October Highlights

Rapid changes seen this month on the Riverside but the weather remained equable and today the 31st October 2015  was warm and sunny after continuous rain on Thursday continuing into Friday.

Bright Bramble leaves on the river bank together with dry grasses 

and nettle stalks will provide shelter and protection for many

species of wildlife over the coming winter.

Highlights for this month included:

on 1st Oct: 3 young buzzards calling and flying close together over the river

Great spotted woodpecker on low branches over the river

Large numbers of starlings

Green woodpecker

Speckled Wood butterflies

Noisy nuthatches

on 2nd Oct: Numerous house martins catching insects over the river course

and meadow pipits on and over the fields.

on 4th Oct: Numerous pied wagtails on and over fields and buildings

Kestrel hovering over river margin

Several nuthatches calling and numerous wrens.

on 7th Oct. Coal tits foraging

See full report for 9th Oct. - yellowhammers

on 16th Oct: Large family of long-tailed tits in oaks and nuthatches again calling loudly.

on 18th Oct - see Report - first redwings seen - also yellowhammers seen again in the field.

on 23rd Oct: kingfisher flying low over the river from a branch.

On 26th Oct: First sightings of fieldfares flying across over trees along the river 

Goldcrests seen in deciduous trees (Oaks and Maples),

 family of long-tailed tits amongst the sloes on Blackthorn thicket,

nuthatches calling again.

On 27th Oct: Chiffchaff calling (contact calls)

long-tailed tits and goldcrests.

Redwings Arrive on the Riverside

Today, 18th October, was an unpromising day with overcast skies letting through faint glimmers of sun now and again. In passing, pausing a short while to look at activity in a Blackthorn thicket between the old oaks, unfamiliar calls were heard, then three Redwings were seen in the sloe-laden Blackthorn, one following the other then separating to forage, then off again, into an oak. Not only redwing were attracted to this spot, two tiny goldcrests were busy foraging,  a chiffchaff flew into the top branches and behind, glimpsed amongst the twigs was a song thrush several blue tits and great tits and a fine view of a mistle thrush, then two blackbirds flew in, chasing each other.  A robin suddenly appeared amongst them and close by in the oak a bright male nuthatch moved swiftly along the branches.

Ripe Dog Rose hips

Yellowhammers!

October means many rapid changes in the amount of daylight, the strength of the sunlight and daytime and night time temperatures - all affecting the wildlife along the river.

Most of our summer migrants have left and are well on their way south although swallows and house martins are still to be seen feeding on insects over the river as they make their way to warmer climates

via the river course then across the channel.

Here, fruits and berries have ripened, a welcome sight for winter migrants flying across from northern and central europe where it is becoming bitterly cold. Some have already arrived and will be making their way inland from coastal areas - we'll be watching out for them. 

Guelder Rose berries on the river bank, translucent in the sun

- easily spotted from a long distance, attracting birds to investigate

the riverside where they have a good choice of food - they often 

choose Hawthorn berries first as they have been ripe for some time

Friday 9th October 2015 was a typical October day, a fine and clear morning after a cool night.

There was no wind and the rising sun soon warmed up the ground although areas in the shade remained soaked after a heavy dew overnight. The river was running swiftly, lower but still muddy after previous rainfall. Hazel leaves were turning a bright yellow and Dog Rose hips were a brilliant red, showing up high amongst the trees and down low over the river. Spider's webs were strung between every nettle stalk on the bank, each one with its resident spider, and often with trapped insect prey as well - rich pickings for foraging birds. 

Looking out into the fields as it became warmer, as the sun lit up the species-rich old hedgerows, small birds, some showing yellow plumage, were active in and out of the hedge, down onto the stubble at the field margins, working their way amongst the dry short stalks. These were yellowhammers - a very welcome sight as they are red-listed birds - farmland birds declining in numbers from year to year.

At least 14 were seen foraging and flying up to perch inside the hedgerow. They would be off to new fields soon, choosing stubble and marginal weeds under hedgerows left uncut.

Yellowhammers were definitely the highlight of the morning but there was plenty of action all along the river too - here's a full record:
The first sighting was unexpected,  just glancing across the river something bright orange drifted down like a leaf from the top of a Hazel, down onto a horizontal bare branch. It was a very fresh Comma butterfly, which settled to warm up and bask in the sun (like a bird), with a backdrop of rose hips.  After warming up for a while it moved up onto some ivy leaves, ivy flowers clearly the attraction, it then moved from flower to flower, nectaring.   Along the river, Speckled Wood and Large White butterflies were also seen in various places.
Finches were out in force;  although only a few chaffinches (6) and greenfinches (3) were seen, there were large numbers of goldfinches (117), a number of them in juvenile plumage still - lacking the bright red face of the adult.
More than 40 flew together into the top of an old oak after foraging on sun-touched Dock seeds below. More flew into the top of an Ash tree and a Field Maple whilst more than 20 flew across the river, backs to the sun. A group were busy feeding on Ash keys (very numerous this autumn) and further along the river at least 20 were in the Blackthorn which catches the early sun, mostly well camouflaged youngsters, preening and scratching their heads.
A small group of linnets (12) arrived to perch on the sunlit side of an ash tree. Soon they will be more easily seen as the leaves of all deciduous trees are now falling fast. A brief, bright glimpse of a male bullfinch  was had as it flew across a gap in the branches but as usual it flew into the back of a dense thicket.
House sparrows (c40) were difficult to locate at first but a colony was suddenly woken up by the sun on their hedge roost and started to chatter. Later, more were seen in the bramble patches, emerging to warm up. A hunting sparrowhawk flew swiftly upstream low over the river, hoping to surprise any bird around the next corner. It's prey is often a fat woodpigeon drinking or bathing, finding itself trapped.
The hawk will usually leave a tell-tale pile of woodpigeon feathers at the site. Today, as is usual during the autumn, there were large numbers of woodpigeons (c80) seen in trees along the river, flying over or feeding on the fields. Wildly waving branches in the top of an old oak (on a windless morning) revealed several woodpigeons balancing on the topmost twigs, reaching out for ripe brown acorns - rather clumsy birds, most of them grabbed then dropped the acorns after all that effort. a good sign of their activities can be seen on the ground below an oak, plentiful acorns and brown leaves and twigs, crunching under foot.
All was quiet apart from a loudly cursing jay, objecting to the presence of two squirrels - and the fine song of robins (26), some very close up and others more distant along the wooded riverbanks, their calls echoing. Occasionally they do appear to be answering another nearby robin, not always in dispute over territory, as the females sing as well. Blue tits (42) and great tits (29) were also calling - or bickering in the case of the blue tits - and the soft calls of a group of long-tailed tits (8) were heard - looking up they were seen to be following each other into the same Blackthorn bush. The very high call of a treecreeper was heard with a second treecreeper answering from an adjacent tree but hidden from view by leaves. Low in amongst roots, a silent dunnock was seen and wrens (9) gave away their presence with short bursts of song or alarm calls, most seen very close to the water's edge amongst mossy roots in shaded areas. Warblers were still present - two chiffchaffs were seen, one well camouflaged amongst the pale green ash leaves and another in a vivid red spindle tree - and two blackcaps were seen, one in the Blackthorn and one amongst brambles full of berries.
At this stage in the progress of autumn we were still waiting for the arrival of the first winter thrushes on the riverside and today there were only 8 blackbirds seen, probably local residents, busy foraging on the abundant fruits and berries, without much competition. It was good to see numbers of starlings (c30) arriving at their popular day roost, which was filling up with birds staying mostly out of sight but  chattering and whistling together.
Nuthatches (8) were present in good numbers, indicating a good breeding season over the summer, with young ones calling loudly, perhaps still claiming territory. Three great spotted woodpeckers were seen too in amongst good habitat in various wooded parts of the river bank.
Goldcrests (2) were busy foraging for insects, one in a conifer and another flew into the very popular Blackthorn a great view, it's plumage lit by the sun.
In the air, carrion crows (6), herring gulls (2) magpies (5), jackdaws (6), a single black-headed gull and a single mallard were seen flying across at various times during the morning but as the sun warming the earth produced good thermals, 3 buzzards appeared, the first flying low, circling slowly, fine plumage lit by the sun, then a second appeared, being chased by two crows. The buzzard threw them off and continued on it's way south whilst a third flew into view, low, calling loudly. 

Keeping watch on the Scrape

The watch on our 'scrape' continues - here's the latest picture after the rain.

Looking good, with aquatic margin plants growing well,

including Purple Loosestrife

The First Frost of Autumn

The 20th September 2015 - a fine warm day after the first frost of Autumn. A cool, still and misty start meant that leaves and fruits still held traces of frost this morning before being touched by the sun.

ACORNS - a very welcome sight this year.

The sun has just melted the frost on these ripening Crab apples

The river was flowing well but low with the sun gradually warming the river bank. The sky clear, with numerous contrails and no breeze at first. Dog Rose hips were still ripening - food for later in the winter when other fruits become scarce. Berries have been plundered from the Hawthorn thickets but plenty remain on the difficult-to-reach branches overhanging the river - and single leaves were drifting like butterflies - with the sound of acorns suddenly dropping onto the dry leaves. There was from the start  continuous background sound echoing along the river - singing robins near and far, their songs merging, impossible to separate individual songs unless the robin was very close by. The robins today (25) were singing mainly from wooded areas along the river, soon they will be able to show themselves  to their rivals more easily once the trees are bare.

Wrens (18) were singing now as well but giving short versions of their song mostly from high perches where they were more easily seen than usual, on Willows in the sun and Blackthorn where two juveniles chased and adults gave alarm calls.

Nuthatches were quite numerous today (9) most calling loudly from their various chosen territories. In the presence of jays, the calls were amplified and insistent - there will be many altercations over food in the coming weeks despite the obvious bounty, as the jays will stay around to feed rather than moving further afield. 8 jays were counted today, some calling raucously.  Last autumn most left to forage elsewhere after finding oaks devoid of acorns.

House Sparrows woke up in the sun and could be seen and heard chatting in hedgerows (48) whilst larger sun-lovers, the woodpigeons (50) basked in the tree tops or foraged on the harvested fields. One adult was seen feeding a youngster amongst the ivy in a tree. Although breeding most of the year, their plundered eggs and shells can often be seen on the earth below. Predators are numerous, this keeps their numbers under control! Today only 5 starlings were seen - most must have still been at their roosts, or busy foraging out on the fields with 6 carrion crows and 5 magpies. A green woodpecker, strangely silent, was seen flying across between oaks.

In the air about 26 herring gulls wheeled around but no sign of raptors today.

The goldfinches (35) were still present feeding amongst the seeding dock and grasses on the embankment as soon as the sun reached down - and all along the river trees and thickets, blue tits (52) were foraging and bickering, with silent great tits (17) favouring the oaks together with 3 chaffinches. Two Long-tailed tits were seen, with several others heard calling but well hidden amongst the Willows on the bank. Blackbirds (11) were silent today, apart from occasional alarm calls, some foraging together with 2 song thrushes in the Blackthorn hedge in the edge of the wild field.

It was good to see and hear some migrant warblers still present - 6 chiffchaffs were seen calling their typical contact calls and one willow warbler at least - but the best views were of two juvenile male blackcaps just assuming their male plumage, sitting in the sun on the Blackthorn.  At the back of the thicket a bullfinch was heard calling softly, then hastily flew out and across the river, followed by a female. Two goldcrests were busy in a conifer, their fast moving foraging giving them away and in an oak two treecreepers were heard but unseen. 

As it warmed up, Speckled Wood, Large White and Green-veined White butterflies started to fly then lastly the dragonflies - a Southern Hawker and a Migrant Hawker were seen patrolling the river banks where several Hornets were flying too.

The stars of today were large numbers of House Martins seen feeding on plentiful insects over the river course - at least 50 were counted in a short time, in the company of one or two Sand Martins.

August ends with Bats and Berries

Towards the end of August a change is felt in the landscape - robins start singing again in a pensive way, bats are active on the river, adults now foraging with their hungry youngsters,

swallows are feeding on millions of insects brought down by the warm low cloud, before heading south

and are joined by house martins over the water although these birds usually leave much later.

Friday 28th August 2015 was dry and sunny with some cloud. There had been heavy and continuous rain on the Wednesday but clearing by Thursday. On 28th the grass was very wet with dew, cool with no wind. Most berries and fruits were now ripe, only the Dog Rose hips were still green but turning orange. Nettles on the banks were dying away rapidly, leaving forests of dry stalks - perfect shelter for small mammals and insects. The wild field was buzzing with life with huge numbers of bees, both Bumblebees and some Honeybees - and Hover fly species, too numerous to mention - most just have Latin names but are all very good indicators of biodiversity and quality of habitat.

Hover fly on Senecio jacobaea (Asteraceae) intermingled with 

the popular Fleabane, which is often overlooked as it doesn't grow as tall

as the former but is also a member of the daisy family and an excellent

source of sustenance for butterflies, bees and hover flies: see below:

Fleabane in the damp meadow - wild field 

Following the natural narrow path I had to watch out for basking butterflies, warming up on patches of bare earth. Robins (16) were now singing strongly but in short bursts rather than sustained song - one perched on a grey Blackthorn bush and shone out with it's brilliant orange-red plumage amongst the sloes.

Signs of Roe deer, foxes and Hedgehogs on the field paths and margins were noted - very good to see that Hedgehogs are returning after several years to their former habitats now that grass cutting, strimming and flailing are no longer applied as the 'kill-all in a minute' solution. 

Woodpigeons (42) were active today, bathing in the river and lined up on the fencing around the basin 'scrape' - now well established as a favourite place for most birds for bathing, foraging and drinking.  

Blue tits with their young (55) were feeding on insects and fruits, frequently bickering amongst the best branches. A single dunnock in fine but subtle plumage was perched in a Dog Rose over the river, tail twitching - and wrens (11) were becoming visible again, some singing short songs on the river banks.

A dense but sunny mature Blackthorn and Elder thicket, laden with fruits and berries had suddenly become crowded with birds, some attracted to the Elderberries, others to insects in the understory full of brambles. Great tits (7) greenfinches (5), four blackbirds, a treecreeper, at least two juvenile blackcaps, one wren and several chiffchaffs were all very active amongst the branches and twigs.

Birds here have the best of both worlds with the damp wild meadow one one side and the river on the opposite side with constant movement across from one side to the other. When night falls the area is good for foraging bats as well (see August 17th below). In the old oaks nearby two nuthatches were calling, probably still establishing territories. 

Blackbirds were also active along the grassy margins and river banks (total 14), great tits were foraging amongst the river banks trees (total 12) and blackcaps have done well this summer (total 5 seen today, including the two youngsters).

At least 12 chiffchaffs were foraging for insects in various trees, mainly in Willows along the banks and with them a Willow Warbler with several others heard calling and a single whitethroat, all probably moving through the river corridor on their way south, gaining essential fat for their migration.

Overhead 7 carrion crows were seen, some calling - and just one jackdaw. Herring gulls (8) were calling from the air but there were plenty more gathered on the 'scrape'. A female bullfinch flew across into a thicket whilst 3 linnets dashed into a tree - the finches, especially house sparrows (30 at least seen and heard today) here do not wake early and are seldom seen or heard until later when the sun has appeared and started to warm up their roosts in the hedgerows As seeds are plentiful at this time of the year, hunger doesn't wake them. Goldfinches have certainly prospered this summer (more than 30 today) with many young faces - without the adult red colouring  amongst them feeding on the dock and thistle seeds, on the ground amongst the dry plants or gathered together singing in the old trees nearby.

The sky turned dark and a sudden rain shower scattered the birds, sending them to shelter, and me too. 

Magpies (5), jays (1) and squirrels (1) are going to find good foraging this winter with bumper crops of acorns on the oaks. Many hazel nuts have been pillaged already, torn off the Hazel tree branches whilst still green. 

The rain shower did not last long and the riverside came to life again - a juvenile goldcrest flew into a conifer and was busy feeding at the outermost branches warmed by the sun and butterflies appeared within seconds.

Green-veined White butterflies, Large White butterflies and Speckled Woods were the most numerous, with Brimstones ranging along the hedgerows and river banks too. Bees and Hover flies gathered on the umbellifers whilst a Southern Hawker Dragonfly was seen patrolling along the river in the vicinity of the basin outfall drain, always an attraction for insects - and a Brown Hawker Dragonfly was ranging along the tree margin. We'll see more of these strong fliers before the winter arrives.

BATS

The evening of August 17th was overcast and warm, quiet, with no wind - a good time to do a bat survey along the river.

It was still light enough to see bats at 21.00hrs and there were certainly some around, leaving their roosts. The bat detector picked them up often before they could be seen flying against the sky. It became completely dark soon afterwards and this is when the numbers increased, as more reached the river where insects were most abundant. Some roost in trees close to the river but others roost further away and need to use bat flyways - continuous hedgerows or tree lines which they use to navigate to

their foraging areas.

Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle bats were quite numerous, more so than last summer and Daubenton's bats were detected over the river and banks foraging for insects which are found over the surface of the water. A Noctule, a larger bat, was seen high in the dusk against the sky and a Brown Long-eared bat was present in the dark riverside. There were probably more, only a short section of the river was checked as bats were so numerous. The Riverine area here has always held large numbers of bats but they are continuously under threat of roosting habitat loss. Just felling one tree means many bats have to relocate and find new roosts.

At last we have had a good spring and summer for berries and fruits of all kinds - and the most prized food source for many species of wildlife in autumn is the Blackberry:

Ripening in the sun, food for all

August - after the Rain

Continuous heavy rain fell yesterday morning 13th August 2015, with distant thunder and lightning. The rain continued for about 3 and a half hours, nearly 30mm, then ceased in the afternoon but it remained very warm and humid.

 The river was about half a meter higher and running swiftly, carrying mud from upstream but well short of its normal flood level.  Immediately the sun appeared, butterflies became active over the field and riverbanks,  having sheltered down low amongst the grasses, river bank and hedgerow undergrowth.

Holly Blue butterflies were quite numerous, together with Gatekeepers.

The rain had not been torrential so wild flowers and grasses were not battered down - the grassy areas were not waterlogged, the water having soaked quickly into the ground.

Banded demoiselle males were seen over the water and blackbirds, robins and song thrushes emerged from the sheltering undergrowth to feed. Dense hedgerow and tall river bank undergrowth often provides better shelter for birds than trees during rainfall. 

Here a Small Copper butterfly basks on the footpath through the field.

It flew around amongst the Common Fleabane, a favourite nectar flower, but kept returning to

bask on the warm and sheltered narrow path. The Copper lays its eggs on Sorrel or Dock leaves and the Caterpillars then feed on the leaves, sometimes for several months.

The river in the afternoon after the rain.

Purple Loosestrife has thrived this summer along the river banks and the flowers are a target for bees.

Common Figwort is also a strong-growing wild flower on the sunny banks (on the left) with the plant here bearing nutlets.   A type of Amphibious or river bank Persicaria is growing as a clump in the background.

The small  flowers of the Persicaria plant on the river.