A Frosty start to December

December 2019 began with a series of frosty mornings but each day warmed up so that frost remained only in shady places. The 4th December was such a day, where frost and ice only lasted on shallow water. The pond here is perfect for frogs, surrounded by plenty of vegetation not far from the river. Frog spawn will attract birds such as grey herons which will also catch tadpoles and froglets and adult frogs.

It was evident that there had been several cycles of thawing and re-frosting here

with the white surfaces formed of ice, not snow - as there has been no snow yet

this winter.....

A close-up of the ice contours on the pond.

Song thrushes singing again, migrants are here.

November 2019 - the riverside has gone through many changes since the October survey - this Survey for the 29th November has seen record numbers of some species of bird; part of the reason could be the favourable conditions of the day and of course the autumn leaf fall.
It was cold, around 4 degs. C with some ice at first but no frost, no wind and no clouds. A clear blue sky remained all day after some fine misty rain the previous night.
It was quiet apart from loud birdsong all along the river. Road construction works were finished at last, with only the winter planting of native trees and shrubs to come.

Crab apples after the rain, 29th November 2019. These provide

food for birds, mainly blackbirds, during the worst of the winter

weather when other more succulent fruits and berries have been

plundered, usually by migrant redwing and fieldfare making their way westwards.

The rivers were still running high but no higher than usual after rain.

There were still plenty of native berries and fruits, with Ivy berries ripening fast to provide a feast during the long winter months, together with dog rose hips on high-climbing plants.

The first birds to be heard as usual were the House Sparrows warming up in the sun where the long shadows were receding over the river banks. During a cold windy overcast day they would remain under the shelter of brambles and hawthorn hedges - but well in excess of 100 were seen clearly today. 

Robins were numerous too, (42) most singing, some churning leaves, others guarding chosen bushes such as Elder and Spindle or perching on prominent branches so as to be seen and heard by all.
Wrens (14) were singing likewise, aiming to be seen and not afraid to fly close, over my shoulder, although giving loud alarm calls at the sight of a possible predator. As usual dunnocks were keeping low apart from one sitting out on a fence, twitching its tail (5).
Blue tits (74) were foraging for insects emerging in the sun, following each other or in small groups with single birds seldom seen. Great tits (48) were also following but more were investigating the piles of fallen leaves under trees and are now checking the Horsham Stone of the new bridge where the rough texture has been harbouring many insects. There was a very good view of  treecreeper making its way up the trunk of a large Ash tree - a good view now that the leaves have fallen. Another was seen in a Oak further upstream, both on the sunlit side of the trees where the bark was warming up (2).
Much more elusive than others, three coal tits were heard calling, then calls from long-tailed tits were heard alongside, close up, heading for the tree canopy, then another group were seen in willows (total 12). Behind riverbank willows, in a blackthorn thicket the soft voices of two bullfinches was heard, with only a glimpse through the dense branches.
Although two groups of goldfinches were seen (15), only 3 chaffinches and no greenfinches were seen.
Goldcrests go about their foraging largely unseen and unheard but it was a good day and seven were heard calling behind me and seen above me, foraging separately in deciduous trees a good distance away from any conifers.

Two Oaks, young and old on 29th November 2019 on the river bank

Looking up, a total of 16 carrion crows were seen in various places, some calling but none in groups. Herring gulls were seen and heard too (about 40) but again not in a flock. Jackdaws however were seen in small groups, 4 calling in a tree, the rest in the air (40) and 20 rooks in the air. Several small groups of starlings (20) were present, one group whistling in their day roost. Today only two magpies were seen but 5 jays were present, their fine plumage giving them away when they tried to hide from view.  87 wood pigeons were about and easily visible, some feeding on the wet grass, others dozing in the treetops or scrambling for ripening Ivy berries. Collared doves were sitting on a hazel tree - a favourite sun trap, close to the Ivy berries (3).

Nuthatches were very much in evidence, most calling loudly from chosen old Oak or Ash trees (total 10). One of these held its ground whilst a male great-spotted woodpecker flew from tree to tree. Two juveniles and a female were seen along other parts of the river (4 total) - suitable trees are at a premium for nesting next spring. 2 green woodpeckers were calling from the field margin - they nest in tree holes too, so need to compete early on.

Large flocks of migrant thrushes have not yet been observed but 13 fieldfare and 8 redwing were seen collecting berries from the branches of Blackthorn thickets overhanging the river. It was very good to see good numbers of blackbirds (49), some clearly newly arrived migrants perched high, surveying the landscape and 9 very active song thrushes, some singing continuously.

Lastly a sparrowhawk was seen diving into a thicket and a kestrel  was perching on a branch with an outlook over open space.

The First Frost, October 28th 2019

Monday 28th October - the first frosty morning of the autumn after the rain, mist, wind and finally sun of the previous week, the expected cold spell moved in. It was clear and sunny for the first part of the survey then high cloud moved across and the day became colder again.

The frost had rapidly thawed leaving the riverside very damp. The river was flowing fast but the level had dropped by about a meter, the water still muddy. Small clusters of leaves and twigs lay under the trees, blown by the wind, with single leaves. Walking under the old oaks dense carpets of acorns crunched underfoot, even more than there were last year, but mainly from different oaks.

Acorn carpet under an old oak on the river bank - too numerous for wildlife to cache.

How soon will they be gone?

Jays (4) were busy in the trees and long grass, no noisy fights over food at present. Heavy wood pigeons were numerous today (34), most in the trees but some on the ground, foraging warily, flying off if intruders approach too close. Their observations and reactions always serve as a warning to other birds which take off as soon as a woodpigeon signals alarm. Only one collared dove was seen. Magpies (7) were restless, flying from one tree to another, calling - but unusually, carrion crows  (16) were far noisier and more numerous today. There was a small group having a very loud and angry altercation which seemed to last for about two hours. 

Some distance away 35 starlings were seen in small quiet groups, flying in and out of their day-roost which is layered with flowering Ivy. Ivy was flowering in other areas too, attracting crowds of insects, mostly wasp-types and bees.

Flowering Ivy attracting numerous insects. There will soon be clumps of 

Ivy berries forming which will in turn provide food for winter migrant birds

as well as resident birds.

One low-flying song thrush was seen, but blackbirds were more numerous (17), still just our resident resident birds, ranging along the entire stretch of the rivers checking on the locations of Rosa canina rose hips, a good crop this year, and other fruits small and large, in advance of icy weather when foraging on the frozen ground becomes difficult. It was good to see that the first fieldfares, only two at present, had arrived. The wind direction just beginning to become more favourable for migration from the east. There will be redwings and 'European' blackbirds with them and, according to recent studies, possibly migrating robins as well! At the moment 21 robins were seen and most heard as well but only singing very short snatches of song or making alarm calls. They predictably guard choicest berries such as Elder, Holly and Spindle. Wrens were sheltering in the undergrowth, only 10 seen with two singing - and two dunnock, also well hidden. It was quiet and high calls gave away the presence of two goldcrests and nearby a single blue tit was seen collecting spiders from the corner of a bat box. Elsewhere  a total of 34 were seen in various trees searching for insects whilst 15 great tits were seen - a group following each other with a few (3) long-tailed tits from Ash trees to Willows over the river. A single chiffchaff was calling in the thicket there. Behind the Willows a weak call came from a bullfinch in a favourite sheltered location.

House sparrows (about 80) had sought out warm sheltered places after a freezing start to the day, with some groups eventually singing together well hidden under brambles. Others were low down under the river banks, bathing in shallows. Perhaps the river water feels warm after a frosty night. Some goldfinches (18) and starlings had joined singing sparrows which had chosen a taller thicket in the sun.

In the same area a treecreeper was making its way up a tree trunk then flew off to a larger mature tree.

Above, a great-spotted woodpecker was seen flying across, then another flew north and a third was heard drumming! (3) whilst low down on the grass, a green woodpecker called loudly, yaffling.

Familiar calls came from several of the old oaks long the river - these were from nuthatches (6) which are certainly making their presence known, commanding prime nest sites as they start preparing their nests well in advance over the winter.

Overhead 4 calling jackdaws were seen, about 10 black-headed gulls and 14 herring gulls, some calling. I looked up - the gulls had disappeared but a fine juvenile buzzard was flying low, chased by a single crow.  The buzzard shook off the crow and headed straight towards me flying low over and across a bridge to investigate a road-works vehicle nearby.  Maybe it would find small mammals on the verge, disturbed by the road works!

  

Spiders and Bats

October 2019 has been a fine month for watching the diversity of wildlife along the river, conditions changing from day to day. Our temperate climate here allows for frequent changes which other countries don't have. A continental climate means summer is summer and winter is winter, with predictable weather most of the time, although climate change may be affecting this. 

Rivers flowing through a landscape can have a very local effect and provide habitat for more species of wildlife than other regions. 

Insects are a key to this. What have spiders and bats in common? They prey on insects which are very often most numerous in riverine environments. Spiders and bats often go unnoticed until conditions change, and their presence becomes more visible:

A spiders web on a misty morning 22nd October 2019

This web was laden with water-droplets, until they evaporated in the sun.

Another web on the same morning quite close to the ground

and the river bank.

Bats forage when light-levels are low, spending the daylight hours roosting in darkness hidden away unnoticed by creatures which might otherwise prey on them.

Here the huge old oaks along the river provide excellent roosts, with old branches providing cavities in the bark where there is space for bats to squeeze in and hang onto the rough surfaces. 

 An old oak on the edge of the river at the end of an important bat flyway.

As soon as light levels fall, bats fly out of their roosts mostly in old oaks 

some distance from the river and make their way along a hedge

and trees down to the old oak where they immediately start to catch aerial

insects over the river surface and in the trees above. They move on along the river, catching insects as they go, as the vegetation on the banks forms a directional guide for them to follow. When they have finished for the night they usually follow the same route back to their day roosts. They do not fly in strong winds or driving rain, so mature vegetation and trees provide shelter and enable them to continue foraging.

Fruitful September

September 2019 was warm with summer clinging on but an increase in showers, all good for ripening fruits and berries.

Friday 27th September was a typical day, mild with frequent sudden light showers coming in with the southerly breeze. The ground was scattered with acorns crunching underfoot and oaks still laden with many more, both green and ripening brown shells. The river was running well after a sudden high surge and then dip in the level the previous week - due not to the weather but to the necessity of having to temporarily empty the Mill pond upstream in order to facilitate repairs to piping at the mill and giving a chance to restore the Tern platforms on the pond before the winter. This all happened very quickly and it was soon back to normal with no loss of aquatic wildlife.

Along the river on the day of the survey clouds brought in short-lived showers between warm and sunny spells and it was interesting to note how wildlife reacted. As dark clouds approached, bird activity increased - as they sensed the rain, they made direct flights to the nearest dense trees to shelter with no procrastination such as stopping in mid flight to forage on berries or insects. I did the same, choosing to stand under the shelter of the nearest old oak tree, the ground underneath remaining quite dry. There were good opportunities to observe from across the grass, through the rain, or turn to a hedge with sheltering robins and dunnocks.  

This Comma butterfly was about to open its wings and bask on the Bramble leaf to soak up the sun.

When the wings are closed it's almost invisible when amongst autumn leaves, but its signature - the white marking shaped like a comma, gives it away. The white comma visible here looks as if it's painted on but this is just how we see it, given a good view. This one is an overwintering Comma, a dark form which will very soon find a place where it will hibernate during the winter and wake us up to the Spring when we see it appear on the banks as early as March. During the summer the eggs are laid on fresh Nettle tips which the caterpillars eat when hatched -  like many of our butterflies the caterpillars need Nettles as a food source. If you get rid of the Nettles you destroy most of the butterfly population!

A Red Admiral was seen basking in the sun on some fallen leaves, two Small Copper butterflies were erratically flying along a sunny bank and numerous Speckled Wood butterflies were chasing and basking in the sun, high and low amongst the trees.

 Insects were always the first to emerge as soon as the rain cleared and the sun warmed up the leaves. Over the river banks, bees, flies and wasp species could be seen buzzing around wild flowers and seed heads, butterflies too.

Amongst the grass - a very small Cricket (centre)

This is probably a short-winged Conehead with

long antennae - although foreshortened in this photo.

Strong-flying dragonflies, the Southern Hawkers were still numerous over and away from the river.

Two Common Darters were perching on twigs in a sheltered and sunny area.

Numerous spiders had been at work, spinning webs across brown grass seed heads and thistle tops which had been very successful in trapping many small insects.

House sparrows were seen and heard amongst their traditional hedgerows, dropping down to shelter when it rained, continuing to sing (about 50). Robins (22) were more numerous now, with many singing territorial songs which they will continue to sing throughout the winter months. Blackbirds and thrushes were keeping a low profile with only seven blackbirds and one song thrush seen today.

October should see them appear in new 'winter' plumage.

Elderberries ripening 

Blue tits (45) were out foraging for insects as soon as the rain stopped whilst Great tits (25) continued to forage lower amongst the dry understory and roots with wrens (8) some singing, and dunnocks (3) all sheltered by the still-green leafy tree roots and ivies. Long-tailed tits (5) were seen in the Willow canopies in the sun. As usual, nuthatches were seen and heard amongst the huge strong oak branches (4),  juveniles now seeking out their first nest sites with older nuthatches guarding the nest holes they have traditionally used. They will also be caching nuts. A tap-tapping sound will be heard when Nuthatches are shelling nuts, usually wedged in a branch twig. A single treecreeper flew up and out of an old oak when a nearby nuthatch called. Great-spotted woodpeckers have had a good summer rearing young and several have been seen with adults. Today three were seen, one climbing the trunk of an Ash tree, gleaning insects, another was calling from an oak and another was seen flying across from oak to oak. Three goldcrests were also seen in the oaks, making fine contact calls, their conifers not providing such good shelter as the oaks still in leaf.

Goldfinches (25) were numerous but in scattered groups in thickets sheltering from the rain, not singing as much as usual. Their favoured food being dry seeds from Dock, Thistles and grasses, dry weather suits them better, as with other finches. No greenfinches or chaffinches were seen. 

Only one blackcap was heard but three chiffchaffs were present in willows nearby, moving fast.

 About thirty wood pigeons were present today, most quietly feeding on the ground under the trees. Six jackdaws were seen flying out of the woods and nine magpies in various places, not seeking shelter from the rain. Herring gulls, making the most of the breezy weather were fling across (10 or more), with five starlings and fifteen carrion crows.

A fine finish was the sighting of at least forty house martins flying together with about seven barn swallows over the river, catching insects for some time. Suddenly a sparrowhawk appeared from nowhere and flew amongst the group. They seemed quite fearless approaching it rather than flying away; the sparrowhawk was unlucky and quickly flew off.

Autumn Appears

Autumn - a Speckled Wood butterfly from above - on a Bramble leaf

Autumn is an optimistic season with new beginnings and future promise. Seeds fall and take root, leaves fall to create compost to feed them. Young resident birds set out to find new territories along the rivers whilst winter migrants are already heading for our temperate shores to avoid ice and snow in their northern summer breeding grounds. 

Late August is as usual a quiet time for birds as most are busy feeding up for winter and this year the crops of wild berries and nuts has been especially prolific. Last year the summer heat advanced growth of most fruit-bearing plants and lack of water throughout the summer meant that some fruits did not mature. Berries dried out and went to seed and leaves fell early.  When it eventually rained, some new green growth appeared but was too late to fruit.

  This year is different:

Friday 30th August 2019 started bright, with light cloud remaining warm but becoming breezy. The river was flowing low but clear and the grass and most vegetation remained remarkably green with good carpets of clovers and birds-foot trefoil. Umbellifers and thistles were flowering well and covered in insects - bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Nettles were not so prolific and mostly going to seed however.

The bright yellow flowers of Fleabane, attracting many insects, were starting to go to seed, having spread and done very well this year along verges.

Robins (18), were either 'chinking' - usually a first sign of autumn and chasing or giving short versions of territorial song, whilst wrens (6) were singing very quietly. Blackbirds (5) were keeping low, mostly out of sight - they are present but keeping a low profile as were 3 song thrushes scrabbling amongst leaf- litter. House sparrows are now at the stage where they have formed groups and fly around together and roost together, sometimes merging to form much larger groups. About thirty were present today, with more hidden in dense brambles, quite quiet. Perhaps there was a sparrowhawk around.

Woodpigeons were now more numerous (34), some nesting as usual.  One  pair of collared doves was seen near their nest site, their fledged young being well-hidden. A silent Jay flew across into trees and nearby directly above me a great-spotted woodpecker called.

Seven carrion crows were seen in various places and six herring gulls flew across. Five Black-headed gulls were also seen in the air - maybe the first of many to fly inland from the coast this autumn. Numbers of blue tits seen were reasonable, (62) with family parties exploring new sources of food such as blackberries. Long-tailed tits were easily seen today as their contact calls could be heard and the birds seen moving amongst the tree canopy above the river (21). Numbers are good this year as conditions have been good for nesting, with few gales and floods to damage their carefully built but fragile nests.

Great tits (20) were active too, adults accompanied by yellow-cheeked young. They are less easily seen as often forage in undergrowth and tree roots, like the dunnock - only one seen today.

One treecreeper was visible climbing a youngish tree whilst one goldcrest was foraging in a conifer.

A look at a recently seeded field revealed a scattered set of birds feeding, mostly wood pigeons but with  about six magpies here and there where new shoots were growing up.

Close to the river, largely hidden in a thicket was a group of singing goldfinches (more than 15), and two bullfinches were skulking in a Blackthorn, the male calling softly. A single chaffinch called from a poplar. Of the summer migrants, only a single blackcap was alarm-calling from the willows and three chiffchaffs were contact-calling, two of them probably young. These 'migrants' of course may prove to be amongst the few which stay here over the winter, as winters become warmer.

Nuthatches are very much with us all year, (6) the young now spreading out to choose suitable territories for nesting, whilst finding abundant food on the way.

Gatekeeper butterfly on thistle flower -

note the double 'spot' on the wing.

Butterflies and dragonflies:

Meadow Brown butterflies were still about amongst the grasses but Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods were more numerous today. Large Whites were ranging the banks and fields.

Southern Hawker dragonflies were quite numerous, patrolling the banks of the river, one chasing a  Migrant Hawker. Brown Hawkers were also present.

The breeze probably caused some to seek out more sheltered locations.

Riverside Spiders

August is a good time to spot spiders on vegetation with their prey, insects, most abundant.  One of the most common spiders is the Nursery Web Spider -  Pisaura mirabilis which can be found amongst bramble fronds and leaves. It's quite small and feeds on smallish insects which it catches, not in a web but by lurking and sprinting a short distance to catch its prey.

It does make a fantastic web but the purpose is to protect its young as its reactions are fast enough to catch insects directly, usually from the surface of a leaf.

Nursery Web Spider on bramble leaf

The web which it creates in order to protect its eggs and later hatched spiderlings is extremely strong and as can be seen here, a strong twig or bramble frond is used as the basic structure for the 'roof' of the 'tent'.  The female spider then sits on the roof of the tent to keep watch and catch food. The bramble leaf is quite small! The adult spider itself when stretched out is only about 14mm long.

Another interesting spider is the Crab spider   Misumena vatia.  This also waits to ambush its prey but uses its ability to change colour in order to merge with the bright flower it sits on motionless for many hours. It chooses a strong flower normally visited by insects, usually coloured yellow or white then gradually changes its colour to that of the flower petals:

Crab spider on flower petal

This spider however could not change from bright yellow to pale pink, even after 24 hours!

It was probably successful in catching insects nevertheless. It pounces and grips insects with the crab-like action of its front legs. The petal was less than 1.5cm in length.

Spider web - probably the start of a Nursery Web, after heavy rain,

showing how strong the the single web strands are. Raindrops are caught up

in the strands which are stronger than nylon thread.