April Blossom, a Survey for 26th April 2022

 Tuesday 26th April was a fine day with the last trees coming into leaf. The oaks had very bright but delicate green leaves. The fruit trees were now in full blossom although each being a different variety  and in different locations meant some were much more advanced than others. The advantage for wildlife is to provide the longest possible season sustaining a diverse population. The NE wind and clear blue sky was a bonus after a very mixed month beginning with snow flurries on the 1st, then becoming quite hot mid month and 16 oC on 26th. Cow Parsley was showing up above new planting and Wild Garlic was everywhere with young nettles appearing.  Recent rain had brought out the midges over the clear water, a good source of food for nestlings. An important study on Insects, published on 20th, produced or rather announced that there is a World Insect Apocalypse with more and more populations being wiped out.

Invertebrates are not only essential for the pollination of crops but are an irreplaceable link in the food chain of wildlife.

Blossom on one of our Crab Apple trees

15th April 2022

The first song heard was that of the Chiffchaff (7) which will be with us until autumn when most will fly  back to Africa, to an uncertain winter together with many other birds which breed here. Some Chiffchaffs do however decide to stay here in Sussex over the winter. The loud song of Robins (21) was heard in most areas along the river as they continue to guard their territories, usually the best habitat for food sources such as berries and insects. As usual Dunnock (4) were seen briefly, foraging on a path. They retreat into the undergrowth when approached. With the rapid growth of riverbank vegetation the Wrens were quite numerous and singing loudly (19). They are very successful here in all weathers as have a good variety of locations in which to nest or shelter unseen. Always the most numerous, House Sparrows (70) are also successful here, choosing the same or similar locations in which to nest each year, given the tolerance and interest of local people who know that humans and House Sparrows have always co-existed . Beware the district without Sparrows!

Blue ts (15) and Great ts (9) were very active, several of the former demonstrating how they use fruit blossom, they are very versatile feeders in the spring, often seen on Willows sampling the first pollen-filled catkins, carefully removing the brown outer cases to get into the catkins, when other food is scarce.

Goldfinches were numerous (23) with several groups singing amongst Ivy the numbers present were probably greater than this. Blackcaps (5) were easy to see when singing boldly and the vegetation not yet fully grown to provide cover, but only one Bullfinch was heard calling from Willows.

The bird most welcome on this survey was the Song Thrush with 12 seen, several singing loudly, all occupying different locations which they usually keep as their own whilst nesting although here some were sharing grassed areas with Blackbirds when foraging.  Some of the Blackbirds were seen bathing in the river shallows or drying off in the sun (total 15). It was also good to see increasing numbers of Starlings (26) silent, even those approaching their roost, most foraging on grass.

Looking up, there were 2 Nuthatch keeping very quiet as they usually do when nesting and a single  distant drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker.  Very close to me, in a tree behind my back was a Jay, quite quiet as were 14 wood pigeons also quiet in various trees. Birds in the air were 12 Carrion Crows, 6 Magpies, and 3 Herring Gulls.

Lastly there was a disturbance amongst the Woodpigeons - a Red Kite was seen flying over, then 3 Common Buzzards sailing on the midday thermals.

Butterflies (mentioned in previous post) seen on this survey day were:

Orange tips (10), Speckled Woods (3), Large White (2), Green-veined White (1).

The fine warm weather and quite shallow river levels will mean that the watch for Damselflies

and Dragonflies has started. Their presence will indicate the quality of the river water!

Watch out for the May 2022 survey.

First Butterflies of 2022 March and April

 A look back at the year so far gives a mixed picture dominated by the variations in the weather.

It was a good start with Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) seen fairly early on, coinciding with the first flowing of Lesser Celandine here, which turned out to be magnificent and long-lasting, starting around 25th February 2022. This led us to expect the early appearance of butterflies - but then came the Saharan dust storm on 16th March- what effect would it have here? Only 2 days later on 18th March the first Brimstone butterfly was seen, a warm, clear, breezy, sunny day. On the same day, a surprise in the form of 5 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies two appeared out of a Hawthorn hedge and three more were seen in Brambles nearby. Another was seen basking on a stoney path not far away from the hedge which was providing shelter from the breeze.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly and its shadow on the stony path. It has chosen a flat, warm stone, just the right size to bask on. 18th March 2022.

The following day with similar conditions (high pressure and a NE breeze) the first Comma butterfly was seen on the verge of a path, then on 19th March the first Peacock butterfly was seen over brambles.

On 21st March in a grassy area a Peacock was seen chasing a Comma butterfly in quite fierce long chase when it managed to frighten the more fragile Comma to take cover. This was clearly Peacock territory.

A Peacock butterfly perched on a bramble leaf

21st March 2022

A Comma butterfly clinging on to a dry stalk in the wind,

March 2022

On 22nd March several Peacocks were seen basking on a path (same weather conditions prevailed)  with more Peacocks seen on 23rd March with the first female Orange-tip butterfly.More Peacocks were seen on 24th March but the weather then changed and became cooler with lower pressure bringing rain.

On 11th April a male Orange-Tip butterfly appeared and a male Brimstone was seen along the river bank. The good weather lasted with more Peacocks and more low-flying Orange-tips and Brimstones.

A speeding aggressive Peacock was this time seen chasing and Orange-tip. The powerful Peacock always wins!

The first Holly Blue butterflies were seen on 17th April and a Speckled Wood butterfly was

seen on 26th April.

The variety of Wild flowers has so far been excellent with far more appearing than in recent years, in more locations. Hopefully this will continue throughout the rest of the year.

March and the riverside Springs to Life - a survey for 24th March 2022

What a change from February!  Thursday 24th March 2022 was another fine day in a rare run of fine days, dry with bright sunshine and only a slight breeze. Background noise was low, with many singing birds seen in the hedgerows. The Hawthorn and Hazel trees were just coming into leaf, with Blackthorn covered in dense blossom. It was too early for fruit trees to blossom but all trees, large and small held buds. The new hedgerow trees planted this month and in March last year were growing well, protected by tree guards. Under some of the older trees there was an unexpected profusion of wild flowers with Lesser Celandine still flowering now with more Wood Anemone than ever before and Wild Garlic about to flower. Butterflies had suddenly appeared a few days earlier, emerging as the sun warmed the riverside. (see the next post) .Today a brilliant male Brimstone, a fast-flying Peacock and a Comma butterfly were seen ranging along the banks.

Wood Anemone flourishing in the dappled shade of the

bare branches of the woodland floor.

Cuckooflower just emerging through the thick

layers of last year's stalks and leaves. This is the food plant of the OrangeTip butterfly caterpillar.

Normally clumps of these flowers are seen near and on grassy river banks but this year were also seen on ordinary roadside verges and patches left without being mown. This is a good indicator of how important it is to avoid scheduled mowing regimes in areas where foliage is not obstructing highways and vision.

Large numbers of Buff-tailed Bumblebees were ranging all along the riverbanks, attracted to the wild flowers. The first Hoverflies were out over the warm banks.

Birdsong was striking in its clarity with as yet no heavy foliage to dampen the high notes, with Robins (31) winning in numbers but the summer visitors, the Chiffchaffs (19) again trying to out-sing them.

Great ts (13) were also calling loudly with a variety of confusing notes whilst Blue ts (24) were far too active to sing. Their nesting is often easily observed as they find locations in many of the very old Oaks whilst not yet in leaf.  Two Long-tailed ts were seen following each other across the top of a catkin-covered Willow. Blackbirds were seen all along the route, most dashing out from the undergrowth onto the damp grass to forage. (24). One or two were singing full songs but most were silent or making soft alarm calls. There were over 100 House Sparrows in all along the riverside hedgerows and brambles - reassuring numbers. They thrive in dry warm weather and seek out the sun to perch, bicker and sing. 

Dunnocks (8) today were seen chasing under the brambles and along the footpath. Wrens (12) were all singing, fewer in number than usual as most remain quietly hidden when nesting under roots and bank vegetation. It was good to see the Song Thrushes (6) with some 'sunning' and drying off after bathing in the shallows of the river. Further downstream - an unusual sight of two Nuthatch together,  preening after obviously bathing in the river too, with six others in well distanced locations near probable nest sites, one calling loudly 'don't come near'. (Total 8).

In the background, quite well hidden, at least 5 Goldfinches could be heard singing from a dense thicket and a smart male Blackcap sang more loudly from another Willow amongst dense catkins.

In the air, eleven Herring Gulls flew slowly around whilst 4 Magpies and a Jackdaw followed each other. At least 40 Woodpigeons were seen amongst the Oaks and in the air.  Starlings (28) were calling, very unique songs around their nearby roost, in trees and tall undergrowth and a Green Woodpecker yaffled loudly below shortly before a Pheasant called close by.

Hearing loud cries from a Carrion Crow meant a possible Buzzard Alert! Sure enough two Common Buzzards were circling each other, carried up by the thermals. A pair of Carrion Crows commanded the deserted playing field whilst another flew into an oak (4 total). Further downstream a male Kestrel was seen moving high in trees. It perched for a while then dropped down out of sight into an area of tangled undergrowth known to be occupied by small mammals.

Bright Sun through the Branches - February 2022 Survey

 The survey for 25th February 2022 was done on a fine, dry, clear day only a week after the Storm on  the18th and 19th.

It was cool and dry with a slight breeze.Apart from scattered twigs and small branches carpeting the ground, there were few signs of the storms. The branches and small trees that fell here were perhaps fragile but valued as part of the landscape. Now the sun shone through the bare trees onto the woodland floor, warming the earth -  but the full display of wild flowers would come later. It was certainly very bare.

Hornbeam winter leaves cling on forming

a barrier for sheltering wildlife and a windbreak

during the worst of the weather. Soon new green leaves will replace the old to create a thick hedge.

Wild Garlic leaves were growing strongly, interspersed with fresh young Cow Parsley and Nettle leaves.

There was no new growth  yet on the ponds, harbouring frogs and their spawn and tadpoles. The banks will be green by the time froglets are out and about.

Birds were fast-flying today, with wrens singing at last.

House Sparrows were out in force in the sun today (over 100), in the Hornbeam and other hedges, the Bramble patches and the drainage basin undergrowth. Only one Goldfinch was seen however.

Blackbird numbers were increasing (24) with most very active, either singing or giving alarm calls, preparing or already using nests. Song Thrushes were very elusive, as not singing but preparing nests. Only 2 were seen. Robins were everywhere advertising their presence (36) most singing loudly. Wrens too were singing strongly (25), winning the song contest with Great Ts (13). Blue Ts were numerous (37) but their song is usually diminutive, used for contact-calling. They were seen selecting small buds to eat but insects will soon be their main diet when raising young. Four Long-tailed Ts were following each other from branch to branch in the Willows over the river. possibly a pair with two helpers completing their intricate nest entangled within the steep bank vegetation, invisible to predators.

  Three Dunnock were busy nest building in the undergrowth whilst a Bullfinch called quietly from the branches above them.

Calling loudly from different Oaks along the river were 4 Nuthatches already using their nests, carefully reconditioned over the winter months.

Woodpigeons seem to have survived the storm well, with 26 in the high branches of old trees. They almost certainly hunkered down low on the riverbank, avoiding the madly swinging branches.

Magpies (9) and Carrion Crows (12) were active, feeding on the grass whilst a single Jay carefully avoided them. Very good numbers of Starlings were present - about seventy, most singing in their traditional roost well hidden amongst dense vegetation. Not far away 45 Black-headed Gulls were very easy to count, evenly spaced on the sports field, thinking perhaps of their summer coastal breeding grounds. Surely it must all be an improvement on this inland site! On the other hand the coast would have been a dangerous place the previous week during the storm. Two Jackdaws, a single Collared dove and 19 Herring Gulls were seen flying across the drainage basin and new sports field near the river.

Looking at some Deer footprints in the mud a sudden mix of angry calls came from a nearby thicket. Looking up I saw a Common Buzzard being chased by Carrion crows very close up across the river. The commotion didn't last long, only one Crow persisted but soon gave up,  once in the open sky the Buzzard is the winner.

The survey for March 2022 follows soon.

Lesser Celandine, the First Woodland Flowers

OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE 

Our February Meet was held on 27th -  a cold start but fine weather all day, with a dry SE breeze.

The sun had brought out the first flowers of the Lesser Celandine, well known to have traditionally been a welcome sign of spring in woodland for hundreds of years - and this year was no different with the first sign of sun in late February awakening the plants which are fortunately spreading steadily along the river banks and verges. 

Lesser Celandine bursting through the thick layers of last autumn's leaves

on 27th February 2022

Many birds were very active, with Robins singing in their territories everywhere.

Goldfinches were also singing loudly along the riverside walk but were less visible

in the thickets. With the flowers came the Bumblebees, Bombus terrestris.

This Bumblebee (Buff-tailed bumblebee), together with Bombus lucorum 

(White-tailed bumblebee) are usually the only bumblebees to appear as early as February.

We were lucky as the rest of the week was cloudy and damp, spring was on hold.

January 2022 - A typically Dark Day for the Survey

 Thursday 27th January 2022 was overcast as usual but initially there was no rain and no wind. The young hedge on the river bank was full of birds. The location provides shelter down on the banks and amongst the dense stems of Hawthorn and Hazel together with the brown leaves of the Hornbeams, with a young Oak retaining its brown leaves close by.

The landscape was now at its wildest; what could be wilder than an old Oak more than two hundred years old, habitat for thousands of creatures (mammals, insects and birds, fungi and lichens).

The tree has withstood storms and floods, hot summers and freezing winters, it's only adversary being a type of mammal, sometimes called human.

Its essential root protection, dense ground cover, mostly Brambles Hollies and Ivies forms an important extension to the wildlife habitat provided by its branches and bark. Soon the first spring flowers, Lesser Celandine then Wood Anemone will appear at its roots attracting the first pollinating insects.

Birdsong, muted by dense leaf cover in the summer, today echoed along the river, some quite remarkable its volume and intensity close up, often with another bird answering from across the river. Robins are masters of this and today 40 were counted, most singing loudly, all guarding their own territories, easily seen perched on prominent branches, never moving far off. Unlike the Robins, Blue Ts were constantly moving about it the trees, especially Willows, selecting buds here and there which they would open by carefully removing the outer brown husks. It was good to see so many (75) in such ideal conditions along the whole length of the river. Great Ts were also seen, in fewer numbers (23) and singing loudly with their individual variations on the 'teeecher' theme, most moving amongst the river bank roots and low vegetation, remaining less visible. With them, the Wrens (11) were mostly seen on or near the river banks singing very short songs.

Other birds seen in large numbers were House Sparrows, in their individual colonies, amounting to over 100 individuals in total, some singing, even in the rain later in the morning. Blackbirds were now seen mostly foraging on the muddy grass and river banks (23), the autumn's meagre supply of berries and fruits having long since been plucked. Only 3 Song Thrushes were visible, in the same areas as the Blackbirds although most were probably unseen within roots of hedges, as were the Dunnocks, only 2 were heard singing then seen in undergrowth. Goldfinches (19) were seen in small groups, some 

 singing and others following each other into a hedge. There are still seeds on the Dock plants and some thistles which they are eating as winter rations.

Starlings were very active, chasing in small groups or in one large group of about 30 on the very top of an old Oak, the total today was 47. The characters of this area are the Carrion Crows (7) which are permanent residents and keep an eye out for trouble but always tolerate visiting birds, apart from the Magpies which are opportunists. This year they have been active extracting very small insects from under the balls of moss they find, mainly on nearby rooftops. They spot a clump of moss and fling it expertly off the roof onto the ground below, collecting insects left behind. More than usual (10) were seen today, chasing in the Oaks. A single Pied Wagtail was seen foraging on the grass. Woodpigeons can usually find food anywhere and today 47 were seen in various places on the grassed areas or ivy bushes. In the old Oaks Nuthatch calls could be heard from a tree then the bird moved to another branch and could easily be seen. In all 5 individuals were seen each in a different Oak or Ash. Probably most started preparing nest holes last month.

The weather was not suitable for birds which use thermals such as Buzzards but 2 Jackdaws, 70 Herring Gulls,  and 63 Black-headed Gulls in a their exclusive separate group were present.

Lastly a Little Egret was seen near a drainage basin close to the river. It suddenly went up into a small low tree, waited a few minutes then dropped back down, into the shallow river where the water was not so muddy. It was very interesting to note that two Moorhen accompanied the Egret and followed it's foraging using slow careful step on the river bed closely, hoping perhaps that it would disturb some small creatures for them to catch.

Survey for the Warmest New Year's Eve - 2021

 

December 31st 2021 was the warmest New Year's Eve, with a SSW breeze, cloudy with intermittent drizzle. It was easy to choose a typically dark and mild day to do a survey for December, probably the dullest since 1956. Comparing the weather with the previous survey, for November 2021, it was about 10 degrees C warmer but bird numbers and activities show the advance of winter rather than the comparative temperatures.

The birdsong was very loud with most birds defending chosen territories. Signs of spring were already showing with Hazel trees full of catkins. There were plenty of midges and other insects - good news for birds, with new leaf buds on fruit trees and many others. If the weather turns cold the buds will grow very slowly.  Berries were scarce compared to 2020 and those left were very small leaving the birds no choice of insects or berries - it will have to be insects, rather than rose hips and sloes.

Hazel catkins on a fine day. Catkins were merging into the misty drizzle on 31st however.

Perhaps the only fruits available were the now mature Ivy berries which had grown ripe slowly in shady areas, now at last ready to be plucked by larger birds:

Growing amongst mature ivy leaves the ripe berries can be found from ground level to the highest branches that are strong enough to support the weight of several Woodpigeons.

The loudest bird song today came from Robins (47) almost all very visible, perched where their song and appearance became unmissable, echoing along the banks. They had been singing since well before dawn.

Blackbirds (18) were very active, chasing and calling but with no developed song yet. It was very good to see and hear Song Thrushes now - all singing - not yet giving full songs but seemingly answering each other (6).  Blue ts (58) were also very active closely following each other amongst the bare branches, collecting insects, not in large roaming flocks but in small groups. Great ts were chasing and preening mostly in separate areas lower down in thickets in a variety of locations (more than 20).

 Two Dunnocks were visible in brambles at the side of the path. Three or more Long-tailed ts were calling softly from a thicket. Wrens were not numerous yet, with only four seen in different places making short flights and even shorter songs. Three Goldcrests were active in a conifer, tiny fast movements giving them away in the dark shadows. Six Goldfinches were seen in a group on the top-most branches of an old Oak adjacent to another Oak where nine Starlings were perched together all facing south whilst more were perching on other tree tops - usually a sign that they will all take off to form a larger group and pick up more on their flight (25 total), destination unknown. They took no notice of a single Nuthatch dashing away from the Oak, calling.

The river bank and meanders, forming a very important habitat for many wildlife species in every season of the year.

 There were about the same number of House Sparrows in various locations as there were last month (November) - not unusual as they are quite static in their habits (64) but it was good to hear a large group singing together in amongst the brambles, with others preening in the new hedge after bathing in the river shallows. This was just as there was a glimmer of light from the sun, before dark clouds moved across again. A total of 25 Woodpigeons were seen in various places with five on the new playing field. They were vastly outnumbered by Herring Gulls (more then 100) which had moved in and split up to check various locations, with most flying around the School. Black- headed Gulls (5) were present in the area too, leaving one of their flock on sentinel duty perched on one of the goalposts of the playing field. More will join it to forage on the grass when all is quiet. They very rarely mix with the noisy Herring Gulls. Three Magpies were in a tree, one shouting at a Carrion Crow which was perched on an oak. (total 4) whilst two Jackdaws called to each other in flight. A Common Buzzard was seen perched on an old Oak surveying the ground near groundworks - then the star of the day appeared in a tree over the river. A bright male Kestrel. It suddenly dropped down from its perch onto the river bank and then flew up and away, followed closely by a Carrion Crow. The Kestrel had probably caught a small mammal such as a Bank Vole, hence the chasing Crow. Raptors are doing well during the mild weather, with many small mammals still active and quite visible to birds perched on high branches watching for the slightest movement of grasses, earth and leaves on calm days or in sheltered hollows.