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.