Gentle July - a survey for 26th July 2023

The records for July 2023 have been waiting to be entered for quite a while but here they are! 

A typical summer day, sunny, a slight breeze, no rain, warm, dew on the grass with the paths drying out. High-growing nettles, Meadowsweet finishing and crowds of midges on the river bank under the oaks. Numerous butterflies were ranging along the brambles, most of them fresh Gatekeepers with more over the long grass (uncut 'islands' ) with grasshoppers and numerous other insects including grass moths. It was warm in the sun, spreading as morning shadows dispersed.

Where the grass had been cut but mown grass left, it was clear that there were very few insects such as butterflies, bees and grasshoppers. Spider webs of course were a good indicator of a 'no mow' area, where spiders frequently used dry flower heads to anchor their webs. Hazelnuts littered paths under Hazel trees where creatures had reached up to plunder the still-green nuts or carry them away for winter storage.

Clumps of Fleabane were now flowering in the sun. They are not early flowers but are quickly found by bees, butterflies and hoverflies. 

Gatekeeper butterflies are extremely active - if you see one 

there will probably be many more ranging along nearby hedges

and grasses. This one is rather worn but shows the identifying 

two white dots on black on each wing. They will seldom be seen basking.

As usual, House Sparrows were the most numerous birds (62) most

singing in hedges or drying out on the most sunny branches after bathing. More were busy but of sight in bramble patches where bramble seeds will provide food for them well into the winter months.

Blackbirds seek out the earliest patches of sunlight on the river banks where they could be seen 'sunning' with wings outstretched (8). A single Songthrush was seen crossing a path.  This is always a very quiet time for the best singers, but they are still present, keeping a low profile, whilst protecting juveniles and whilst moulting. There were 5 Dunnock on the path and undergrowth on the verge, dashing out when an insect is sighted. As for most birds, Wrens, usually very vocal were quiet and keeping out of sight only 3 were seen and one of these heard. There were even fewer Robins than usual (3) most moulting and keeping well out of sight. Goldfinches (8) were seen in a small group in trees near a field with dried out Dock where they will dash out from the trees to collect the seeds. Blue ts (17) and Great ts (4) were busy in several locations collecting insects and spiders from leafy trees on the river banks. Some of the Great ts were calling. Blackcaps, amongst the very best singers, were still today with just one heard calling. They are keeping hidden to protect their young. There were other warblers, including Whitethroat hiding amongst the Willows for the same reason but at least one gave a short song to identify itself.

The larger birds were more easily seen with a Magpie calling, 2 Nuthatch one adult and one juvenile seen in a shady oak, 3 Carrion Crows breaking the rules of silence,  Woodpigeons lazily cooing 23 and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying from a hole in a tree trunk. A Grey Wagtail flew from the river bank and a Green Woodpecker called loudly from a small field, laughing, knowing that it was unseen.

The insects seen were:

a good number of 7 spot Ladybirds

Butterflies:

Small White, Peacock (3), Holly Blue (14), Red Admiral (22 at least), Large Skipper, Small Skipper, (several), Meadow Brown (13), Comma (16), Large White (15),  Gatekeeper (98 total), Speckled Wood (7)

Dragonflies;

Souther Hawker (3),  Migrant Hawker, Large Red Damselfly pairs several.

finally - submerged frogs in muddy pond.

Others not seen on this survey but seen during the month of July:

Common Buzzards

Swifts in air

Collared Doves

Banded Demoiselle Damselflies  m and f over river (many)

Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies, m and f  over river,  Common Blue Damselflies, pond

The Survey for June 2023 - Bees prefer Bramble flowers

 The End of June was an unpredictable time and the Survey for Friday 30th June 2023 had to be paused and the survey finished off on 3rd July due to sudden rain from very dark skies. 

Friday 30th June started dry, breezy with shady areas still damp. It was bright with blue sky visible. There were good signs that all fruit trees were bearing fruits however small. The two embankments (north and south) were visibly showing the difference between grass and wild flowers left to grow on one and grass cut on the other. It was very obvious that bees, butterflies and other insects and spiders had chosen uncut areas.

Fortunately brambles and other riverside plants had been left to grow as usual all along the river banks and it was clear that bees were attracted  to Bramble flowers where there was a choice of other other flowering plants. Rosa canina plants produced many flowers but these did not last long this year, probably due to rainfall in late June and July.

Rosa canina flowering along the hedge - an example from a previous June, this years flowers being very short-lived. 

The numbers of birds and butterflies are totals for the combined parts of the survey, present in 2 different areas, within the usual time constraint.  As usual House Sparrows were present in large, busy groups (63) with Wrens (21) singing loudly in their individual territories. Robins were very quiet with only 5 seen and these singing softly. Most would be hiding during their annual moult. Visible Blue ts were also few in number (9) as were Gts (3). 4 Long-tailed Ts were visible in the shady canopy of the river bank, not far from the favoured Blackcap habitat over and along the river, amongst the willows, 7 seen and most heard singing loud varied songs in their own territories. Common Whitethroats were present (3) in their own territories singing further along whilst a single Dunnock lurked under the path verge. High in a conifer 3 Goldcrests moved rapidly from twig to twig before disappearing and reappearing elsewhere.

 Woodpigeons (55) were the most numerous, understandably flying towards the SW and open fields. Only one Collared Dove was seen, in some Ivy - their numbers have dropped significantly during recent years - they are smaller and more delicate than the Woodpigeons and may be facing competition from flocks of feral or fancy pigeons. Herring Gulls (9) can be seen all year now. They fly in small groups, in their own territories centred on feeding opportunities. Song thrushes (2) both singing, were present in their favoured habitat along the river together with 9 Blackbirds, closer to the grass and undergrowth of the banks, including a very loud singer.  Nearby were 6 Chiffchaff flitting amongst the dense leaves, all still singing or calling. One Nuthatch called for a second from an Oak.

Noisy Corvids were present in good numbers (for this area!) with 17 Carrion Crows and 8 Magpies in  their chosen trees where they have good views of the surrounding grounds and any possible interlopers. A group of 20 Starlings was seen flying across and several small groups of Goldfinches, total 32 birds were seen flying over and onto areas where the grasses and wild flowers have been allowed to grow this summer. This area is favoured too by birds of prey with its open aspect and swooping, gliding and pouncing opportunities. Today a single Sparrowhawk was seen dashing into a thicket where Goldfinches had been perching and singing but the growth proved to be too dense for the larger bird.

BUTTERFLIES:

June had been a good month - until the last days when wet weather had taken over. Nevertheless the long daylight hours allowed most butterflies to react with great speed to changes in the conditions. Timing their reactions was an interesting task!

Here is a list on the same survey with approximate numbers:

Meadow Brown (61), Marbled White (21), Small Skipper (17), Large Skipper (5) Large White (11), Small White (6) Ringlet (2), Comma (3)

GATEKEEPER (first of the year) 1

Peacock, (1), Red Admiral (9), 

 DAMSELFLIES:

Banded Demoiselle Damselfly, M and F, Large Red Damselfly 3 M and F,  Common Blue Damselfly F, Azure Damselfly M 

Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly M

INSECTS eg

Numerous Hoverflies, Honeybees, Bumble Bees various, Grasshoppers, Crickets,  ants

SPIDERS various

Amazing May - a survey on 30th May 2023

 May was a fine month for wildlife this year - with what used to be historically a rich and colourful time praised with poetry and song rather than the vicious sounds of electric and petrol-driven mowers  and hedge cutters shattering the songs of birds. Now, this year, just for a brief cease-fire - it was 'no-mow May'. Will it be celebrated next year and extended for many months and years, not just a daring experiment?!

Exceptional fields of buttercups were seen growing in many places here

Tuesday 30th May was sunny after the cloud cleared, very windy, from the NE, with no rain again after several dry days. Dog Rose (Rosa Canina) was flowering well in the hedgerows, the first to get the early sun and Blackthorn still held some blossom over fresh Hawthorn blossom, flowering Cow Parsley and leafy Hazels. Small apples were appearing on most trees, easily missed. The river water level had receded somewhat but was still flowing well with small bank-brambles flowering well.

Over a hundred House Sparrows were occupied in dust-bathing or active inside hedgerows, singing in groups distributed along the pathways. Spring migrants - the Chiffchaffs (8) were present, calling amongst the leaves, maybe some will stay, after breeding, as some did over last winter. Two Dunnock were seen in the undergrowth, not mixing with the other small birds. A large female Sparrowhawk whizzed across the path, probably having spotted a less cautious young bird dust-bathing. It will soon learn the colony signals of dropping down, as one, out of sight, on seeing a flash of those wings. It's usually the cumbersome sleepy Woodpigeons which fall prey, despite their size. Today there were 17, several cooing, with several feeding on the grass.

Blackbirds have a long nesting season and today no less than 21 were seen along the river, some giving loud alarm calls which may have been a warning of the presence of the Sparrowhawk but could have just been defending a nest or food source from invasion by any other bird or mammal. Twenty-five Wrens were present, in various areas of river bank and tree roots most singing loudly, perhaps also defending territory. There is a possibility that their loud voices are intended to be heard above the sound of the running river. It was very good to see and hear 10 Song thrushes most singing loudly too, in various places, embankments, Oaks, large Willows and other trees where their songs could have the most effect. They favour mixed damp and shady places to forage when not singing. Other small birds, Great ts (3 and Blue ts (10) were not numerous - notably keeping a low profile whilst still nesting, with the usual yellow-tinged juveniles not yet fledged.

Above the trees, Herring Gulls (19), Jackdaw (1) and Magpies (6) flew across in search of snacks, whilst two Carrion Crows were seen chasing a Common Buzzard with two juveniles noisily joining the adult Crows all flying as fast as possible against the wind. A Kestrel was seen flying across it's usual trees, head down, observing the ground on the road verge. Two Nuthatches in different places were seen amongst the old trees whilst a male Mallard was seen guarding a nest with the river running clear alongside.

More small birds weer seen amongst favourite Willows and undergrowth - the special bird today being a Kingfisher across steep banks, ten Robins, 8 Whitethroat and the best singers, the Blackcaps (20) , some very loud in all, at various song posts near the river. Goldfinches were elusive but were heard in places.

In addition, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying across and a probable Treecreeper onto a tree trunk amongst leaves, a single Starling, three Willow Warblers, a distant Sedge warbler singing, a Green Woodpecker calling and a Bullfinch flying into an Ash.

Each area has it's own populations which some hold over years unless disturbed.

                                    Holly Blue Butterfly on blossom in early May - many more than usual

The afternoon was much warmer, with less wind and grasses warming up in the sun and many insects.First a small shady pond, on looking closely, contained many small tadpoles - covering bank-to-bank moving about on the surface. Soon they would outgrow the pond and be found hopping as frogs across through the long grasses to the protection of the shady overgrown verges. It's important that the grass here is left to grow long!

The day was perfect for insect-observation:

Orange Tip - about 10 m and f

Peacock butterfly - on the Warpath!

Small Copper 

Large Red Damselflies

Common Blue Damselfly

April Activity - a survey through young green leaves

 The survey on 25th April 2023 revealed much activity after rain the previous day, the trees affording little cover, most showing only tiny bright green leaves and small buds emerging amongst the bare twigs of winter. It was sunny, with approaching cloud over muddy paths, waterlogged in places. Starting at a gap between old trees, seven species of bird were immediately visible. Wild garlic flowered on the river banks just above the high water mark with mud covering the vegetation.Buttercups were now overtaking the Lesser Celandine on the grass above. A closer look revealed that all the fruit trees had some buds with the trees on higher banks holding the most blossom buds - for now.

A naturally drier area, a copse of trees with plenty of light playing through the bare branches held a fine display of Cuckooflower and behind it a carpet of flowering Wood Anemone, reaching through last years fallen leaves and branches left deliberately for wildlife. It was amazing to see how fast new growth appeared with the woodland springing to life.

The flowers will last until this year's tree leaves form a canopy over the woodland floor and cast shadows.

Cuckooflower waiting for the first Orange tip butterfly.

Leaf growth may have been slow this year but bird life has made up for it

with very good numbers of most birds:

there were groups of singing House Sparrows  (>100) in most hedges and shrubs now including bramble bushes, still just showing last year's old thorny growth. It will be several weeks before any new spring growth appears. The winter weather has been kind to these small birds which have not ceased singing, even in the rain and sleet. Great ts (13) were early to sing in trees and shrubs with good numbers of loud Wrens (38) preferring the muddy river banks, all potential nest sites.  Blue ts (26) could be heard before they were seen foraging amongst mossy branches and fresh Willow catkins, when they fell silent amongst such abundance. A group of 6 Long-tailed ts were seen briefly in the canopy, following each other, still easily visible amongst the twigs. Apart from House Sparrows, the finch family was only presented today by a  flock of Goldfinches (19) calling and chasing, maybe attracted to prolific Dandelions growing in dense crowds where last year there were no flowers. Blackbirds (21) were quite numerous, singing or foraging fearlessly on grass or saturated bare ground, with no shortage of food.

  Song Thrushes have been very impressive in their song this spring, and in their numbers. Six were heard and seen today each in it's own territory, singing loudly -  each having it's own recognisable song. The usual Magpies (7), still bickering as a family, were balancing on bare branches not far off from cooing Woodpigeons (22)  in the same large trees. Carrion Crows (5) were separated, just watching from various outposts, silent. A Grey Heron (2) however was calling fiercely from the river further north and a second Heron was seen flying south, high over the trees. As usual by mid-morning, the Herring Gulls (12) had started to convene close to the school, flying in from the east, quietly. A small group of 6 Starlings were present flying overhead but are usually only seen in large numbers during the evening, or before it rains, catching insects in mid-flight.

Robins (23) were still very visible and audible, favouring prominent song posts in the sun, the opposite to the Dunnocks (5) which were skulking amongst tree roots and path verges hardly visible in their dull plumage, but easy to locate when singing. They are rarely seen preening. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling from an old Oak and a Nuthatch further along the bank called from another Oak, in the sun.

Our earliest migrant, the Chiffchaff  (7)  and our most welcome and sonorant warbler, the Blackcap (3) were present and singing today, in the Willows over the river together with 8 Whitethroats, beautiful birds as well. 

Garlic Mustard

Food plant for the caterpillar of the Orange tip butterfly

BUTTERFLIES present were: Orange-tip seen perched on a dandelion flower, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Peacock.

The dandelions were clearly attracting many more insects than usual, especially bees.

Mist and Drizzle in March - the survey

 Wednesday 29th March 2023 was not one of the best days for a survey , delayed until the relentless drizzle ceased.

There was no further rain during the survey but it remained damp although becoming warmer and clearer.

The river was not as high and Cow Parsley was still very low growing. At least the new varied hedging plants were doing well. Much Blackthorn was now in blossom and the first Wood Anemone buds were ready to open - when the sun appeared . Patches of Cuckooflower were visible now beside the babbling river and Wild Garlic was in leaf, as usual one of the very first plants to show green leaves after the winter along the river.

Blackthorn Blossom - the first buds over the river

The most obvious signs of spring were birds singing: Large numbers of House Sparrows (>100)were present all along the river, most in hedges still used as shelter on a grey day, no birds basking in the sun, but singing loudly nevertheless. Woodpigeons were numerous too, with 43 scattered, hunched up in sheltered tree branches, a few cooing quietly. There were 33 Robins, most singing well regardless of the dim light - having the best eyesight for such weather. 

The very best of the song was given by the Song Thrushes (13) perched at intervals along the route, each remaining as usual in one chosen spot for maximum effect. Another bird - the Great t was singing loudly giving calls both typical and puzzling, mostly perched in Willows  and on shrubs in drainage basins where it sought to confuse with it's repertoire. There were 28 counted, more than Blue ts today (21). Only one Long-tailed t was seen flying across the bridge. I know there are more in the area...

Wrens (22) have adapted well to the rapid changes in rainfall and therefore in river depths and flow whilst Great Spotted Woodpeckers (3) had to adapt their drumming to allow for waterlogged tree trunks and soggy branches. How different the drumming sounds! The best tree is a dried out hollow one..  A single Nuthatch was giving an angry call, it's nest perhaps already in use. The pair will be guarding many weeks of hard work preparing it during the worst of the weather.

Blackbirds (17) were now singing too or giving alarm calls when disturbed - they are well adjusted to damp and misty climates where foraging is easy. Carrion Crows (10) were marching about and calling, ignoring Magpies (8) today whilst smaller birds such as Dunnock were sheltering well out of sight. There were 13 Chiffchaffs - all of them singing quite loudly, mostly from thickets, and a sudden perfect song came from a Blackcap male in a Willow - the first this season, although two or three have remained here over winter, they were not singing. 28 Goldfinches brightened the landscape both with their plumage,  actions and song, in an area they frequent in order to forage on the last of last years seeds from Thistle and Dock. 

Two Herring Gulls flew over the School roof whilst Starlings remained in their roost for a while before heading for the fields. Three Mallard were seen, one male over the river and a pair on the 'new' pond. It is very bare at present so they may decide to return to a more sheltered location to nest. Nearby a Sparrowhawk flew across from the road to take up a new secret post in an old Oak. Above, two Greylag Geese were seen heading north.

It was good to see the riverside shaking off the old winter character, although slower than usual.

A Fine February 2023 - for Birds

 After a rather erratic beginning to the year in January, with it's mixture of wet and windy weather with singing Song thrushes and Robins and a male Blackcap sheltering from thunder, lightening and heavy rain in a garden, and high river levels  recorded, it became steadily colder. Two Grey squirrels were seen collecting fresh 'duvets' of fallen leaves to repair wind-damaged dreys and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard drumming on freezing tree-trunks. River levels dropped rapidly revealing bare clay beneath the topsoil as the weather brightened at the end of the month. February was less extreme but eventful in that a significant amount of planting was achieved in order to restore hedging and create a even more diverse habitat for wildlife here along the river.  (See our HFCG News for February 2023 to  come).

Survey - Monday 27th February 2023 was a cold day and very bright, sunny with a blue sky with temperature warming to 4 deg C from -2 earlier.

Riverside vegetation showed little change - Hazel catkins were growing and small leaf-buds were appearing on other trees with a few more green shoots of Wild Garlic but it will be a slow spring, unlike the previous few years.  Little remained of the bountiful crops of fruits and berries - plundered by hungry birds - more trees to benefit wildlife have been planted now.  There were signs of frog spawn in a small pond however.. Frogs are a valuable source of food for many birds in the spring.

The First Lesser Celandine plants seen flowering at the end of February - a very welcome sight this year!

House Sparrows first. As usual, given a sunny day, most were seen perching on the sunny side of the hedges especially in areas sheltered by the wind (85). There was one Chaffinch  and one Goldfinch. The latter are usually more numerous - they may have flown off to forage on the remaining Dock and Thistle seeds. Three fast-moving Goldcrests were visible in a conifer whilst below a bright Kingfisher dashed across the surface of the river under the steep banks.   One Dunnock was seen in usual habitat, an insect-rich footpath between rough hedges.There were 24 Robins evenly spaced in their spring territories, most were singing and easily seen in the bare vegetation.  Blue ts (33), Great ts (22) and 7 Long-tailed ts were seen in various locations, the Long-tails in ones and twos obviously prospecting for nest sites or starting to build nests - not so easy this year as bramble banks and hedges are still so bare. They usually make an early start and spend several weeks on construction. It was good to see and hear wrens (12) singing loudly along the river banks, seemingly unaffected by the high water levels of the winter. Bare trees made it easy to spot a Treecreeper climbing along a horizontal branch upside-down and also to locate a quiet Nuthatch in an Oak. It will be finishing refurbishing it's nest by now. A Great Spotted Woodpecker suddenly started to drum close by on what was probably a springy branch, making a 'doinnnggg' sound. Again as with other birds today it was quite clearly visible.

Woodpigeons (20) were not very active, most sitting hunched on oak branches some cooing lazily. Starlings were scarce too with only 6 seen, most were probably keeping warm in their Day Roost. Later they may be seen all flying together in a mini-murmuration - or - is there another reason - as they were silent...? Carrion Crows were dispersed, mostly on the field margins (9). Magpies (6) were quiet for a change although not invisible and Herring Gulls (13) likewise. A single Black-Headed Gull was patrolling the playing fields - their 'scout' which remains behind when the flock decides to fly off.

Blackbirds (total seen 21) on the other hand were very active some picking over fallen leaves, several chasing each other, and others contact-calling or giving alarm calls, mostly males. Only one Song Thrush was seen and 2 Redwing, observing from a low thicket. Should they leave or wait until the weather is more suitable before the long journey back - maybe a warm westerly wind would be best. Upstream was a piece of foil litter glinting in the sun - just a flash of wing and it turned into a male Mallard duck foraging amongst a small 'island ' of twigs near the bank. Had it been a female it would have remained invisible as the twigs were moving with the fast flowing river.

A flash of brilliant white in a shallow less turbulent part fo the river was a Little Egret fishing quietly  well out of sight under high banks. It suddenly flew up, it's bright yellow feet visible when it perched on a mossy branch in the tree above and continued to survey the river below. 

The survey really started with a series of raptors. First a Kestrel sitting on a branch . It had disturbed two Carrion Crows and  one Magpie just by flying from one branch to another. Next came a Red Kite flying up over where I was standing, over my head, drifting and circling, close with markings showing well, unconcerned by my presence. Then seconds later a Common Buzzard flew over me approaching from the north and circling low above, also unconcerned by my presence although creating more of a disturbance amongst other birds sending up  woodpigeons and starlings from the trees.

Was this the reason why there were fewer starlings and wood pigeons about?

Song Thrushes Signal Spring

Tuesday 31st January 2023 the day of the January Survey was a cloudy day with no blue sky visible at first. The light was bright however with no rain or wind but much mud and some broken branches to make up the picture for the last day in January. The most noticeable visual sign was the bareness and drop in the height of riverside vegetation compared with last winter and the winter before. Then brambles were throwing their new shoots high without dying down as the warm weather allowed for continuous growth. Today bramble fronds were weighed down with layers of fallen Oak leaves. The only sign of reasonable growth were some tiny clumps of green leaves low down on the warmer earth of the river banks - Wild Garlic. 

Above, on the level route of the footpaths there were only layers fallen leaves on hard ground. It was not clear in places which was the path and which was normally a soft green verge with wild flowers springing up: the footpath is on the left and the verge on the right:

The space on the right of the trees is usually frequented by birds,

 Blackbirds and Song Thrushes mostly shuffling through the leaves

finding plentiful bounty. but this was not long after the Survey.

Yes there were Song Thrushes, not foraging but singing full songs as loudly as I've ever heard and clearly visible in the bare branches directly overhead.

On the day of the Survey and most of January and February, singing birds dominated the whole riverside, it would have been a desolate scene without them with still only slow-growing Hazel Catkins to bring colour.

With continuous birdsong and no wind, it was easy to see most and rejoice at their numbers.

Almost all Robins (33) were singing and visible, even in the conifers. with Blue ts (35), Great ts (18) and fast moving Long-tailed ts (11) very active, giving contact calls, the Great ts giving by far the loudest and most varied spring calls. Wrens (only 2) were the least audible and visible as this season is usually a quiet one for them, depending on the weather and Bankside growth of mosses. There were seven Dunnock, most singing, one bathing in a drainage Basin which still carried some water and another singing loudly from an Oak. Their numbers were vastly exceeded by House Sparrows, as usual - there were approximately 90, some singing loudly whilst hidden amongst dry Brambles - the most popular habitat on dry ground but with the river nearby. The only disadvantage of growing a thick underlay of winter down is the time it takes to get dry again preening in the winter sun after bathing. Five Goldfinches were singing in a bank thicket, but no large flocks were seen.  The soft call of a Bullfinch was heard as the bird moved around the the Blackthorn thickets over the river but fell silent when a Sparrowhawk whizzed through the top branches, heading North where vegetation provided cover for attempts at predation. Often these attempts are most successful with Woodpigeon prey. There were 29 Woodpigeons spread out along the river and tall hedges, observing. Eight Magpies were actively chasing each other with 17 Carrion Crows, in the Oaks, some chasing the Magpies. 

The most numerous birds today apart from the House Sparrows, were the Herring Gulls (68) some in small groups, others in a group of about 40, visibly incoming with the blue sky forming a 'kettle' over the school. Interestingly only one starling was seen, many others were present but invisible in their 'day roost'.

Those characters of the playing fields, the Black-headed Gulls were present, (about 40) many losing their winter plumage, all quietly wandering, evenly distanced, across the grass.

Of the thrushes, Blackbirds were the most numerous, foraging in various places along the river and on  leaf-strewn paths (19). A single Redwing was clearly seen, looking around from a Blackthorn, 

perhaps deciding to join a departing flock.

The masters of the days singers were the Song Thrushes. 14 were clearly seen in their own habitats on their chosen perches, some giving sustained and beautiful voice-carrying songs. Once having chosen their 'singing station' perches they can often be found in the same  general location each day, if not disturbed. (as do the Mistle Thrushes).  Other birds seen were 6 Nuthatch, some calling. They too seek the best locations and return to them but only call in alarm or to threaten imposters as their tree cavity nests take many weeks to build and refurbish well in advance of nesting.

A single Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen clearly visible investigating a nest halfway up an old tree trunk.

Finally on the outskirts of the survey area a Red Kite was seen flying onto an old tree near a large drainage basin, more often occupied by a Kestrel.

Dark December 2022 Survey postponed until 2nd January 2023

 With very few days to choose from the November survey was done but Dark December offered too many Adverse Weather Conditions on the available days. Monday 2nd January 2023 was the best for a long while with a rare occurrence - a blue sky.

With the temperature 6 degs C lower than the usual run of wet and windy days at least it promised reasonable visibility and audibility! It was above freezing. I was immediately struck by loud birdsong and sharp glimpses of active birds foraging amongst the bare branches of deciduous trees. Even evergreens were giving away the fast movements of hungry small birds. The river was flowing well, not at a high level bu fast nevertheless.

Growth of spring Hazel catkins had not advanced since the previous survey,  with most trees and bank vegetation even more leafless than before. It has been what seems like many years since there had been such conditions. I can remember the winter of 1981/82 when there were snowdrifts halfway up the doors and other times when the river was partially frozen, it bordered farmland then, with little shelter.

The sun on January 2nd 2023 was very low in the sky, illuminating the landscape with a very subtle light, with raindrops attracting birds to drink the freshest water from the Hollies and Ivy, the best of natural sustenance for wildlife at  this time of the year, together with dried out blackberries and leftovers on the hedgerows and fruit trees.

An old Oak (Veteran) on the river bank, this is one of the most 

valued in the district together with quite a few of a similar age

along the nearby riverbanks. Full of wildlife all year, hibernating or foraging.

This photo was taken on 12th December 2022.

On the day of the Survey was, apart from birdsong, quiet, with no wind. the available light was good but short-lived going from dawn to dusk in no time despite the sun.The most visible birds were the woodpigeons (50) most static, perched on treetops and Ivy, conserving heat in their thick down by maintaining immobility as far as possible, House Sparrows were the next most numerous but mush more agile (73) although in groups, some soaking up the sun out on the Bramble-tops and hedges, singing, whilst others kept low under dense cover, eating blackberry seeds and singing.

Starlings can be elusive but today there were 26 flying in small groups whilst others, unseen, remained in their roost tree. Fourteen Carrion Crows were seen in various trees, most prefer Oaks here some calling loudly to each other, easily seen on the bare branches. Also in the Oaks and Field Maple, Magpies were active and noisy, bickering and re-arranging their perches (11). Their calling was ignored by a nearby Songthrush concentrating on its perfect and very audible song, whilst another Songthrush (2) started a perfect song on a branch directly above where I was standing and took no notice of me. Both continued their songs which greeted me on my return after walking to the other footbridge and back.

Herring Gulls were very active in the area near the school, mostly flying across to join others on the school playing flied. Arriving in group there were about 47 in total, most calling loudly on approach. Two Rooks and two Jackdaws were seen flying across from the distance trees. There were 18 Blackbirds, most foraging on the grass but no Fieldfare or Redwing this time - perhaps they had flown off west when the weather had turned cold as they were seen in November.

Of the small birds, there were 7 Goldfinches, flying across to reach seeds on remaining plants such as Dock, no Greenfinches or Chaffinches as usual now but three Goldcrests, moving about in a conifer, foraging. Along the route there were 27 Blue ts, 14 Great ts and 5 Long-tailed ts some appeared to be chasing and some were calling.

The leaders at this time of the year are always the Robins, often very visible and calling loudly. Today there were 35 all guarding their own territories along the banks and hedges. Three dunnock were seen on the footpath and low branches, one was calling. There were 4 wrens, only one calling at present on the banks. High in an old Oak a single Nuthatch was calling whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying across. 

A Common Buzzard flew up from the branches of an old Oak and later a Red-Kite was seen circling lazily above another Oak not far away, drifting on the first .thermals .

The most interesting bird today was a female Kestrel seen perched for quite a time on a horizontal Oak branch over grass  where a few Woodpigeons were feeding. It flew off - perhaps missing a small mammal that it had been watching on the river bank below.

A few Highlights from the rest of November 2022

The survey on the previous post was made during an interval in the rain, knowing that rain is good for wildlife in general but not in excess and generally not for a survey! 

The month began with heavy rain and thunder, with sightings of birds very scattered but on occasions good numbers of Robins, Dunnock, Starlings, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and several Jays . 

The skies became darker with the river carrying mud from the fields but suddenly there was some sun on 9th November - with a Red Kite over the East bridge, several Jays and many small birds: Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blue ts, Great ts, Long-tailed ts,  Blackbirds, House Sparrows and a few scattered Redwing in a thicket, wrens,  on the bank and a Nuthatch in an Oak.

On 13th 30 Fieldfare were seen in formation low over the hedgerow  and Pied Wagtails on the ground, with a Grey Wagtail over the river.

After this the rain set in again, with the river overtopping banks for a while in the usual way. On 18th the rain ceased and Fieldfare were seen briefly flying across, not pausing to forage. The 18th was a rare fine day with the sighting of a brilliant fresh Red Admiral butterfly in a sunlit spot on the river bank and the day after, much colder but loud singing from a Songthrush and many other birds too, especially Robins and Dunnock with quiet Wren, Fieldfare and Redwing present too. Herring Gulls were seen and often heard. The high water levels have been a challenge for Grey Herons which continued to fly over, surveying the river and nearby landscape with ponds, the river overtopping it's banks again on 20th as is usual in such weather. After this the very wet weather continued but colder. House Sparrows and Starlings continued their singing in roosts. The full Survey was made on 25th followed by drizzle at intervals to the end of the month, with a Songthrush singing loudly times.

The sequel was a month of adverse weather conditions on all available Survey days for December 2022 with the Survey for December postponed a couple of days until 2nd January. See next post....!

A short but bright November Day - the survey for Friday 25th November 2022

 Just before the survey for November, a few highlights to add to October 2022:

Recovering from the summer heatwaves was ongoing throughout October with Chiffchaffs still active and giving contact calls on October 1st and 2nd , before leaving our shores (or deciding to stay - we will find out!). On 9th October, standing on the East Bridge over the Arun a remarkable sight of roaming flocks of small birds, was observed -  mostly residents, which flew across the gap between the riverbank Oaks with at least 21 Long-tailed ts all following each other at regular intervals, quite silent. The Carrion Crows which command this area missed them, they were so quiet and soon disappeared to the north.

Black-headed Gulls appeared on 20th but with a few Herring Gulls watching and on 27 and 28th (the day before the October survey),  Goldfinches, a Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Jays, calling Carrion Crows and a Red Kite were present over the  same area of the Arun near the bridge. See previous post for the survey for October 29th 2022.

The Survey for Friday 25th November 2022: 

The day was bright with no rain and very little wind but the ground was muddy and the river level still high and fast-flowing. It was notable that the first small Hazel catkins were now growing on branches over the river and bright Rose Hips were plentiful. Clouds of small midges were flying over the water in the sun and it was notable that in some places stoney paths were left where earth and mud had been washed into the river.

Many left-over apples still clung to the branches - awaiting hungry wildlife, birds, small mammals and insects. Meandering fox tracks indicated the routes taken in exploring sources of food amongst the trees and hedges. Fortunately the wild grasses had not been cut nor secret nest holes in the ground disturbed. Above, many nest holes in tree trunks and branches had suddenly become visible as the leaves fell. Each tree had it's own diverse wildlife shelters from canopy to roots via bark cavities and breaks in branches. Heaps of rain and river-washed leaves under the trees provided easy foraging for birds such as thrushes and robins as the earth was not yet frozen. 

Ripening Crab Apples will provide food for Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Fieldfare and Redwing later in the winter when softer fruit becomes scarce. 

This tree held only a few fruit - at the very top - the previous winter - remember the 'Winter of No Acorns'

before this 'Winter of Plenty' arrived?

Birds seen on the survey:

It was good news after the recovery from the heatwaves, with good numbers of birds and mammals seen and heard along the river. On the day fo the survey there were 25 Woodpigeons seen , most foraging for berries, others just sitting in the sun on high branches.  Two Collared Doves were calling but they seem to be getting less numerous each year. Nearby in the vicinity of the school were 45 Herring Gulls, voices mingling with those of teachers and scholars on the sports pitches. There were 5 dignified Carrion Crows but calling loudly at the approach of Gulls. The calls were matched by two Jays, in competition with 8 Magpies, most of the eight were this year's young. There was just one Rook flying across and one Black-headed Gull,on a goal post, clearly a scout for the rest of the flock, elusive this autumn. 12 Starlings were quietly feeding on the ground nearby Small birds were quite numerous as the weather was calm, with 25 Robins seen and heard singing, some loudly, in their 'traditional' separated territories, Holly and Ivy bushes. Blue ts were active, some bathing and preening in thickets and Willows (31) but only 4 Great ts were seen, in willows although there were certainly more hidden amongst tree roots on the bank. Their plumage is very bright and glossy. Not far downstream were 4 Long-tailed ts flitting restlessly amongst branches of Hawthorn.

Nearby a single Chiffchaff was calling, probably one which has decided to stay here rather than migrate.

Not far down the path Goldfinches could be heard singing and 8 were seen flying across into the sun to a place where there are still plenty of dried grass stalks, thistle and Dock seed heads. Along the river banks 7 Wrens were seen, only one calling and 5 Dunnock on nearby paths. 60 House Sparrows were seen in various groups, some singing in separate hedges and bramble patches, where the sun was warmest.

Two Treecreepers were seen making good progress up an old Oak trunk then out along a horizontal branch upside down, ignoring me. One flew down onto a sunnier spot on the same trunk, giving a thin call.

In extreme contrast there was suddenly a loud burst of perfect song from a Song Thrush sitting still and upright on a branch directly above me. It was throwing its voice as the song didn't become fainter as I walked away, then another started to sing further upstream.and a third in the distance, in the sun. The first bird did not bother to move and was clearly visible all the time. They were still present when I returned along the same path. It was the first real extended song I had heard this autumn, perhaps migrant birds which have chosen this place to rest and sing.

Twelve very fit Blackbirds were present too, but on the grass, foraging and into the brambles where some small Blackberries and seeds remained hidden. One or two gave alarm calls but certainly no song. Four Fieldfare were seen in a thicket working their way along, calling but no Redwing were seen. Two Nuthatch gave themselves away with irate calls in the old oaks, probably disturbed by a squirrel as they are usually quite silent until preparing to nest and guard territory.

Always leaving these until last - a fine Kestrel flew along the river calling angrily and earlier in the morning two Buzzards were seen flying together against the cloudless sky making use of the forming  thermals.

October 29th 2022 - Survey amongst the wild crops

 The end of October continued the lasting trend with late fruits and late leaf fall. The weather was gradually brightening on 29th after overnight drizzle. Layers on layers of leaves covered the grassy areas but the ground underneath was still firm. The seasonal mud had yet to arrive and hide the thick carpets of acorns. There was no wind to help create the fall of leaves and trees held many red apple varieties and Crab Apples especially were set to provide a feast for wildlife over the coming months. Sugars were attracting flying insects, with crowds of midges thronging the riverside soon to be consumed by small birds both visitors and residents . It was very quiet apart from Robins singing loudly, already preparing their chosen territories. Ivy was flowering with berries appearing too. Record numbers of Rose hips and Hawthorn berries have been ripening too. October is always a time of transition but this year the change from autumn to winter has been hesitant, even erratic, The last days of October had been dry underfoot with the land clearly capable of absorbing much water. Suddenly on the last day, the forecast was 'Severe Weather Later' and sure enough the rain came:

A view of the river - suddenly flowing fast after the first rain. 

This was in early November and the sun didn't last long.

Back to October 29th with wildlife here well adapted over the summer and the slow autumn to take advantage of whatever was available from day to day. House Sparrows are masters of adaption and today there were several gatherings along the riverside singing loudly as soon as the sun appeared (70). Others had dropped down onto the brambles to feed on the blackberries, most little more than bunches of seeds.

A group of ten Starlings flew together from roof to roof then away, their morning bathing routine completed. Blackbirds (14) flew down onto the shady grass from the undergrowth whilst Robins could be heard and seen all along the riverside some singing loudly,  each in its own space (39). Woodpigeons (28) were mostly perching high up in the Oak canopies, initially to capture the first sun whilst magpies (9) caused a stir calling and chasing each other as squirrels were few in number, not creating much competition in this landscape of plenty. Carrion Crows were calling loudly however (7) always on the defensive. Also very audible, a crowd of 49 Herring Gulls were heading for school grounds nearby.  Three Jays were seen in different trees, there are always more than allow themselves to be spotted, at least 10 in the area, unlike Nuthatches which are now starting to make themselves heard again after a quiet summer, one was seen on this day calling loudly. Keeping well away from most other birds here, Jackdaws have formed their own community claiming certain trees as their habitat- but this is not one of their chosen places and normally they are just seen flying over. Only one was seen  today calling the others.

 41 Blue ts  and 13 Great ts were very active, the latter mostly in the pines seeking out insects in the sun.

Close to these were 6 restless Goldcrests, far quicker than the larger birds.

Long-tailed ts seem to have done well this year with family groups exploring the woodland, (8) today.

Only 7 wrens were seen, most singing or calling very short calls from the banks and a single silent Dunnock foraged along the path just before a close flypast by a Bullfinch. Finally - it was good to see a Grey Wagtail in it's usual habitat flying over the shady steep sided river. 

That was the last of the small birds but the star of today's survey were the larger birds - a Kestrel flew in to perch on the top of of an Ash tree, clearly visible now that the leaves have fallen - then a Red Kite was seen drifting slowly North West after circling above.