The Day Before the Shortest Day

Yesterday,  Tuesday 20th December 2016 was a fine day and I took the opportunity to make a full record along the river, with the low sun lighting up the landscape in the morning. At first the sky was clear but clouds soon moved in, allowing only brief spells of sunlight.

A fine example of winter on the river bank, 

with grasses and other

riverside vegetation dried out in the frosts. Last winter much

vegetation remained green and continued to grow.

The young oak on the right retains its dry brown leaves all through

the winter as do all young oaks. This one was planted by a member

of our group quite a few years ago and is growing slowly, forming

a good round shape.

The river was running low but fast with many overhanging branches still laden with berries where birds have found the twigs too fragile to negotiate when trying to reach out to the tempting feast. These Holly and Hawthorn berries and Dog Rose hips will remain for a while until hungry birds make in-flight dashes to grab them, one by one.

Hazel nuts have long since been eaten or cached and now catkins cover the Hazel trees, colouring the riverbanks in the sun. Broken cloud caused ever-changing colours and luminosity and the day became freezing cold.

Every winter, black-headed gulls visit the grassed areas  near the river and today there were several foraging on the grass with more coming in to land, calling softly (23). All have their winter plumage now.  Only two herring gulls were seen, flying across with carrion crows (9), rooks (8) and jackdaws (2) also seen in the air and on the 'scrape'.

The 'Heron Oak' near the scrape, a popular lookout for for many birds

including Herons, with its view over the new scrape across the river Arun

Grey Herons are commonly seen along the river course here, flying to and from roost places and hunting along the bank and the river itself but little egrets are winter visitors - it was good to see one today:

Shining brilliant white in the low sun a Little Egret leisurely flew low along the river bank trees

downstream and settled on the branch of an old oak to survey the river below.

Normally just two are seen - not far away from each other. They usually appear after the first frosts,

flying up from the south coast where they live during the rest of the year, following the river course

upstream inland where perhaps warmer flowing waters provide more food than icy shallows.

 Blue tits (63) were present in large numbers, in what some call  'roaming flocks' whilst great tits (36) were more often seen lower down amongst oak roots and dry grasses, usually only two or three foraging together. Some were calling intermittently from trees where five long-tailed tits were foraging in the bare branches above.

A few house sparrows were sunning themselves high up in trees but most were foraging low down under hedgerows in small groups (more than 60 individuals). One group had gathered (not for the first time) at the base of a hedgerow which meets the river bank, with a ditch running beside it, draining into the river. This catches the sun and the vegetation soon warms up, encouraging sparrows to bathe in the shallows, then fly up to preen and dry off. 

Other finches, chaffinch (3), greenfinch (1)  were present in small numbers and two bullfinches were heard calling from a thicket, with a third seen flying low across the large pond, its banks full of Gueder Rose - and a group of goldfinches (18) was seen flying across between the trees over the rough grass, followed by a single redwing which dropped down onto some high rose hips. Robins (26) were very easily seen and heard with some seen challenging and chasing each other out of their territory. Today remaining bramble leaves were brightly lit in the sun, their orange and brown colours hiding a perched robin here and there.   

Any disturbance of ivy leaves seen soon revealed a wood pigeon or two clumsily trampling around, slipping and scrambling out to reach the choicest  Ivy berries at the right stage of ripeness. Others were seen sitting motionless in trees, hunched up in the cold when the sun went in (33). 

Higher up in the tree magpies (4), also rather clumsy, were noisily jostling for perches.

Three jays were seen, perhaps seeking out their cached acorns and eleven starlings flew across near their roost. A single treecreeper was just visible creeping along on the underside of an oak branch before disappearing whilst a great spotted woodpecker called and flew out from the top.

Blackbirds (more than 50), numbers multiplied by winter migrants were everywhere, feeding on soft grassy areas under hedges, foraging in the deep interior of bramble bushes and, where fallen leaves lay thick on the ground, tough-looking birds were throwing leaves about. They had also started on the Crab Apples.

Song thrushes (6) were far more cautious and well camouflaged, progressing slowly and methodically across the ground, observing first before probing the ground. One was heard singing but very short snatches of song. Four dunnocks  were seen, two nearby, one singing loudly clearly visible, perched in the sun. Nine silent wrens were busy along the river in various places amongst the roots.

A nuthatch flew over, followed by another, probably a pair, one calling near their traditional nesting place and much further along the river two more nuthatches were calling to each other and beyond them a fifth nuthatch (5). 

Giving a fine demonstration of hovering - tiny goldcrests were seen amongst the brambles very close to me, flying up to the undersides of bramble leaves pecking off sheltering insects, the birds hovering with upturned beaks, wings whirring. Others were seen in a conifer where foraging looked easy in comparison (5).

It was good to hear green woodpeckers again - now jaffling loudly in different locations along the river, one was seen flying low across the rough grass of a drainage basin.

Not only was it good to hear and see the green woodpeckers (3) but hearing them yaffle so frequently is a well known to be a sign of rain!

sure enough it rained the following day….

And a fine mistle thrush was seen and heard singing a full song, perched high up in an old Maple.

    

Winter Frosts to end November

The last three days of November became steadily colder with wildlife activity increasing and more visible. On Monday 28th it was again very cold, with a NE wind to dry the earth - but no visible frost.

Another Winter first - the sound of a song thrush singing from the old oaks - it's been a long time since we've heard them. A mistle thrush was seen too, flying across the river, and nearby a great-spotted woodpecker also flew across. A robin pair appeared too, later, well after most birds had gone to roost, continuing their courtship in the dusk, displaying. 

The sun just touching the frost carpet of fallen oak leaves. The frost remained the whole day 

in shady places

Tuesday 29th November was another fine day, this time with a ground frost, the mud was frozen too.

Birds were restless, most finding the first treetop branches to catch the sun, as there was no chilling wind. A great-spotted woodpecker was seen busy foraging in an old ash tree alongside the Arun, well away from the one seen yesterday - they keep to their own territories much of the time. Two jays were not far away, probably searching out a squirrel's cache of acorns - as there are now none left on most of the oaks and very few left lying amongst the fallen leaves. A grey heron sailed over the river watching for still-damp locations along the riverside.

Dunnocks were very visible today, perching on bare branches in the sun, none signing but one was calling. Robins, numerous blue and great tits, blackbirds and wrens were seen in passing.

On the 30th - the last day of November - it seemed that a traditional winter was approaching, with another frost heralding a fine sunny and calm day. It was interesting to note how the remaining oak leaves were falling very slowly, turning or spiralling straight down. The whole riverside was quiet but full of activity.

A moorhen was sitting on a sunny mud bank but soon plunged into the river and further upstream two more were seen paddling together in the sun, juveniles. A nuthatch was calling whilst several blackbirds were foraging amongst Dog Rose hips and Hawthorn berries - but selecting Ivy berries in preference to the others.

Towards dusk a blackcap was seen foraging then flying off into the dense Hawthorn to roost. 

What will December bring? It seems that we have already had more frosty mornings this autumn than we had in the whole of last winter! 

Winter Blackcaps are back, brought by the cold north-east wind

Today 27th November 2016 - a fine view of a kingfisher flying low over the Arun towards the bridge and zipping under it, disappearing upstream. It's all changing now that the frosts have started.

The first sighting of a smart female blackcap foraging and flying across into the Hawthorn hedge.

The summer blackcaps have long-since gone south and there have been no sightings of blackcaps until today. 

Some Robin pairs have been seen foraging together rather than fighting or guarding their own territories - does this mean an early spring? 

The 'scrape' after heavy rain, November 2016

Chasing the Last Leaves of November

Today, 25th November 2016 was the first day for a long while when the weather was stable, with clear skies and a persistent cold NE wind. Previously heavy rain had alternated with sun, in quick succession,  rainbows appearing and disappearing. Storm Angus at the weekend had provided much-needed rainfall, the worst of the storm gales concentrated along the coast. A marked increase in bird activity was observed, with limited daylight and heavy rain, foraging time has been reduced and intensified after a very slow and mild autumn.

The river level had dropped over a meter but was still flowing very fast although the river banks showed scarcely any sign of the river having been almost at flood level.

See below for the full record for 25th November 2016:

25th November 2016

One of the old oaks along the river, losing it's remaining leaves fast in the cold NE wind.

Amongst the leaves, goldcrests were busy foraging, well camouflaged and moving constantly, like the leaves.

Perhaps not an ideal day for recording, with most wildlife finding shelter but needing to forage as well.

All along the river a multi-tiered choice of berries in thickets attracted hungry birds - extending from the surface of the river low overhanging the banks up to the tops of the Hawthorn and Blackthorn thickets.

Single leaves drifting down were distracting and bare old nests were now cradling bunches of fallen leaves.

Robins (16) were mostly singing loudly but others were sitting on spindle bushes they had claimed - their brilliant colour shining in the low sun - sufficient to advertise their presence without the need for song.

Woodpigeons were quite numerous today (46) with six feeding on the grass, the rest taking up their own spaces on high branches, sitting motionless in the sun, rounded agains the cold wind.

Wrens as usual were busy low down on the banks (10) only two singing. Overhead eight herring gulls flew across and only seven black-headed gulls were seen, six circling over the playing field with just one brave enough to land -it did not settle to feeding however but looked around warily. Three rooks appeared, flying across the river and five jackdaws disappeared noisily into distant trees. Carrion crows were far more numerous than usual, with a total of 26 individuals seen alone or in small groups mostly around the drainage basin scrape. Three were competing with very loud 'cawing' in the top of an oak, disturbing a couple of magpies which flew out. Seven were seen in all.  Maybe the cause of the crows anger was a single jay seen in the same tree or maybe not…

Chaffinches were not yet calling but three were seen high up.

It was good to see a flock of about 50 starlings flying over with more singing amongst the ivy (about 60 in all)

The first birds to be seen and heard this morning were colonies of house sparrows tucked inside hedges. As the sun rose to touch their shelters they moved about more and sought out suitable riverbank thickets on which to sunbathe in the shelter of the high riverbanks, singing (60). Goldfinches were keeping to sheltered thickets (16) where blue tits (50) moved swiftly through from branch to branch foraging, finding plenty of insects hidden amongst hazel twigs and lichen-covered oak bark. Great tits (29) were now calling in full voice from branches or foraging low amongst roots on the banks and three dunnocks were seen in different places. Tall Poplars were bending in the wind whilst a family group of seven long-tailed tits moved quickly through the leafless willows, crossing the gaps between the trees one by one. Nearby a silent treecreeper flew across onto the trunk of an old oak, its white front briefly shining in the low sun. 

Blackbird numbers (47) have suddenly increased along the river, most of them probably from distant and much colder lands and attracted to this region by the abundance of fruits and berries, the muddy banks and 'beaches' along the river and the softness of the rich unfrozen earth. Trying to single out our 'resident' blackbirds is difficult but the migrant females seem to be well camouflaged, very brown, the colour of wet fallen leaves. Other migrants were three fieldfare seen flying across and five redwing singing softly in the the shelter of a Blackthorn thicket where they remained to finish off the sloes.

Songthrushes (4) were seen along hedge bases and river undergrowth, seen but silent - but it was good to hear the calls of a bullfinch close by whilst two others were seen flying over a pond surrounded by Guelder rose shrubs full of berries (3). A nuthatch was heard calling nearby and two great-spotted woodpeckers followed each other into an old Ash tree. Down on the river a single male mallard paddled towards the scrape and on hearing calls and looking up I found two goldcrests foraging in a riverbank hawthorn and further along two more foraging low down in a sunlit oak (four in all) 

Three linnets were were seen amongst the dock on the embankment - still plenty of seeds left there, whilst four pied wagtails flew singing over the roofs to the field, followed by two meadow pipits.

A blackbird suddenly called out in alarm - it was a fast sparrowhawk hunting just over the hedgerow.

The Last Laugh of October

Today 31st October 2016, started cool and misty but became rapidly warmer as the sun rose.

Leaves are now falling fast, thickly carpeting the ground and causing confusion when attempting to glimpse wildlife activity on the riverside. There was no wind to stir the trees but leaves continued to fall - together with ripe acorns. Any falling 'leaves' which suddenly changed direction turned out to be small birds, blue tits or goldcrests or a lone chiffchaff foraging high in the canopy.

A larger bird flew directly overhead into an oak and suddenly loud laugh rang out shattering the tranquil scene.

It was a green woodpecker, announcing its arrival on home territory. 

Shorter Days and Longer Nights

At this time of the year the hours of daylight rapidly dwindle meaning less foraging time for most.

Yesterday morning, 28th October 2016 was mostly sunny and mild, with a nuthatch calling,  numerous blackbirds, almost certainly including some migrants from colder land, chasing each other through the dense Blackthorn and Hawthorn thickets, the most aggressive claiming the choicest berries and fruits. Below them the river was flowing clear but still as low as usual as no significant rainfall has occurred recently.

A great-spotted woodpecker flew over - they can be seen frequently here, most easily seen in flight, as are not yet drumming to advertise their presence.

The most common plants can produce the most brilliant autumn colours - here's a brilliant bramble. 

A mixed bramble, hawthorn and blackthorn thicket this morning was full of activity, with blackbirds, robins, blue tits, great tits, goldfinches, long-tailed tits and rapidly moving goldcrests. These tiny birds were busy catching insects amongst the twigs of the deciduous plants and trees, very well camouflaged with olive-green plumage and bright yellow or yellow-orange crests, their colours merging in with the yellowing leaves and light and shade. They seldom stop moving however. Being mostly resident birds, they are within the tree cover all year round - but as the leaves fall, become more easily seen. They are often found in conifers - but forage amongst deciduous trees as well - whichever hold the richest supply of insects and spiders at the time. 

Winter Migrants arrive….

Today, 29th October, it was dark and overcast all day, mild, with no wind. The afternoon was growing  dark at about 3pm (and still British Summer Time!) when, looking up at the leaden sky, I saw two groups of about ten fieldfare each fly across the river. These are the first fieldfare I've seen here this autumn apart from one or two very distant high-flying birds - Winter is coming…..watch out!

    

Autumn brings warm colours and a chill wind

Today, Sunday 23rd October 2016 was a fine clear day, starting cold and sunny with the remnants of frost in the shade. A very slight breeze touched the tops of the oaks and sent leaves flying. The river was low as rainfall has been slight, but was running clear. Various types of fungi decorated the grass and banks and the low sun intensified the autumnal colour of oak, ash, hazel, field maple, poplar and hornbeam leaves clinging to the riverbank trees, Willows had been losing their leaves fast over the past few days and some were almost bare.

Leaves on a young Hornbeam we planted on the riverside -

 it has grown at a fast rate 

this year, amongst other native trees planted at the same time.

The day was promising to be mild and quiet but the gentle breeze quickly turned into a very chill wind from the east north east and small fast-moving clouds started to shoot across the sky sending wildlife to hunker down in sheltered corners along the river banks.

Robins were singing today (17) but not in battle mode yet, as berries abound all the way along the river with several small Spindle bushes with fruit in new locations. These are especially guarded by robins as the fruits usually last into midwinter. Blue tits are now more numerous (40) and far more active, moving from branch to branch clinging upside-down from delicate hawthorn twigs, pecking at the berries or perhaps finding small insects amongst them. Woodpigeons (26) were mostly inactive, sitting high up in the tree tops to catch the early sun. Later they would be seen foraging on the ground below the trees.

Unusually, there were about 35 carrion crows in total this morning, some calling, in pairs high on the old oaks then, when the wind was increasing, about twenty appeared from nowhere, circling high in the air, some calling. They quickly drifted away, probably onto a bare harvested field. Later a group of rooks (22) were seen in the air heading out from their roost well out of sight and 7 jackdaws, most calling, took to the skies too. 

After the sun had warmed up the ground herring gulls appeared (35), heading for mounds of bare earth but only two black-headed gulls were seen;  they have not yet moved in onto the playing fields en masse - but these two were in their winter plumage, perhaps scouts for the rest which will follow soon.

Ripe Guelder Rose berries - there's a very good crop this autumn

  Blackbirds (9) were busy in the Blackthorn, foraging for dwindling numbers of sloes or chasing each other amongst the old Field Maples.   Great tits (12) were seen busy foraging, collecting nuts for storage in a safe place out of the reach of squirrels and jays. One or two were calling half-heartedly, whilst wrens (8) foraged low under the brambles and tree roots, giving alarm calls when  disturbed by larger birds. Just one dunnock was seen flying low across the river and heard when it perched unseen. .Magpies (5) were restlessly flying from tree to tree, calling, the harsh cries of jays adding to the noise (2). Food is abundant, there is more than enough for all, as was evident from the numbers of acorns still lying scattered under the old oaks. In hard times these would have quickly been snatched up  and either eaten or cached but this year the birds and squirrels are not bothered. They will soon go when the nights freeze over. 

Tiny birds have to spend every minute foraging in order to maintain their body-weight - 17 long-tailed-tits were discovered high in thickets in sheltered areas and in near-bare willows on the river. The Willows have lost most of their leaves already, allowing good views of birds moving amongst the branches. Other small birds remained well hidden, but given away by their rapid movements - two warblers - chiffchaffs  - were seen and their contact calls heard amongst the remaining leaves, and one goldcrest was seen after I heard its high call close by. Goldfinches (20) were heard amongst a thicket and seen flying together in a group with others coming and going, easily identified by their flight.

Bullfinches were also calling, a pair flying over the hawthorn,  two more amongst a thicket and another flying in to search for fruits - 5 in total today. They are attracted now to the riverside fruits and are becoming more visible as the leaves thin out. Nine linnets were seen in one group flying over between the trees and eventually, as the sun reached the low bramble bushes, house sparrows (45) started to sing, remaining hunkered down out of the cold wind, only flying out when pushed, preferring to keep their heads down today, with more well inside hedgerows. Nuthatches are becoming more vocal, two, probably a pair, were calling, one softly, from an oak and another much louder, in warning, directly above.

 A great-spotted woodpecker called out from its tree behind the thicket and a buzzard appeared, flying fast and low, then - chased by a carrion crow over the river,  turned and flew back, and was joined by another buzzard - then both flew quickly out of sight - the weather not suitable today for leisurely gliding.