OUR AIM IS TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE HABITAT IT PROVIDES FOR WILDLIFE ALONG THE RIVERSIDE
Sunday May 22nd 2016 was mostly overcast and becoming warmer. Whilst we worked, a great spotted woodpecker could be heard drumming, which is rather late, as they are usually heard in early spring but this year they have been heard drumming even more recently, in June.
We added another bicycle to our total haul today, found in the river Arun. Our planting is growing fast after near perfect growing weather of frequent showers and intermittent warm sunny days.
Herb Bennet (Geum urbanum) growing well along the river banks and verges.
A member of the rose family, it usually grows in shady places. The name comes from herba benedicta and has been recorded since Roman times as a beneficial herb.
Two days before our meet , on 20th May, several Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies were seen on the nettles, together with large numbers of flying insects over the river. There were a few Orange Tip butterflies, a Brimstone and Holly Blues, some flying high up in the trees. Birds were singing loudly, blackcaps, garden warbler, song thrush, robins, wrens, blackbirds and chiffchaffs. Many birds were seen crossing the river back and forth, flying low- obviously feeding young on the banks - but others such as blue tits and great tits were foraging high in the oak canopies - and a great spotted woodpecker flying over.
