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.