Heading South - warblers on the move

On Sunday 24th August a mass movement of migratory birds was taking place along the river. Conditions were ideal, with little wind and plenty of food in the form of insects in the river bank trees.

Autumn is fast approaching and after several heavy downpours, most of the summer butterflies have disappeared, leaving the Speckled Woods to command the banks.

A Speckled Wood butterfly on the bank

Thin high cloud on 24th allowed hazy sunshine to dry up the heavy dew on the ground after a cold night. There was no wind to disturb the quiet morning along the river,  already feeling autumnal with nettles rapidly dying off, ripe sloes on the Blackthorn, rosehips turning red, hawthorn laden with ripening berries, green acorns on the oaks, winged Field Maple seeds turning brown, Guelder rose berries mostly red now. Purple loosestrife, honeysuckle, rosebay willowherb and musk Mallow still flowering together with hedge bindweed flowers hosting innumerable small insects such as bees and hoverflies.

There had been no rain for several days and the river was flowing quite low - but rain was forecast for the following day. 

With no wind, the sound of robins (26) tic-ticking and trying out short bursts of song in preparation for establishing territories was the most notable, with other birds mostly silent. Woodpigeons (60) were mainly busy feeing around the new 'scrape' (basin 5) but one was glimpsed amongst leaves feeding a juvenile in a well hidden nest and one or two others were wing-flapping and cooing. Crows (9) were also busy foraging on the scrape. 

 Blue tits were very numerous (70) foraging amongst thickets, occasionally bickering, their numbers increased by many juveniles, a result of a very successful breeding season. Great tits too have had a good summer with juveniles now off to fend for themselves (22). The cold nights affect some birds more than others -  house sparrows were invisible for the first hour, only becoming active as the sun warmed up the hedgerows when some began to move around and sing (30). Chaffinches stayed out of sight and silent, only one was seen flying across the river. Blackbirds, (4) usually easily seen, kept under cover. One flew into the ivy, silently and a juvenile dropped down amongst the sloes, warming up in the sun, preening silently whilst another was seen preening inside dense blackthorn, a safe place when a bird is moulting. A dunnock was seen here low under the bush.

Normally one would hear them before seeing them but three bullfinches were seen, all silent, two flying into a thicket and another into an oak.

Overhead, a large group of herring gulls glided over (60) quickly lost over the horizon, then later a group of black-headed gulls flew over, more active and closer to the ground (27). Noise filled the sky  -three biplanes flew over in a group, probably a stunt team heading for an air show...

Down on the river bank in dry undergrowth,  I spotted several ants nests - good foraging for the green woodpecker, heard jaffling from the 'reptile field' where it has its traditional feeding grounds in a location untouched by the plough for decades, allowing large colonies of ants to survive year on year. A scuffling amongst the river bank vegetation revealed a bank vole quickly disappearing into a hole low on the bank. One day we'll see the water voles again, we hope! Close by there was a short burst of song from a wren, with glimpses of two others further along - another common bird at present in hiding.  A female mallard was making its way upstream when a sparrowhawk made a low dash across to the bank, an attempt to ambush a sparrow failed this time.

A clear call from a buzzard (2) at the margin of the wild field broke the silence but the bird moved quickly from its perch and was later seen - a very good view - gliding in circles above the river. Another more distant buzzard called from high up, taking advantage of the thermals as the day warmed up. 

As time moved towards midday, the riverside became more noisy, with the loud insistent calls of a nuthatch, with another heard tap tap tapping in an oak - tapping open the shell of an acorn or nut, wedged in the fork of a branch. Four nuthatches were seen, only two vocal. Two magpies and a jay were creating a disturbance with loud raucous cries, probably a dispute over territory and food whilst a 'charm' of goldfinches (15) flew across into a chattering hawthorn, one adult goldfinch on the very top branch singing in the sunshine with others below him, mostly juveniles in various stages of disorderly plumage. Some with speckled fronts and black tail feathers, others plain brown with faint yellow wing-stripes. 

More young were seen in a conifer, this time goldcrests (6) - all heard before being seen - tiny high calls. They are usually always busy foraging amongst the pine needles but the juveniles were seen chasing each other around the tree. In the same area another family - of long-tailed tits (6) were seen following each other from tree to tree, ignoring the most exciting and numerous occupants of the riverside this day....

WARBLERS

In unprecedented numbers, chiffchaffs and willow warblers,were seen all along the river this day, accompanied by a few blackcaps (4).

Chiffchaffs were the most numerous (55) and willow warblers (38) the most I have ever counted here, or anywhere! 

River bank Willows at this time of the year attract large numbers of small insects which in turn attract the warblers. Chiffchaffs were foraging upside down collecting insects, tumbling down, chasing, wing-flicking, their fly-catching skills exceptional, approaching their prey from all angles, far more agile than the more predictable spotted flycatcher. Most of these birds were probably juveniles, fattening up for their first long journey south and knowing rain was coming. A few took seconds to preen in the sun but   contact calls were made in flight, a short 'hweet'. They were also feeding on insects in the old Oaks, Field Maples and Hazel but the most popular by far were the river bank Willows. Willow warblers were busy feeding with the chiffchaffs - distinguishing them whilst so active is not easy especially at this time of the year when they are not 'singing' but only making contact calls. These calls are usually disyllabic - 'hwee-eeet' compared with the chiffchaff's single 'hweet'.   Blackcaps were making alarm 'chinks' perched in the blackthorn and willows.

INSECTS

Apart from the small flying insects over the water and aphids on the leaves and stems, 3 Southern Hawker Dragonflies were seen flying along the bank undergrowth brambles and up into the field maple and 2 Common Darters were warming up in the sun. Migrant Hawkers were flying about 3 meters up in the Willows and Brown Hawkers were flying strongly along the trees in sun and shade.

These Dragonflies would all be foraging for insects too!

Once the sun had warmed up the river banks, the Speckled Wood Butterflies appeared (14) ranging high and low over the river and into the trees. Two Large White butterflies were seen and 5 Green-veined White butterflies, with just one Small Tortoiseshell seen.

August - and more Dragonflies!

Today was warm with intermittent sunshine but a lot cooler than last month. Dragonflies and damselflies can find conditions too hot and will hide away in the shady undergrowth when the morning heats up and will resume foraging in the evening. Numbers of insects have increased after heavy rain showers and birds and dragonflies are out hunting. Chiffchaffs are still quite numerous along the river, together with many just-fledged blackbirds and song thrushes.

An adult male Southern Hawker was taking a rest from patrolling the wooded area of the river bank:

clinging, quite motionless, onto an old nettle stalk.

(Compare this one with the July photo - that was

an immature one which had not acquired its full colours). 

It's body, although it looks bulky and heavy is really very light and is built for fast flying and quick manoeuvres, hovering and even flying backwards when foraging for insects, chasing or clashing with

opponents in territorial disputes.

Each male commands its own stretch of the river but butterflies don't recognise this and today I saw a Speckled Wood butterfly attempting to chase another Southern Hawker away.

Now Dragonflies range the riverside

The hot weather has brought out the dragonflies along the river - this is the time of year when they are most visible, often traversing quite a distance away from the river where they emerged, hunting high and low. Each type has it's own characteristics - but all are hunters, killers of insects small and large.

A Southern Hawker dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea) resting on the

Nettles. Its wings are almost invisible but in flight can sometimes

be heard whirring.

A Common Darter dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) female,

 teneral ('adolescent') stage.

As its name implies, it darts out from its chosen perch to

catch passing insects. Here it's perched on flower heads of a

 Dock and is quite well camouflaged. 

A full record for Friday 25th July 2014:

It was very humid with thin cloud, casting no shadows - but there had been no rain for a few days, only extreme heat. The river was flowing clear and fairly low.

At this time of the year most birds are in hiding.  With plentiful food supplies, moulting can take place in the safety of abundant undergrowth or in the midst of thickets in full leaf. Others are quiet as are still raising young. 

It was very quiet, with only the scuffling and cooing of woodpigeons (22) heard at first. Two were sitting half-immersed in the river shallows, cooling off, allowing the water to run through their feathers. One collared dove was doing likewise. Fewer blue tits and great tits were seen (27 and 12) just one or two calling and some bickering from the oaks. Ten blackbirds were seen, several low down at the waters edge, some scuffling from the opposite bank and one giving an alarm call but otherwise silent. A robin flew up from the water and another started a short song in the holly but these were the only two seen today. Song thrushes have done exceptionally well this year and adults were seen still carrying food to young (3).  Six wrens were seen, all silent - only noticed when flying across the river low down from cover to cover. A sudden splash revealed an adult moorhen paddling downstream and a juvenile was seen some distance away - Moorhens have also done well this year raising young early on and having new broods, with tiny young just taking to the water.

House sparrows were bathing in the river or gathering in their hedgerows and ivy patches, whilst others were singing to themselves inside brambles (36) and just one chaffinch was seen - which was almost impossible to identify at first as was soaking wet, perched on a branch in the sun, drying off.  Two crows and three magpies were seen and heard and a sparrowhawk on a mission whizzed across the river.

Warblers were still present, with uncharacteristically silent chiffchaffs (4) busy foraging, with a good view of one perched on a Blackthorn branch flitting out to catch insects over the river and back. Two garden warblers were seen, with one singing! In the willows, three blackcaps were also collecting insects, with one singing too. A green woodpecker was busy amongst the wild grasses, selecting ants - and a great spotted woodpecker was seen flying silently into an oak. At least the nuthatches have started calling again! Three were seen in different places, with two calling - they are probably establishing their territories early this year. Goldfinches are now setting out in groups to survey the land for seeding plants which are early and plentiful this summer, with some heard taking a rest in the Blackthorn, singing (15). Tiny thin calls gave away the presence of goldcrests near some conifers (2). 

The highlight today was the sight of a kingfisher over flowing water and reeds where it appeared to almost hover, dip, and fly up perhaps with a small fish. It flew quickly upstream and out of sight,

keeping low over the water.

Undercover birds - but high visibility butterflies:

Gatekeepers were now out in force, I counted over 100 all along the river, some of them acting aggressively towards others, chasing over brambles and thistles. Meadow Browns were still around, mainly amongst the wild dry grasses, they like warm sunny areas and colonies have done very well this year on the wild meadow and verges. One was seen chasing a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Small White and Large White butterflies were seen in various locations. Green-veined White butterflies were emerging, the second brood this year - in contrast to the Meadow Browns, they like damp wild areas like the shady parts of the wild meadows and river banks. One which I saw was very well camouflaged as an upturned leaf on an oak.

A few Brimstone butterflies flew strongly along the banks whilst the nettle-lovers, the Red Admirals were soaking up the sun on - the nettles. More will be seen next month and then well into autumn.

Skippers, Small,  Essex and Large skippers were very numerous, mainly Small, enjoying the dry grasses and wild flowers. The aggressive Gatekeepers were seen in the same area taking on Peacock butterflies, much larger than themselves. Comma butterflies brought flashes of colour to the green nettles and wooded parts of the riverside.

  

Last but not least, the dragonflies:

As before, Banded Demoiselle Damselflies were the most numerous, in several areas - with well camouflaged females and shining males - warming up on bramble leaves or nettle leaves, patiently waiting for insect prey to fly past. One female was seen chasing a Red Admiral butterfly!

I counted about 100 in total in various locations. There were some Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies as well, enjoying the same conditions.

Much larger and more spectacular - the dragonflies are far less numerous:

One fast-moving Emperor dragonfly was seen in a shady area over the river close to a still body of water across the opposite bank. One colourful but well camouflaged Southern Hawker was seen on the nettles, resting and waiting - and a Brown Hawker was seen in a sheltered area  over the river fast moving but methodically ranging over its chosen hunting ground.

Insects of many types were numerous along the river and where wild flowers are doing well, bees have been numerous too, both honeybees, Bumble bees, other bees and hoverflies to mention just a few.

A Many-Skippered Summer

Essex Skipper in Sussex

Notes for July - from 2nd to 24th 2014

Skipper numbers have continuously increased from the 2nd of July, most notably frequenting the dry subsoil area on the river bank where native wild flower and wild grass seed was planted. Most were Small Skippers, ceaselessly skipping from plant to plant, the flowering Ribwort Plantain being their favourite but there were Large Skippers and Essex Skippers amongst them. Meadow Brown butterflies, Commas and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies continued to roam the bank side grasses and nettles.
 On Thursday 3rd July - another warm day, two Gatekeeper butterflies were seen here for the first time this year accompanied by Small Tortoiseshell and Comma butterflies along the banks, with good numbers of Small Skippers and Meadow Browns on the wild flowers and grasses.
Friday 4th July - yet another warm day, the same species were active, with several Commas flying very strongly over the bank nettles. In addition Brimstone, Large White, Small White and Green-veined White butterflies were active over the banks.
Many Azure Damselflies were drifting over the nettles, with two Beautiful Demoiselle and several Banded Demoiselle damselflies were ranging the banks. These were just noted in passing together with birds - the most welcome sight was of a juvenile Green Woodpecker flying up from the river bank - heard as well - giving rather high-pitched jaffles. Another juvenile was seen in a group of blackbirds and sparrows feeding on the grass and an adult jaffle was heard briefly.
Several Blackcaps were singing at different locations, together with Chiffchaffs and Song thrush. 

On Sunday 6th July the damp warm air brought out the insects and the Swifts followed, feeding over the river. The following day, 7th July, was cooler but sunny, with red and white Clovers increasing with Bird's Foot Trefoil flowering well, attracting the Skippers - and Ringlets were active too, probably brought out by the damp conditions of previous days.  Swifts were again foraging in the air, with a few Black-headed Gulls. A whitethroat sang on the Reptile field (nesting in brambles), with goldfinches singing in the Blackthorn thicket. An song thrush was seen with several juveniles exploring the river bank and another song thrush was seen further down carrying food.

Essex Skipper on Ribwort Plantain

On July 8th, as the clouds moved in, the swifts appeared low over the river displaying  their acrobatic flight,  finding plenty of insects under the low cloud - whilst a buzzard soared high.

A grey heron suddenly flew up from its hiding place on the river and flew north upstream.

Sunday 13th July was very warm and the Gatekeeper butterflies were now out in force, all along the river banks, mixing with Skippers and Meadow Browns and Banded Demoiselle damselflies all on the same patch where the unexpected Musk Mellow was also flowering well amongst the Clovers and Trefoil.

A quick look at the river on Tuesday 15th July revealed much activity again in the heat.

6 Mallard ducklings were progressing downstream and several groups of Banded Demoiselle damselflies and a few Beautiful Demoiselles, both male and female, were seen in various sheltered and sunny locations. Today the heavier dragonflies were about, flying high and low, in sun and shade with rapid wing movements and sudden changes in direction making it difficult to observe colour and pattern but those seen today were probably Brown Hawkers. 

Gatekeeper butterflies were again out in large numbers, great to see them as their main flightpaths in previous years were along the verges of a path now closed and 'weed free'. Red Admirals, Commas, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, large numbers of Skippers together with Red-tailed, White-tailed and Buff-tailed bumble bees were foraging on the wild patch and extending along the river bank either side.

Directly overhead, a kestrel was gliding, carrying a fat vole with ease in its claws, flying for some time before selecting a place to land and consume its prey. Swifts were hunting and blackcaps and willow warblers still singing strongly, with Chiffchaffs making contact whistle calls and robins seen but quiet.

Swifts were seen hunting every day over the river course, on some days joined by House Martins.

On 16th July the first fresh Peacock butterfly was seen - the caterpillars had been seen on nettles indicating that good numbers of fresh Peacocks could be expected. On the night of 17th/18th July we had and electric storm with some spectacular and continuous lightning.  On 18th, three juvenile green woodpeckers were seen moving around in an oak, silently. After a while they flew across the river into the grasses, in search of ants on the Wild  Meadow.

On Tuesday 22nd July - morning - a field survey of butterflies on the Wild Meadow. Record to come.

On 23rd a Fritillary butterfly was seen gliding along through the trees sometimes quite high and then descending along the banks - almost certainly a Silver-washed Fritillary male.

Common Blue nectaring - note the long tongue

Male Gatekeeper basking on fresh Bramble leaves on the river bank

July Butterflies - ranging along the River

The first day of July and the sun has returned after an overcast end to June.

A Comma butterfly - one of several independent fliers exploring the riverbank today.

Comma butterflies that hibernated over the winter are usually seen in ones and twos on warm and sheltered river banks here in March, or even earlier on a warm day. When they have established territories, after chasing others away, in warm areas where nettles grow, the female will choose fresh new nettle leaves to deposit her eggs singly.  When hatched, the caterpillar feeds on the leaves mostly unseen. In the chrysalis stage, it hangs up under deep vegetation, unseen until it emerges as this beautiful and unique butterfly.  

The river bank was today alive with other butterflies too - Small Skippers chasing, Large Skippers, Green-veined White, Meadow Browns and Ringlets.  On the river, both Banded and Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies were chasing, foraging and basking, occasionally flying up and out over the banks to explore. 

This Comma was not just basking, its alert stance shows that it is on the lookout for any other butterfly which might fly over its territory; it had just seen off two Small Skippers.

Native wild flowers and grasses - Bird's Foot Trefoil, Red and White Clovers, Ribwort Plantain, Mallow, Hedge Woundwort and Common Figwort - all in flower.

This raised, dry patch of subsoil, now flourishing with native wild flowers and grasses has become a favourite foraging area for butterflies. Today, the first day of July, the Small Skippers with one or two Large Skippers were 'quartering' the site, stopping now and then on a choice plant, with Ringlet butterflies chasing each other around and single Commas and Meadow Browns exploring. Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were still present too, all along the bank, especially where nettles are growing. 

   

Cloud grounds the damselflies

The last day of June. Dark clouds moved in early and threatened rain.

One female Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly exploring found itself some distance from the river

in a cool, shady area and when the early sun disappeared, it found the only warm surface to

land on and regain strength.  

Although emerald in colour, it isn't an Emerald Damselfly - they have shorter,

colourless wings. The amber wings and white patches towards the outer edges of 

each wing indicate that this is a female Beautiful Demoiselle.

Damselflies rely on just the right thermal conditions in order to fly

 and will seek warmth by getting close to a warm surface or basking in the sun.

 Dragonflies can get warm enough to fly by whizzing their wings

for a few minutes but Damselflies can't do this. They need to warm up the important part

of the body, the thorax, the muscles that power the wings, by using solar power..

When the sky darkens and rain is likely, if they are flying over the river, they will

immediately find cover and drop down into the shelter of the river bank vegetation,

 close up and stay put until the sun reappears and warms up the vegetation.

Scarlet Pimpernel on a stoney path. Damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies

are attracted to the warmth retained by the stones when the sun goes in.

Midsummer heatwave

Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) foraging on Bramble flowers

When it's hot, changes on the riverside can be sudden. The flowers of the Dog Rose disappear to be replaced by the Bramble flowers, often as colourful and the Rose. Cow Parsley gives way to Meadowsweet, Clovers take over from Buttercups. All this takes place in synchronisation with the changing needs of insects and birds.

Bramble, Meadowsweet and Clovers are exceptionally good sources of nectar, the river bank Meadowsweet flowers are at present covered with bees as are the Bramble flowers and clover.

As the river water warms up, more and more insects appear over the water, all good for foraging

birds feeding young, spiders, dragonflies and damselflies too.

A female Blue-tailed Damselfly clutches an old Nettle stalk over the river.

Just to be difficult, the female comes in five colour forms, unlike the male 

which just has one form (see photo on previous entry).

This immature female is called rufescens. 

A Honeybee (Apis mellifera) feasting on the Meadowsweet

Friday 20th June 2014 was a very dry day but not hot, brightening up after a cloudy start.
The river was flowing well, quite clear now after recent rains had turned it muddy. Thistles were about to flower, with Clovers and Meadowsweet buzzing on the banks. Along the meadow margin, Wintercress, Tufted Vetch and Honeysuckle were flowering too.
There were sudden loud outbursts from Blackcaps (12) taking me by surprise with some alarm calls too as adults warned juveniles of danger lurking, possibly an unseen Sparrowhawk. Woodpigeons (11) gave a sense of calm to the riverside however, settled in their lookout perches in the oaks.
House sparrows were numerous (70+) but mostly quiet, enjoying bathing down on the river and others well inside Bramble patches. It's been a good spring for juveniles, with adults having several broods, after an early start due to the mild weather. Blue tits (34) were also taking to the shallow water to bathe, with several very wet individuals drying out on the brambles. Yellow-faced juveniles were preening in the willows whilst adults were foraging for caterpillars or catching insects to feed their dependent young. A single Dunnock, very wet, was shaking itself after bathing under the willow. Great tits (20) were busy catching flies in the willows, with young ones more visible, yellow-cheeked like the blue tits - food is definitely their priority over preening. Chiffchaffs (12) were moving about extremely fast in the oaks, silently foraging, with good views of juveniles whilst a few adults were singing or making contact calls. The chiffchaff lookalikes, the willow warblers, were giving themselves away by singing short songs  - from the willows!  - and our other summer visiting warblers, the whitethroats (3), were quiet, seen only low on the dry banks, one pair entering their nesting bush and another dropping into  the Brambles, also nesting. 2 garden warblers were heard singing, perhaps with the early start to breeding, they may yet have second broods. With an abundance of insects over the river,  bird activity was intense, even a Chaffinch was perched on a branch over the water, darting out to catch Daddy-longlegs for its young  (2). 2 goldcrests were again busy in the conifers, perhaps their first brood of young have now dispersed and they are now feeding a second brood.
On the river,  mallard males (2) paddled silently but 3 moorhens were bolder, one taking a short-cut along a path, another climbing out of the undergrowth and launching itself onto the river with a splash - and a very loud shout from a third bird down steam, protecting young from a predator.
Blackbirds were numerous (25), with adults still raising young and uttering alarm calls whilst others delved into bank side grass, turning loose grass over in mounds to find food in the damp underneath. Three juveniles were lined up on a branch, watching, as a parent investigated insects on an island of debris in the river. Also low down on the river a grey wagtail was seen flying over the river towards its spring nest area. Certainly here in the south grey wagtails could rear second broods.
Nesting song thrushes (3) have also done well this year, with most birds still feeding young by foraging on the shallow areas of the banks. Unlike most of the other resident birds, wrens (15) today were singing or preening in the sun on the willows. Many others, uncounted, were certainly nesting along the banks.  We know there are many robins with territories all along the river but at this time of year they are keeping a low profile, obviously still nesting, only two were heard singing very short songs and one call of alarm, only 5 in total today. Goldfinches were singing together behind the Blackthorn (11) with 4 Greenfinch identified by their louder calls and glimpses of green.
Looking up, a single Black-headed gull flew over and 3 crows gathered near a pond close to where a bright young Roe deer was foraging. 4 young magpies hopped clumsily around on the grass, strangely quiet, whilst one nuthatch flew across and another called loudly from the oak. The starling day-roost was full of juveniles and 6 adults were seen carrying food to them. More starlings flew over in a group to join them (60).
Characteristic cries made me look up - flying over the river course, directly above, were 3 buzzards, probably juveniles. One took a sudden vertical dive towards the buzzard below, which in turn took a dive towards the third one - a dazzling display by three raptors. Later, a red kite appeared, gliding over the Arun, surveying the ground. They are becoming more common locally now but the buzzard remains the superior bird to me!

Male Banded Demoiselle Damselfly ready to pounce - the hairs

on it's legs are used to grasp and hang on to its prey whilst eating.

Insects today, 20th June merit a special section in the record:

Damselflies were numerous, gathering on specific sites along the river where the conditions are most favourable - to emerge and warm up, then fly off to explore the area, feeding up and becoming adults in their fine colours. Once they reach adulthood they return to the river to join other males chasing over the water and eventually choose a mate and breed, the female selecting just the right location to deposit her eggs.

Today over 60 Banded Demoiselle damselflies were seen and 12 Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies in various locations.  5 Azure Damselflies were seen on nettles and one Dragonfly, probably a Scarce Chaser 

Butterflies were numerous too, with many Meadow Browns, Large Skippers,  Small Skippers, Ringlets,  Small Tortoiseshells,  Green-veined Whites, Speckled Woods, Commas, Red Admiral , Cinnabar Moth - and many Peacock butterfly caterpillars on the nettles.

Very important for birds, dragonflies and damselflies were the other insects in profusion over the river, including Mayflies and Ladybirds.

Bees too were numerous, with Red-tailed Bumble bees, White-tailed Bumble bees, Tree Bumble bee and Honeybees attracted to the flowering Clovers, Vetch, Meadowsweet and Brambles.

And SPIDERS too!

This spider is the Nursery Web Spider - too fast to bother with

spinning a web in order to trap prey, it builds a web to shelter its young.