15.0°C > 18.0°C: Broken cloud at multiple levels early with bright intervals. After 08:00 lower-level cloud moved in. Light westerly breeze becoming moderate later. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 04:53 BST
* = a species photographed today
! = a first sighting of the species this year
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:50– 06:00 // 07:20 – 09:30
(153rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the seven Greylag Geese goslings and three of the adults flew strongly off the dam in to the water on my first circuit. I did not see them again. Perhaps they flew off? The fourth adult was at the West end throughout..
- six Mallard ducklings were with one of the many adults. The ducklings did not look "brand new" and were likely from the brood of seven first seen last Tuesday.
- the Great Crested Grebes, as always, try and confuse. The third pair to hatch young were seen with their three young. Just two juveniles from the second pair to hatch their young were seen and heard calling with no adults nearby though I could see three adults a distance away. An adult was seen in flight at 05:05 circling higher and higher and apparently leaving to the West. At c.05:30 it, or another, was seen flying over heading East though it may have circled back to splash down: my view was blocked by trees.
- an adult Black-headed Gull was with a begging juvenile on a boating platform again. The juvenile was only seen slumped on the platform and the adult seemed to be ignoring it.
- the warbler update:
no Cetti's Warbler seen or heard.
a family party of Reed Warblers was along the North side.
fewer Blackcaps were singing.
at the West End a Common Whitethroat was heard singing, briefly. What I thought was a different bird was giving its alarm call in the same area: the first suggestion I have had that there might be a pair in that area. Another bird was alarm calling along the South side.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 49 Wood Pigeons
- 11 Jackdaws
That's all folks
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 7 (1 brood) Greylag Geese: see notes
- 2 Mute Swans
- 35 (?♂) + 6 (1 brood) Mallard
- 4 Moorhens
- 43 Coots: of these at least four were obvious juveniles from three broods.
- 6 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 1 + 1 (1 brood) Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- no Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts: only six early more later
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 9 (6) Reed Warblers
- 9 (8) Blackcaps
- 3 (1) Common Whitethroats
Also noted:
It clouded up before many insects were on the wing.
Butterflies:
- 2 Green-veined White Pieris napi
- 1 unidentified "white"
- 3 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 3 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 2 Green-veined White Pieris napi
- 1 unidentified "white"
- 3 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 3 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
Moths:
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- 15 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]: at least as many "grass moths" got away unidentified.
- 1 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- 15 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]: at least as many "grass moths" got away unidentified.
- 1 Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata
Bees, wasps etc.:
Despite only seeing c.10 bees all the usual species noted.
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Despite only seeing c.10 bees all the usual species noted.
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Hoverflies:
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Variable Duskyface Melanostoma mellinum [Short Melanostoma]
- *Spotted Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis [Spotted Thintail]
- *Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- *Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Variable Duskyface Melanostoma mellinum [Short Melanostoma]
- *Spotted Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis [Spotted Thintail]
- *Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- *Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
True flies:
A few including...
- *Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
- long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus
- *Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius
other unidentified flies
A few including...
- *Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
- long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus
- *Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius
other unidentified flies
Bugs:
- *! Bronze Shieldbug Troilus luridus
- *! Bronze Shieldbug Troilus luridus
Beetles:
- Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
Mammals:
- * ! dead Water Shrew Neomys fodiens
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
Yet another blank morning
Sitting on a leaf at waist-level beside the path was this Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella.
This hoverfly is named Spotted Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis in Steven Falk's Flickr gallery. Obsidentify uses the name Spotted Thintail.
I eventually decided this hoverfly was "just" an unusually-marked male Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta. I explored many of the other species in this genus as I have never seen a specimen where the markings on the lower part of the abdomen are brown rather than black. This is the only species in the genus where the abdomen of the male extends beyond the folded wings and it is clear that it would do so here.
Not a brilliant photo but is shows how female (at the top) and male Black Snipeflies Chrysopilus cristatus differ. This is called sexual dimorphism.
On the left a male semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus has his wings open as he flashes the white tips to the female on the right. They were standing in (on?) very shallow water, hence the reflections.
New for the year was this Bronze Shieldbug Troilus luridus . The yellow area in the antennae immediately separates this species from other dark-looking shieldbugs.
Apart from Grey Squirrels most wild animals I see around the lake are usually dead. I found this Water Shrew Neomys fodiens today, the corpse already attracting a fly.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
I found a trio of moths in the tunnel: here is a White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella on the ceiling.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:55
(150th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the geese were running on and off the East side grass and difficult to keep track of. There was no suggestion that any of the geese here are motivated to even try their new wings as yet.
- at least 10 Mute Swans noted. Perhaps another.
- fewer Coots found. A Grey Heron was on the edge of the island and may have dissuaded some of the Coots from settling there.
- the first Black-headed Gull of, er, Autumn was back here briefly [23 June last year].
- a Great Crested Grebe seen at the top end lurking in the reeds.
- did I or did I not hear a Kingfisher? It would be unusually early for any post-breeding birds to turn up. Nothing was seen. Annoyingly it would be a new bird for me this year here – I did not records any last winter after the turn of the year.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 143 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 108 Greylag Geese
- 10? Mute Swans: see notes
- 21 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 42 Coots: see notes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
"Greys" are a difficult group and some less well-marked individuals will have to stay as 'unidentified "grey" Eudonia / Scoparia sp.' These would need to be captured and the genitalia examined to complete the identification
Another first for the year and the final species I notched up here today was this Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata. Phew: eleven moths of at least eight species. A good haul.
Asleep on one of the street lamp poles was this Common Spotted Field Syrph Eupeodes luniger. The yellow markings do not wrap-around the side of the abdomen so it is not, as Obsidentify suggested, a Migrant Field Syrph E. corollae.
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Kingfisher
Grasshopper Warbler singing
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
2 Green Sandpipers seen flying from the lake towards Priorslee Flash: these were my first here for c.10 years
1 Common Sandpiper
House Sparrow unusual here
(Ed Wilson)
2005
Priorslee Lake
Possible Crossbills close-by
(Ed Wilson)
- * ! dead Water Shrew Neomys fodiens
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
Yet another blank morning
Sitting on a leaf at waist-level beside the path was this Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella.
A Honey Bee Apis mellifera hard at work on Knapweed Centaurea nigra.
A well-posed Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
A Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens. This species has alternative names of Pied Plumehorn or Great Pied Hoverfly.
Not a brilliant photo but is shows how female (at the top) and male Black Snipeflies Chrysopilus cristatus differ. This is called sexual dimorphism.
I do not record Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius every year.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
- *1 White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella [was Inlaid Grass-veneer]
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
- *1 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata.
- *1 White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella [was Inlaid Grass-veneer]
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
- *1 Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata.
Flies:
- 11 midges of several species
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- 3 cranefly Tipula sp.
Only very distinctive craneflies can be specifically ID-ed from flash photos taken here.
- 11 midges of several species
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- 3 cranefly Tipula sp.
Only very distinctive craneflies can be specifically ID-ed from flash photos taken here.
Arthropods:
- 5 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
- 5 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
Also on the ceiling was this Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata.
And this Double-striped Pug Gymnoscelis rufifasciata was, unusually for a pug moth, on the wall.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:55
(150th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the geese were running on and off the East side grass and difficult to keep track of. There was no suggestion that any of the geese here are motivated to even try their new wings as yet.
- at least 10 Mute Swans noted. Perhaps another.
- fewer Coots found. A Grey Heron was on the edge of the island and may have dissuaded some of the Coots from settling there.
- the first Black-headed Gull of, er, Autumn was back here briefly [23 June last year].
- a Great Crested Grebe seen at the top end lurking in the reeds.
- did I or did I not hear a Kingfisher? It would be unusually early for any post-breeding birds to turn up. Nothing was seen. Annoyingly it would be a new bird for me this year here – I did not records any last winter after the turn of the year.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 143 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 108 Greylag Geese
- 10? Mute Swans: see notes
- 21 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 42 Coots: see notes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs again
- 3 (3) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs again
- 3 (3) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths:
No fewer than eight moths (of seven species) were noted around the street lights beside the footpath that runs alongside the Wesley Brook between the pools and the academy. Often a good hunting ground for moths but this exceeds all previous totals
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *1 Diamond-backed Moth Plutella xylostella
- *1 ! Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana
- *2 Tawny Grey Eudonia lacustrata [was Little Grey]
- *1 unidentified "grey" Eudonia / Scoparia sp.
- *1 as yet unidentified micro-moth
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
- *1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata of the form remutata
- *1 ! Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata
No fewer than eight moths (of seven species) were noted around the street lights beside the footpath that runs alongside the Wesley Brook between the pools and the academy. Often a good hunting ground for moths but this exceeds all previous totals
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *1 Diamond-backed Moth Plutella xylostella
- *1 ! Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana
- *2 Tawny Grey Eudonia lacustrata [was Little Grey]
- *1 unidentified "grey" Eudonia / Scoparia sp.
- *1 as yet unidentified micro-moth
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
- *1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata of the form remutata
- *1 ! Clouded Border Lomaspilis marginata
Bees, wasps etc.:
none
none
Hoverflies:
- *1 Common Spotted Field Syrph Eupeodes luniger [Lunuled Aphideater]
- *1 Common Spotted Field Syrph Eupeodes luniger [Lunuled Aphideater]
Beetles:
- 1 pupa of a Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
- 5 Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- 1 pupa of a Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
- 5 Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli
A plethora of moths here today. High up on a street lamp pole among the debris from spider webs was this Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella.
My first-ever record of Diamond-backed Moth Plutella xylostella here. I noted one at the Balancing Lake a few weeks ago. A very common migrant – if you live on the South Coast.
And another more clearly-marked individual of the same species a long way up a street lamp pole so not as sharp as I would have liked.
- 1 harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli
A plethora of moths here today. High up on a street lamp pole among the debris from spider webs was this Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella.
My first Marbled Piercer Cydia splendana of the year. A micro-moth I see most, but not all, years.
A Tawny Grey Eudonia lacustrata.
"Greys" are a difficult group and some less well-marked individuals will have to stay as 'unidentified "grey" Eudonia / Scoparia sp.' These would need to be captured and the genitalia examined to complete the identification
An as yet unidentified micro-moth. It may be a very, very worn "grey".
A pale-looking Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata.
My first Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata of the year. I have no idea why it is so-named.
This Riband Wave Idaea aversata of the form remutata was in the same place as it was yesterday.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012
Priorslee Lake
Kingfisher
Grasshopper Warbler singing
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
2 Green Sandpipers seen flying from the lake towards Priorslee Flash: these were my first here for c.10 years
1 Common Sandpiper
House Sparrow unusual here
(Ed Wilson)
2005
Priorslee Lake
Possible Crossbills close-by
(Ed Wilson)






































































