4.0°C > 9.0°C: Some early low cloud soon burned off. Misty early. A light easterly breeze. Moderate visibility, becoming good.
Sunrise: 05:53 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:30 // 07:40 – 09:45
(99th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- there was a pair of Canada Geese and a pair of Greylag Geese. There was also singles of each which were staying close together as if they might be a mixed pair.
- the cob Mute Swan only had the geese to chase today.
- four Sedge Warblers singing, three in new locations one of which was alongside Teece Drive: very unsuitable
- four Reed Warblers heard.
- Blackcaps continue to be recorded in improbably high numbers. I hope there are many insects about.
- the Lesser Whitethroat was singing from the Ricoh hedge throughout. Still get even a glimpse of this bird!
- two Common Whitethroats were singing at the West end c.05:20. Later just one. A third(?) was singing from inside the Ricoh grounds at c.09:15
- a Garden Warbler was singing very intermittently from the same favoured area as I heard one last Saturday.
- three Starlings were noted flying to & from the estate and the fields.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair flew East
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 4 Wood Pigeons only
nothing else
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: a pair eventually departed after much chasing
- 3 Greylag Geese: a pair arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 8 (7♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: first year, briefly
- *2 Grey Herons
Hirundines etc. noted:
clear skies so only the local nesting birds visited
- 2 Barn Swallows
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- no Willow Warblers
- 16 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Sedge Warblers
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers
- 23 (21) Blackcaps
- 1 (1) Garden Warbler
- 1 (1) Lesser Whitethroat
- 2 (2) Common Whitethroats: ? a third: see notes
On the West end street lamp poles post-dawn:
Nothing in the continuing chilly conditions
Noted around the area later:
[numbers only given for moths and butterflies unless exceptional counts noted]
Despite the drop in the breeze I noted very few insects on the wing before I departed.
Bees, wasps, etc.:
- unidentified mining bee seen too briefly to identify
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
- unidentified mining bee seen too briefly to identify
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
- *Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- *Dead-head Hoverfly Myathropa florea [Common Batman Fly]: another earliest date for me here
- *Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- *Dead-head Hoverfly Myathropa florea [Common Batman Fly]: another earliest date for me here
Damsel- / dragon-flies:
- *Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma naja [Large Redeye]: my first April record of this species
- *Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma naja [Large Redeye]: my first April record of this species
Alder Flies and allies:
- *Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
- *Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
Other flies:
- only a few unidentified flies.
At dawn cloud to the North and clear to the South. It never became totally overcast before starting to break.
More love (or lust) among the Great Crested Grebes. After a brief display they both dived. Sadly only one of them came up with weed and they did not do their full "weed dance" where they rise vertically. As good as it got.
Taken very early before there was much light. The two Grey Herons seemed determined not to see each other.
While waiting fruitlessly for the Lesser Whitethroat to appear two male Greenfinches appeared. Here is one.
My first Dead-head Hoverfly Myathropa florea of the year: a male. Another insect appearing on its earliest date for me.
My first Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma naja of the year and my first-ever April record of this species.
One of at least seven Alder Flies Sialis lutaria on one of their favourite locations – the boxing ring on the dam.
(Ed Wilson)
Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(96th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- my first Mallard ducklings of the year here. Talking later to one of the dog walkers who reported both Moorhen and Coot juveniles also seen yesterday afternoon.
- I did not see any Great Crested Grebes but forgot to look at the nesting platform!
- unexpected was what I presume was yet another Sedge Warbler (my fourth his year). In the same place as I recorded birds on 11 and 13 April. It seems most unlikely the same bird has been involved. Where it has chosen to sing is only a vaguely suitable breeding locations. I have no records of birds nesting here. Investigation is difficult as it is alongside an active Long-tailed Tits nest that I do not want to disturb.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults, together
Noted on / around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese only: more inside the island?
- 2 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- *15 (13♂) + 2 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- ? Great Crested Grebes
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- no Willow Warblers
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 5 (3) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
- only a few unidentified flies.
At dawn cloud to the North and clear to the South. It never became totally overcast before starting to break.
And the other.
Handsome.
Away he goes.
Very few insects still. A Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris.
A male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Probably a female plumed midge Chironomus plumosus also on the boxing ring.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Flies:
- 1 midge
- *1 probable Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- 1 midge
- *1 probable Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
This is one of the Nephrotoma craneflies, probably Spotted Cranefly N. appendiculata. This species has a broad dark stripe down the abdomen which separates it from Tiger Cranefly N. flavescens which has a broken dark stripe down its abdomen. The abdomen is not visible here. Spotted Cranefly is more likely on date and abundance.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:35 – 07:35
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:35 – 07:35
(96th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- my first Mallard ducklings of the year here. Talking later to one of the dog walkers who reported both Moorhen and Coot juveniles also seen yesterday afternoon.
- I did not see any Great Crested Grebes but forgot to look at the nesting platform!
- unexpected was what I presume was yet another Sedge Warbler (my fourth his year). In the same place as I recorded birds on 11 and 13 April. It seems most unlikely the same bird has been involved. Where it has chosen to sing is only a vaguely suitable breeding locations. I have no records of birds nesting here. Investigation is difficult as it is alongside an active Long-tailed Tits nest that I do not want to disturb.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults, together
Noted on / around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese only: more inside the island?
- 2 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- *15 (13♂) + 2 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- ? Great Crested Grebes
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- no Willow Warblers
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 5 (3) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Flies:
- 1 male plumed midges
- *1 wood gnat from the genus Sylvicola
It looks very like a cranefly but is from the closely-related wood gnat genus Sylvicola. The clues are in the smaller size (not always apparent from photos) but notably the relatively long and splayed antennae.
(Ed Wilson)
2014
Nedge Hill
2 Redstart
7 Wheatear
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
(Ian Grant)
2013
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
5 Common Sandpipers
2 Reed Warblers
6 Blackcaps
9 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose
20 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
Long Lane, Wellington
1 Little Ringed Plover
3 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
Lesser Whitethroat
(JW Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
8 Great Crested Grebes
11 Greylag
1 Tufted Duck
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Sedge Warbler
14 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
11 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
17 Tufted Duck
5 Blackcaps
3 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Lapwings
1 Green Woodpecker
6 Skylarks
4 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaffs
9 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
8 Wheatear
28 Fieldfare
2 Whitethroat
(John Isherwood)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Reed Warblers
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Common Sandpipers
1 Tufted Duck
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Trench
8 Tufted Duck
8 Swallows
3 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Linnet
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe
1 Ruddy Duck
4 Common Sandpiper
3 Swift
32 House Martin
3 Swallow
3 Reed Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Garden Warbler
6 Blackcap
1 Lesser Whitethroat
5 Chiffchaff
4 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
14 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
7 Sand Martins
14 Swallows
1 House Martin
3 Stock Doves
3 Grey Wagtails
30 Wrens
2 Sedge Warblers
1 Reed Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
9 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
1 Willow Tit
8 Greenfinches
1 Linnet
1 Redpoll
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)
Lanes to the East of Priorslee lake
6 Stock Doves
2 Skylarks
2 Whitethroats
3 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
4 Linnets
1 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)
- 1 male plumed midges
- *1 wood gnat from the genus Sylvicola
Mrs. Mallard with her two ducklings.
A Long-tailed Tit arrives with supplies for the hungry brood.
Home delivery service!
A Robin looking care-worn...
...probably from a busy nesting season.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014
Nedge Hill
2 Redstart
7 Wheatear
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
(Ian Grant)
2013
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
5 Common Sandpipers
2 Reed Warblers
6 Blackcaps
9 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose
20 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
Long Lane, Wellington
1 Little Ringed Plover
3 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
Lesser Whitethroat
(JW Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
8 Great Crested Grebes
11 Greylag
1 Tufted Duck
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Sedge Warbler
14 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
11 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
17 Tufted Duck
5 Blackcaps
3 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Lapwings
1 Green Woodpecker
6 Skylarks
4 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaffs
9 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
8 Wheatear
28 Fieldfare
2 Whitethroat
(John Isherwood)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Reed Warblers
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Common Sandpipers
1 Tufted Duck
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Trench
8 Tufted Duck
8 Swallows
3 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Linnet
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe
1 Ruddy Duck
4 Common Sandpiper
3 Swift
32 House Martin
3 Swallow
3 Reed Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Garden Warbler
6 Blackcap
1 Lesser Whitethroat
5 Chiffchaff
4 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
14 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
7 Sand Martins
14 Swallows
1 House Martin
3 Stock Doves
3 Grey Wagtails
30 Wrens
2 Sedge Warblers
1 Reed Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
9 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
1 Willow Tit
8 Greenfinches
1 Linnet
1 Redpoll
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)
Lanes to the East of Priorslee lake
6 Stock Doves
2 Skylarks
2 Whitethroats
3 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
4 Linnets
1 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)




















































