Another fine spring day

Blackthorn Spring!

The scent of the blossom is one of the first signs of spring here.

On Friday 23rd March, another very warm sunny day with no wind: Tree planting continued around the attenuation basin, a quiet occupation as it's all done by hand. The trees being planted have large root balls which need two people to move off the truck and into place.

Loudly singing robins, dunnocks and wrens were in full view on riverside tree branches, they need to sing and be seen as well at this time of the year, in order to defend territory and to attract a mate. Nest-building is carried out more furtively but the male wren at least, needs to build several nest for his mate to choose from.

Chiffchaffs were also singing loudly from the willows, the best time of the year to see them before the canopy hides them. In autumn they can easily hide amongst falling leaves, then they are away to warmer climates, although a few decide to stay over the winter.

There was again a fine view of a nuthatch visiting its nest hole and on another tree a camouflaged

treecreeper was making its was up the old damaged bark, the markings on its back merging in with the texture and colour of the bark.

Yes, the weasel seen the other day has a series of tunnels as today it was sunning itself on the bank, then darted into a hole in the earth and re-emerged out of another hole some distance away, then ran to another hole. Of course there may have been more than one weasel!

By now it was quite hot and vivid yellow/green Brimstone butterflies had appeared ranging along the new growth of plants along the river bank together with a Comma butterfly.

Turning through a bend in the river, a splashing revealed a little egret just taking off from the shallow river bed to perch on a branch in a thicket over the river, close to another little egret partly hidden by branches. They are fond of this river and must be a pair, probably the same birds which have been venturing up the Arun from Pulborough and Arundel for a year or more now.  

Other birds seen were a green woodpecker, songthrushes, blackbirds, blue and great tits, long-tailed tits, house sparrows, chaffinches.

Looking up, a smart male kestrel flew out of an oak tree where it is probably building a nest.

Wood Anemone under the old riverside oaks, appearing through the winter's fallen leaves

and Lesser Celandine flowering on the sunny river banks

Frenetic nesting along the River in March

A very fine day today with a warm start. The scene along the river was one of frenzied activity with birds flying in all directions, most carrying nest material and some carrying food indicating that they are feeding incubating mates or even hatched young. There were plenty of singing robins, wrens, great tits, chaffinches and recently arrived chiffchaffs - we'll now be hearing their chiff-chaff song every day until September or October! Some may decide to overwinter here but they will be silent until spring.

A brilliant day meant good views of the birds whilst trees and thickets are still mostly bare - a fine view if a green woodpecker flying along the river course and yaffling loudly on landing, a very active treecreeper hurrying up the branches of a riverside willow, collecting insects, ladybirds flying in to land on grasses on the banks, long-tailed tits carrying absurdly huge but light-weight bunches of nest material, a bit like trying to run carrying your duvet in your mouth. Many wrens were nest-building or visiting nests on the river banks whilst others sang to defend their territory whilst a smart, silent nuthatch could be seen visiting a carefully-made nest hole with insects gleaned from the bark of a nearby branch.

On the water, a male mallard was paddling without much hurry, perhaps his mate is incubating eggs. Only a few days ago there was noisy fight between two males on the water, with lots of splashing and chasing.

Two buzzards were circling over the trees, one of them suddenly diving into an old oak, carrying a large stick. Its mate followed quickly, perching on a branch close by, watching the nest building works.

Meadow pipits were still enjoying the areas of freshly dug earth - are they going to nest here?

The newly constructed drain outfall onto the river from the long riverside  'attenuation basin' is attracting some interest from birds, now that work on it has finished. A woodpigeon flew down onto the step where shallow water flows into the river and had a drink and just above it - then, what a surprise! A fine weasel ran across the bank above it and darted into a hole in the earth. It did not emerge, so I expect it already has tunnels in use. Red Admiral butterflies have been seen occasionally on sunny days through the winter and another was seen today but also a Comma butterfly appeared, the first of the spring on the river bank.

We leave the riverside on an optimistic note - on the construction site preparations for tree planting have started!

The same tree in March 18th, the catkins transformed.

The tree was full of blue tits feeding - what were they doing?

There were plenty of insects around or perhaps the attraction

was sweet nectar?

'Pussy Willow' catkins on February 28th grow on the Sallow,

a small type of willow, on the river bank

  

February Contrasts on the Riverside

To sum up - February has certainly been a month of contrasts with sudden changes in the weather when wildlife has had to adjust to harsh conditions after such a temperate winter.

26th February - under the oak, Ransoms appear (wild garlic), the first sign of new green growth under the trees.

The same day - a frosty start but sunny and very warm later - hazel catkins mean spring is on the way.

These are on a branch overhanging the water on one of the beautiful Hazel trees on the river bank

Footprints in the snow on the river bank. The double prints on the right are those of a Roe deer and the others probably a Red fox. 

After a very cold start to the month with freezing easterly winds and extremely dry air when our winter migrants, redwing and fieldfare were still foraging along the river in large numbers, the river started to freeze at the edges but the middle remained unfrozen with running water. Fieldfare moved right down to the water's edge and were seen drinking and bathing. All birds used the river as the ground was so dry and hard. On Sunday 5th there had been a heavy snowfall overnight with a slight thaw that morning.

7th February - snow remained on the fields and river banks

Tuesday 7th February - a frosty, misty start gave way to sunshine with snow still lying in places after the heavy snowfall on the night of 4th/5th onto frozen ground. The going was noisy, with ice crunching underfoot but plenty of birds were singing along the river.

Robins (17) were out in full force, many of them singing and a great view of one catching a bumblebee which had emerged from its winter quarters in the undergrowth.  Today a huge increase in the numbers of silent blackbirds (37), taking over from the fieldfare (1)  just one was spotted, and redwing (7) just a few remaining in their favourite thickets. Most of the blackbirds were probably migrants as well, seeking easier pickings along the river on the warmer banks.  Chaffinches (8) were more numerous today and easily heard calling and singing loudly but I saw only 2 greenfinches, one trying to sing.  A great-spotted woodpecker (2) was calling from an oak and another flew over to investigate whilst nuthatches (4) were also calling loudly to each other and a noisy jay argued with a squirrel (who stole my cache of food?)
Like the blackbirds, song thrushes (3) were quiet and wrens (4) were hiding very close to the waters edge, also silent, many more remained hidden. A fine view of a dunnock perched on the Blackthorn (2) and another close by - soon all these birds will be singing.
It was good to see several colonies of house sparrows (44) in the hedges and brambles, they too will be chattering loudly as soon as it warms up. There were large numbers of blue tits (48) and great tits (21) the latter busy foraging for insects hidden in the fallen leaf mulch and the former very active above, hanging upside down to reach insects on twigs.
Crows (7) were chasing in the treetops, around woodpigeons lazing in the sun and starlings whistled nonchalantly, in no hurry to leave their roost perches in the treetops, undisturbed by the comings and goings of noisy magpies (4).
A peaceful scene further along the river - a pair of bullfinches sitting together on a willow branch in the sun overhanging the river and a beautiful mistle thrush preening in the sun on a high branch looked as if it had just had a bath in the snow or the river. A small group of long-tailed tits (4) flew out from the protection of brambles across the river and several groups of goldfinch (17) posed in the sun, singing, whilst others were collecting the remaining seeds from thistles.
In the blue sky overhead, noisy jackdaws (5), black-headed gulls (8) and herring gulls headed for the less  snow-covered fields already occupied by very lively pied wagtails, numbers unknown whilst a buzzard glided in circles, the sun sharply catching its pale markings, a fine view.    

From Scandinavia to Sussex - Winter migrants

Today was fantastic - the largest numbers of Fieldfare, 300 at least and Redwing, 50 at least that I've ever seen - here on the Riverside Walk. Do they know more than we do? Almost certainly yes.

Hard times ahead for hungry birds when the ground freezes.

The oaks form a good vantage point from which to view the best hedgerows to fly to next for rich pickings of berries and fruits, plenty of sloes remain on the Blackthorn after an abundant autumn. The advance party of redwing flew in first and decided to stay, then they were joined by more and more with a few fieldfare amongst them but today it was the day of the fieldfare, an invasion of hundreds together with redwing.  They flew together in small expeditionary groups rather than a large flock, the most effective way of seeking out the best thickets.

A sound picture as well, starting with a great spotted woodpecker drumming in an old oak, a green woodpecker yaffling, nuthatches calling, the very soft call of a bullfinch, starlings whistling accompanied by a huge background orchestra of redwing and fieldfare with more tuneful robin, song thrush, and wren.

January 15th 2012 - a day to remember, as two Little Egrets have returned to the river! Perhaps the cold weather has sent them inland to shelter as a freezing easterly wind was blowing after a frosty start, blowing the very dry oak leaves around on the ground. The younger oaks keep their leaves throughout the winter however:

Oak leaves on a young oak against a cold blue sky

Blackthorn with sloes, plenty for redwing and fieldfare

Here's what was seen this morning on the Riverside at Hills Farm Lane:

house sparrow (40+), starling (13), grey wagtail under the bridge, great spotted woodpecker drumming, woodpigeon (18), blackbird (20), herring gull (5), nuthatch (4), chaffinch (6), redwing on the Blackthorn (15), song thrush singing loudly (3), greenfinch (3), blue tit (46), long-tailed tit (7), black cap (1), great tit (17), magpie (3), goldfinch (8), black-headed gull (20+), robin (5), LITTLE EGRET maybe pair , shining brightly in the sun, perched on riverside tree branches (2), carrion crow (7), wren (1), dunnock (1)

The Holly and the Ivy

The past month, like most of the year, has been warm, with little rain but enough to keep the ground damp. Insect life has been abundant, the few frosts having had no effect and birds have taken full advantage of this along the river - most species are insectivorous and will prefer to feed on insects and spiders in preference to any other food whilst available, at any time of the year, not just during the nesting season.
As soon as frosts start and this source of food becomes scarce then fruits, berries and nuts will be consumed. Hopefully this winter there will be plenty for all, including migrants from the frozen north.

Ivy forms a valuable food source during the winter as flowers and then berries sustain wildlife and the evergreen leaves provide shelter for many species.

Song thrushes were singing loudly after overnight rain on 30th December 2011, three of them at least.

 It was great to hear from John R. before the year was out that he had seen a barn owl hunting at about 15.45 on Wednesday 28th December! A confirmation that our local wildlife is surviving.

Tuesday 27th December was a typical day for this winter, very dull and overcast but dry, with no wind and no sign of the cloud clearing. A glance at the riverside revealed a beautiful tiny goldcrest foraging for insects amongst the fine twigs on an old oak, easy to distinguish it from the numerous blue and great tits foraging in the same area by it's behavior and size rather than colouring in the very poor light. A male bullfinch, 4 chaffinch, 2 greenfinch, 5 robins, at least 5 goldfinch and 4 wrens were also foraging in nearby thickets close to the river, a green woodpecker 'jaffled' loudly and a great spotted woodpecker flew low overhead. Soft calls reavealed some fieldfare entering the blackthorn whilst two nuthatch were busy in another oak, probing the bark with their strong bills, in search of insects. Two probable treecreepers flew down to the roots of trees and were seen making their way swiftly upwards and around out of sight. At least 10 blackbirds were seen on the river banks searching amongst fallen leaves.

Sunday 18th December was the day of our conservation group meet on the river: 

A cold frosty start with song thrush singing loudly, many robins with some singing and about 10 wrens but only one or two trying out short songs. Blackbirds were active all along the riverside foraging silently amongst the fallen leaves with only an occasional alarm call. Redwing were the stars today - a group had arrived and spread out amongst the thickets along the riverside where Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Holly berries and fruits were the attraction. A fine close view of one redwing posing with a holly berry in its beak, a rare sight as they are wary birds. The thickets also held assorted finches, greenfinch, goldfinch and chaffinch. A small group of long-tailed tits, fluffed up against the cold, were seen amongst the numerous roving groups of great and blue tits. Sentinel woodpigeons sat high in the trees, ready for flight at the slightest disturbance below. Here and there they were accompanied by crows, starlings and a jay. A flash of orange then brilliant blue along the river - a kingfisher speeding around the corner. In a sheltered spot a dunnock was seen foraging low amongst the roots and a bright male bullfinch flew up from a bramble patch. A house sparrow colony was chattering in a hawthorn hedge whilst two treecreepers and then a nuthatch were seen searching for insects in the bark of mature trees.

On 9th December, a fine sunny day to start with the squirrels were foraging and seeking a varied diet:

This grey squirrel plucked a whole mushroom and carried it to a sunny spot on an old log where it enjoyed its meal. Obviously this was a delicacy as there were still plenty of nuts and acorns to be had.

     

On 6th December, several redwing were seen flying low along the river vegetation, no doubt marking the trees and thickets that held berries and fruits.

Monday 5th December was an unusually very cold clear day with early frost bringing out the foraging birds. Just a quick look along the river showed a male blackcap, 2 nuthatch, 2 bullfinch with a great view of the large vividly coloured male calling (rather loudly for a bullfinch) first before leaving the thicket to forage on the river bank. A female was seen close by. A jay called loudly and a 'charm' of about 25 goldfinches flew over to others occupying a thicket. 5 Blackbirds, 2 chaffinches, a dunnock, 2 songthrush were seen and 2 robins out of several more were singing. On the opposite side of a thicket at least 4 fieldfares were feeding with numerous great tits and blue tits foraging along the river. A colony of house sparrows was chattering as usual inside a hedge.

Holly berries on a young tree - one day they were there and the next day they had disappeared, eaten by hungry migrant redwings from the famine of  frozen Scandinavia, pausing for a while to feed and then move on. 

  

Slight signs of winter

On 30th November it still felt like October on the Riverside with hundreds of small gnats dancing in the sunshine - but here and there Hawthorn bushes were stripped of berries, indicating the fleeting passage of migrant birds halting for a while to replenish their energy supplies before moving on, unseen. Apart from the oaks, most trees and thickets were bare with plenty of deep damp leaf litter on the ground.

Spot the Roe deer browsing....close to the deer were a singing robin, a leaping grey squirrel, a song thrush singing, a green woodpecker jaffling (no partridge or pear tree however)

(click on the photo and scroll to the end to see a larger version).

 Along the river on 30th November were:

Robins, some singing full songs, in quite close proximity to each other, no fighting today (17);  large roaming flocks of blue tits along the thickets, feeding on the still abundant insects (60+) together with great tits, some calling, making full use of insects in the canopy and the understorey (31). A family group of long-tailed tits moved across from tree to tree independently  (6+) , not as part of the roaming flock which was following the course of the river. 

Blackbirds were foraging everywhere leaving no leaf unturned, in Holly, Ivy, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and the thick leaf litter under all the trees (23). Many sparrows added their chatter to the almost spring-like sounds, there were three colonies in different locations, two in Hawthorn hedges and one colony in a Blackthorn thicket (50+). The beautiful singing of a song thrush came from a dense mixed thicket - it has only started singing during the last few days. Another song thrush flew over the river whilst a third was also singing much further down the river. Wrens (7) and dunnock (2) were more easily visible but only two wrens were singing, softly. Chaffinches (3) were still quiet, mainly feeding amongst the leaves on the ground.

A beautiful treecreeper was making its way up a sunlit conifer trunk collecting insects emerging from the bark in the warmth - no shortage of early winter food this year.

Jays (4) and carrion crows (6) were noisily bickering, annoyed by the grey squirrels (5) now having to leap higher and higher into the oak canopy to collect fresh acorns then descend to the foot of the tree to sit and eat. A commotion in a holly tree revealed a large mistle thrush being chased by a blackbird from one holly to the next and back again, a dispute over a future source of food. Nuthatches (4) were calling from various old trees near dense undergrowth where a Roe deer was feeding, almost invisible in the dappled low sun. Another deer was sighted for a second, behind a thicket, before it bounded away, perhaps disturbed by the loud jaffle of a green woodpecker. High on a tree top a male greenfinch was perched as a lookout showing brilliant green whilst woodpigeons sat around on the lower branches but still high up. A slight shower of rain sent more woodpigeons  (10+) across into the trees from the field whilst a magpie flew up from the river, wet, to shake and dry off and three more magpies flew up from their feeding ground on the field. Just one starling was seen on its own, perched on a tree top.

Above the trees a charm of goldfinches flew across, a group of at least 17, chatter-singing and a single herring gull glided over joined suddenly by about 30 black-headed gulls.   

 The highlight of the day appeared low over the river as a flash of bright orange, making a rapid turn along the bend in the river and then away upstream - a brilliant view of the kingfisher, its blue back shining in the sun for an instant.

Fungi time on the Riverside

The mild wet autumn weather has at last produced some fungi springing up amongst the fallen leaves

These rather fragile-looking fungi are called Shaggy Ink Cap - Coprinus comatus to you and me.

Although common, I haven't seen them on the Riverside before. You can see the 'ink' at the base of the one on the right.

These are Amethyst Deceiver - Laccaria amethystina found under the trees, easy to overlook as are usually quite small - but are common here.

A huge tree trunk provides a seat for walkers and a home for millions of invertebrates, now surrounded by fallen ash leaves from the tree above, brightening the dullest day.

A Roe deer searching for a browsing site looked at me with interest but didn't run away - no dogs around, otherwise it would have bounded off.

Today in just a few minutes:

more than 35 pied wagtails took off together from the field and earth heaps where they had been insect catching together with a few meadow pipits. Plenty of goldfinches were there too, feeding on the thistles and grass seeds.

Yesterday, 9th November a longer walk:

Lots of activity in the Blackthorn thicket that forms a tall hedgerow along the river - many blue tits (about 20) and great tits (about 10) coming and going - all catching insects - not eating sloes, together with 2 nuthatch at least, also collecting insects, a bullfinch, calling softly as it flew off, 4 chaffinch, also calling, 1 greenfinch, 3 tiny goldcrests feasting on insects, never still, a singing robin, 3 wrens, 1 singing, low down in the thicket, near the water. long-tailed tits into the thicket then out again.

Further along, 2 more nuthatch, calling from an ash tree, 3 more long-tailed tits, 4 blackbirds, a great spotted woodpecker flying over the Blackthorn, 3 carrion crows feeding on the grass, more than 8 meadow pipits feeding again on the earth heaps together with at least 7 mad pied wagtails making making fantastic spinning, dropping flights off the earth heaps after flying insects, 3 goldfinch, one singing loudly from the top of a bush, uncountable house sparrows (around 15) in a hawthorn hedge, 3 noisy jays,  starlings (35) lined up on lights, about 30 herring gulls with 4 black-headed gulls overhead and low around earth heaps - and lastly the Roe deer.