Rare April Showers unseen - our Meet on April 24th 2022

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

Heavy overnight rain showers preceded our Meet on 24th April leaving the earth fresh and vegetation damp, perfect for foraging birds which are nesting all along the banks and riverside trees. Common birds were all seen and heard: Nuthatch, Blackcap, Robins, Blue ts, Great Ts, Dunnock, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds Song Thrush, House Sparrows and Woodpigeons. It was agreed, comparing notes, that at least one Red Kite is now an established visitor to our area, flying in from the West across the A24. Common Buzzards and Kestrels have been around for many years.

This Crab Apple tree has produced fruits since it was planted a

few years ago and surprised us with its late ripening bright red fruits

much loved by Blackbirds. a reliable source of sustenance in late

winter when food is scarce. Last autumn fruits were taken very fast by 

winter migrants due to a general scarcity everywhere but Blackbirds 

were still finding fruits high up in this tree in spring.

It has much more blossom this year and was the first tree to flower.

With the good weather this year came the litter, dropped at random by picnic

groups, walkers and those taking exercise. However the turnout to deal with

the problem was excellent and pristine verges were left to the butterflies,

particularly Orange Tips at present, with their food plant, Cuckooflower, flowering

very well so far this Spring.

Please note that our May meet will be held a week early, on Sunday 22nd May 2022

to allow for extended holidays and Jubilee celebrations at the beginning of June.

British Summertime Begins 2022

 OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE

British Summertime began on Sunday 27th March this year, with many signs of Spring rather than summer. It was a cloudy, cool start becoming warmer later, with a North Easterly wind. Robins and Dunnock were singing strongly and Nuthatches were calling from the Oaks. A Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' nearby.

There was plenty of rubbish and litter, spread by those enjoying the previous run of fine days and a bicycle and small scooter, long submerged in the river were hauled out, the river level being low enough to see them. 

The new hedgerow plants, planted two weeks before by volunteers, together with those planted a year ago also by volunteers, were inspected and found to be doing very well, all coming into leaf, although very small when planted.

The wild Blackthorn hedges all have spectacular blossom this year;

it's usually the first hedgerow plant to blossom, well before its

leaves appear. 

Hopefully there will be no severe frosts this spring to destroy it as the fruits in autumn are a main food source for many birds, both residents and migrants in the winter, together with our diverse inhabitants, the small mammals. Last year there was a dearth of fruits, seeds and nuts just about everywhere in the countryside - we are hoping for a far better year.