24 Jul 14
Priorslee Lake: 4:30am – 6:00am // 7:10am – 8:37am
Map
A male Greenfinch has lost his breeding finery. Not sure whether the old feathers have faded or whether they are new pale-fringed feathers. Note the bill – I assume this is just food stuck to it.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash: 6:05am – 6:55am
Map
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool: 8:47am – 9:52am
Map
A sad end: this was a Wren but seems to have fallen in the water at Trench. Appears to have been a juvenile – look at the tail and only the central feathers look like fresh adult feathers. Note also that a fly is already investigating.
I am sure this is not a unique combination – Moorhen and terrapin sp. in the same photo. Moorhen (under its ‘other’ name of Common Gallinule) has an almost world-wide distribution and must come in to contact with ‘real’ terrapins.
This Grey Wagtail was running around chasing insects on the fishing grid near the Blue Pig. With the shadow under the chin it is hard to be sure but this bird seems to have a hint of black on the throat which suggests it is a female. Whatever age it is the scraggy tail indicates it is moulting.
And a good illustration of the upper wing pattern and white outer tail-feathers on the departing bird.
(Ed Wilson)
Map
14.0°C.> 21.5°C
Mostly clear, though low cloud spread in from the E for a while. Light / moderate E wind. Moderate visibility.
(83rd visit of the year)
Other notes
Great Crested Grebes again in normal strength this morning but now two of the juveniles are feeding well away from any help from the adults.
Small increase in Mallard numbers again: >10 flew off; later 8, assumed to be some of the same, flew over.
3 Tufted Duck flew around again but did not stop.
169 large gulls counted leaving the Ricoh area and flying off W: this seems to happen most years, a sudden aggregation here which does not happen at any other time of the year. Often the group includes many Herring Gulls: today all those I could check were Lesser Black-backs but many left before it was light-enough to be certain.
Just 2 single Swifts this morning, both flying fast straight through.
Single House Martin over at very unusual time of 5:15am: another single much later (though a photo I took of 4 flying Mallard clearly shows 2 distant and otherwise unseen House Martins!).
Reed Warblers still singing in NW reeds: yesterday there were birds in the shrubs and trees behind the main N side reed-bed but today it was all quiet here – could they have gone? About 10 days early but if they bred early in the generally fine summer ...?
and
4 large bats
No moths anywhere this morning.
Counts
2 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
5 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
30 (?) Mallard
3 Tufted Duck in flight
4 + 4 (1 brood) Moorhens
24 + 16 (5 broods) Coots
31 Black-headed Gulls
169 large gulls counted
2 Swifts
4 House Martins (see notes)
9 (7) Song Thrushes
3 (2) Reed Warblers
8 (3) Blackcaps
6 (s) Chiffchaffs
Corvid roost dispersal: 125 Jackdaws and 120 Rooks
Always an engaging subject: Long-tailed Tit.
A moulting and rather angry-looking Dunnock.
(Ed Wilson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priorslee Flash: 6:05am – 6:55am
Map
(71st visit of the year)
Notes
As elsewhere an increase in Mallard numbers.
Also a modest increase in number of Tufted Ducks.
The newest Coot brood was out of the nest this morning – 2 only
c.40 House Martins in tight group to S of the water: 6 seen to the NE were likely different birds.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
28 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
127 + 1 Canada Geese again!
The all-white feral goose
37 (33) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
15 (10) Tufted Ducks
2 + 2 (3 broods) Moorhens
12 + 9 (>4 broods) Coots
1 Black-headed Gull
and
2 Swifts
>45 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
1 (0) Blackcap
2 (0) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trench Lock Pool: 8:47am – 9:52am
Map
(32nd visit of the year)
Notes
Same 3 broods of Canada Geese but one juvenile missing.
As elsewhere this morning high number of Mallard.
Tufted Ducks gone.
Sparrowhawk over: turns out to be my first of the year here.
Grey Wagtail was only my second of the year here.
and
A Terrapin sp. found here: the local fishermen say they have been here many years and that they have seen small ones and assumed these are off-spring though they have never seen ‘family groups’ and were likely new introductions.
The counts
3 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
14 + 6 (3 broods) Canada Geese
40 (38?) Mallard
1 feral Mallard
6 + 5 (4 broods) Moorhens
65 Coots
3 Black-headed Gulls
10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in the distance
and
4 Swifts
1 Swallow
4 House Martins
1 (1) Blackcap
2 (1) Chiffchaffs
23 Jul 14
Priorslee Lake: 4:29am – 6:10am // 7:15am – 8:51am
Map
14.5°C.> 23.0°C Early low cloud took until 8:00am before changing to hazy sun: after 9:00am before the very moderate visibility significantly improved. Light E wind.
Highlight was the brief sighting of an unidentified small grebe sp. at the lake. The bird was seen in with a party of loafing Mallard in the middle of the lake at 4:45am. The characteristic shape was well seen and the size easy to judge. The bird was just a silhouette at that time from my position. By the time I had moved to a location from where I stood a chance of getting any plumage detail the bird had disappeared. The choice is between Horned (aka Slavonian) Grebe and Black-necked Grebe. In breeding plumage they should be separable in silhouette but I am unsure when they lose the breeding ‘tufts’: and anyway the bird was at least as likely a juvenile which would not be so easy. I would favour Black-necked but it cannot go in the log as anything other than “sp.”. It was certainly not a Little Grebe and all the resident juvenile Great Crested Grebes are significantly larger; as any fledged bird from elsewhere would be (with both species being County rarities I would have needed to get a full description anyway).
(82nd visit of the year)
Other notes
Great Crested Grebes back to normal strength this morning.
3 Tufted Duck flew through.
The male Sparrowhawk seen arriving at the calling juveniles (seemed to be only one bird today): was unable to see whether the adult was carrying prey.
More Moorhens but fewer Coots – the latter probably because of earlier count while some birds still in the reeds.
No Swifts this morning: I did wonder whether the early change in the weather might have encouraged them to leave but there were birds over Trench after it brightened up. After adult Cuckoo, Swift is the first species to leave us after breeding with the majority gone by very early August.
Another good count of Pied Wagtails over: 13, including a loose group of 8.
1 Common Whitethroat heard calling in same area as family party last seen / heard over a week ago.
Corvid roost dispersal again >30 minutes later than usual on dull morning.
and
2 large bats
1 ‘The Clay’ moth on a street lamp.
My first Brown Hawker of the year at this location: also another unidentified hawker, likely a Common Hawker.
also
1 carpet moth in the tunnel which was too worn to identify.
Counts
? Grebe – see highlight
2 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
2 Grey Herons
2 Swans
18 Greylag Geese: 17 outbound
Canada Geese heard only
29 (?) Mallard
3 Tufted Duck flew through
6 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
21 + 15 (5 broods) Coots
38 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
9 Lesser Black-backed and 1 Herring Gull over
8 (7) Song Thrushes
5 (1) Reed Warblers
1 (0) Whitethroat
9 (4) Blackcaps
4 (1) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 214 Jackdaws and 102 Rooks
This moth is called The Clay and is shown resting on one of the street lamps this morning.
This is not a moth but a caddis fly sp. – while some moths do have long antennae like this it is the shape of the wings at rest that separates caddis flies.
This grass moth is yet another Chrysoteuchia culmella (or Garden Grass-veneer): about the only grass moth evident at the moment, though hopefully that will change in a few days as several more marked species emerge.
This is a female Blue-tailed Damselfly. Note that on this, presumed fresh, individual there is only the merest hint of blue on the tail. Males are blue-tailed from the get-go, but females take some time and the blue is never so extensive or intense. Note also the strange glaucous effect on the central part of the body, apparently caused by the light passing through / reflected by the closed wings.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash: 6:20am – 7:00am
Map
(70th visit of the year)
Notes
Further reduction in geese numbers as birds are able to fly off.
Yesterday’s new brood of a single juvenile Coot not seen but weather still grey at that time and was possibly being brooded in the nest.
and
A caddis fly sp. was the only insect (other than spiders – yes I know they aren't insects) that were on the lamps here this morning.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
39 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
127 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
21 (20) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
11 (9) Tufted Ducks
2 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
9 + 10 (>4 broods) Coots
5 Black-headed Gulls
and
7 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
2 (0) Blackcaps
2 (1) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool: 9:00am – 9:55am // 10:36am – 10:40am
Map
(31st visit of the year)
Notes
Same 3 broods of Canada Geese.
The 8 Tufted Ducks were new in here: all drakes.
At least 17 of the Coots are juveniles
A calling Bullfinch was a new species for me here this year.
and
Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly was new for me here.
The counts
2 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Greylag Geese over
1 Greylag x Canada Goose
24 + 7 (3 broods) Canada Geese
21 (19) Mallard
2 feral Mallard
8 (8) Tufted Ducks
4 + 3 (2 broods) Moorhens
66 Coots
2 Black-headed Gulls: 1 over
and
5 Swifts
3 Swallows
8 House Martins
1 (1) Blackcap
1 (0) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool: 10:00am – 10:32am
Map
(16th visit of the year)
Notes
Fewer Greylag and many fewer Canada Geese today now they can fly: but not all the goslings seen last time would have fledged by now so assume that some were inside the island. Perhaps this was where the usual posse of feral ducks were hiding.
3 Swans again and still no rings read
and
2 Terrapin sp!
Green-veined White butterfly was new here this year for me.
Brown Hawker was also new here this year for me with another hawker sp. that was likely a Common Hawker but was unable to clinch the ID.
2 large Carp were seen clearly swimming just below the calm surface.
The counts
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Swans
15 + 9 (? broods) Greylag Geese
24 + 0 Canada Geese
32 (27) Mallard
(no feral Mallard-type ducks)
10 (7) Tufted Duck
5 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhen
5 + 5 (2? broods) Coots
6 Black-headed Gulls: 5 over
1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over
and
1 (0) Chiffchaff
This is the terrapin sp. at Middle Pool. No terrapins are native to the UK but are frequently seen where they have been discarded when they outgrow their ‘Terrapinarium’. It looks most like a Cumberland Slider (Trachemys scripta trootsii) though I read that in practice most terrapins sold in the UK are likely to be ‘mutts’ – hybrids of several species. Most species can live quite well outdoors in Britain and it has been known for them to lay eggs, but it is thought than none has ever hatched in the wild.
(Ed Wilson)
Map
14.5°C.> 23.0°C Early low cloud took until 8:00am before changing to hazy sun: after 9:00am before the very moderate visibility significantly improved. Light E wind.
Highlight was the brief sighting of an unidentified small grebe sp. at the lake. The bird was seen in with a party of loafing Mallard in the middle of the lake at 4:45am. The characteristic shape was well seen and the size easy to judge. The bird was just a silhouette at that time from my position. By the time I had moved to a location from where I stood a chance of getting any plumage detail the bird had disappeared. The choice is between Horned (aka Slavonian) Grebe and Black-necked Grebe. In breeding plumage they should be separable in silhouette but I am unsure when they lose the breeding ‘tufts’: and anyway the bird was at least as likely a juvenile which would not be so easy. I would favour Black-necked but it cannot go in the log as anything other than “sp.”. It was certainly not a Little Grebe and all the resident juvenile Great Crested Grebes are significantly larger; as any fledged bird from elsewhere would be (with both species being County rarities I would have needed to get a full description anyway).
(82nd visit of the year)
Other notes
Great Crested Grebes back to normal strength this morning.
3 Tufted Duck flew through.
The male Sparrowhawk seen arriving at the calling juveniles (seemed to be only one bird today): was unable to see whether the adult was carrying prey.
More Moorhens but fewer Coots – the latter probably because of earlier count while some birds still in the reeds.
No Swifts this morning: I did wonder whether the early change in the weather might have encouraged them to leave but there were birds over Trench after it brightened up. After adult Cuckoo, Swift is the first species to leave us after breeding with the majority gone by very early August.
Another good count of Pied Wagtails over: 13, including a loose group of 8.
1 Common Whitethroat heard calling in same area as family party last seen / heard over a week ago.
Corvid roost dispersal again >30 minutes later than usual on dull morning.
and
2 large bats
1 ‘The Clay’ moth on a street lamp.
My first Brown Hawker of the year at this location: also another unidentified hawker, likely a Common Hawker.
also
1 carpet moth in the tunnel which was too worn to identify.
Counts
? Grebe – see highlight
2 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
2 Grey Herons
2 Swans
18 Greylag Geese: 17 outbound
Canada Geese heard only
29 (?) Mallard
3 Tufted Duck flew through
6 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
21 + 15 (5 broods) Coots
38 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
9 Lesser Black-backed and 1 Herring Gull over
8 (7) Song Thrushes
5 (1) Reed Warblers
1 (0) Whitethroat
9 (4) Blackcaps
4 (1) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 214 Jackdaws and 102 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priorslee Flash: 6:20am – 7:00am
Map
Notes
Further reduction in geese numbers as birds are able to fly off.
Yesterday’s new brood of a single juvenile Coot not seen but weather still grey at that time and was possibly being brooded in the nest.
and
A caddis fly sp. was the only insect (other than spiders – yes I know they aren't insects) that were on the lamps here this morning.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
39 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
127 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
21 (20) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
11 (9) Tufted Ducks
2 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
9 + 10 (>4 broods) Coots
5 Black-headed Gulls
and
7 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
2 (0) Blackcaps
2 (1) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trench Lock Pool: 9:00am – 9:55am // 10:36am – 10:40am
Map
(31st visit of the year)
Notes
Same 3 broods of Canada Geese.
The 8 Tufted Ducks were new in here: all drakes.
At least 17 of the Coots are juveniles
A calling Bullfinch was a new species for me here this year.
and
Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly was new for me here.
The counts
2 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Greylag Geese over
1 Greylag x Canada Goose
24 + 7 (3 broods) Canada Geese
21 (19) Mallard
2 feral Mallard
8 (8) Tufted Ducks
4 + 3 (2 broods) Moorhens
66 Coots
2 Black-headed Gulls: 1 over
and
5 Swifts
3 Swallows
8 House Martins
1 (1) Blackcap
1 (0) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trench Middle Pool: 10:00am – 10:32am
Map
(16th visit of the year)
Notes
Fewer Greylag and many fewer Canada Geese today now they can fly: but not all the goslings seen last time would have fledged by now so assume that some were inside the island. Perhaps this was where the usual posse of feral ducks were hiding.
3 Swans again and still no rings read
and
2 Terrapin sp!
Green-veined White butterfly was new here this year for me.
Brown Hawker was also new here this year for me with another hawker sp. that was likely a Common Hawker but was unable to clinch the ID.
2 large Carp were seen clearly swimming just below the calm surface.
The counts
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Swans
15 + 9 (? broods) Greylag Geese
24 + 0 Canada Geese
32 (27) Mallard
(no feral Mallard-type ducks)
10 (7) Tufted Duck
5 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhen
5 + 5 (2? broods) Coots
6 Black-headed Gulls: 5 over
1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over
and
1 (0) Chiffchaff
This might just buck the trend – there are two individuals here.
(Ed Wilson)
22 Jul 14
Priorslee Lake: 4:33 – 6:00am // 7:00am – 8:05am
Map
13.5°C.> 17.5°C fine and clear with just a few wispy bits. Calm / light wind. Good visibility.
(81st visit of the year)
Other notes
Just 2 adult Great Crested Grebes this morning: I know I left earlier than normal but that is not usually a problem with this species.
More Moorhens but fewer Coots – the latter probably because of earlier count while some birds still in the reeds.
2 Kingfishers together and being very noisy about it.
Rather strange was a juvenile Pied Wagtail fly-catching from the top of the bushes at the W end.
and
1 Pipistrelle bat
5 large bats
1 Herald moth on the lamps.
Otherwise most of the usual insects in somewhat smaller numbers as I left earlier
Fox cub seen – any connection with recent loss of the cygnet?
Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly – only my 2nd record here this year.
Managed my first Blackberry of the year
also
2 Grey Pug moths in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel.
Counts
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Greylag Geese inbound
>6 Canada Geese both outbound and inbound
25 (?) Mallard
5 + 8 (4 broods) Moorhens
24 + 16 (5 broods) Coots
42 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over
9 Common Swifts
1 Swallow
4 House Martins
5 (2) Song Thrushes
7 (4) Reed Warblers
9 (4) Blackcaps
6 (2) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 221 Jackdaws and 134 Rooks
The early light gives this Wood Pigeon rather a strange hue: note in particular that this is a juvenile without any white in the neck. Can still be easily separated from other pigeons by the white visible on the edge of the folded wing.
Almost wrapped up amongst all the cobwebs on the lamp is this Herald moth – an obvious name really.
My heart sinks when I see a pug moth: the monograph on this group of moths gives the ‘confusion species’ for each of the pug species and it usually runs to about a list of eight. The very horizontal leading edge to the wing at rest and the prominent dark spot on each forewing without any hint of white in the hind wing suggests to me this is one form of Grey Pug – the so-called ab. obscurissima which, I read, is common in urban areas. Just as well as there were two almost identical moths together in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel.
Despite some rather fluffy feathers in the wing this has to be a male Great Spotted Woodpecker that is moulting. Females lack the red on the nape and juveniles have the entire crown, gradually losing it from the front. At this date there would be more extensive and rather blotchy red shown.
Surprisingly hard to see when they settle on the ground: this is a male Black-tailed Skimmer. As they mature males acquire yellow marks along the flanks and one such mark is just visible on the penultimate segment. Females are yellow (I cannot recall ever having seen one). The map in my Field Guide shows that we have a disjoint and uncommon population in Shropshire but it seems common-enough around Telford and Newport.
Robins have begun to sing in some numbers again and here is one reason: this juvenile is beginning to acquire the red breast and will now have to establish a territory and defend itself against other Robins – the red on the breast is the ‘red rag to a bull’: juvenile Robins are spotty otherwise their parents would attack them.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash: 6:05am – 6:45am
Map
(69th visit of the year)
Notes
Another new brood of Coots – but only 1 juvenile seen from this brood.
At least 1 Swallow flew through while I was counting geese – scarce here this year and my first this month. Have apparently not bred in the smallholding to the N of here this year.
and
A splendid Black Arches moth on the lamps.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
55 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
152 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
15 (14) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
9 (?) Tufted Ducks
2 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
13 + 9 (? broods) Coots
1 Black-headed Gull
and
11 Swifts
1+ Swallow
16 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
2 (0) Blackcaps
3 (1) Chiffchaff
This most attractively marked moth is a Black Arches. Males can be identified by slightly more intense markings, as here.
(Ed Wilson)
Map
13.5°C.> 17.5°C fine and clear with just a few wispy bits. Calm / light wind. Good visibility.
(81st visit of the year)
Other notes
Just 2 adult Great Crested Grebes this morning: I know I left earlier than normal but that is not usually a problem with this species.
More Moorhens but fewer Coots – the latter probably because of earlier count while some birds still in the reeds.
2 Kingfishers together and being very noisy about it.
Rather strange was a juvenile Pied Wagtail fly-catching from the top of the bushes at the W end.
and
1 Pipistrelle bat
5 large bats
1 Herald moth on the lamps.
Otherwise most of the usual insects in somewhat smaller numbers as I left earlier
Fox cub seen – any connection with recent loss of the cygnet?
Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly – only my 2nd record here this year.
Managed my first Blackberry of the year
also
2 Grey Pug moths in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel.
Counts
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Greylag Geese inbound
>6 Canada Geese both outbound and inbound
25 (?) Mallard
5 + 8 (4 broods) Moorhens
24 + 16 (5 broods) Coots
42 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls over
9 Common Swifts
1 Swallow
4 House Martins
5 (2) Song Thrushes
7 (4) Reed Warblers
9 (4) Blackcaps
6 (2) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 221 Jackdaws and 134 Rooks
Another clear morning ...
With the almost traditional burning bush.
(Ed Wilson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priorslee Flash: 6:05am – 6:45am
Map
(69th visit of the year)
Notes
Another new brood of Coots – but only 1 juvenile seen from this brood.
At least 1 Swallow flew through while I was counting geese – scarce here this year and my first this month. Have apparently not bred in the smallholding to the N of here this year.
and
A splendid Black Arches moth on the lamps.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
55 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
152 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
15 (14) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
9 (?) Tufted Ducks
2 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
13 + 9 (? broods) Coots
1 Black-headed Gull
and
11 Swifts
1+ Swallow
16 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
2 (0) Blackcaps
3 (1) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
21 Jul 14
Priorslee Lake: 4:26am – 6:10am // 7:35am – 9:16am
Map
13.5°C.> 22.5°C
Fine and clear start with cloud only to very far E: later puffy cloud bubbled up. Moderate N wind. Good visibility.
Best this morning was the reeling Grasshopper Warbler at the lake. A very odd date for song which is usually given only on Spring passage and at the breeding site. I would expect breeding to have finished and as far as I know the species did not breed at the lake this year. Some warblers do sing on Autumn passage, and indeed on the wintering ground, but I have never heard of Grasshopper Warbler doing so. It was hard to pinpoint exactly where the song was coming from as there was a lot of leaf-rustle from the wind in the poplars but it seemed to be in or near the Ricoh hedge, about where I heard a bird on 12 April. After one prolonged burst the bird shut up and was not heard again.
Other noteworthy news is the loss of the only surviving cygnet. I now learn that there were, briefly, 3 cygnets: but that one perished with a day. Some of the locals are pointing the finger for the latest loss as the speed-boat used by the water-skiers. It is possible: but I think much more likely explanations would be predation by a fox; or that it simply died – it never seemed to be a particularly perky individual. I could not find any body or remains.
(80th visit of the year)
Other notes
9 Cormorants early flew over in 3 small groups: later 2 more flew over the opposite way.
3 Canada Geese stopped off at the lake: the cob Swan with no cygnet to protect took no notice.
As a footnote to yesterday’s comment on Sparrowhawk breeding this morning I briefly glimpsed one bird moving in the trees: and I also saw the female fly fast and low away from the nest area.
The Swifts appeared in small numbers to the SE of the lake (presumably where the wind was lifting the insects over the dam) but after a few minutes they flew off W.
A single Swallow was seen flying high W well to the N of the water.
Two House Martins briefly came down to drink.
Blackcaps very quiet today: while song will diminish as breeding finishes there were very few calling either today.
One of the Chiffchaffs definitely sounded as if it might be practising singing with odd splutters mixed in with calls – a young bird get ready for next year?
and
4 large bats this morning.
Counts
3 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
11 Cormorants over
2 Grey Herons
2 Swans
6 Greylag Geese outbound
3 Canada Geese
20 (?) Mallard
2 + 3 (2 broods) Moorhens
36 + 20 (8 broods) Coots
34 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
2 Lesser Black-backed Herring Gulls over
21 Common Swifts
1 Swallow flew by
2 House Martins
6 (6) Song Thrushes
7 (4) Reed Warblers
7 (5) Blackcaps
5 (2.5!) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 211 Jackdaws and 76 Rooks
The dead Elephant Hawk Moth had fallen from the roof of the Priorslee Avenue tunnel this morning allowing a close-up of the somewhat faded markings).
The wasp waist and the long antenna (that were constantly moved around) identify this as a species of Ichneumon or parasitic wasp. Further than that ... Most species in this large group of insects do not have the black and yellow colouring.
This was a welcome sight as I ‘missed’ it last year and thought I had in 2014 as well. No problem identifying it as one of the burnet moths – a day-flying group with a metallic black sheen and red spots. The question is then which species. The choice is basically Five-spot or Six-spot, but is confused by the fact that the spots are in pairs and can be fused so that the number can be hard to ascertain.
Luckily it was rather docile and allowed me to pick it up and get a shot at a better angle and I am going for five-spots in which case, on distribution, it has to be a Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (the border is on the hind-wing and not visible here). Confused? So am I!
Common Willowherb has just about finished flowering now and it won’t be long before the hairy seed-pods split and masses of equally hairy fluffy seeds are released in vast numbers.
A touch of flash reveals a grass-head and all the seeds. Good job I don’t get hay-fever.
This is, I think – umbellifers are hard – Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris). The flowers and stems are often, but not always, mauve- or pink-tinged and like most umbellifers very attractive to insects – here Rhagonycha fulva (Hogweed Bonking-beetles).
Have we just had a bath then? This juvenile Great Crested Grebe seems to be in need of a good preen.
This damselfly caught my eye as it looked ‘different’. Looking at the photo I was struck by the pale legs but the markings are wrong for White-legged Damselfly and I suspect it is just a trick of the light.
Common species when posing so well have to be photographed. A Common Darter female or immature male.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash: 6:20am – 7:10am
Map
(68th visit of the year)
Notes
Sparrowhawk over here as well as the lake.
After a single Black-headed Gull on the water a party of 14 flew in, with 12 birds flying straight out.
At least one of the House Martins was a begging juvenile.
In addition to the singing Song Thrush another bird was seen collecting food.
A Chaffinch caused me no end of time this morning: when I arrived it was singing continually but only the first part of the song. It was still doing so when I completed my circuit. Listening hard I could almost convince myself that it sounded equally likely to be the middle part of a Wood Warbler’s song. Since the latter species is almost never seen away from breeding sites it needed checking. It took me over 10 minutes to find the bird even though it was moving about the trees as it sang. And yes: a Chaffinch!
and
Probable Cnephasia stephensiana (Grey Tortrix) micro moth on the lamps.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
48 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
176 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
21 (20) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
8 (6) Tufted Ducks
3 + 0 Moorhens
14 + 7 (? broods) Coots
15 Black-headed Gulls
and
5 House Martins
2 (1) Song Thrush
4 (3) Chiffchaff
This small moth is likely Cnephasia stephensiana (Grey Tortrix) though I am far from certain: if so it is a new species for me in Shropshire.
Only my 6th visit of the year. It was a splendid clear morning and I knew I would get some new butterflies for the 2014 site list.
Though not directly comparable as I varied my route it was very, very quiet. I knew that, for instance, Pied Flycatchers are more or less impossible to find once they start breeding so I was expecting little. In the end I recorded just 5 Chiffchaffs, all calling, as the only warblers: and just 2 Meadow Pipits and no Tree Pipits.
I did add Kestrel and Swallow to my 2014 site list. In fact a party of c.25 Swallows was harassing the Kestrel. Somewhat oddly these Swallows were generally flying high E in a tight party and gave the impression that they might already be starting to move: but perhaps that was just where the wind was lifting their insect food as it hit the scarp of The Wrekin.
All the expected butterfly sps. The current large influx of Small Tortoiseshells was very evident here as well. There was also an unexpected Dark Green Fritillary – my first in Shropshire and perhaps my first in the UK!
Crows are normally surprisingly wary and do not allow these sort of shots. Does the red at the base of the gape suggest it is a juvenile? I think the feathering on the top of the bill suggests otherwise.
Was only able to ‘grab’ a single shot of this flighty butterfly before the sun went behind a cloud and all the butterflies disappeared. My first Shropshire record of Dark Green Fritillary.
The Swallows did not like the female Kestrel seen hovering here – and were flying at it to try and shift it.
Here it is in full-hover: note how the small feathers at the bend of the wing – the alula – are extended to help ‘spill the air’ like the leading edge slats on modern aircraft. And the wide, spread tail.
Map
13.5°C.> 22.5°C
Fine and clear start with cloud only to very far E: later puffy cloud bubbled up. Moderate N wind. Good visibility.
Best this morning was the reeling Grasshopper Warbler at the lake. A very odd date for song which is usually given only on Spring passage and at the breeding site. I would expect breeding to have finished and as far as I know the species did not breed at the lake this year. Some warblers do sing on Autumn passage, and indeed on the wintering ground, but I have never heard of Grasshopper Warbler doing so. It was hard to pinpoint exactly where the song was coming from as there was a lot of leaf-rustle from the wind in the poplars but it seemed to be in or near the Ricoh hedge, about where I heard a bird on 12 April. After one prolonged burst the bird shut up and was not heard again.
Other noteworthy news is the loss of the only surviving cygnet. I now learn that there were, briefly, 3 cygnets: but that one perished with a day. Some of the locals are pointing the finger for the latest loss as the speed-boat used by the water-skiers. It is possible: but I think much more likely explanations would be predation by a fox; or that it simply died – it never seemed to be a particularly perky individual. I could not find any body or remains.
(80th visit of the year)
Other notes
9 Cormorants early flew over in 3 small groups: later 2 more flew over the opposite way.
3 Canada Geese stopped off at the lake: the cob Swan with no cygnet to protect took no notice.
As a footnote to yesterday’s comment on Sparrowhawk breeding this morning I briefly glimpsed one bird moving in the trees: and I also saw the female fly fast and low away from the nest area.
The Swifts appeared in small numbers to the SE of the lake (presumably where the wind was lifting the insects over the dam) but after a few minutes they flew off W.
A single Swallow was seen flying high W well to the N of the water.
Two House Martins briefly came down to drink.
Blackcaps very quiet today: while song will diminish as breeding finishes there were very few calling either today.
One of the Chiffchaffs definitely sounded as if it might be practising singing with odd splutters mixed in with calls – a young bird get ready for next year?
and
4 large bats this morning.
Counts
3 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
11 Cormorants over
2 Grey Herons
2 Swans
6 Greylag Geese outbound
3 Canada Geese
20 (?) Mallard
2 + 3 (2 broods) Moorhens
36 + 20 (8 broods) Coots
34 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
2 Lesser Black-backed Herring Gulls over
21 Common Swifts
1 Swallow flew by
2 House Martins
6 (6) Song Thrushes
7 (4) Reed Warblers
7 (5) Blackcaps
5 (2.5!) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 211 Jackdaws and 76 Rooks
“its waning”: the moon that is.
Sunrise: such as it was.
What’s this? well ...
And another. “What species of grass?” I hear you ask. Err ...
(Ed Wilson)
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Priorslee Flash: 6:20am – 7:10am
Map
Notes
Sparrowhawk over here as well as the lake.
After a single Black-headed Gull on the water a party of 14 flew in, with 12 birds flying straight out.
At least one of the House Martins was a begging juvenile.
In addition to the singing Song Thrush another bird was seen collecting food.
A Chaffinch caused me no end of time this morning: when I arrived it was singing continually but only the first part of the song. It was still doing so when I completed my circuit. Listening hard I could almost convince myself that it sounded equally likely to be the middle part of a Wood Warbler’s song. Since the latter species is almost never seen away from breeding sites it needed checking. It took me over 10 minutes to find the bird even though it was moving about the trees as it sang. And yes: a Chaffinch!
and
Probable Cnephasia stephensiana (Grey Tortrix) micro moth on the lamps.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
48 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
176 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
21 (20) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard-type
8 (6) Tufted Ducks
3 + 0 Moorhens
14 + 7 (? broods) Coots
15 Black-headed Gulls
and
5 House Martins
2 (1) Song Thrush
4 (3) Chiffchaff
A juvenile Grey Heron and a juvenile Coot surprise each other.
(Ed Wilson)
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The Wrekin: 9:30am – 12:20pm
MapOnly my 6th visit of the year. It was a splendid clear morning and I knew I would get some new butterflies for the 2014 site list.
Though not directly comparable as I varied my route it was very, very quiet. I knew that, for instance, Pied Flycatchers are more or less impossible to find once they start breeding so I was expecting little. In the end I recorded just 5 Chiffchaffs, all calling, as the only warblers: and just 2 Meadow Pipits and no Tree Pipits.
I did add Kestrel and Swallow to my 2014 site list. In fact a party of c.25 Swallows was harassing the Kestrel. Somewhat oddly these Swallows were generally flying high E in a tight party and gave the impression that they might already be starting to move: but perhaps that was just where the wind was lifting their insect food as it hit the scarp of The Wrekin.
All the expected butterfly sps. The current large influx of Small Tortoiseshells was very evident here as well. There was also an unexpected Dark Green Fritillary – my first in Shropshire and perhaps my first in the UK!
A posing Large White.
And from a different angle.
(Ed Wilson)
20 Jul 14
Priorslee Lake: 4:33am – 6:15am // 7:20am – 9:02am
Map
(Ed Wilson)
Map
15.5°C..> 17.0°C. Low overcast with moderate visibility: lifted and brightened for a while after 08:30. Light / moderate NW wind
Best this morning (and for some while) was the duck Common Scoter found amongst the gaggle of immature and post-breeding adults gathered in the middle of the lake. This species is by far the most common ‘sea duck’ to turn up inland on passage – Belvide Reservoir, just 12 miles E, has already logged several groups of post-breeding birds passage this year. But it is some years since I last recorded one in Shropshire.
A female Scoter (Ed Wilson)
(79th visit of the year)
Other notes
2 of the outbound Canada Geese stopped off at the lake but the cob Swan soon saw to that.
1 drake Tufted Duck amongst the Mallard as they emerged from their roost: it soon flew off.
Probable successful breeding by the Sparrowhawks again: it some while since I have seen any adults but two unseen birds of prey were begging in the usual breeding location of this species. They did not sound right for Buzzards; and I doubt two juvenile Buzzards would be so close together: I would expect the local Crows to have something to say about juvenile Buzzards on their patch but Crows have more respect for the agile and sharp-clawed Sparrowhawk and would probably leave them alone.
10 Swifts passed rapidly over early: later 2 more flew N.
A single House Martin was noteworthy only because they have been so scarce since the migrants passed through.
After weeks of almost no Pied Wagtails there were 9 over the lake this morning including a group of four (and there were 6 more over The Flash): just like winter!
The number of Song Thrushes I log seems to depend upon on how quickly I walk around first-thing: the birds sing only briefly and mostly pre-dawn at the moment.
Reed Warblers have successfully bred with several birds seen flying around in the reeds and also in the adjacent trees where adults are sometimes singing.
The corvids were some 40 minutes later than usual this morning and I may have missed some as I had given them up until a noisy group caught my attention an unseasonal fly-over Linnet.
and
1 Pipistrelle and 5 larger bats this morning.
Usual collection of insects once the sun started to break through with my first Large White of the year at this site.
Counts
3 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 + 1 Swans
9 Greylag Geese outbound
6 Canada Geese outbound
21 (?) Mallard
1 (1) Tufted Duck flew off
1 (0) Common Scoter
2 + 3 (2 broods) Moorhens
50 Coots (see notes)
22 Black-headed Gulls arrived briefly
1 Lesser Black-backed and 2 Herring Gulls over
12 Common Swifts
1 House Martin
7 (7) Song Thrushes
10 (4) Reed Warblers
12 (9) Blackcaps
3 (2) Chiffchaff
Corvid roost dispersal: 116 Jackdaws and 42 Rooks
Another shot of the Common Scoter in amongst Common Coots – note that the plumage is superficially similar to the immature coot behind it, though the shape of the bird is very different.
I have no idea what this is: best guess is that it is a froghopper or leafhopper sp. with a damaged wing. When I tried to inspect it more closely it crawled away, but with a damaged wing it would not be able to hop.
Another of those confusing grass moths: this is rather easier as the very pale ground colour and minimal markings suggests either Agriphila straminella (Pearl Veneer) or Crambus perlella (Yellow Satin Veneer). I think the latter.
A fine Green-veined White posing for me.
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(67th visit of the year)
Notes
I think we must assume the all-white feral Mallard has lost its mate – the large dark one not seen for some weeks now.
Reduction in number of Tufted Ducks.
Coots continue to confuse: of the two most recent broods there seems to be just 1 extant juvenile: yet around the island the gathering of post-breeding adults and immatures is producing more juveniles than ever.
Excellent count of House Martins (for this year anyway) with party of 11 over W side and then 8, apparently a different group, over the E side.
and
1 Common Footman moth on one of the street-lights was new for me this year.
Counts
2 + 1 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
62 Greylag Geese
161 + 1 Canada Geese
The all-white feral goose
23 (20) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
1 all-white feral Mallard
7 (6) Tufted Ducks
2 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
13 + 13 (? broods) Coots
and
19 House Martins
1 (1) Song Thrush
1 (1) Chiffchaff
This is a Common Footman moth.
(Ed Wilson)