31 Mar 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

10.0°C > 12.0°C: A morning of three halves: early low cloud with very light drizzle; a clearance and some sun c.08:15; then medium overcast. Light south-westerly breeze. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:47 BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

A small arrival of Blackcaps at both the lake and The Flash. Slightly surprising as they would have had to battle yesterday's stiff breeze.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:45 – 07:00 // 08:05 – 09:40

(75th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- no Grey Herons today.
- on several occasions recently I have seen the Great (White) Egret take to the air and fly North over the new(ish) estate, only to return (I presume the same bird!) a few minutes later. Puzzling behaviour.
- the sky was an unrelieved grey with little contrast to see any early passing Jackdaws and Rooks.
- a Willow Warbler was seen in the same area as one has been heard singing for the last three days. Strangely this bird was not heard to sing.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair flew East
- 11 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 6 Jackdaws
- no Rooks

Counts from the lake area:
- 6 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 9 (8♂) Mallard
- 8 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens only
- *26 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes again
- no gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- no Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Hirundines etc. noted:

None. Somewhat surprising on a cloudy day

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (0) Willow Warbler
- 13 (13) Chiffchaffs
- *5 (5) Blackcaps

On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:

Flies etc.:
- *several fungus gnats one perhaps of the genus Bolitophila.
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
- *possible Fever-flies Dilophus febrilis
- many species of unidentified fly

Beetles:
- *1 unidentified weevil

Earwigs
- *1 Common European Earwig Forficula dentata

Spiders:
- *1 Stout Sac Spider Clubiona sp.
- *$1 crab spider Diaea dorsata
- *1 Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica

Of note around the area later:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only

Flies:
- *1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]

The brief burst of sunshine provided a dramatic vista. Looking north-west from the dam.

And here looking south-west.

One for cloud fans. This is part of a wide panorama photo on my phone camera and as a result the lamp pole leans. If I straighten the pole the dam has a severe incline and the water flows out!

A Coot takes to the wing with feet tucked up. Note the red mark at the top of the legs – not often visible. Note the pale, nay white, in the flight feathers. Is the pale on the inner- or outer-webs of the feathers? It is hard to tell.

On the outer flight feathers (the primaries) it seems it is the inner webs that are pale. Still difficult to be sure about the inner flight feathers.

One of four male Blackcaps I heard singing this morning.

They will soon be able to hide behind the leaves so we had better look while we can.

A Song Thrush with an unusually(?) rufous cap.

A pair of Grey Wagtails, the female upper left with the pale throat.

I think this is one of the many species of fungus gnat. I cannot decide whether there is shading on the wings or it is the abdomen markings that are showing through. Either way it does not help me identify it. I don't think there are hairs at the side of the abdomen. It is holding its legs parallel to its body and it seems to be spurs on the legs that look like abdomen hairs.

My thoughts here are that these are likely to be a pair of Fever-flies Dilophus febrilis.

This looks to be a delicate crane-fly type with oversize wings. There is a suggestion this could also be a fungus gnat, this of the genus Bolitophila. I can only find a photo of a single dead specimen on the internet which is not helpful.

This tiny 'fly' is frustrating me as I am sure I ought to know at least the family to which it belongs. It is not easy to make out but note: the strongly banded antennae; and the delicately patterned wings held tent-wise over its back.

A fly I can (almost) identify: one of the 100 or so species of moth fly Psychodidae sp.

A weevil. I can't be more specific. Obsidentify's best suggestion was a species of Caddis Fly! Google Lens suggested Vine Weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus. Reference to NatureSpot suggests that is wrong as the Vine Weevil is 10mm (about twice the size of this individual) with adults not emerging until Summer.

Raising the end of its abdomen and pincers in threat is a Common European Earwig Forficula dentata. The pronounced curve to the pincers suggests this is a male.

The distinctive shape to the end of the abdomen identifies this as one of the Stout Sac Spiders from the genus Clubiona. The "boxing glove" palps identify it as a male.

Not easy to see this small (<5mm) crab spider with green legs and metathorax against the lichen on the street lamp pole. At the time I was not sure I was taking a photo of anything other than debris! The abdomen is patterned brown with pale edges. It is Diaea dorsata and a new species for me.

A Walnut Orb Weaver spider Nuctenea umbratica

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Flies
- numerous midges

Arthropods:
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:05 – 08:00

(73rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- *a visiting adult Mute Swan was soon chased away
- *what I assume are were the same pair of (Common) Teal were noted at the top end.
- at least four Siskins it trees at the top end.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw

Noted on / around the water:
- 27 Canada Geese
- 6 Greylag Geese
- *3 Mute Swans: a visitor – for a while!
- 23 (18♂) Mallard
- *2 (1♂) (Common) Teal
- 17 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens only
- 25 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (3) Blackcaps

Of note around the area:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- 1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- 1 unidentified bumblebee seen in flight only

Flies:
- 2 male plumed midges Chironomus plumosus

Mute Swan interlopers not welcome. "I'm going!"

The pair of (Common) Teal get on with the job of sifting breakfast. The drake in the foreground.

A Song Thrush poking about the side of the Wesley Brook. It appears to be collecting nesting material rather than food. The crown of this individual looks much less rufous than the bird I photographed at the Balancing Lake.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
13 Cormorants
4 Greylag Geese
22 Tufted Duck
5 Sand Martins
6 Redwings
8 Chiffchaffs
>500 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
50 Tufted Ducks
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
6 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
7 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
1 Pochard
42 Tufted Ducks
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Mediterranean Gull.
Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull
>1500 Black-headed Gulls
2 Redwings
65 Magpies
25 Siskins
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
6 Swans
2 Pochard
85 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
3 Buzzards
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebe
4 Gadwall
36 Tufted Duck
c.160 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe
3 Greylag Geese
32 Tufted Duck

Trench
1 Cormorant
43 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
Little Ringed Plover
1 Cormorant
1 Mallard x Pintail
18 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Kittiwake
33 Wren
29 Robin
24 Blackbird
3 Chiffchaff
39 Magpie
3 Greenfinch
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
8 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
27 Tufted Duck
1 Snipe
3 Chiffchaff
2 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Barn Owl
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Shoveler
30 Tufted Ducks
2 Water Rails
321 Wood Pigeons
2 Skylarks
5 Meadow Pipits
33 Wrens
21 Robins
21 Blackbirds
1 Fieldfare
3 Redwings
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
18 Greenfinches
8 Siskins
1 Linnet
6 Reed Buntings
1 Yellowhammer.
(Ed Wilson)

30 Mar 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

7.0°C > 9.0°C: Some clear spells with plenty of cloud as well. A light shower as I was departing. Fresh north-westerly breeze. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:49 BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:55 – 07:05 // 08:10 – 09:55

(74th visit of the year)

New bird species:

An addition to my 2026 bird species list for this site: at least two House Martins were heard (and then photographed) in with Sand Martins over the water c.09:15. Species #73 here this year and my earliest date since 2016 (26 March that year).

Other bird notes:
- the Great (White) Egret arrived at 06:16 but today was beaten as the first bird seen in flight by two of the local Common Buzzards leaving a roost.
- two Grey Herons were sparring c.06:25. Several other sightings of one and two birds are assumed to relate to these two.
- two tight groups of Jackdaws, each of c.30(?) birds, flew outbound in the far distance more or less concurrently. Five minutes later a large open group of at least 200 flew by. No Rooks were seen in any of these groups with just two noted later.
- for the third day a Willow Warbler was heard singing in more or less the same spot along the North side. It is several years since this species stayed to breed here with most birds passing through. The main passage is usually about a week away.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair flew East
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair flew East
- 18 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; singles
- >250 Jackdaws: see notes
- 2 Rooks
- 1 Siskin again

Counts from the lake area:
- 9 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Tufted Duck only
- 8 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly
- *2 Cormorant: arrived separately
- *2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Hirundines etc. noted:
- >6 Sand Martins
- *1 Barn Swallow
- *2 House Martins

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler: see notes
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps once more

On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
too breezy?

Flies etc.:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus

Of note around the area later:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- *1 male Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva
- *1 possible male Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrena flavipes
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only

Hoverflies:
- *1 male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax

Other flies:
- *1 root-maggot fly, Anthomyia procellaris or similar
- *1 possible Fannia mollissima.
- *1 Greenbottle Lucilia-type
- *1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- plus several unidentified flies

Not a sunrise to get excited about.

The second of this morning's Cormorants arriving. An immature – white on the belly.

One of the Grey Herons seen today.

Well: you can tell it is a Barn Swallow.

Record shot! Definitely two House Martins showing their white rumps (and not much else) here.

The tubby-looking appearance is sufficient to ID this as a House Martin. Confirmation is the lack of breast band that would indicate a Sand Martin and the shallow 'V' of the tail that rules out Barn Swallow.

In the shelter of the fresh wind and where there had been some sun I found a surprising range of insects considering the ambient temperature was still below 10°C. The chill was probably why they were all sitting around and easy to approach. This seems to be a male Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva. The female is larger, has a banded, tawny abdomen, black legs and lacks the white moustache.

I am not sure about this other mining bee. The ginger moustache and the light banding on the abdomen suggest it could be a male Yellow-legged Mining Bee A. flavipes. Only the, again larger, female has an obvious yellow brush on her legs that gives the species its name.

A male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax. Not a bee as it has short antennae. A male because the eyes meet (as is common in fly species)

This is a root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris or similar

Obsidentify suggested (100%) that this is also a root-maggot fly. I am not convinced...

...from the other side either.

A fly taking a rest (I thought it was a female ichneumon at first but that is a leg and not an ovipositor sticking out beyond the end of its abdomen.) There is a faint chequerboard pattern on the abdomen and the halteres look to be yellow. This suggests it may be one of the Fannia group and possibly F. mollissima.

A Greenbottle Lucilia-type. There are many "greenbottles", not all in this genus.

As I recall this is my first moth fly Psychodidae sp. of the year. This group of c.100 species are also known as Drain Flies or Owl Flies. They are not specifically identifiable from photos.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 08:05

(72nd visit of the year)

New bird species:
Two additions to my 2026 bird species list for this site:
- a Marsh Tit was singing near the academy and moving quickly through along with a small group of Coal Tits.
- my first Willow Warbler of the year here was singing in bushes alongside the small playground area – this seems to be a popular spot as it is where I usually hear one first most years.
Species #59 and #60 here this year.

Other bird notes:
- more Tufted Duck today. Perhaps some were birds moved off the Balancing Lake yesterday by the sailing club's activities.
- no Siskins noted today.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair flew North
- 1 Herring Gull: adult
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; separately

Noted on / around the water:
- 22 Canada Geese
- 8 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 19 (16♂) Mallard
- 21 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots yet again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap again

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus

Give us a song Mr. Wren.

Open wide.

Wider!

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing
1 Blackcap
7 Chiffchaffs
197 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
42 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Horsehay Pool
Mandarin Ducks
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )

The Flash
46 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
Raven
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Swallow
14 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
20 Redwing
4 Siskins
2 Linnet
9 Greenfinch
4 Reed Bunting
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Willow Tit
(Martin R Adlam)

29 Mar 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 7.0°C: Medium-level cloud apart from a sliver of clear sky to the East pre-dawn giving a good sunrise. Very light south-westerly breeze, increasing moderate. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:52 BST

All times now BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:05 – 07:25 // 08:35 – 09:55

(72nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- back to six Great Crested Grebes.
- the Great (White) Egret was the first bird I saw in flight today: it arrived at 06:25.
- Sand Martins kept 'appearing' and 'disappearing' again. Eight was my highest count though almost certainly more passing through.
- as yesterday a Willow Warbler was heard singing just once along the North side as I made by first circuit.
- a single Starling seen again.
- a Mistle Thrush was from trees singing alongside and while it was doing so two other birds went chasing down Teece Drive. It is a while since I hears or saw this species in the Teece Drive area: recent sightings have been alongside Teece Drive.
- a pair of Grey Wagtails was seen on the dam-face. It is several weeks since I last saw any here.
- one of three singing(!) Greenfinches was also seen doing its bat-like display flight.
- after singing from several different locations any Reed Bunting have gone quiet. Have they failed to find any mate and moved on? Or are these often quiet birds getting on with breeding?

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 11 Canada Geese: three pairs flew East; one pair and a trio flew West.
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; together
- c.120 Jackdaws: of these c.100 flew past in one very loose formation.
- 5 Rooks
- 1 Siskin

Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese: of these a pair throughout; a pair and a trio arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (7♂) Mallard
- *8 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- *6 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
- *1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Hirundines etc. noted:
- *>8 Sand Martins

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler as usual
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler: see notes
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again

On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
It had only recently clouded after an earlier frost so just...

Flies etc.:
- *1 unidentified fungus gnat

Of note around the area later:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only

Plants:
- *Marsh Marigold (aka Kingcups) Caltha palustris

Mainly cloudy but a thin strip of clear sky to the East led to a sunrise worth getting out of bed (early). These landscape format photos come from my Samsung mobile phone.

Colouring up well.

Maximum colour – and I toned this down!

This is what my "big camera" made of the early sunrise.

Maximum colour.

And now the sun rises.

Four drake and one duck Tufted Duck go for a fly-about. The leading drake has his tuft flying in the breeze.

 And heading back.

A duck leads two drakes, one with tuft flying in the breeze.

Great Crested Grebes displaying early.

A Cormorant tries, reasonably successfully, to hide.

A Sand Martin. Note the breast band.

Another. As I have commented in previous years Sand Martins (and other species of hirundine) only descend low-enough to photograph in poor weather when there is not-enough light for crisp photos.

A Blue Tit posing.

Apologies: I included this to show that the throat of female Grey Wagtails is (usually) pale whereas...

...the male has dark in the throat.

Here he hides his throat but shows his long tail. This species has a longer tail than Pied Wagtail and it is pumped more vigorously.

This insect on a street lamp pole pre-dawn has many of the hallmarks of a fungus gnat. The hairs sticking out of the abdomen are a puzzle as I cannot match them with any photos on NatureSpot.

Just one flower of Marsh Marigolds, (or Kingcups) Caltha palustris was showing this morning. Almost tow weeks earlier than last year though it may take some days for a significant number of flowers to appear.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Flies:
- *1 male small plumed midge

Arthropods:
- *1 Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus

Spiders:
- *1 unidentified small spider

A male of the smaller (and unidentified) midge species.

Compare with this large male of the plumed midge Chironomus plumosus [this was actually taken at The Flash].

A Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus. The banded appearance is the best identification feature of this species.

A small spider I cannot identify. None of the suggestions from Obsidentify or Google Lens check out with photos on NatureSpot. The well-marked legs suggest it is likely one of the Long-jawed Orb-web Spiders of the Metellina group.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:30 – 08:30

(71st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- both Mute Swans noted though never together.
- the recent (Common) Teal were not seen.
- one Siskin at least still in the area.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:

None

Noted on / around the water:
- 31 Canada Geese: of these a trio arrived.
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 25 (22♂) Mallard
- 13 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- more male and female plumed midges Chironomus plumosus

A Blue Tit here as well.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
31 Tufted Duck
3 Redwings
5 Sand Martins
7 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
49 Tufted Ducks
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
Iceland Gull
(John Isherwood and et al)

The Flash
1 Shoveler
2 Pochard
(John Isherwood)

Horsehay Pool
2 Mandarin Ducks
(Paul Spear)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
16 Tufted Duck
2 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
47 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Red-legged Partridges
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
Sand Martins
7 Gadwall
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
6 Skylarks
1 Fieldfare
3 Redwings
Lapwing
Green Woodpecker
14 Linnets.
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
Barn Owl
25 Sand Martins
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
47 Redwings
4 Meadow Pipits
12 Tufted Duck
4 Jays
433 Wood Pigeons
(Ed Wilson)