The Last of March

It seemed like a good idea at the time to do a survey yesterday morning  30th March 2018 - there was even an early glimpse of sunlight - but this was probably an illusion as the riverside remained under a leaden sky all morning with light drizzle gradually turning to rain. The survey was cut short due to adverse weather conditions halfway through leaving the southern half to do on 31st March. This morning the conditions hadn't changed much - it was cold with no wind under an even darker leaden sky but at least the drizzle was absent.

Both days however were quiet with little background noise to dampen the splendid sound of birdsong.

Blackthorn blossom over the river.

Saturday 31st March - the second half of yesterday's survey:

The weather was slightly better than 30th in that there was no rain but it was still very cold and dark with the same river conditions. Starting out at the same location, but this time heading south, following the river which in places is wider, with sharp meanders. Following approximately the same order as Friday, house sparrows were the first to be heard singing, some in Blackthorn and Hawthorn thickets and others in their small colonies amongst the brown bracken and others in dense bramble patches on the banks (approx 30). Woodpigeons (34) were busy preparing for nesting, some calling whilst a few foraged on the playing field, now empty - the black-headed gulls having returned to the coast, in their summer plumage.Two dunnocks were singing, one from the top of a thicket. The area on the meandering river bank where an Ash tree had to be felled a year ago, has become a very popular place for great tits with a pair nesting early under the roots of the felled tree. They had shown interest in the location last year as soon as the work had been completed. Now one was seen collecting food. Several

more were seen here - and more further along (18). Blue tits were numerous here where they were seen flying from tree to tree, copse to copse prospecting for sheltered nest sites along the river (32). There were about the same numbers of wrens in this southern section (17) as in the northern half, most singing strongly from their territories - there is no lack of food here in the damp and muddy terrain. 

Robins too were found in similar numbers to the previous day on the northern half (15), scattered quite evenly along the banks. Chiffchaffs were moving rapidly from tree to tree, two were heard and seen today and two goldcrests, not easy to see in the prevailing gloom. A single chaffinch was calling but no greenfinches, goldfinches or coal tits were seen in this southern half today. 

A green woodpecker suddenly started to baffle close by on the green whilst two calling jackdaws flew across into the trees and three herring gulls crossed the sunless sky. Carrion crows (6) were seen in various trees on the lookout for prey  and two magpies were noisily ganging up on a blackbird which obviously had a nest somewhere under a bramble patch It easily saw them off and they flew up to hassle one of their own in an oak with another nearby. (4) A total of twenty blackbirds were active today, most foraging but some nesting amongst ivy and thickets.

Song thrushes were also busy, under roots in a copse, in a bramble thicket and on a willow (5).

A great spotted woodpecker female flew over  into an old riverside ash tree and a male followed it,

calling, whilst drumming was heard several times in the distance (3). A small group of birds flew from the open sky into some trees - calling. These were linnets (5) and low down on the river a moorhen called and nearby a grey heron flew low over the banks.

Further upstream a small bird flew low across the grass onto a tree and swiftly climbed up the trunk - a treecreeper.

Few signs of spring but much activity taking place in trees and bank vegetation

Friday 30th March 2018 - intermittent drizzle gradually changed to continuous rain halfway through the survey after about an hour when the survey had to finish early due to adverse weather. This was the first half, covering the northern area along the river. The first birds heard were house sparrows, calling loudly from bank vegetation and their usual colony hedgerows (about 42), with dunnocks singing above the sparrow chatter, choosing high, hedge-top perches (5). It seemed as if the bad weather had delayed the start of great tits singing but they were certainly singing loudly today, mainly from Hazels on the river bank (7). Without moving from the first location, at least 8 species could be heard singing - whilst I was listening, a grey heron suddenly flew up from the far bank drainage basin where it had been silently foraging for frogs here and around the ponds - easy food at this time of the year.

Blue tits were everywhere, foraging, calling and chasing in the oaks and willows - they are attracted to willow catkins especially (26). They should do well provided that the rain is not torrential.

Carrion crows were visible now, calling and chasing. They have been seen carrying nest material recently (3), whilst one of the smallest species, the wren, dominated the riverside with its very loud song, echoing along the river course under the banks and trees. 15 were counted, all guarding their territories and new nests under construction along the banks. Fortunately the river is high and fast running at present, which will prevent nest-building in dangerously low locations. Long-tailed tits also have a preference for low nest building on sheltered banks, but amongst undergrowth such as brambles

but usually they seem to allow for flood conditions and build slightly above the usual limits. Two pairs were seen today.

Very close outbursts of song from robins all along the river were heard - the numbers only slightly less than the numbers of wrens - but each robin is clearly settled in its own location now (12). 

The song of chiffchaffs (3) - spring migrant warblers could be heard for the first time this spring amongst the wrens and the robins - it's good to see them clearly whilst the trees are not yet in leaf and below them a single goldcrest foraged in an oak for a while before moving on. A loud song from the top of a Hawthorn gave away a smart coal tit whilst two others, probably a pair were on a willow nearby. (3) It's good to see them as they have been quite scarce here in previous years. Goldfinches were seen here and there, some singing but not in large numbers now (12) and only one chaffinch was heard calling. (It is worth noting here that greenfinches have been heard singing very recently, on several days here by the river - but not today. This marks an important return to this location.)

Looking up- a sparrowhawk was visible against the dark sky, gliding directly above me, surveying.

Wild flowers of spring - Wood Anemone flowers remain closed

on the river bank, awaiting the sun.

Mallard ducks were very active today despite the river conditions, with two males fighting under the bridge and three other chasing, paddling strongly upstream.(5)

Blackbirds were quite numerous (11) and most were seen foraging rather than singing, amongst ivy, on the wet grass and mud and on the river banks, whilst a single song thrush watched from a tree.

Loud cries from a nearby buzzard were heard - it was in an old oak. Overhead 5 Herring gulls and a single black-headed gull were seen.

Large bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) were seen on both days along the river, both north and south.

More Icy Blasts from the East

A summary of a fickle March:

The Beast from the East continued its attack into March - nevertheless by 3rd March many birds could be heard singing along the riverside with robins and song thrushes dominating and others showing clear signs of nesting, with calling nuthatches and chasing mallard ducks, chasing blue tits and great tits and calling chaffinches. By 13th March Lesser Celandine flowers were appearing - a sure sign of good weather, at least for a while:

Lesser Celandine pushing through layers of dry leaves into the sun.

On 14th the day was fine, with a common buzzard circling slowly over low trees along the river course. Nuthatches were calling again and several loud great tits, many house sparrows and robins. Wrens  were  vocal too along the river banks with the river still flowing muddy and fast. A grey heron flew over riverside trees in search of awakening amphibians. The following day, 15th blackbirds were singing strongly for the first time, after 25mm rain overnight.

On 17th the Beast from the East returned after a few balmy days, with snow.

By the end of the month it was losing its hold but the cold bite continued, with small birds and mammals retreating into the natural shelter of the banks:

A completely natural shelter on the riverside where broken tree trunks, roots, last-years dry nettle stems and bramble shoots arch over each other and tangle together - a choice place for wrens, dunnocks, robins and hibernating small mammals, insects and amphibians, well above the river flood level.

Wildlife prepares for the 'Beast from the East'

Since January a warming of the Arctic Stratosphere has taken place, and the resulting so-called Beast from the East was about to be untethered and set to head west towards the British Isles.

Friday 16th February 2018 was a fine sunny day after a typically (for this winter) frosty start.

All along the river, birds were active, preparing for spring but also preparing for severe weather, instinctively aware, unlike most humans, of the need to continue foraging for, collecting and caching food. The signs were there - early morning frosts on clear sunny days, alternating with cold windy weather with sleet, or mild but wild days. On the 13th and 14th the weather suddenly turned mild, very wet and windy, then in another sudden change turned cold and frosty again.

Willow catkins burst out from the top branches of the Salix,

shining silver in the sun agains a clear blue sky.

16th February 2018

More than 50 birds were counted at the start of the survey, just whilst standing still on the riverside, looking around.

The ground was muddy from recent rain but frozen hard in places. The total count for blackbirds along the riverside was 36, with most foraging where the ground was muddy, on the river banks or under hedgerows. They were accompanied by song thrushes (8). Low down on a sheltered sunny bank, a preening bird had been bathing and remained there, perfectly camouflaged in the dry fallen leaves - a song thrush. Dunnocks (5) were singing today, emerging at times for under the bushes, into the bright sunlight - and wrens - quite scarce on the previous survey - had emerged too into the sun to sing (24) but also to forage in amongst the dry twigs and tall grasses or amongst dense ivy. They need to maintain their body weight to survive the cold nights and coming days.They will have special roosting places where they can perch tightly packed together for warmth.

House sparrows were singing loudly too,(about 80) some were bathing and drying off in the sun but most were foraging in hedges, dry banks, bramble and bracken patches. They will also spend the nights and cold windy days in dense undergrowth, crowded together often singing in chorus throughout the foulest weather.  Robins (34) were singing strongly too, in their individual territories, being constantly on the alert for invaders of the same species. Hollies are prized as territories not just because of berries which have probably already been consumed but because of the prime shelter they provide - dense, evergreen and prickly, with the undersides of the strong leaves harbouring many tiny insects and spiders. Another important feature of evergreens such as Holly and Ivy is that the ground around their root systems will remain unfrozen for much longer than surrounding ground under deciduous plants. Most birds will find food under the evergreens, together with other wild life.

The morning sun on the frozen pond alongside the river. It will spring back to life as soon as a thaw set in, with frogs and tadpoles, then much later with dragonflies.

A green woodpecker flew across, shining in the sun. It will be looking for unfrozen earth which holds insect life, still easy for now, until it snows. Nearby a nuthatch could be head calling loudly, with another answering in the distance. Further along the river, two more (total 4) were seen and heard protesting on the appearance of a magpie. The nuthatches are usually surrounded by foraging blue tits (about 45 today) and great tits (28) which fly through their territories in roaming flocks, gleaning what they can, prising lichen away from branches to eat the insects found underneath, much as the nuthatches do when food is scarce.Two coal tits were seen, which move fast in stashing away surplus food, unobserved.

Goldfinches are very much at home here and don't seem to need to forage continuously - like the house sparrows they can find shelter, and today a group were singing together in a dense blackthorn thicket whilst another group flew across to the dry grasses to feed on seed heads (20). A small bird which never seems to stop feeding but sings as it moves around, is the goldcrest - today three were seen crossing from a bare tree over the river to a conifer where they remained, fast-foraging. The densely bunched conifer needles will provide good shelter from the cold wind and driving snow  when it arrives. Three bullfinches were seen, one on a bare hawthorn in the sun and another (f) on a Guelder Rose trying out the juicy red berries, left until last. Another male was calling from behind a thicket.

Another fruit-lover, a blackcap, an over-wintering female (warbler) which has been seen quite often this winter, was warming up in the sun,

The starlings (58) were, like the house sparrows, singing or whistling in the sun and foraging in good numbers today, keeping together as a small flock, whilst wood pigeons (60) were scattered all along, in trees and on the unfrozen grass with some bathing in the river. A loud flapping and splashing sound came from a part of the river with steep banks, on a sharp bend - this was a mallard pair which frequent the area. Just one pair of collared doves were seen amongst Ivy again, where birds are still feeding on a never-ending supply of Ivy berries. Black-headed gulls (27) were arriving in twos and threes, landing on the playing-field grass to forage. 

Three rooks flew across above the trees with a single vocal jackdaw and two herring gulls. Carrion crows were the most numerous corvids (11), very active today, calling and scavenging. In the distance, a common buzzard flew down, disappearing amongst the oaks.

Lastly the master of all it surveys - the sparrowhawk, flying quite high over the river, looking directly down at me, circling slowly, the sun lighting up its translucent wing-feathers. 

  

Late January Gales

Monday 29th January 2018 was not the best day to choose for a survey, but a typical January day, cloudy to start with but dry. Rainfall over many months has been less than usual, despite the impression 

given by frequent showers keeping the earth's surface damp. January has continued the trend, with no decent amounts to top up reservoirs and aquifers. The previous day had been very mild but now a strong wind was bringing cold weather. The wind howling through the bare branches had scattered many small branches and twigs over the muddy ground, giving an air of desolation, but with rose hips and hazel catkins brightening the landscape. There has been a profusion of Hazel catkins this winter, on very young and old trees alike -it's easy now to count these trees which offer so much to wildlife.

Hazel tree flowers are often overlooked as are only one or two mms

across, forming at or near the joint where catkins hang from the twig.

The pollen from the 'lamb's tails' catkins is shaken off by the wind and pollenates the tiny flowers where later Hazel nuts will form. The other buds on the twigs and branches are leaf buds.

The river was lower that it was after a day or two with no rain and there were still plenty of acorns lying just user the layers of leaves beneath the old oaks, with here and there bright green shoots of Wild Garlic emerging amongst the tree roots. The lack of substantial rain has meant that the river levels have remained within the banks so far this winter although cold weather has subdued early growth along the banks.

Despite the wind, house sparrows  were singing in tightly packed colonies in their hedges, bracken and bramble mounds, staying put today in dense shelter (about 80) along the river. Blackbirds were numerous too (34) some of them winter migrants, the attraction now being bountiful supplies of ripening Ivy berries which form on old Ivy branches - timed to appear and ripen just as the rest of the fruits and berries on the riverside become scarce - looking up into the Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Elder and Hollies there's hardly anything left now for hungry birds although some Guelder Rose berries and hard- to-reach Dog Rose hips are still available.

Ripe Ivy berries, a great source of winter food for larger birds,such as thrushes, collared doves and  wood pigeons, although some may have difficulty in reaching the tempting food amongst thin branches.

 Only one Redwing and one Fieldfare were seen today although more Redwing could be heard in a thicket. They can make very fast progress through the hedgerows stripping them of berries when they first arrive but most then head west to milder counties before returning to their breeding habitat across the sea in the early spring.

The Song thrushes (6) were singing quietly, just short songs, foraging still taking up most of their time and energy. At least the ground has mostly remained damp and muddy, as a prolonged hard frost could affect their food supply.

It was very obvious how the cold wind affects most birds, with Herring Gulls enjoying the wind (45) making slow graceful flight patterns over the fields and a beautiful buzzard low-flying confidently against the wind and a second one sloping down to land in a tree. Another bird happy in the wind was a sparrowhawk seen fast flying across a gap in a thicket filled with sheltering small birds. In the wind it could go unnoticed. Black-headed gulls (about 60) were grounded, all foraging on their traditional winter field. They fly up when disturbed but land again as soon as possible. Eight carrion crows were seen in various places along the river, a pair were sitting in an oak facing into the wind whilst others called nearby, also choosing sheltered places. A pair of jackdaws flew across calling.

Woodpigeons (32) always seek out comfortable perches when not foraging and today most had chosen  

sheltered oaks with views over the grasses and banks, tolerating noisy magpies in the same trees (6)

Blue tits (54) and great tits (30) were seen mostly in the lower thickets, brambles and hedges but where it was sheltered some were seen chasing and singing. Part of a thicket formed of Buckthorn seemed to be an attraction with blue tits foraging on the thin vertical branches amongst new leaf buds. 

Two coal tits were seen then thin calls nearby came from a chiffchaff moving in the thicket. Further along where the wind was roaring through the tress there were few birds, but a single long-tailed tit was glimpsed making its way to shelter.  Only four chaffinches were seen and heard low down out of the wind, whilst starlings were also scarce (5) most probably hiding low as well.

Nuthatches choose to nest in traditional sites, holes in old tree trucks - but if they have to choose  new site, they choose a location facing away from the prevailing weather. One nuthatch was seen today, calling from it's old location but busy creating a new nest hole.

Robins were numerous today - most, having taken up territories, were now singing short songs (26 total along the river) again all found in sheltered places.

Of the small birds, wrens were scarce again today (5) and were not singing yet but in hiding, whilst dunnocks (5) were keeping low under hedges and tree roots - but one was singing from a higher perch.

In a flock flying under the buzzard, in an area with plenty of Dock still carrying seed, were a flock of goldfinches, with other small groups low down amongst long grasses and perched in dense thickets, singing (about 45 in total). With the smallest birds last,  goldcrests (5) were seen foraging in several places with deciduous trees and hollies which provide good shelter when needed. A treecreeper was seen foraging on an oak branch very close to the goldcrests.

   

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.