After the Rain

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife here, click on

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Our December Meet was on Sunday 22nd December 2019. There was no rain and there was some welcome sunlight after a few days of high river levels following intermittent bursts of heavy rainfall on already saturated land.  We were able to meet at our usual place and gather a good haul of litter and rubbish despite restricted access to some floodplain areas. We are now distributing new leaflets about the Group to local residents. 

See NEXT MEET for details.

Here's our banner which is displayed where we meet off Hills Farm Lane

on the scheduled Sunday morning.

Singing in the dark and damp

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

To find out more about the wildlife here with records for every month 

click on

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

The day of our  NOVEMBER Meet was on Sunday 24th 2019, a dark and damp day, rather misty but with no rain. It was very good to hear two song thrushes singing very loudly some distance apart but close enough to hear each other clearly. A nuthatch was also calling loudly from an Oak.

Looking back to this time last year - 2018 - the first date for winter-singing song thrushes was 3rd December here. Perhaps more traditional autumn weather this year has encouraged wildlife to establish winter territories where there is at present abundant food.

Many trees retained their bright autumn foliage but it would not be 

long before they would be swept away by quite savage winds and

heavy rainfall. The ground was already becoming saturated. Trees were planted here several years ago when it was observed that the terrain became bog-like after rain. There is still space to plant more here too. The young woodland looks after itself, another advantage!

A Fine Day at Last and- Summer Time has ended

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

To find Nature Notes and records for wildlife - click on:

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Our October meet was held on 27th October, on a cold but clear calm and sunny day. Although it had rained a lot during October and the ground was muddy, the river did not overflow its banks. Watching the Arun Valley water levels throughout the spring and summer it was clear that rainfall had not been excessive and preceding months had been quite dry, the rain refreshing the topsoil buy not sinking in to replenish underground supplies.

Birds were very active but winter migrants were still very scarce.

Most flowering plants had gone to seed by the end of October

but one or two remained on warm banks. This is probably a Spear thistle or Scotch thistle, the only plant still flowering, attracting late insects. Flowering Ivy in the sun elsewhere was attracting many other insects. Berry and fruit-bearing plants all along the river will soon be spotted by hungry migrant thrushes when they arrive on our shores.

Serious Showers

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife - click on

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

September 2019 produced very welcome rainfall mostly in the form of erratic showers and sunny intervals with morning and evening temperatures gradually falling with the lengthening nights.

Rainfall provided the land and wildlife with essential moisture and encouraged late growth, important for hibernating small mammals, amphibians and insects such as butterflies.

Over September many flowers and grasses had already gone to seed but showers meant that some growth of grasses and wild flowers was extended:

Flowering plants of the Asteraceae family together with several 

other grass and flowering species flourish as a green sward even 

in autumn, benefitting insects, birds and mammals. Mowing, cutting,

or treating this would destroy all species and leave the ground either

as dry brown cracked mud or washed away into the river.

The wind and the rain in the early morning of our scheduled meet on 29th September 2019 and the poor forecast of driving continuous rain meant a last-minute plan had to be made to postpone our meet.

Nevertheless work continued where possible throughout the days to come, with much work already achieved over previous weeks

Hopefully the weather on our next meet, on 27th October 2019 will allow work to take place as scheduled.

   

A Welcome Deluge in August 2019

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

TO FIND NATURE NOTES AND RECORDS FOR WILDLIFE - CLICK ON

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Our meet on 18th August 2019 coincided with a deluge of rain which lasted all morning. It was impossible not to get soaked, even the massive oaks could not provide sufficient shelter from the heavy rain. For wildlife it presented a welcome change, as previous showers had not soaked into the ground.

House sparrows delighted in the downpour, continuing to sing loudly from hedges. Later they would be bathing on shallow banks in the faster-flowing river and drying off in the late sun.

The August Meet had been brought forward to avoid the Bank Holiday weekend which meant the accumulation of litter and rubbish since the July meet was minimal.

Early berries.

By the middle of August early berries were ripening fast , with signs of a bumper crop for winter migrant birds. The Guelder Rose berries were especially quick to ripen;  their vivid colours would be lasting well into the winter, attracting birds flying over and along the course of the river. Years ago our Group had planted Guelder Rose whips together with a variety of other plants along parts of the river banks which were in danger of collapse and erosion, as their root systems bind and stabilise the soil. The berries were a bonus for wildlife.

A Hot 'Rainforest' July

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife - click on

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

July 2019 proved to be a record month in many ways, triggered by the heat, in combination with rain.

Our July Meet was on 28th, not long after the 'Hottest Day Ever' but fortunately it had cooled down somewhat. An early start was made to avoid the heat of the day - and what was probably a record lack of litter and rubbish in the area meant an early finish! It proved that most people had not rushed out into the sun during the heatwave but wisely followed the example of wildlife and sought out the coolest  place, then stayed put.

The rapid growth of riverside plants, wild flowers and grasses was probably another record, very welcome after last year when lack of rain stunted growth and caused plants to go to seed far sooner than they should.

A closed Gatekeeper butterfly on fresh Bramble leaves

waiting for the sun…

There has been a record number of these butterflies this year - they emerged just as their favoured nectar plants, mostly with yellow flowers such as Fleabane,  began to open. Yes it's a record year for Common Fleabane too! These plants have only appeared here in recent years and each year a few more are seen.

 Another favoured plant of course is the Bramble, of which there are several different species to choose from along the riverside and verges.

A Green June

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

TO FIND NATURE NOTES AND RECORDS FOR WILDLIFE - click on:

Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation

Our June meet was held on Sunday 30th June 2019 when conditions were good, with a cooler day than  the previous day when temperatures in the region reached 30 degs.C.

We noted the remarkable growth which has taken place since our May meet with a huge increase in the numbers and diversity of wild flowers, wild grasses and fruits. Fortunately there has been more rainfall this spring and summer than last year - and hopefully this will continue, given the warm temperatures. 

A bee on flowering bramble, with young fruits appearing on the same branch as new flower buds.

Conservation in May

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife - click on

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Our meet in May was on Sunday 19th May, brought forward to avoid the Bank Holiday - but May is always a very busy month, with a variety of conservation activities taking place throughout the month. Most of this is observation only as no activities that endanger or disturb nesting birds takes place whilst birds are nesting. This includes wildlife in general. 

Apart from everyday (yes!) litter and rubbish removal in various locations, checks on new growth of invasive species took place and were reported.  Checks on tree protection (both young and old trees) were made and  unseasonable works reported. Group members replaced stakes on young trees where recently broken or damaged.

May has been a spectacular month for wild flowers - see HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 

The daisies and dandelions here covered swaths of grass on the riverside and were allowed to flourish

for a while longer than usual before scheduled tractor mowing took place. We hope that new wildlife protection and pollinator-protection schedules and extents for contractors will soon be drawn up and agreed. 

Brilliant Blossom in April

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

To find Nature Notes and records for Wildlife - click on:

Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation

Our Meet for April 2019 was held on Sunday 28th, an overcast, cool day, in good conditions.

There were no supermarket trolleys or bicycles in the river for a change, and the amount of litter and rubbish was surprisingly small. We have been watching the riverside bursting into blossom, first with early Blackthorn thickets, then Hawthorn blossom taking its place, together with a succession of fruit tree blossoms. This sequence is perfect for early pollinating insects and for birds attracted to the insect life.

Blossom buds on the riverside on 15th April 2019, about to open, attracting pollinating insects.

Later in the year, well into the winter, birds will feed on the fruits.

Butterflies seen on the day of our meet were restricted to Speckled Woods which still fly in overcast weather and shady locations. Drake mallards were seen and common whitethroats  (summer migrant warblers) were heard singing. Two very persistent song thrushes were singing very loudly in Ash trees just coming into leaf and a great spotted woodpecker flew over into an old Oak.

Early Spring Flowers thrive in the sun

March has generally been a warm month with plenty of sun although nights have been cold under clear skies.

By 11th March, the first Dandelions were flowering and the first of this months spectacular Blackthorn blossom was flowering too. By 24th March, with most trees just showing leaf buds, the woodland floor was bright and sunny, encouraging Wood anemone to flower. On sunny verges and banks Lesser Celandine was flowering profusely mixed with Wood Anemone in places. It is especially good to see both species appearing in new places along the riverside. With Wood anemone - an indicator of ancient woodland-  this means that the plant roots have probably been there for hundreds of years as the roots spread exceptionally slowly. 

WOOD ANEMONE flowering under a tree on the river bank

Unlike the Wood anemone, Lesser Celandine roots spread and the tubers break off and spread the plant all along the riverside and ditches. As with the Wood anemone, the flowers only open in the bright light of the sun on banks and the woodland floor.

LESSER CELANDINE under trees with a mix of bramble, nettle and others.

The morning of our Meet on 31st March was however overcast but the day gradually brightened up.

There was a cold easterly wind too but chiffchaffs and wrens sang loudly.  It was a day to remember as the first common whitethroats were heard singing on the bank…. They've arrived - it must certainly be spring!

What's New?

On Sunday 24th March, a brilliant spring day,  there was work going on at Highwood near the bridge which connects the North and South sites.

A sculptor, Jon Edgar was working on a stone-carving. You can find out which days he is there:

Go to the Horsham District Council website - year of culture - horsham sculpture.

This photo was taken on 25th March, another fine day.

The carving will be moved to the Landmark Square on the new Highwood Village when finished.

May weather in February

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife - click on:

Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation


Our Meet on 24th February 2019 was productive, with the trolley experts in action again hauling up a long abandoned one from a less accessible location on the bank. After a cool start the day warmed up and it became quite hot in the sun although the landscape was a winter one, with few indications of spring. Just as well, as we are expecting another visit from the Beast from the East which took everyone by surprise in March last year. 

Hazel catkins on mature trees have been brightening the riverside here on the Arun for weeks now. They vary but grow equally well on trees old and young (see previous post) and there were a few more signs of spring today with Willow catkins appearing fast and an extending clump of snowdrops on a bank, close to the Arun:

Flourishing on the steep bank just above water, these are really winter flowers. There hasn't been any significant snow so far this winter but there's still time…

Winter wind chills the riverside

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

To find nature notes and records for wildlife - click on:

HILLS FARM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Our January Meet was held on 27th - in a cold wind but spared the forecast rain. It remained damp from overnight rain, the river fast-flowing but not high. It was good to see chaffinches amongst the Guelder Rose and Dogwood as they have become quite scarce in recent years.

Hazel Catkins have been visible on all the young Hazels for some

time. This young tree is one of several planted in a sheltered place on the meandering river bank where erosion could have caused bank collapse. New roots quickly bind the earth and stabilise it, allowing natural vegetation to grow up around the new trees.

Nuthatches Observe Us

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

To find Nature Notes and Records for Wildlife - click on

Hills Farm Wildlife Conservation

Our Meet for December took place on Sunday 16th, leaving rather a long gap until the next scheduled meet which is on Sunday 27th January 2019.

A list of our scheduled meets for 2019 is now on  the 'NEXT MEET' page.

Fortunately some of the group will be out and about before then. 

On 16th December, the river was higher and faster after rainfall the previous day and night which actually helped three of our group with the difficult task of hauling a large supermarket trolley up the steep banks of the Arun. It was quite cold, with shallow standing water on riverside land and ponds iced over.

Several nuthatches observed us from oaks near our meeting point and called out loudly on our approach. They are birds which establish their territories early in the winter and often commence cavity construction work on adapting chosen sites well before they are needed.

After a few more days of rain, the Arun Valley started to fill and 

water levels rose in rivers in the upper catchment - a good sign of normal

winter weather here.

This is the Arun looking upstream on 21st December 2018.