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.