2022 was a bright, fine day with a slight breeze and dry after slight drizzle the day before. There was some noise from the nearby construction site. The landscape over all was brilliant green with all trees now in leaf. Rosa Canina was flowering everywhere with abandon, arching fronds and shoots climbing vertically through tree branches. Hazel is fast-growing this year, likewise nettles, springing up, taking over from Cow Parsley and providing the best food for for many butterfly caterpillars.The winged seeds of Field Maple trees were already clearly visible and looking closely, small apples were appearing after profuse blossom had finished on each tree. Young brambles were coming into leaf covering the old woody branches from last year, which had held very few fruits. There were reassuring numbers of midges and other insects. Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) with its small deep blue flowers and white centres was flowering in shady grassy areas of the embankments and buttercups were still numerous in the sun. It was good to see that very small fruits were appearing on the Blackthorn - hopefully there will be sufficient rain this year to produce more food for our winter migrants such as Redwing and Fieldfare.

Today House Sparrows were collecting insects for young nestlings amongst the fruit trees and hedgerows (83) in most dry and sunny areas along the riverside whilst Chiffchaffs (19) were now largely hidden by leaf cover but still calling and well distributed. Goldfinches (32) were singing in several groups mostly hidden in thickets and tall hedges - they prefer medium-height habitat within easy take-off locations. A call now seldom heard was that of the Chaffinch with 3 present, which is more than on some days in recent times - there were no Greenfinches seen on this survey. Blue ts (10 and Great ts (8) were present, almost all still nesting, some of the latter calling loudly and others seen drying out in the sun after bathing in the river shallows not far from where Wrens (15) were nesting. Others were calling quite persistently.

Three Dunnock were present, two singing and two Whitethroat were heard in dense wild small trees. Adding to the diverse songs were Blackbirds (14), Robins (13) (many more were silent nesting birds), and two Song Thrushes but today the song of Blackcaps was the most impressive (9), mostly from perches in the riverbank Willows and with (2) females seen but silent. There were 9 Long-tailed ts in all, with three juveniles calling and perching together in the branches in an area where there are perfect conditions for foraging fo insects. The tall tree trunks attracted not only these birds but three Goldcrests and a Grey Wagtail with two juveniles (3 total) which flew off down to the steep river bank. Elsewhere, most foraging on grass were 31 Starlings, many of them very noisy juveniles. In the old Oaks a Nuthatch called briefly whilst not far away two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen with one calling and a single one was seen flying across (total 3). A Green Woodpecker was visible high up in an old Oak. Six Magpies were present in the trees. Woodpigeons were present as usual (25) with several nesting. A sparrowhawk flew fast across the trees, just missing a Goldfinch whilst a Common Buzzard flew over the distant earthworks. Only one Herring Gull was seen and only two Carrion Crows.

 

Good News for the river

A first sighting of Damselflies was in May

These were seen on the day of this survey, 27th May 2022

Here are two freshly emerged and warming up on Bramble leaves on the river bank.

More to follow on these in the next post.

April Blossom, a Survey for 26th April 2022

 Tuesday 26th April was a fine day with the last trees coming into leaf. The oaks had very bright but delicate green leaves. The fruit trees were now in full blossom although each being a different variety  and in different locations meant some were much more advanced than others. The advantage for wildlife is to provide the longest possible season sustaining a diverse population. The NE wind and clear blue sky was a bonus after a very mixed month beginning with snow flurries on the 1st, then becoming quite hot mid month and 16 oC on 26th. Cow Parsley was showing up above new planting and Wild Garlic was everywhere with young nettles appearing.  Recent rain had brought out the midges over the clear water, a good source of food for nestlings. An important study on Insects, published on 20th, produced or rather announced that there is a World Insect Apocalypse with more and more populations being wiped out.

Invertebrates are not only essential for the pollination of crops but are an irreplaceable link in the food chain of wildlife.

Blossom on one of our Crab Apple trees

15th April 2022

The first song heard was that of the Chiffchaff (7) which will be with us until autumn when most will fly  back to Africa, to an uncertain winter together with many other birds which breed here. Some Chiffchaffs do however decide to stay here in Sussex over the winter. The loud song of Robins (21) was heard in most areas along the river as they continue to guard their territories, usually the best habitat for food sources such as berries and insects. As usual Dunnock (4) were seen briefly, foraging on a path. They retreat into the undergrowth when approached. With the rapid growth of riverbank vegetation the Wrens were quite numerous and singing loudly (19). They are very successful here in all weathers as have a good variety of locations in which to nest or shelter unseen. Always the most numerous, House Sparrows (70) are also successful here, choosing the same or similar locations in which to nest each year, given the tolerance and interest of local people who know that humans and House Sparrows have always co-existed . Beware the district without Sparrows!

Blue ts (15) and Great ts (9) were very active, several of the former demonstrating how they use fruit blossom, they are very versatile feeders in the spring, often seen on Willows sampling the first pollen-filled catkins, carefully removing the brown outer cases to get into the catkins, when other food is scarce.

Goldfinches were numerous (23) with several groups singing amongst Ivy the numbers present were probably greater than this. Blackcaps (5) were easy to see when singing boldly and the vegetation not yet fully grown to provide cover, but only one Bullfinch was heard calling from Willows.

The bird most welcome on this survey was the Song Thrush with 12 seen, several singing loudly, all occupying different locations which they usually keep as their own whilst nesting although here some were sharing grassed areas with Blackbirds when foraging.  Some of the Blackbirds were seen bathing in the river shallows or drying off in the sun (total 15). It was also good to see increasing numbers of Starlings (26) silent, even those approaching their roost, most foraging on grass.

Looking up, there were 2 Nuthatch keeping very quiet as they usually do when nesting and a single  distant drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.  Very close to me, in a tree behind my back was a Jay, quite quiet as were 14 wood pigeons also quiet in various trees. Birds in the air were 12 Carrion Crows, 6 Magpies, and 3 Herring Gulls.

Lastly there was a disturbance amongst the Woodpigeons - a Red Kite was seen flying over, then 3 Common Buzzards sailing on the midday thermals.

Butterflies (mentioned in previous post) seen on this survey day were:

Orange tips (10), Speckled Woods (3), Large White (2), Green-veined White (1).

The fine warm weather and quite shallow river levels will mean that the watch for Damselflies

and Dragonflies has started. Their presence will indicate the quality of the river water!

Watch out for the May 2022 survey.

First Butterflies of 2022 March and April

 A look back at the year so far gives a mixed picture dominated by the variations in the weather.

It was a good start with Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) seen fairly early on, coinciding with the first flowing of Lesser Celandine here, which turned out to be magnificent and long-lasting, starting around 25th February 2022. This led us to expect the early appearance of butterflies - but then came the Saharan dust storm on 16th March- what effect would it have here? Only 2 days later on 18th March the first Brimstone butterfly was seen, a warm, clear, breezy, sunny day. On the same day, a surprise in the form of 5 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies two appeared out of a Hawthorn hedge and three more were seen in Brambles nearby. Another was seen basking on a stoney path not far away from the hedge which was providing shelter from the breeze.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly and its shadow on the stony path. It has chosen a flat, warm stone, just the right size to bask on. 18th March 2022.

The following day with similar conditions (high pressure and a NE breeze) the first Comma butterfly was seen on the verge of a path, then on 19th March the first Peacock butterfly was seen over brambles.

On 21st March in a grassy area a Peacock was seen chasing a Comma butterfly in quite fierce long chase when it managed to frighten the more fragile Comma to take cover. This was clearly Peacock territory.

A Peacock butterfly perched on a bramble leaf

21st March 2022

A Comma butterfly clinging on to a dry stalk in the wind,

March 2022

On 22nd March several Peacocks were seen basking on a path (same weather conditions prevailed)  with more Peacocks seen on 23rd March with the first female Orange-tip butterfly.More Peacocks were seen on 24th March but the weather then changed and became cooler with lower pressure bringing rain.

On 11th April a male Orange-Tip butterfly appeared and a male Brimstone was seen along the river bank. The good weather lasted with more Peacocks and more low-flying Orange-tips and Brimstones.

A speeding aggressive Peacock was this time seen chasing and Orange-tip. The powerful Peacock always wins!

The first Holly Blue butterflies were seen on 17th April and a Speckled Wood butterfly was

seen on 26th April.

The variety of Wild flowers has so far been excellent with far more appearing than in recent years, in more locations. Hopefully this will continue throughout the rest of the year.

March and the riverside Springs to Life - a survey for 24th March 2022

What a change from February!  Thursday 24th March 2022 was another fine day in a rare run of fine days, dry with bright sunshine and only a slight breeze. Background noise was low, with many singing birds seen in the hedgerows. The Hawthorn and Hazel trees were just coming into leaf, with Blackthorn covered in dense blossom. It was too early for fruit trees to blossom but all trees, large and small held buds. The new hedgerow trees planted this month and in March last year were growing well, protected by tree guards. Under some of the older trees there was an unexpected profusion of wild flowers with Lesser Celandine still flowering now with more Wood Anemone than ever before and Wild Garlic about to flower. Butterflies had suddenly appeared a few days earlier, emerging as the sun warmed the riverside. (see the next post) .Today a brilliant male Brimstone, a fast-flying Peacock and a Comma butterfly were seen ranging along the banks.

Wood Anemone flourishing in the dappled shade of the

bare branches of the woodland floor.

Cuckooflower just emerging through the thick

layers of last year's stalks and leaves. This is the food plant of the OrangeTip butterfly caterpillar.

Normally clumps of these flowers are seen near and on grassy river banks but this year were also seen on ordinary roadside verges and patches left without being mown. This is a good indicator of how important it is to avoid scheduled mowing regimes in areas where foliage is not obstructing highways and vision.

Large numbers of Buff-tailed Bumblebees were ranging all along the riverbanks, attracted to the wild flowers. The first Hoverflies were out over the warm banks.

Birdsong was striking in its clarity with as yet no heavy foliage to dampen the high notes, with Robins (31) winning in numbers but the summer visitors, the Chiffchaffs (19) again trying to out-sing them.

Great ts (13) were also calling loudly with a variety of confusing notes whilst Blue ts (24) were far too active to sing. Their nesting is often easily observed as they find locations in many of the very old Oaks whilst not yet in leaf.  Two Long-tailed ts were seen following each other across the top of a catkin-covered Willow. Blackbirds were seen all along the route, most dashing out from the undergrowth onto the damp grass to forage. (24). One or two were singing full songs but most were silent or making soft alarm calls. There were over 100 House Sparrows in all along the riverside hedgerows and brambles - reassuring numbers. They thrive in dry warm weather and seek out the sun to perch, bicker and sing. 

Dunnocks (8) today were seen chasing under the brambles and along the footpath. Wrens (12) were all singing, fewer in number than usual as most remain quietly hidden when nesting under roots and bank vegetation. It was good to see the Song Thrushes (6) with some 'sunning' and drying off after bathing in the shallows of the river. Further downstream - an unusual sight of two Nuthatch together,  preening after obviously bathing in the river too, with six others in well distanced locations near probable nest sites, one calling loudly 'don't come near'. (Total 8).

In the background, quite well hidden, at least 5 Goldfinches could be heard singing from a dense thicket and a smart male Blackcap sang more loudly from another Willow amongst dense catkins.

In the air, eleven Herring Gulls flew slowly around whilst 4 Magpies and a Jackdaw followed each other. At least 40 Woodpigeons were seen amongst the Oaks and in the air.  Starlings (28) were calling, very unique songs around their nearby roost, in trees and tall undergrowth and a Green Woodpecker yaffled loudly below shortly before a Pheasant called close by.

Hearing loud cries from a Carrion Crow meant a possible Buzzard Alert! Sure enough two Common Buzzards were circling each other, carried up by the thermals. A pair of Carrion Crows commanded the deserted playing field whilst another flew into an oak (4 total). Further downstream a male Kestrel was seen moving high in trees. It perched for a while then dropped down out of sight into an area of tangled undergrowth known to be occupied by small mammals.

Bright Sun through the Branches - February 2022 Survey

 The survey for 25th February 2022 was done on a fine, dry, clear day only a week after the Storm on  the18th and 19th.

It was cool and dry with a slight breeze.Apart from scattered twigs and small branches carpeting the ground, there were few signs of the storms. The branches and small trees that fell here were perhaps fragile but valued as part of the landscape. Now the sun shone through the bare trees onto the woodland floor, warming the earth -  but the full display of wild flowers would come later. It was certainly very bare.

Hornbeam winter leaves cling on forming

a barrier for sheltering wildlife and a windbreak

during the worst of the weather. Soon new green leaves will replace the old to create a thick hedge.

Wild Garlic leaves were growing strongly, interspersed with fresh young Cow Parsley and Nettle leaves.

There was no new growth  yet on the ponds, harbouring frogs and their spawn and tadpoles. The banks will be green by the time froglets are out and about.

Birds were fast-flying today, with wrens singing at last.

House Sparrows were out in force in the sun today (over 100), in the Hornbeam and other hedges, the Bramble patches and the drainage basin undergrowth. Only one Goldfinch was seen however.

Blackbird numbers were increasing (24) with most very active, either singing or giving alarm calls, preparing or already using nests. Song Thrushes were very elusive, as not singing but preparing nests. Only 2 were seen. Robins were everywhere advertising their presence (36) most singing loudly. Wrens too were singing strongly (25), winning the song contest with Great Ts (13). Blue Ts were numerous (37) but their song is usually diminutive, used for contact-calling. They were seen selecting small buds to eat but insects will soon be their main diet when raising young. Four Long-tailed Ts were following each other from branch to branch in the Willows over the river. possibly a pair with two helpers completing their intricate nest entangled within the steep bank vegetation, invisible to predators.

  Three Dunnock were busy nest building in the undergrowth whilst a Bullfinch called quietly from the branches above them.

Calling loudly from different Oaks along the river were 4 Nuthatches already using their nests, carefully reconditioned over the winter months.

Woodpigeons seem to have survived the storm well, with 26 in the high branches of old trees. They almost certainly hunkered down low on the riverbank, avoiding the madly swinging branches.

Magpies (9) and Carrion Crows (12) were active, feeding on the grass whilst a single Jay carefully avoided them. Very good numbers of Starlings were present - about seventy, most singing in their traditional roost well hidden amongst dense vegetation. Not far away 45 Black-headed Gulls were very easy to count, evenly spaced on the sports field, thinking perhaps of their summer coastal breeding grounds. Surely it must all be an improvement on this inland site! On the other hand the coast would have been a dangerous place the previous week during the storm. Two Jackdaws, a single Collared dove and 19 Herring Gulls were seen flying across the drainage basin and new sports field near the river.

Looking at some Deer footprints in the mud a sudden mix of angry calls came from a nearby thicket. Looking up I saw a Common Buzzard being chased by Carrion crows very close up across the river. The commotion didn't last long, only one Crow persisted but soon gave up,  once in the open sky the Buzzard is the winner.

The survey for March 2022 follows soon.

Lesser Celandine, the First Woodland Flowers

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

Our February Meet was held on 27th -  a cold start but fine weather all day, with a dry SE breeze.

The sun had brought out the first flowers of the Lesser Celandine, well known to have traditionally been a welcome sign of spring in woodland for hundreds of years - and this year was no different with the first sign of sun in late February awakening the plants which are fortunately spreading steadily along the river banks and verges. 

Lesser Celandine bursting through the thick layers of last autumn's leaves

on 27th February 2022

Many birds were very active, with Robins singing in their territories everywhere.

Goldfinches were also singing loudly along the riverside walk but were less visible

in the thickets. With the flowers came the Bumblebees, Bombus terrestris.

This Bumblebee (Buff-tailed bumblebee), together with Bombus lucorum 

(White-tailed bumblebee) are usually the only bumblebees to appear as early as February.

We were lucky as the rest of the week was cloudy and damp, spring was on hold.

January 2022 - A typically Dark Day for the Survey

 Thursday 27th January 2022 was overcast as usual but initially there was no rain and no wind. The young hedge on the river bank was full of birds. The location provides shelter down on the banks and amongst the dense stems of Hawthorn and Hazel together with the brown leaves of the Hornbeams, with a young Oak retaining its brown leaves close by.

The landscape was now at its wildest; what could be wilder than an old Oak more than two hundred years old, habitat for thousands of creatures (mammals, insects and birds, fungi and lichens).

The tree has withstood storms and floods, hot summers and freezing winters, it's only adversary being a type of mammal, sometimes called human.

Its essential root protection, dense ground cover, mostly Brambles Hollies and Ivies forms an important extension to the wildlife habitat provided by its branches and bark. Soon the first spring flowers, Lesser Celandine then Wood Anemone will appear at its roots attracting the first pollinating insects.

Birdsong, muted by dense leaf cover in the summer, today echoed along the river, some quite remarkable its volume and intensity close up, often with another bird answering from across the river. Robins are masters of this and today 40 were counted, most singing loudly, all guarding their own territories, easily seen perched on prominent branches, never moving far off. Unlike the Robins, Blue Ts were constantly moving about it the trees, especially Willows, selecting buds here and there which they would open by carefully removing the outer brown husks. It was good to see so many (75) in such ideal conditions along the whole length of the river. Great Ts were also seen, in fewer numbers (23) and singing loudly with their individual variations on the 'teeecher' theme, most moving amongst the river bank roots and low vegetation, remaining less visible. With them, the Wrens (11) were mostly seen on or near the river banks singing very short songs.

Other birds seen in large numbers were House Sparrows, in their individual colonies, amounting to over 100 individuals in total, some singing, even in the rain later in the morning. Blackbirds were now seen mostly foraging on the muddy grass and river banks (23), the autumn's meagre supply of berries and fruits having long since been plucked. Only 3 Song Thrushes were visible, in the same areas as the Blackbirds although most were probably unseen within roots of hedges, as were the Dunnocks, only 2 were heard singing then seen in undergrowth. Goldfinches (19) were seen in small groups, some 

 singing and others following each other into a hedge. There are still seeds on the Dock plants and some thistles which they are eating as winter rations.

Starlings were very active, chasing in small groups or in one large group of about 30 on the very top of an old Oak, the total today was 47. The characters of this area are the Carrion Crows (7) which are permanent residents and keep an eye out for trouble but always tolerate visiting birds, apart from the Magpies which are opportunists. This year they have been active extracting very small insects from under the balls of moss they find, mainly on nearby rooftops. They spot a clump of moss and fling it expertly off the roof onto the ground below, collecting insects left behind. More than usual (10) were seen today, chasing in the Oaks. A single Pied Wagtail was seen foraging on the grass. Woodpigeons can usually find food anywhere and today 47 were seen in various places on the grassed areas or ivy bushes. In the old Oaks Nuthatch calls could be heard from a tree then the bird moved to another branch and could easily be seen. In all 5 individuals were seen each in a different Oak or Ash. Probably most started preparing nest holes last month.

The weather was not suitable for birds which use thermals such as Buzzards but 2 Jackdaws, 70 Herring Gulls,  and 63 Black-headed Gulls in a their exclusive separate group were present.

Lastly a Little Egret was seen near a drainage basin close to the river. It suddenly went up into a small low tree, waited a few minutes then dropped back down, into the shallow river where the water was not so muddy. It was very interesting to note that two Moorhen accompanied the Egret and followed it's foraging using slow careful step on the river bed closely, hoping perhaps that it would disturb some small creatures for them to catch.

Survey for the Warmest New Year's Eve - 2021

 

December 31st 2021 was the warmest New Year's Eve, with a SSW breeze, cloudy with intermittent drizzle. It was easy to choose a typically dark and mild day to do a survey for December, probably the dullest since 1956. Comparing the weather with the previous survey, for November 2021, it was about 10 degrees C warmer but bird numbers and activities show the advance of winter rather than the comparative temperatures.

The birdsong was very loud with most birds defending chosen territories. Signs of spring were already showing with Hazel trees full of catkins. There were plenty of midges and other insects - good news for birds, with new leaf buds on fruit trees and many others. If the weather turns cold the buds will grow very slowly.  Berries were scarce compared to 2020 and those left were very small leaving the birds no choice of insects or berries - it will have to be insects, rather than rose hips and sloes.

Hazel catkins on a fine day. Catkins were merging into the misty drizzle on 31st however.

Perhaps the only fruits available were the now mature Ivy berries which had grown ripe slowly in shady areas, now at last ready to be plucked by larger birds:

Growing amongst mature ivy leaves the ripe berries can be found from ground level to the highest branches that are strong enough to support the weight of several Woodpigeons.

The loudest bird song today came from Robins (47) almost all very visible, perched where their song and appearance became unmissable, echoing along the banks. They had been singing since well before dawn.

Blackbirds (18) were very active, chasing and calling but with no developed song yet. It was very good to see and hear Song Thrushes now - all singing - not yet giving full songs but seemingly answering each other (6).  Blue ts (58) were also very active closely following each other amongst the bare branches, collecting insects, not in large roaming flocks but in small groups. Great ts were chasing and preening mostly in separate areas lower down in thickets in a variety of locations (more than 20).

 Two Dunnocks were visible in brambles at the side of the path. Three or more Long-tailed ts were calling softly from a thicket. Wrens were not numerous yet, with only four seen in different places making short flights and even shorter songs. Three Goldcrests were active in a conifer, tiny fast movements giving them away in the dark shadows. Six Goldfinches were seen in a group on the top-most branches of an old Oak adjacent to another Oak where nine Starlings were perched together all facing south whilst more were perching on other tree tops - usually a sign that they will all take off to form a larger group and pick up more on their flight (25 total), destination unknown. They took no notice of a single Nuthatch dashing away from the Oak, calling.

The river bank and meanders, forming a very important habitat for many wildlife species in every season of the year.

 There were about the same number of House Sparrows in various locations as there were last month (November) - not unusual as they are quite static in their habits (64) but it was good to hear a large group singing together in amongst the brambles, with others preening in the new hedge after bathing in the river shallows. This was just as there was a glimmer of light from the sun, before dark clouds moved across again. A total of 25 Woodpigeons were seen in various places with five on the new playing field. They were vastly outnumbered by Herring Gulls (more then 100) which had moved in and split up to check various locations, with most flying around the School. Black- headed Gulls (5) were present in the area too, leaving one of their flock on sentinel duty perched on one of the goalposts of the playing field. More will join it to forage on the grass when all is quiet. They very rarely mix with the noisy Herring Gulls. Three Magpies were in a tree, one shouting at a Carrion Crow which was perched on an oak. (total 4) whilst two Jackdaws called to each other in flight. A Common Buzzard was seen perched on an old Oak surveying the ground near groundworks - then the star of the day appeared in a tree over the river. A bright male Kestrel. It suddenly dropped down from its perch onto the river bank and then flew up and away, followed closely by a Carrion Crow. The Kestrel had probably caught a small mammal such as a Bank Vole, hence the chasing Crow. Raptors are doing well during the mild weather, with many small mammals still active and quite visible to birds perched on high branches watching for the slightest movement of grasses, earth and leaves on calm days or in sheltered hollows.

A Dark December - Full of Life

 This is a brief report on the month of December 2021 with reports of notable species only.

December was indeed a dark month with overcast weather dominating and very few clear days, however there was much activity along the river.

The first winer migrant Blackcap (male) appeared on 3rd December, eating berries remaining in places where other birds had given up trying to reach them. This is on time - the first winter Blackcaps in 2020 having been seen first on 6th December and on 9th December in 2018 although not seen in December 2019.

The first Redwing (5) were seen along the river bank thickets on 4th December, being watched by a local Sparrowhawk.

Many Goldfinches flying together and a calling Green Woodpecker were seen on 13th December and on 14th there were some fine views of a Little Egret along the river watching for fish. The local Sparrowhawk was on its observation tree and two Mistle Thrushes were singing loudly from trees upstream.

On 16th December approximately 80 Black-Headed Gulls were evenly spaced on the playing field  together with a small close group of about 30 Starlings. The Sparrowhawk and Mistle thrushes (2) were seen again.

Always a joyful sign, the first singing Songthrushes were heard this winter on 17th after a silent autumn.

A Little Egret was seen again on a bend in the river on 19th and the Song Thrushes continued their singing. One of the two Little Egrets was seen just downstream 'paddling' on the river bed on the Arun where it is quite shallow on 22nd, a frosty morning. More Song Thrushes were singing too.

Where mature Oaks lose their leaves in winter, young Oaks keep their brown leaves all winter and then lose them in spring when they are replaced with fresh green leaves. This is a good example of a 'self-sown' oak already several years old, retaining it's leaves. The acorn had probably been part of a cache stored by a squirrel or Jay, close to a mature oak.