arunwild

It is breezy on this morning’s walk by the Arun, with no mist clinging to the valley as it did two days back. Then the river held seven Goosanders -- classic visitors to the river on mist-ridden days in November. Today’s weather conditions are not propitious. Yet there are four Goosanders in much the same place as two days back, swimming and diving on the straight and narrow stretch of the river opposite the path to Warningcamp. As then, all are immatures or females, their distinctive combination of frosted white and grey topped by rusting brown a welcome sight on an otherwise quiet day. They must be part of the same group and, having been here three days now, may stay a while longer. It has been a good couple of weeks for sightings, with a Cattle Egret on the water meadows by Lyminster, eight Hawfinches in the Rewell, and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in Arundel Park. Best of all, maybe, was yesterday, when on a ridiculously warm and windless late afternoon three ringtail Hen

The valley is cocooned in mist during the morning dog walk, bird calls more important than ever in identifying their presence. Robin numbers have been increasing and today each riverside bush appears to host one, all of them reciting the same sad notes. Cetti’s Warblers are vociferous but even more difficult to see than usual. In the distance a Raven croaks ominously several times, postponing its flight until the mist clears. That will not take long, even in these breezeless conditions. The mist clinging to the riverside earth is already thinning. The Robin in the next bush along is visible, drained of colour but its image sharp. Spider’s webs decorate the reeds and teasels as well as a disintegrating wooden fence, the drops of moisture on the gossamer glinting in the awakening light. Thrushes have been scarce so far this autumn, but a group of at least six Blackbirds are cloistered in the next bush, chuckling and moving occasionally before finally erupting and disappearing in