First and Last on the River

After all the recent rain,  the river was running high yesterday 30th December 2017 and amongst all the bare tree branches, the last signs of the old year and the first signs of the new year were clearly visible on the edge of the fast-flowing water.

The last Guelder Rose berries on the river bank - food for birds from 2017 left for later in the winter. The root system of the Guelder Rose is good for preventing riverbank erosion and collapse.

 New Hazel catkins forming lamb's tails on young Hazel trees

on the river bank

Wildlife Record for 30th December 2017 to follow….here it is - at last:

The morning was quite damp after yesterday's rain, with thin cloud giving way to a blue sky dotted with small clouds, brightening the landscape. It was much warmer in sheltered places, with plenty of wild rose hips from the river surface up to the tree tops but not so easy to access. Most sloes had been stripped from the blackthorn but plenty remaining on just one tall tree on the river bank.

House sparrows (approx. 60) were singing from their sheltered hedges and bramble patches - always with one to two acting as lookouts at the top. Robins too (22) were singing short songs, not yet taking  up their positions for maximum effect when guarding their territory. There were larger numbers of woodpigeons than usual, counting wasn't easy as most were crowded into the topmost branches of the old trees. A carrion crow flying in disturbed a group of about 20 which all flew up together and further downstream another group were disturbed in the same way (total about 60). Only one collared dove was seen today.

Trees along the upper stretches of the river, in relative shelter, were crowded with birds, whilst other trees further south, on the Arun were shunned. Foraging or just perching in windswept areas is a huge waste of energy for most birds - they will always find shelter - no shelter-no birds!

Wrens, seen and heard, were not as numerous as usual, with only 6 seen, most of the usual population having probably moved away temporarily from their river bank habitat as the river levels rose, muddy and fast-flowing.

Dunnocks, on the other hand, seemed to think it was spring, some singing strongly, in open places or foraging on paths (7). Blackbirds (36) were seen in many different places, they are definitely birds which brave the rushing waters and are at home balancing on flimsy islands of twigs and debris in the water, foraging for insects, frequently flying up from the river into the trees to investigate other sources of food such as ripening Ivy berries. The river was flowing too fast for Grey Herons to spot any aquatic prey but two birds were seen close up, flying south along the river course and up over the oaks to the drainage basin beyond.  Eight herring gulls wheeled around above and only three black-headed  gulls were visible - none today on their usual playing-field.Even the carrion crows avoided the open grass today - seven were seen, mostly amongst the old bare trees, crowded with starlings (about 25) amongst the smaller birds whilst others hid away in their ivy-covered day roost, singing. Birds that only fly when they have to - the magpies (7) - were also jostling each, other finding space to perch with the many other species including a single jay heard calling.

With many of the choice berries and fruits having been stripped from the thickets, most of the winter migrants have moved on west but 3 redwing and 4 fieldfare were making their way through the dense hedges and thickets along the river plucking the remaining food. Songthrushes (5) some of which could be winter migrants were foraging low, on mossy branches or on the ground turning over the dense mats of fallen leaves in sheltered places often together with blackbirds, also possible visitors.

Of the finches, only one chaffinch was heard and no greenfinches, but large numbers of goldfinches were present,  a group of more than 20 were flying across to the field with others singing in a dense thicket and others feeding off the dry seed heads of grasses and dock alongside the path and on the field, bright in the weak low sun (over 30). 

Ever moving along the riverside trees in the sheltered stretches today were numerous blue tits, some chasing, some investigating holes in tree trunks but most following each other, foraging together. (more than 100) and great tits, finding plenty to eat  at the foot of trees amongst fallen leaves and in the Hazels (30 at least) with several coal tits (about 5). Right above me, 11 long-tailed tits were moving around through the treetop. In the same tree, a huge old oak, foraging restlessly were several goldcrests  flying over from other deciduous trees and a holly.  Further south, there was a good view of another goldcrest foraging continuously along the fresh branches of a conifer (6 in total). Whilst watching the deciduous tree goldcrests, I saw pieces of lichen dropping down from higher up in the tree - this turned out to be a silent foraging nuthatch. Another silent nuthatch was seen further north (2 total).

Two green woodpeckers were heard calling - a sign of rain! and in an oak on a sheltered bend on the river two great-spotted woodpeckers were calling and chasing each other (male and female) whilst in the river bend under the oak a mallard pair were paddling around. Between the tree branches a  sparrowhawk was gliding low, the sun catching its light colouring. It flew around slowly then suddenly took a dive down onto the trees and out of view.

Crab apples remaining on Deecember 30th 2017

(compare with previous post)

A Traditional December

December hasn't quite ended yet but here's a short summary of this month's weather and wildlife. 

(full record for survey to come later)

After a slow autumn with leaves colouring the landscape for longer than usual, winter arrived with cold weather which has continued throughout December, frosts alternating with sleet. About 50% of days this month were damp with misty rain or with heavy rain and gales, the welcome rain starting to replenish water levels in aquifers and reservoirs which had been subject to a creeping drought over the past year.

There have been mild intervals but few signs of an early spring; the autumn glut of acorns was reduced to nothing over a few days, although some could still be found under layers of fallen leaves under the oaks.

The wildlife highlights were three Little Egrets which arrived here over the first weekend in December, icy weather on the coast triggering their winter journey inland, following the river Arun upstream where the water is warmer and faster-flowing, unlikely to freeze, sustaining food for the little egrets in the form of small fish and amphibians. The birds were either perched on oak branches over the river or foraging in the river itself, as it was still quite low, suitable for paddling. They remained for a few days but the river level has now risen significantly and has remained so after successive heavy squalls of rain, brining muddy surface water runoff from fields far upstream.

The winter marginal deciduous trees held calling nuthatches, fast-moving goldcrests, many singing robins, quiet blackbirds many blue tits, great tits and groups of long-tailed tits with a few coal tits this December, dunnocks and wrens with a mallard pair usually visible on a sheltered bend in the river. House sparrows thronged the dense hedgerows as usual and song thrushes have recently been heard singing very short songs.

On the 20th there was a loud racket from scolding great-spotted woodpeckers in the oaks. two were chasing each other and a third joined in adding to the noise. Perhaps they were young birds competing for future nest sites. A fourth great-spotted woodpecker was seen to fly north and started to drum on a distant oak trunk. They calmed down but suddenly there was more noise, this time from herring gulls.

Five were mobbing a carrion crow, which was carrying food, a school lunch sandwich. The crow threw off the  mobsters and proceeded to eat the lunch whilst perched on an oak branch. 

On the 22nd, about 25 redwing were seen flying south along the river course and about 10 fieldfare  were seen flying low over trees, six collared doves were flying around in a group and a green woodpecker was calling from the wild field area.

Some of these crab apples remain to be eaten by blackbirds

which seem to prefer them long after the leaves have fallen. 

The Return of the Redwing

The bitterly cold weather (for us in Sussex) has brought a significant change to the riverside today,

28th November 2017.

Field Maple  on the river bank before recent gales.

Tuesday 28th November started with a slight frost with broken clouds allowing sunny intervals. The large old oaks still held yellow-brown leaves which were falling one-by-one in a cold NW breeze.
A 'juvenile' oak had a full set of dry brown leaves - a normal occurrence for a young oak. Hazels were full of small catkins. It was striking how the riverside had just come to life at a time when one would expect birds to be hiding in sheltered places and silent. All bird flight was speeded up - now fast and purposeful -  most birds were visible in large numbers, darting from tree to thicket to riverbank, it was a challenge to follow all the movement taking place.
The first birds seen were Redwing - migrants from colder lands, which had found a bonanza of berries and fruits along the riverside and were intent on following one another with scouts leading the way.
They moved rapidly along amongst the twigs and branches of Blackthorn and Hawthorn, plucking and eating as they went, leaving plenty of fruits for the rest of the following flocks. They did not need to fly any distance, just keeping to the linear route. About 100 were seen this morning, accompanied by small numbers of Fieldfare (about 15 seen). A few Redwing were foraging on the ground, amongst the deep layers of fallen leaves in the company of Blackbirds although they were not as easy to detect, their plumage matching the colours of the leaves, given away only by the movement of leaves being flung aside. Migratory blackbirds were also present in huge numbers, about 80 being seen, mostly foraging in the same hedgerows and thickets as the Redwing, although easier to spot and rather more ponderous.
Song thrushes, some probably migrants too, were foraging on the ground or low on the river banks and undergrowth (9).
One, probably a local bird, was singing from a thicket - sign of an early spring perhaps.
Goldfinches (about 60) were not as restless as the thrushes, having plentiful food close by in the form of plants gone to seed, such as Dock. Most were singing in their usual trees, sheltered and protected by ivy. Today they were crowded into a tall tree, with lookouts perched on the top branches.
The cold wind kept House Sparrows low in their bramble thickets and hedges (62) in south-facing patches where the low sun slowly warmed the ground - where they foraged on dried seeds -with no need for them to fly out into the cold. They had plenty of time to sing.

An inquisitive robin emerged from a leafless but dense hedgerow

which forms ideal protection for small birds agains predators such

as sparrowhawks.

As I walked past hedgerows or undergrowth, a robin would often dash out of cover in order to see what was going on, close up. Today fifteen were seen, only one trying out a very short song.

Starlings (about 90) had not been numerous during the summer and early autumn but now their numbers had increased, with a flock of about forty seen flying over the river and other groups singing and whistling in their 'day roosts', some joining in with the goldfinches, they certainly like company.
A sign of winter - the black-headed gulls were back on the grass field, foraging quietly.
(45) occasionally flying up, giving subdued calls but always returning to the grass. Few herring gulls were seen (8) but those flying were at home in the cold wind. It was to early in the day, too cold yet for thermals to develop, which explains why no buzzards were seen in the air. Woodpigeons (about 30) were mostly perched, hunched up in trees, with others flying as quickly as they could across the open areas into woodland.  Jackdaws were heard briefly, seen flying across over distant trees (4) and only one Jay was glimpsed whilst five magpies remained grounded, not needing to move far in the cold to find food. Two collard doves (a pair) flew into ivy. A great-spotted woodpecker was calling from one of the oaks but the loudest calls today came from carrion crows (13) scattered amongst the river trees. In the air a small group of 6 linnets flew very swiftly across and two redpoll were heard calling in flight. Two pied wagtails were concentrating on foraging on a path where dunnocks are often seen but these were sheltering low on the banks today. Down on the fast-flowing river itself, a pair of mallard ducks paddled in circles in a quiet backwater, completely sheltered.
Large numbers of blue tits (more than 60) were seen all along the riverbank trees, Alder, Oak and Field Maples quite crowded although many more were foraging on the ground directly under the oaks, finding small insects on the top layers of leaves warmed by the sun. One blue tit flew out of an old oak carrying a large dry oak leaf. It flew across to a small bare tree where it perched, holding the leaf in its claws - and plucked insects from the underside - although they could well have been spiders - a valuable food source.   There were large numbers of great tits (51) as well, most active amongst undergrowth at the base of trees on the river banks or foraging down lower amongst roots on the river together with wrens (9) which were definitely keeping out of the cold wind with only one or two singing. Four dunnocks in different places were keeping low down too, remaining silent as were a group of six long-taited tits foraging much higher up in the tops of Willows. Two coal tits were spotted  amongst the roving blue tits.  A bird becoming very scarce - the chaffinch - was heard but remained elusive, only two were seen and only one greenfinch. Bullfinches are more frequently seen, but today only two were seen, remaining hunkered down in their usual thicket where the large invasion of redwing probably took them by surprise. A single goldcrest was foraging in a Maple, with no sign of any in the windswept conifers. Rapid loud calls came from a nuthatch in an old oak - a sparrowhawk suddenly appeared and flew swiftly across, scattering small birds - one great tit turned upside-down in flight when it changed direction to avoid the hawk which was seen hunting again further along the river. Altogether seven nuthatches were seen and most heard calling, which is good news.
 Lastly, a mistle thrush flew into a high thicket and started to sing before the next group of redwing arrived.

The First Frost - and Fieldfare fly in

Yesterday morning, 5th November 2017,  the first frost of the autumn was visible early on - but soon thawed in the sun. The very bright clear morning changed and a cold breeze from the north west quickly blew in clouds, making a changeable day - but remaining consistently cool.

Birds had spent a cold night and needed to do some intense foraging during the short hours of daylight. 

Leaves were still falling gradually, the bare branches here and there allowing increased visibility through the thickets and canopies.

Field Maple, Hazel. Ash and Oak in different stages of leaf fall

5th November

This was intended as a quick look along the riverside rather than a full survey, as followed only a few days after the survey on 27th October. However after a quiet start with not much seen or heard, the sun finally reached the trees and activity increased. 

Today was special - on a bend in the river, a sudden movement - a kingfisher hurtled down into the river from the far bank and flew up to perch in the sun on a broken branch over the water where it sat for a minute - the finest view - then flew off upstream to perch on another branch, watching the river intently before flying off.

Several roaming flocks of blue tits and great tits made their way through the trees and thickets, with two or three coal tits seen amongst them. Goldfinches started to sing on the sunlit side of the Blackthorn and Hawthorn hedges where a pair of bullfinches were more easily seen foraging. A group of about eleven long-tailed tits were following each other through a nearby thicket, calling softly. Another group (7) were seen foraging together through the oaks and maples. (total 18)

Three goldcrests were seen foraging amongst the brilliant yellow Maple leaves and two more were seen further south flying from a willow into a poplar, avoiding the conifers which were swaying in the wind.(total 5)

The meandering rivers here provide a variety of habitats which give shelter according to the wind direction and warmth according to the time of day. Blackbirds (9) were busy low down in thickets, plucking fruits, leaving a single fieldfare to reach the higher branches. This fieldfare suddenly flew off, giving the first good view of one here this autumn -  but on looking up, several more were seen flying across, following the river course towards the north, these being joined by more and more, about forty in total seen against the clear blue sky. There are still plenty of fruits for them and for the redwings - three at least were glimpsed at the back of another blackthorn thicket over the river where a song thrush was also foraging, together with blackbirds and the roaming tit flocks. Robins were singing strongly on leafless branches where their colour would be very visible to others.

Flying strongly out in the sun over the banks were four Red Admiral butterflies, and a restless Brown Hawker dragonfly, ranging over the bank vegetation.

Three separate colonies of house sparrows were more active than usual, seeking sunny areas where they could also find food and plunge into the water to bathe. Eight wrens were seen and heard singing very short songs in various places along the banks, with three silent dunnocks lower in the undergrowth. These birds hardly ever seem to sit in the sun. Woodpigeons (15) were mainly seen high in the sheltered tree canopies where they could warm up in the sun all day. A Jay and two magpies, all silent, were flying across from tree to tree, whilst three noisy carrion crows flew over the starling day-roost where they could be heard singing. An early sighting of probably three redpoll flying across may mean a change in the weather elsewhere. Much closer to the river, a sparrowhawk glided quickly with the wind and a single common gull was calling whilst circling over a field. There was no sign of any black-headed gulls today and only two herring gulls were sighted in the air. 

Conditions for flight were again perfect for the common buzzards, and today three were seen, calling loudly to each other, circling over the river, drifting south with the wind. These are very vocal, communicative birds! Below- a certain mammal would have been spotted by them - walking proudly on the grass bank of a drainage basin - a splendid red fox showing off its thick winter coat and fine brush. As I walked along on the opposite bank it turned its head and stared at me for a while before trotting off.

Out of the wind, amongst the old oaks, a nuthatch called repeatedly, perhaps establishing territory for next year.

Buzzards Take to the Air

Friday 27th October 2017 - at last a change in the weather - it was a cold start after a clear sky at night and the day remained cool and dry with unaccustomed dazzling sunlight and a fresh feel to the air. The grass was wet with dew and long shadows cast by the low sun lasted into late morning - it was still British Summertime. Small clouds started to form in the slight breeze but for once there were no leaden rainclouds on the horizon. Riverside Willows had lost half of their leaves and cast less shade with most Ash trees almost bare. Hazel trees held on to their bright yellow leaves, whilst leaves were falling intermittently from the old oaks where thick layers of acorns still carpeted the ground. The northerly breeze meant that there were many sheltered corners along the river . These were populated by bees and other insects attracted to the last ripe fruits of brambles:

Two Seven-spot Ladybirds in the warm shelter of a curled-up Bramble leaf.

27th October 2017

Brambles, as we see throughout the year, provide sustenance and protection for a large diversity of wildlife - a key to the survival of many pollinators.

As the sun moved towards its zenith, loud chattering from house sparrows increased (56) but robins out-sang them with still short  but loud songs all along the river, choosing bare branches to perch on in full view (14). In one area where a dense thicket borders the river, out of sight on the sunny side, starlings had gathered in their 'day roost' to sing and whistle, even louder than the robins. The starlings can usually sit and sing together without the need to forage for most of the day, as food is plentiful in the damp muddy ground (more than 20). Magpies (7), a single collared dove and wood pigeons (about 30) were also inactive, the wood pigeons calling, basking and preening in the old trees, whilst large numbers of blue-tits explored the same trees in a random way, never still, young following older birds to find, perhaps, the best food. Where have they all come from? They are more visible and active now but some, as we know from sightings of ringed birds, make their way along the river course from nature reserves on the rivers upstream or downstream. About 60 were seen on the day. Great tits here (more than 30) at present seem to prefer their own foraging areas, amongst the willows and blackthorn over the river - and long-tailed tits (9) were seen in family groups rapidly making their way through willows, high up.

Ten blackbirds were seen, some foraging on grass, others seen amongst sloes and hawthorn berries in a thicket overhanging the river. Bathing and preening was their priority - essential after the warm humid weather and now they had the chance to bask in the sunlight and dry off properly. When the sun went in, so did the birds, all reappearing the instant the sun lit up the thicket again (like the Red Admiral butterflies seen on the flowering ivy!). A single song thrush was seen dropping down from a blackthorn thicket onto the flat mud of the river bank - others remained elusive - and a fieldfare was glimpsed in the same thicket.

Wrens (15) were singing short songs along the river bank, or uttering alarm calls and three dunnocks were calling down amongst the roots.

Alder catkins on the river bank

No greenfinches were seen and only one chaffinch heard but goldfinches were as usual numerous and very vocal, singing together in the hedgerows across the river bank, a few ventured out alone but always seemed to quickly fly back to rejoin the group (more than 25) whilst three bullfinches were

heard and glimpsed. It was a good day for the tiny goldcrests (5) which prefer foraging in the sun, always seeming to choose the sunny side of a tree, usually a conifer. Two chiffchaffs, migrant warblers made very quick movements amongst the leaves of deciduous trees - will they decide to stay here instead of migrating? A few are always in winter, even in the snow. A nuthatch was very present, calling loudly and moving around in the trees and two more were present in other locations (3). At last jays were more visible (4) busy collecting acorns still on the oaks.  A green woodpecker was jaffling from the wild field where ants throw up secret sandy hills. It's not all solid wealden clay here.

Loud terrifying calls came from further along the river - it was a grey heron objecting to attempts to steal a fish it had caught. The culprit war a gull, probably a herring gull.  23 herring gulls had been seen  in two noisy groups, one flying with the breeze, the other group moving north.

Silent black-headed gulls in winter plumage were circling over the grass playing field but decided not to land (40).  Seven carrion crows were seen in various places but only one ventured onto the field, whilst three jackdaws flew over.

Insects today were concentrated on Brambles, including the two Seven Spot Ladybirds, numbers of bees, with Buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) most frequently seen and a Common Darter dragonfly warming up on a stony path.  A very late in the year Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male crossed the river bank shining metallic blue in the sun, finding plenty of midge-type insects to feed on; four Red Admiral butterflies flew over the river banks and a Comma butterfly, was found basking on a pile of old branches.

On the way back there was a good close view of a great-spotted woodpecker clinging to a thin topmost branch of a young tree, clearly surveying the landscape.

The stars of the day were six common buzzards making the most of the ideal circling, soaring and gliding conditions on thermals over the river. As usual I heard their calls before seeing them drifting over the river course, four were circling each other closely whilst two more sailed across in the distance.

They had probably been more or less grounded by the very poor weather conditions of previous days, no wind, very low light and no sun to heat up the land.

As I left the riverside some time later they were still circling in the low sun.

October Awakening

The scent of the riverside today, 22nd October 2017- damp autumn leaves and over-ripe fruits, pine needles shed in the gales, typical of this time of the year. A sudden alarm - a sparrowhawk seen close -up, tail spread for balance as it dived into a hedge full of starlings and house sparrows, ambushed in 'sparrowhawk weather' when a strong wind is blowing and every twig moving. This was the tail-end of storm Brian, flicking over Sussex.

Last week on 16th, in the early afternoon, storm Ophelia had caused consternation when it brought sand from the Sahara and smoke particles from bush fires in Portugal, sucked up from the land into a huge dark red cloud which move slowly over the countryside, causing birds to fly silently to their roosts. There were brief glimpses of the sun turning from yellow to orange to red, then darkness. Expecting torrential rain, wildlife hurried to cover but the cloud was blown across the land followed by brightening skies - the storm was over, without gales or rain here.

At the start of October, there was some welcome rainfall with the river level rising but nowhere near flood level. As leaves were falling (Ash before Oak) the ground brightened, reflecting the sun. On 2nd, Chiffchaffs, Robins and bullfinches were heard and seen and flowering Ivy patches were covered with various bees and wasps and numerous fresh Red Admiral butterflies nectaring in sunlit areas:

This Red Admiral and many others were attracted to the Ivy flowers.

The next day, 3rd October, a very quick look on the riverside revealed a pair of bullfinches, nuthatch calling loudly, numerous Blue and Great tits, house sparrows, chiffchaffs and three jays, Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies, Souther Hawker and Migrant Hawker dragonflies. Two more bullfinches were seen in thickets further upstream.

Red Admirals were seen on most other days, coal tits, goldcrests, goldfinches, green woodpecker, numerous wrens, nuthatches, one tapping in a tree, more jays, further sightings of coal tits, blue and great tits, long-tailed tits and  Common Darter dragonflies, one pair mating.

Dog rose hips (Rosa canina) brighten the hedgerows, but most

will be left by birds until the last of the blackberries and Hawthorn

berries are eaten.

They will be spotted by the winter migrants - Redwing and Fieldfare

as they fly in from the cold.

October always brings an increase in activity amongst birds and mammals as they sense rapid changes; the dwindling hours of daylight available for foraging, and the sun sinking increasingly low on the horizon. Food has been plentiful over this summer and initially there was no urgency to collect food to store - but now there is frantic movement on the riverside. Most summer migrants have left after feeding to build up layers of fat on their bodies which will provide energy for their long journeys south.

Local resident birds also need to put on weight, as food may become scarce with incoming winter migrants joining them, foraging along the river after long flights from the north and east. 

  

September ends - a summary of this summer

Summer has definitely given way to autumn now - the summer season this year has been exceptional for most wildlife here mainly due to the weather over the year so far but also due to the maturation of the riverside where changes have taken place, mostly for the better, in the riverine environment.

Most birds have had a very successful breeding season this spring and summer but numbers of greenfinches and chaffinches remain low whilst goldfinches and house sparrows have thrived.

Green woodpeckers, great-spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches are also doing well as are other birds such as blue and great tits and long-tailed tits - robins and wrens in particular. Blackbird numbers increased -and the songthrush population remained good although some were still rearing young late in the summer. Summer migrant numbers were good, with chiffchaffs especially numerous and these are still around - maybe more will stay to overwinter. In the last few days, large numbers of house martins and swallows have been flying along the river course, heading south and feeding on large 'clouds' of insects on the way - it seems to have been a good summer for them in most places too. Local resident raptors - kestrels, sparrowhawks and common buzzards have been taking advantage of the good hunting conditions over the summer, with occasional fly-overs by red kites. 

Insects showed a very strong increase - certainly from mid-summer onwards, damselflies and dragonflies were everywhere along the river and ponds here. The best sighting was a good view of a male White-legged Damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes) on 17th July:

   White-legged Damselfly male on riverbank nettle at 17.15 on a hot afternoon.

These damselflies are very local to the area and quite elusive but are seen here each year, not easy to photograph. I was last successful in photographing one here about five years ago! They don't 'bask' in the sun but bounce around.

Butterflies too have been numerous, certainly compared with last year (2016) although numbers certainly dwindled after recent downpours and hailstorms. Also very local to the area, an active female Brown Hairstreak was the best sighting on 15th September with others seen for several days in the high leaf canopy some time ago.

Red Admirals are still flying strongly, with Speckled Woods and a few Commas still present.

The bonanza of fruits, berries and nuts will hopefully mean a good autumn and winter for wildlife here.