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.