Dark December 2022 Survey postponed until 2nd January 2023

 With very few days to choose from the November survey was done but Dark December offered too many Adverse Weather Conditions on the available days. Monday 2nd January 2023 was the best for a long while with a rare occurrence - a blue sky.

With the temperature 6 degs C lower than the usual run of wet and windy days at least it promised reasonable visibility and audibility! It was above freezing. I was immediately struck by loud birdsong and sharp glimpses of active birds foraging amongst the bare branches of deciduous trees. Even evergreens were giving away the fast movements of hungry small birds. The river was flowing well, not at a high level bu fast nevertheless.

Growth of spring Hazel catkins had not advanced since the previous survey,  with most trees and bank vegetation even more leafless than before. It has been what seems like many years since there had been such conditions. I can remember the winter of 1981/82 when there were snowdrifts halfway up the doors and other times when the river was partially frozen, it bordered farmland then, with little shelter.

The sun on January 2nd 2023 was very low in the sky, illuminating the landscape with a very subtle light, with raindrops attracting birds to drink the freshest water from the Hollies and Ivy, the best of natural sustenance for wildlife at  this time of the year, together with dried out blackberries and leftovers on the hedgerows and fruit trees.

An old Oak (Veteran) on the river bank, this is one of the most 

valued in the district together with quite a few of a similar age

along the nearby riverbanks. Full of wildlife all year, hibernating or foraging.

This photo was taken on 12th December 2022.

On the day of the Survey was, apart from birdsong, quiet, with no wind. the available light was good but short-lived going from dawn to dusk in no time despite the sun.The most visible birds were the woodpigeons (50) most static, perched on treetops and Ivy, conserving heat in their thick down by maintaining immobility as far as possible, House Sparrows were the next most numerous but mush more agile (73) although in groups, some soaking up the sun out on the Bramble-tops and hedges, singing, whilst others kept low under dense cover, eating blackberry seeds and singing.

Starlings can be elusive but today there were 26 flying in small groups whilst others, unseen, remained in their roost tree. Fourteen Carrion Crows were seen in various trees, most prefer Oaks here some calling loudly to each other, easily seen on the bare branches. Also in the Oaks and Field Maple, Magpies were active and noisy, bickering and re-arranging their perches (11). Their calling was ignored by a nearby Songthrush concentrating on its perfect and very audible song, whilst another Songthrush (2) started a perfect song on a branch directly above where I was standing and took no notice of me. Both continued their songs which greeted me on my return after walking to the other footbridge and back.

Herring Gulls were very active in the area near the school, mostly flying across to join others on the school playing flied. Arriving in group there were about 47 in total, most calling loudly on approach. Two Rooks and two Jackdaws were seen flying across from the distance trees. There were 18 Blackbirds, most foraging on the grass but no Fieldfare or Redwing this time - perhaps they had flown off west when the weather had turned cold as they were seen in November.

Of the small birds, there were 7 Goldfinches, flying across to reach seeds on remaining plants such as Dock, no Greenfinches or Chaffinches as usual now but three Goldcrests, moving about in a conifer, foraging. Along the route there were 27 Blue ts, 14 Great ts and 5 Long-tailed ts some appeared to be chasing and some were calling.

The leaders at this time of the year are always the Robins, often very visible and calling loudly. Today there were 35 all guarding their own territories along the banks and hedges. Three dunnock were seen on the footpath and low branches, one was calling. There were 4 wrens, only one calling at present on the banks. High in an old Oak a single Nuthatch was calling whilst a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying across. 

A Common Buzzard flew up from the branches of an old Oak and later a Red-Kite was seen circling lazily above another Oak not far away, drifting on the first .thermals .

The most interesting bird today was a female Kestrel seen perched for quite a time on a horizontal Oak branch over grass  where a few Woodpigeons were feeding. It flew off - perhaps missing a small mammal that it had been watching on the river bank below.

A few Highlights from the rest of November 2022

The survey on the previous post was made during an interval in the rain, knowing that rain is good for wildlife in general but not in excess and generally not for a survey! 

The month began with heavy rain and thunder, with sightings of birds very scattered but on occasions good numbers of Robins, Dunnock, Starlings, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Carrion Crows, Woodpigeons and several Jays . 

The skies became darker with the river carrying mud from the fields but suddenly there was some sun on 9th November - with a Red Kite over the East bridge, several Jays and many small birds: Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blue ts, Great ts, Long-tailed ts,  Blackbirds, House Sparrows and a few scattered Redwing in a thicket, wrens,  on the bank and a Nuthatch in an Oak.

On 13th 30 Fieldfare were seen in formation low over the hedgerow  and Pied Wagtails on the ground, with a Grey Wagtail over the river.

After this the rain set in again, with the river overtopping banks for a while in the usual way. On 18th the rain ceased and Fieldfare were seen briefly flying across, not pausing to forage. The 18th was a rare fine day with the sighting of a brilliant fresh Red Admiral butterfly in a sunlit spot on the river bank and the day after, much colder but loud singing from a Songthrush and many other birds too, especially Robins and Dunnock with quiet Wren, Fieldfare and Redwing present too. Herring Gulls were seen and often heard. The high water levels have been a challenge for Grey Herons which continued to fly over, surveying the river and nearby landscape with ponds, the river overtopping it's banks again on 20th as is usual in such weather. After this the very wet weather continued but colder. House Sparrows and Starlings continued their singing in roosts. The full Survey was made on 25th followed by drizzle at intervals to the end of the month, with a Songthrush singing loudly times.

The sequel was a month of adverse weather conditions on all available Survey days for December 2022 with the Survey for December postponed a couple of days until 2nd January. See next post....!

A short but bright November Day - the survey for Friday 25th November 2022

 Just before the survey for November, a few highlights to add to October 2022:

Recovering from the summer heatwaves was ongoing throughout October with Chiffchaffs still active and giving contact calls on October 1st and 2nd , before leaving our shores (or deciding to stay - we will find out!). On 9th October, standing on the East Bridge over the Arun a remarkable sight of roaming flocks of small birds, was observed -  mostly residents, which flew across the gap between the riverbank Oaks with at least 21 Long-tailed ts all following each other at regular intervals, quite silent. The Carrion Crows which command this area missed them, they were so quiet and soon disappeared to the north.

Black-headed Gulls appeared on 20th but with a few Herring Gulls watching and on 27 and 28th (the day before the October survey),  Goldfinches, a Sparrowhawk, Jackdaws, Great Spotted Woodpecker, three Jays, calling Carrion Crows and a Red Kite were present over the  same area of the Arun near the bridge. See previous post for the survey for October 29th 2022.

The Survey for Friday 25th November 2022: 

The day was bright with no rain and very little wind but the ground was muddy and the river level still high and fast-flowing. It was notable that the first small Hazel catkins were now growing on branches over the river and bright Rose Hips were plentiful. Clouds of small midges were flying over the water in the sun and it was notable that in some places stoney paths were left where earth and mud had been washed into the river.

Many left-over apples still clung to the branches - awaiting hungry wildlife, birds, small mammals and insects. Meandering fox tracks indicated the routes taken in exploring sources of food amongst the trees and hedges. Fortunately the wild grasses had not been cut nor secret nest holes in the ground disturbed. Above, many nest holes in tree trunks and branches had suddenly become visible as the leaves fell. Each tree had it's own diverse wildlife shelters from canopy to roots via bark cavities and breaks in branches. Heaps of rain and river-washed leaves under the trees provided easy foraging for birds such as thrushes and robins as the earth was not yet frozen. 

Ripening Crab Apples will provide food for Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Fieldfare and Redwing later in the winter when softer fruit becomes scarce. 

This tree held only a few fruit - at the very top - the previous winter - remember the 'Winter of No Acorns'

before this 'Winter of Plenty' arrived?

Birds seen on the survey:

It was good news after the recovery from the heatwaves, with good numbers of birds and mammals seen and heard along the river. On the day fo the survey there were 25 Woodpigeons seen , most foraging for berries, others just sitting in the sun on high branches.  Two Collared Doves were calling but they seem to be getting less numerous each year. Nearby in the vicinity of the school were 45 Herring Gulls, voices mingling with those of teachers and scholars on the sports pitches. There were 5 dignified Carrion Crows but calling loudly at the approach of Gulls. The calls were matched by two Jays, in competition with 8 Magpies, most of the eight were this year's young. There was just one Rook flying across and one Black-headed Gull,on a goal post, clearly a scout for the rest of the flock, elusive this autumn. 12 Starlings were quietly feeding on the ground nearby Small birds were quite numerous as the weather was calm, with 25 Robins seen and heard singing, some loudly, in their 'traditional' separated territories, Holly and Ivy bushes. Blue ts were active, some bathing and preening in thickets and Willows (31) but only 4 Great ts were seen, in willows although there were certainly more hidden amongst tree roots on the bank. Their plumage is very bright and glossy. Not far downstream were 4 Long-tailed ts flitting restlessly amongst branches of Hawthorn.

Nearby a single Chiffchaff was calling, probably one which has decided to stay here rather than migrate.

Not far down the path Goldfinches could be heard singing and 8 were seen flying across into the sun to a place where there are still plenty of dried grass stalks, thistle and Dock seed heads. Along the river banks 7 Wrens were seen, only one calling and 5 Dunnock on nearby paths. 60 House Sparrows were seen in various groups, some singing in separate hedges and bramble patches, where the sun was warmest.

Two Treecreepers were seen making good progress up an old Oak trunk then out along a horizontal branch upside down, ignoring me. One flew down onto a sunnier spot on the same trunk, giving a thin call.

In extreme contrast there was suddenly a loud burst of perfect song from a Song Thrush sitting still and upright on a branch directly above me. It was throwing its voice as the song didn't become fainter as I walked away, then another started to sing further upstream.and a third in the distance, in the sun. The first bird did not bother to move and was clearly visible all the time. They were still present when I returned along the same path. It was the first real extended song I had heard this autumn, perhaps migrant birds which have chosen this place to rest and sing.

Twelve very fit Blackbirds were present too, but on the grass, foraging and into the brambles where some small Blackberries and seeds remained hidden. One or two gave alarm calls but certainly no song. Four Fieldfare were seen in a thicket working their way along, calling but no Redwing were seen. Two Nuthatch gave themselves away with irate calls in the old oaks, probably disturbed by a squirrel as they are usually quite silent until preparing to nest and guard territory.

Always leaving these until last - a fine Kestrel flew along the river calling angrily and earlier in the morning two Buzzards were seen flying together against the cloudless sky making use of the forming  thermals.

October 29th 2022 - Survey amongst the wild crops

 The end of October continued the lasting trend with late fruits and late leaf fall. The weather was gradually brightening on 29th after overnight drizzle. Layers on layers of leaves covered the grassy areas but the ground underneath was still firm. The seasonal mud had yet to arrive and hide the thick carpets of acorns. There was no wind to help create the fall of leaves and trees held many red apple varieties and Crab Apples especially were set to provide a feast for wildlife over the coming months. Sugars were attracting flying insects, with crowds of midges thronging the riverside soon to be consumed by small birds both visitors and residents . It was very quiet apart from Robins singing loudly, already preparing their chosen territories. Ivy was flowering with berries appearing too. Record numbers of Rose hips and Hawthorn berries have been ripening too. October is always a time of transition but this year the change from autumn to winter has been hesitant, even erratic, The last days of October had been dry underfoot with the land clearly capable of absorbing much water. Suddenly on the last day, the forecast was 'Severe Weather Later' and sure enough the rain came:

A view of the river - suddenly flowing fast after the first rain. 

This was in early November and the sun didn't last long.

Back to October 29th with wildlife here well adapted over the summer and the slow autumn to take advantage of whatever was available from day to day. House Sparrows are masters of adaption and today there were several gatherings along the riverside singing loudly as soon as the sun appeared (70). Others had dropped down onto the brambles to feed on the blackberries, most little more than bunches of seeds.

A group of ten Starlings flew together from roof to roof then away, their morning bathing routine completed. Blackbirds (14) flew down onto the shady grass from the undergrowth whilst Robins could be heard and seen all along the riverside some singing loudly,  each in its own space (39). Woodpigeons (28) were mostly perching high up in the Oak canopies, initially to capture the first sun whilst magpies (9) caused a stir calling and chasing each other as squirrels were few in number, not creating much competition in this landscape of plenty. Carrion Crows were calling loudly however (7) always on the defensive. Also very audible, a crowd of 49 Herring Gulls were heading for school grounds nearby.  Three Jays were seen in different trees, there are always more than allow themselves to be spotted, at least 10 in the area, unlike Nuthatches which are now starting to make themselves heard again after a quiet summer, one was seen on this day calling loudly. Keeping well away from most other birds here, Jackdaws have formed their own community claiming certain trees as their habitat- but this is not one of their chosen places and normally they are just seen flying over. Only one was seen  today calling the others.

 41 Blue ts  and 13 Great ts were very active, the latter mostly in the pines seeking out insects in the sun.

Close to these were 6 restless Goldcrests, far quicker than the larger birds.

Long-tailed ts seem to have done well this year with family groups exploring the woodland, (8) today.

Only 7 wrens were seen, most singing or calling very short calls from the banks and a single silent Dunnock foraged along the path just before a close flypast by a Bullfinch. Finally - it was good to see a Grey Wagtail in it's usual habitat flying over the shady steep sided river. 

That was the last of the small birds but the star of today's survey were the larger birds - a Kestrel flew in to perch on the top of of an Ash tree, clearly visible now that the leaves have fallen - then a Red Kite was seen drifting slowly North West after circling above. 

Abundant Choices - the Survey for 28th September 2022

 Wednesday 28th September 2022 was a fine day with a cool start,  probably the coldest morning so far this autumn. Small faint clouds wafted across the blue sky in a gentle breeze. It was shady under the Oaks, with branches still weighed down with acorns, but more underfoot. Insects crowded onto the new nettle leaves which had sprung up after the heatwave had accelerated the drying out of the first growth. Rose hips in large bunches were covered in glistening spider webs linking roses and nettles. Field Maple leaves were still green but decked with dry golden winged seeds, ready for the first windstorm. Crab apples were assuming a uniform colour now and will turn from orange to red for the winter. The brambles had succeeded in producing very mixed bunches of blackberries unattractive to humans  - all the more for wildlife at present and during the winter.

A Speckled Wood butterfly easily overlooked feasting on the

rather unappetising (to humans) profusion of berries but perfect for 

insects and birds.

Speckled Wood butterflies were still a common sight during September, with five seen today and five Large White butterflies too but on the grasses in the sun. Two Southern Hawker Dragonflies were seen patrolling the banks.

Clumps of fresh Fleabane were showing good flowers which had gone to seed, hopefully generating many new plants to attract more insects such as butterflies next year. Unfortunately the heatwaves this year did not allow the first flowers to survive, the petals being singed off before seeds could develop.

It was good to see that insects were attracted to this 'autumn' flowering however.

The first bird this morning was a Grey Heron flying across the river, then two Blackbirds were seen on the shady damp grass under the trees with a third in the undergrowth (3). Passing by the well-hidden but often audible Starling Roost the sound today easily matched the sounds from the nearby school playing fields during break. There were 9 starlings seen but many more well hidden amongst the dense vegetation. Noisy Magpies were chasing competitors in the tree canopy all along the river (10 seen) with mostly immobile Woodpigeons (30) cooing from the old oaks, with old feathers drifting down from their nests, some still in use.  Keeping their distance were 4 Carrion Crows in their usual lookout tree, observing every slight movement below. Four Herring Gulls were seen heading towards the school for break time whilst two Jackdaws flew out from the woods. Further across a field three Roe Deer were quietly browsing on the grass, undisturbed by construction activity not far away. Not a rare sight here,

but not as common as in the past. 

Throughout the morning there was some very impressive birdsong from the small birds with some first 'early winter' song from Robins despite some noise from the construction site, with numbers increasing this month (29). Wrens were starting to sing too but only 6 present today. House Sparrows were calling, flying from the tangled bushes into the sun in good numbers (30). Blue and Great ts, 18 and 7

were not as vocal yet but active in the Ivies, Oaks, Blackthorn  and Hollies. There were no large groups of Goldfinches heard  but 5 were seen. There were probably large groups forming to feed on the grass seeds in the meadows but they are easily disturbed by the shadow of a Sparrowhawk flying across! One Treecreeper was seen on a Willow trunk and two Nuthatch, one calling on the same trunk of an old Oak.

It was good to see a Chiffchaff and to hear a contact call from another close by whilst a Great-Spotted Woodpecker was seen near the top of an old pine, still and silent, watching. A single Goldcrest was seen in a nearby pine fast-foraging. It was now becoming quite breezy, with dark clouds approaching but still sunny.

Finally a Red Kite was seen flying westward above the tree canopy.

Now observations from

September 2022

(note these are not surveys but just noted en route)

1st September - flock of Greylags Geese seen and heard flying over

2nd - Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaffs, Goldfinches

(3rd  - House Martins and nests in TOWN CENTRE)

4th - Robins singing everywhere in full plumage

5th - Giant Thunderstorm at night. Robins joined by singing Wrens

7th - another overnight thunderstorm - river higher and flowing faster

8th - Overnight torrential rain and another am. Birds quickly resumed their song.

9th - Moorhen flapping and paddling in river, Robins.

11th - Robins, Wrens, 2 Nuthatch calling, 2 Brown Hawker Dragonflies, 2 Common Darter dragonflies, many Large White butterflies, 2 Brimstone, spiralling Speckled Woods

13th- Robins, Goldfinches and flock of 40 Starlings

14th - Herring Gulls, Robins, House sparrows, Goldfinches, Moorhen in river, (calmer conditions) Grey Wagtail juvenile across along river

16th - Common Buzzard Robins, Nuthatch, Wrens

21st - Common Hawker Dragonfly, Grey Heron fishing in River

22nd - Robins, Moorhen River flowing well, Southern Hawker dragonfly, Migrant Hawker dragonfly

25th - Southern Hawker dragonfly Speckled Woods, Nuthatch loud, Dunnock 3 

29th - Common Buzzard 

30th - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff 2, Sparrowhawk, Southern Hawker dragonfly.

 

A Summary of the whole of August 2022 - Heatwave 2

 One heatwave is enough for one year but August suddenly became very hot again, and the heat lasted longer but thankfully less severe.

The month began with drizzle and breezy but with a foreboding Red Moon on 7th heralding the return of the hot weather bringing out the Grasshoppers, Crickets, ants and bees from their nests in the dry sloping ground. Jays were seen investigating the thousands of young acorns in the old Oaks. On 11th it became very hot with a yellow sun which continued the following day with the humidity down to 24%, very dry for West Sussex. Common Darter dragonflies were out. In normal summer weather they usually choose the driest stoney paths on which to bask and warm up.

 Young House Sparrows were performing their first 'Singing Together' chorus in the hedgerows since fledging.

The atmospheric pressure fell on the 14th and it remained very oppressive in continuing heat the following day. On 16th, after eight days  the heatwave collapsed and gave way to very welcome rain in the dark morning with House Sparrows remaining under cover in the thunder and lightning that followed. As the rain cleared it was good to see that the river was running faster, with a brilliant view of a Kingfisher flying low over the water. Blackbirds appeared along the river banks, foraging in the wet undergrowth. The next day, bird activity was remarkable with all the usual summer birds reappearing as it started to rain again. Chiffchaffs were calling to each other and the mid afternoon temperature had fallen to 18 degrees C.

On the 18th a Kingfisher appeared, calling and flying fast heading south along the fresh river, the water level having risen slightly again. There were more birds, including three Dunnock on the path. Fine drizzle continued on 19th with bright Hawthorn berries glistening on bankside trees.

Hawthorn berries remained on the trees

The sight of red Hawthorn berries here is quite unusual as normally they are plundered by wildlife before reaching ripeness every summer, as are often the first berries to appear in the summer.

On 22nd and 23rd there was more reassuring drizzle with active Jays, Speckled Woods and Large and Small White butterflies along the banks - and more rain on 25th. On 26th a Southern Hawker dragonfly was active, and several Gatekeeper butterflies seen amongst the newly flowering Fleabane.

By the end of August it was back to normal along the river with Sparrowhawks hunting again.

The End of August - the survey two weeks after Heatwave 2

 August 2022 recovering at last. By mid August there had been over a week of Heatwave days, making it  an unprecedented summer. It was encouraging to watch the return of normality along the river.

Wednesday 31st August 2022 was mostly sunny but with light cloud and a northerly breeze. The grasses were greening but the paths very dry. Aircraft contrails crossed the sky. Most of the leaves yellowed by the heat had fallen into the lear running water, forming a very green and fresh landscape. It was neither hot nor cold. Woodpigeons (37) were still nesting and cooing amongst the high branches with Rosa canine hips towering above through which Great Spotted Woodpecker holes were now visible, unoccupied, with loud juveniles exploring new territories. Other tree trunks could be seen with attempts at 'drilling' where the woodpecker had given up and moved to more favourable sites.

A loud low helicopter sent the Woodpigeons off, they returned only after the aircraft had double back to investigate my presence,  then lost interest. The wooded area over the meander in the river was thronged with Speckled Wood butterflies amongst ripe bitten sloes, Blackberries and apples. The long grasses, growing in a mix of shade and sun were full of insects, many small grasshoppers and various ant species and grass moths. Most of the fruits were still on the trees, it being far too early for the usual autumn ripeness.

One early windfall, still green

Numbers of birds were quite low, but not unusual for this time of the year. Woodpigeons were the second most numerous, only because they were still nesting and vocal (37) whilst Carrion Crows, never enough to form a flock, were audible but only 6 were seen.. Magpies (12) were quite audible with quarrelsome juveniles and only two Herring Gulls were flying over. Three Starlings were seen, calling.

The most numerous were the finches, not unexpected-  after all they are hot-weather birds, their main source of food being seeds. House Sparrows were fewer in number than usual but visible in their usual habitat, dense hedges and bramble bushes (41) whilst there were at least 50 Goldfinches in a 'charm', a loose flock flying together across the path from the shady Oaks to the meadow full of seeding grasses and Dock where they dropped down to feed. A Sparrowhawk whizzed across and set them up, but there was no catch for the hawk, the numbers must have confused it. Later it was seen again, perhaps trying to hunt single birds but they all kept together. A second Sparrowhawk (2) was seen approaching but turned away.

Over the same meadow, a Common Buzzard was seen heading south, across the A road. The area often has good conditions for raptors using the thermals as soon as the sun rises and when there's a prevailing wind, conditions are good for take-off and landing. Two juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard in the dense shade of the trees, Oaks and Field Maple close to the river.

Of the small birds, only 6 wrens were seen, some calling very short calls, 33 Blue ts and 8 Great ts along the shady river bank trees, with two Blackbirds foraging in the undergrowth. A single Nuthatch was seen in trees nearby, silent.  Robins (7) along the river were making a gradual reappearance but silent, and our summer visitors the Chiffchaffs (4) were still about, making contact calls with others about to leave on migration to their winter habitat, or maybe they'll stay here, some always do.

Speckled Wood butterflies were the second most numerous butterflies with Large White butterflies easily the most numerous everywhere, in sun and shade. Small White butterflies were seen too.

Common Darter dragonflies were seen chasing across a pond with some basking in the sun on the gravel path. A Common Blue Damselfly was seen on aquatic plants on the edge of the same pond  where tall leaves caught the sun in an otherwise shady environment. Lastly a Southern Hawker dragonfly was was seen patrolling the river bank at head height, observing closely.

A summary of the whole of August follows in the next post.