A Wildflower and Blackthorn Blossom Spring

A spring first yesterday, Thursday 30th March 2017- several male Orange Tip butterflies were seen on this very warm afternoon flying along the riverbank verge and around clumps of Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) on the damp meadow.

Full record: 
Tuesday 28th March 2017 and a typical, traditional spring day. Looking back at this time last year, there is no comparison - in late March 2016, a sudden cold northerly wind took over after several overcast and very windy days with Storm Katie sweeping through bringing 35mm of rain and floods into Easter Monday ending in a cold and frosty day on 1st April 2016.

This year spring has so far been an ideal image of spring, full of blossom, catkins, warm breezes and soft rain showers between long sunny intervals. This Tuesday started off in bright sunshine which diminished as the day went on but it remained hazy and reasonably warm. Blackthorn blossom everywhere so profuse that foraging birds, normally easily seen were hidden amongst the flowers.

Blackthorn blossom along the bank  (Prunus spinosa)

The river was lower but still flowing fast, slightly cloudy. Riverside banks and verges were brightened with Lesser Celandine and under the trees Wild Garlic formed continuous carpets, not flowering yet, but with a few white buds emerging.Young nettles were coming through the dry stalks and leaf mould as growth had died down completely over the winter due to plenty of frosty nights, unlike the previous winter when there were almost no frosts. On the river bed, new aquatic plant growth was just visible in shallow areas. Cow Parsley was young and green, dandelion flowers just opening and Wood Anemone spreading further along the banks under trees than ever before. In warmer sunny but damp areas Cuckooflower clumps were also more prevalent. Blossom was blowing across the river in the increasing South Westerly breeze.

The River Arun meanders through spring growth

This Tuesday was a fine day for all the wild inhabitants of the riverside and birdsong was loud and continuous, with newly arrived Chiffchaffs adding to the chorus of resident birds. The Chiffchffs (16) are fortunate this year in arriving to find good weather and plentiful food to sustain them. More warblers will be arriving now on the southerly winds to join them. A single male Blackcap was heard singing in a Willow - the 'winter' Blackcaps having left some weeks ago. Robins (21) all appeared to be singing, selecting prominent perches whilst other strong singers, the wrens (22) were advertising their presence but were also busy nest-building - with a good view of one individual collecting moss from the roots of a tree close to the surface of the water, hauling the moss up to a higher  location on the bankside - it will build several nests for the female to select one - and complete it.

Dunnocks usually select dry banks as they prefer to forage amongst less soggy undergrowth but nevertheless nest low down. Five were seen with three chasing in a Willow. Down on the river itself, a mallard pair quietly paddled close to the bank where for several years they have nested in the shelter of a sharp bend in the meandering river, well out of sight.

House sparrows were the most numerous species on the river bank (about 60) in several groups, all choosing warm sheltered sunny locations in brambles and hedgerows, singing. other finches were also singing, with a group of goldfinches (20) about 15 singing together in an old Blackthorn thicket whilst others chased amongst the branches. Chaffinches (5) were singing and more easily seen but still remain few in number here. The dashing shadow of a sparrowhawk flew through a gap in the thickets, unseen by most birds, and unsuccessful in its ambush, maybe it will hunt again when the light goes, in the dusk. A kestrel soared in the breeze, hovered for a few seconds then disappeared.

Even without the visiting migrants, probably now back in their summer lands, blackbirds are very numerous and visible (26) with most favouring flat banks and small 'debris islands' on which to forage, where they can bathe unseen too, always flying up to a sunny branch to dry off and preen. Some were singing loudly whilst others were collecting food, probably nesting. Three songthrushes were seen, foraging on the damp mud underneath hedgerows and one large mistlethrush was standing still under a Willow in the mud, watching.

With plentiful Willow catkins attracting insects, foraging blue tits were attracted too, about 30 were busy foraging amongst pollen-laden catkins with some singing and others investigating possible nest holes. in nearby oaks. Long-tailed tits have been nest building for some time now - they start early with their intricate structures, often hidden out of sight - safe under brambles. Six were seen - three pairs in different locations along the bank - all close to bramble patches on the steep banks. Great tits were now singing loudly, each seeming to have it's own individual call but all identified (20).

Conifers always seem to bear the brunt of the wind here and today their branches were catching the breeze as usual but the unmistakable profile of a goldcrest was moving rapidly from branch to branch, in the shade, the sun catching its colours now and again. They won't be nesting for a while yet but are  finding foraging easier now that many insects have emerged in the warmth over the river.
The Conifers are also very popular with woodpigeons which sometimes nest in them, usually amongst the lower stronger branches whilst Magpies choose higher branches, anchoring their structures to the trunk. No sign of these nesting here at present but 7 were seen. The woodpigeons (34) were seen foraging on the slopes of a drainage basin  and sitting in oaks, surveying, whilst only three collared doves were seen, one heard, calling from ivy.  Ten Jackdaws were seen nearby, most very vocal as it appears they are nesting in a copse not far away.   Two rooks were seen flying across, with 5 herring gulls high above, the black-headed gulls having left some time ago for they breeding grounds. Pairs of carrion crows were present on grassy locations and calling from tree tops (14).  About 30 starlings were gathered together, murmuring and whistling their songs in their day roosts.
A nuthatch called from a distant oak - and looking up through the branches a buzzard was seen flying over, gaining height, with another following closely.

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) on the banks and 

wet meadow with last years dried grass and nettle stalks providing cover.

Numerous bees, mainly Buff-tailed bumblebees - Bombus terrestris and Red-tailed bumblebees - Bombus lapidarius,   Hoverflies and some beeflies patrolled the riverbank vegetation, homing

 in on Willow catkins full of pollen. 

More Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (see photos on previous post) were ranging or basking along the riverbank verges and sunny parts of the wet meadow with a fast flying Holly Blue butterfly seen being chased by a bee...

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) covers the partly shaded banks

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) appears through a shady

grassed area under an oak tree. 

  

The first Butterflies - basking

Yesterday - 26th March 2017 - our meet took place on a fine day, one of several dry and clear days with a cold NE wind. As the sun gradually warmed up the earth, butterflies suddenly appeared flying low over the river banks and landing to bask on the dry leaves and grasses on a sheltered part of the sunlit river bank. More were seen later in the wild field on the opposite bank.

The first butterflies were Peacocks, basking on dry leaves at intervals along the river, then Small Tortoiseshells landed close by - and several were seen flying low over the field, investigating the vegetation. 

A Peacock butterfly basking on warm dry leaves and grasses on the river bank on 26th March 2017

It continued to open and close its wings slowly:

Above - the same butterfly - not easy to spot with closed wings amongst the shadows of the leaves.

Close by a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was about to take off:

Young nettles are appearing on the banks - these will be used by both species of butterfly (and others) to lay their eggs later as nettle leaves are their caterpillar food plant.

The main caterpillar food plant for  Orange Tip butterflies, (which haven't appeared yet)  is already flowering on the banks and wild field. This is Cuckooflower or Ladies Smock (Cardamine pratensis) which grows on damp meadows and damp river banks. 

Cuckooflower or Ladies Smock in the damp meadow.

Whilst looking at the Cuckooflower clumps, loud calls behind the trees revealed five buzzards in a group together enjoying the strong breeze to fly higher around each other in the sun. A kestrel was also present above the tree line. Down to earth - on the adjacent field - persistent calls came from a green woodpecker 'yaffling'.

Chiffchaffs and Wood Anemone - it's Spring on the River

Yesterday, 24th March 2017, the riverbanks were echoing with the first chiffchaffs singing strongly amongst singing robins, singing great tits, calling chaffinches and the yaffles of two green woodpeckers. Blue tits were busy foraging amongst the fresh green leaves of Willows and Blackthorn blossom with two long-tailed tits collecting nest material. Blackbirds and a songthrush were seen foraging on the grass under hedgerows with singing wrens perched above them. In the background a steady chatter from house sparrows and song from goldfinches continued throughout the afternoon amongst dense thickets across the river.

It was a fine sunny afternoon after a dull morning with a cold NE wind persisting all day.

Wood Anemone flowers opening in the dappled sunlight -

one of the first signs of spring here.

This spring the Wood Anemone has been flowering well on

sunny days on the river bank at the foot of an old tree.

Lesser celandine is always the first plant to bring colour to the banks, and attract insects:

The first Lesser Celandine flowering close to the water's edge, its leaves just visible amongst young nettles and  Wild Garlic.

Probably the most important flowers  for wildlife at this time of the year - Blackthorn blossom:

branching over the base of the mixed hedgerow the Blackthorn blossom attracts insects and birds as one of the earliest sources of nectar and pollen.

This year already looks promising!

Rapid Changes on the River

The end of February saw some very changeable weather with heavy rain causing the river to rise -nearly overtopping its banks:

Monday 27th February 2017 - the Arun very fast flowing through

the wintery landscape, water levels rising. A timely event reminding birds to choose higher banks when nest-building.

Fortunately the nests already started further along the banks were not flooded. With winter unwilling to make way for spring this year, birds have not started building too early. On 28th February, great-spotted woodpeckers were heard drumming and nuthatches calling. Work started on the removal of an old Ash tree from the river where it had fallen after the trunk split last year. Whilst the EA worked, many birds flew in to investigate - robins, wrens, blue and great tits,  chaffinches and blackbirds - none put off by the noise.

The disturbance produced a feast of invertebrates emerging from the rotten split branches and the churned-up earth. 

On Thursday 2nd March work continued, whilst bird activity increased - great-spotted woodpeckers calling rather than drumming today, great tits now also calling loudly, foraging with the quieter blue tits, louder than the calling and singing chaffinches and singing robins. On the nearby field, about thirty black-headed gulls were foraging in the company of a few fieldfare and along the riverside several blackbirds, two songthrushes, six redwing and five fieldfare all foraged together on the grass, with goldfinches singing in the blackthorn and wrens and dunnocks singing on the banks.

Further rain on 3rd March caused the river levels to rise again, whilst the EA worked on clearing some  debris not far downstream. This again attracted a good number of birds which flew down to investigate, then feast.

The sun catches the first Willow catkins on an old riverbank tree - 2nd March 2017

   

Winter continues, with a few signs of Spring

One of the old riverbank Oaks as the sky clears - February 20th

Monday 20th February 2017 started overcast and gloomy but the cloud cover broke eventually to give a fine sunny day with a slight breeze. The river was quite low but fast flowing, still carrying a fair amount of mud from far upstream. The landscape was looking even more wintery than last month with the greys and browns of grasses and stalks brightened here and there by a profusion of Hazel catkins - Lamb's-tails. It's the best time of the year to note the presence of Hazel trees amongst the other hedgerow species - and here Hazels are numerous along the river and do very well. The old oaks are now covered in leaf buds and on the ground beneath the branches, the damp earth has been well dug by birds foraging under the leaf-mould. The bright green of Cow-parsley is showing but hardly more than last month although short shoots of Wild Garlic (Ransoms) are now appearing amongst the tree roots.

Wild Garlic - Ransoms - just appearing on the sunny river bank.

Here and there small clumps of Snowdrops can be found close to the water's edge on the steep banks amongst fallen leaves:

The riverside was today full of song, birds taking the opportunity to advertise their presence as soon as conditions were favourable, as if knowing that the following days may well be stormy when they will need to hide again under the banks.  

As soon as the sun appeared, house sparrows (c70) began to sing in bramble patches and hedges and on the river banks, working their way along amongst the low branches. Good numbers, easily seen in the bare landscape.

Robins were numerous too (26), most singing strongly from prominent perches. Blue tits (36) were active everywhere, some clearly prospecting for nest sites. For the first time this year, wrens (20) were singing loudly, their song mixing with house sparrow song along the banks - a rather strange combination of sounds, providing a background to the superior robin song. Goldfinches (8) were gathered in a thicket singing, adding to the chorus, whilst 5 linnets flew over in a close group. A new song for the spring - Chaffinches (4) were heard singing at intervals and a dunnock sang a more complex song (3 total).

Great tits (18) were singing too - each having its own unique call, seen mostly amongst the river bank Willow catkins and Hazel catkins.

A look into the conifers revealed two goldcrests fast-foraging on the sunlit aspect of the trees, moving upwards branch by branch.

I heard long-tailed tits across the river, on the opposite bank, but at first none could be seen then one flew out of a dense tangle of brambles on the slope of the bank, up to an old Blackthorn, its branches covered in lichen. The bird collected a beakful of the lichen and disappeared again into the brambles. A second bird flew out to collect more nest material - clearly nest-building was well underway probably triggered by the longer days and warmer weather. Even if it snows, the area they have chosen will remain warm being under dense vegetation where the brambles still retain most of last-year's leaves.

Elsewhere more long-tailed tits were seen foraging (8 total) but in twos and threes rather than in large family groups.

Along the river woodpigeons (23) and collared doves (2) were also nest-building or just sitting, as they do, watching from high branches. Carrion crows (15) and magpies (12) seemed to be having disputes over nest-sites or territory in general whilst jackdaws (6) flew over, calling loudly. Rooks (4) also flew over. Starlings (33) remained rather inactive, most whistling amongst the ivy whilst down on the short grass field about 50 black-headed gulls gathered to forage, most still in winter plumage but a few showing patchy dark brown plumage extending over their heads. They almost filled the field for the first time this winter - formerly there had been only one or two present. Herring gulls were seen flying over in groups (35 total) but none dared to join the smaller gulls on the field.

Blackbirds (40) were seen mostly foraging on the ground under trees or on grass whilst others were active amongst the thickets searching out the last remaining shrivelled berries and rose hips. Numbers of these blackbirds will probably be leaving this country soon, having been winter migrants seeking the warmth of the British Isles. Song-thrushes (6) were busy foraging under hedgerows and on the grass, they are now singing strongly at times although today only one was heard singing.

A sudden call from a buzzard amongst some old oaks caused me to look up into the branches but it was not visible although the calls persisted. Looking up into the clear blue sky a few minutes later it was seen flying up and circling higher - towards a second buzzard flying over the river, heading south. They glided leisurely around each other, flying off in the distance together (2).

Not long after they had left, a smaller raptor, a kestrel, appeared, circling over the river course, making slow progress north.

A welcome sound shattered the quiet of the riverside - a green woodpecker  gave several loud yaffles from the wild field - its traditional territory- and later along the furthest stretch of the river another green woodpecker was yaffling - also from it's own territory (2 total). Did this mean it was going to rain? The answer was yes, but not until the following day. The day became more cloudy, with a cool breeze however - and later, further upstream, a silent great-spotted woodpecker was seen on a tree trunk but no drumming was heard.  It was also good to hear a nuthatch calling in an old oak, in its traditional territory.

Down on the river itself, a moorhen walked carefully along the edge of the river, foraging amongst the twigs and roots.

The star of the day was encountered on a very quiet bend in the river, with islands, a sheltered place. I had turned to look back and saw a fine Little Egret slowly moving its feet along in the shallow water

between a small island and the steep bank. It continued foraging for a while before flying up into one of the overhanging trees.

Another star of the day, also a 'water bird' was a smart Grey Wagtail flying along the river, very low over the surface of the fast flowing water.

Catkins on a riverbank Sallow branch

No butterflies were seen today, but a very large dark-coated Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris was seen flying along the river bank.

February Buds, Brambles and a Butterfly

After several days of continuously dark and overcast weather, yesterday 13th February 2017 was a fine frostless sunny day - all day - with a cool easterly wind starting to dry the muddy earth.

A good day perhaps to look for signs of spring along the riverbanks.

Looking up at the old oaks, the reddish tinge of new leaf buds was a good sign. 

Close up - an oak twig on a branch extending across the river held some strong buds -

they will grow slowly - it will be many weeks before they unfold.

Close by, a complete contrast, fine fragile twigs of a willow, leaf buds barely visible - but this may come into leaf well before the oaks.

On the river bank, the arching stems of brambles, red in the sun amongst dry grasses, superb habitat for many creatures, as yet untouched by high water as the river has not yet topped its banks this winter.

 I expected most birds to be hunkered down out of the wind despite the warmer air temperature but

 sheltered places along the river held foraging birds.

Great tits could be heard singing, or rather calling, whilst the most numerous birds seen today were blue tits, very active in searching for insects under layers of lichen along old branches in the sun. Blackbirds were also numerous, most foraging on grass, others 'sunning' in branches, with outstretched wings. All were silent. Three song thrushes were also seen foraging and looking down onto a bend in the river, quite sheltered and secluded, a mistle thrush was bathing, perched on a shallow twig island in the river.

A group of goldfinches were singing in a thicket nearby, then suddenly stopped but did not move. Walking around the next bend in the river I saw a bird suddenly shoot upwards out of the thicket. It flew across the river and soared over, circling first them moving off out of sight. It was a sparrowhawk which had probably been lurking in the river thicket.

 There was no movement of song for some while after the sparrowhawk left - but further along, a chaffinch was calling, a few starlings were seen and two carrion crows, two jackdaws, several magpies and woodpigeons were seen in flight and on fence posts. Two wrens were heard singing and about ten robins were protecting their territories choosing to sing from low, sheltered hedgerows or thickets. Two dunnocks were seen chasing across the path.

Two black-headed gulls were foraging on the short grass field in the company of a much larger herring gull. In the distance a buzzard could be seen circling into the strong wind and back in the shelter of the old oaks, a nuthatch was heard calling. Hearing numerous house sparrows singing from the steep river bank -

their favourite sheltered bathing area amongst the dense vegetation - I looked across an saw a Red Admiral butterfly flying strongly over the dry grass stalks in the sun.

These birds and the butterfly were just seen in passing by -

 A Full Survey for February will follow later this month

Hazel Catkins and Clues

At the most dormant time of the year, each deciduous tree species provides its own clues….

One of the earliest and most obvious is the Hazel

with catkins glowing in the sun, on the bank of the river after rain.

Today, a damp, dank and dark day, other Hazels we planted a few years ago elsewhere on the river bank were observed to be doing well, emerging from their 'nursery plants' and carpets of fallen leaves.

These will add to the crop of hazel nuts produced in the early autumn by the mature Hazel trees planted many years ago, the nuts enjoyed by wildlife as soon as they form.

An easily overlooked Hazel flower, just one or two mms. across accompanies the 'lamb's tails' Hazel catkins.

There's no mistaking the Alder in winter with a mixture of last years miniature cones and fresh red catkins. The Alder is at home along rivers and damp ground.

On most Field Maples there will be a few winged seeds still clinging to the branches in winter, or perhaps just thin stems curved over where the seeds hung before they flew off. Here new leaf buds are forming either side of last year's seed stem.

Further along the river new planting by the developer on the banks of a wildlife pond has been thriving over the past year.

Sun shining through frost droplets on 17th January and

beyond, a frozen pond.

The surrounding vegetation provides shelter for amphibians and small mammals.

Dragonfly larvae will be in the pond under the ice in warmer water.