30 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

11.0°C: Mostly cloudy with occasional light rain. Moderate S wind. Very good visibility.

[Sunrise: 07:09 BST]

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 10:30 – 11:30

(216th visit of the year)

With heavy rain at my usual visiting time I waited until after the school run for a shorter look mainly from the dam-top.

Definite highlight of the day was the two Sandwich Terns over the lake when I arrived. They were around for some 10 minutes before something spooked all the gulls on the water and they all departed. Bird species #107 for me here in 2021. It is at least eight years since I saw this species here though I am aware of it having been seen by others in May 2016 at least.

Other bird notes:
- The fourth cygnet was again being chased by the cob Mute Swan and in escaping was noted to be flying strongly, albeit no more than a few feet above the water. One of the fishermen reported that yesterday all four cygnets had been making short flights together.
- Later the three cygnets were weighed and given both BTO and Darvic rings – I do not have the numbers as yet.
- The Skylark overhead was, unusually, flying E.

Overhead:
-? Wood Pigeons – not counted
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Skylark
- c.53 Starlings: c.50 together and then three more
- 2 Meadow Pipits

I did not walk around to see / hear any warblers

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 13 (9♂) Mallard only
- 2 Moorhens
- 78 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes: all adults
- c.50 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Sandwich Terns: departed
- 1 Cormorant
- no Grey Heron

Nothing else of note.

As a post-script to my comment about the recent absence of bats one of the fishermen reported plenty around on the night of 28/29 September but none last night.

Mute Swan ringing in progress. One cygnet has been done and is in the water. Two are on the grass with one being processed (weighed and fitted with rings). Their parents, who were ringed in previous years, look none too pleased, especially the cob! The guy on the left is a trained and licenced ringer. Both metal BTO and blue Darvic rings will be fitted, the roll of Darvic rings can be seen. The fourth cygnet had been chased away and will not be ringed. 

Sandwich Terns have an unmistakeable grating flight call and this is often the first indication of their presence. In summer they have an all-black head and rather shaggy black feathers on the nape. After the breeding season finishes the forehead loses the black and the nape is less shaggy. The slightly forked tail is just visible here.

The birds of course spent all the time 'at the other end'. Had I been at that end I would have been shooting in to the light which not have helped much. The long dagger-like bill and the darker outer wing are illustrated here.

A typical pose when searching for fish with the bill held almost vertically. The outer tail feathers are not as long as on, say, Common Tern.

And here are the two birds.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:30 – 10:20

(195th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A duck Wigeon found near the island was my first for the year here – bird species #77 in 2021 (which equals by total for 2020).
- At lest 25 Goldfinches were in trees near 'Percy the Priorslee Snake'.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 3 Jackdaws
- 8 Starlings

Warblers noted:
- 1 Chiffchaff: no song

On /around the water:
- 49 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swan
- 1 (0♂) Eurasian Wigeon
- 29 (20♂) Mallard
- 22 (8+♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens
- 25 Coots
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 32 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron

On various lamp poles:
- 1 Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria)
- 1 Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus)
- 1 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestman

Nothing noted elsewhere

A duck Wigeon – rufous flanks; grey bill (it has a dark tip, not visible here); dark around the eye; and, had it posed better, a noticeably rounded head shape.

A gang of Long-tailed Tits sped by. This one paused long-enough to get recorded.

After the rain and with breezy conditions I was surprised to find any moths on the lamps. After the very early Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria) at the lake last Friday I found this one here, also on an early date. This species is very variable in both markings and tone, though the shape is a good guide. Other moths with this shape are more consistently marked. This is a male – the females of this species are almost wingless and certainly flightless. I need to double-check my moth lists: this seems to be moth species 43 around The Flash this year.

This is a Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus). Not easy to tell from Hawthorn Shieldbug (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale), the rather headless appearance is a clue. In real life it was noticeably small though that is not apparent here.

(Ed Wilson)

29 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake

8.0°C > 11.0°C: Shower clouds in the area but stayed dry and often sunny. Moderate W wind. Excellent visibility.

Sunrise: 07:07 BST

* = a photo today

With workmen coming no time to visit The Flash today.

Priorslee Lake: 05:30 – 08:55

(215th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Only four Great Crested Grebes, all adults, found. Two of these were displaying – a bit late for that guys! Another, with a fish, was disturbed from underneath the Wesley Brook footbridge.
- Black-headed Gulls were unusually late arriving, with the first some 25 minutes after the large gulls started to arrive.
- The large gulls were a particular challenge this morning with arrival over a protracted period. With the W wind birds were circling around to land in to the wind. It was not easy to decide which birds were flying on and which were landing. Also late arrivals were mingling with the early departures (to say nothing of the passing Jackdaws and Rooks on the same line). I am confident there were c.400 birds involved and that most settled on the water at least briefly.
- A Grey Heron flew low W at 06:40 – probably en route to The Flash.
- Three Jays were seen in loose formation flying high W at 08:40. As previously noted there is an invasion of this species in to the UK this Autumn. The usual birds were seen around the lake area.
- Five Skylarks seen overhead, also heading W – as they do every Autumn (there is never the return movement in Spring). They were hard to spot against the often clear blue skies and there were probably more birds involved.

Overhead:
- 1 Stock Dove
- 162 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- ? large gulls: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- *3 Jays
- 109 Jackdaws
- 124 Rooks
- 5 Skylarks
- 7 Pied Wagtails
- 2 Meadow Pipits
[A cut and paste problem: please ignore yesterday's Meadow Pipit and Linnet totals!]

Warblers noted:
- 7 Chiffchaffs: one in song briefly
Several of these were in different locations to any of those seen or heard during the last week or so. Perhaps these were moving through?

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 10 (6♂) Mallard only
- *1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 51 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes: all adults
- c.300 Black-headed Gulls
- 5 Herring Gulls
- 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c.400? 'large gulls': see notes
- 1 Cormorant: briefly
- 1 Grey Heron

At / around the street lamps pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 Notch-wing Button (Acleris emargana)

Other things:
- *1 cranefly sp.
- *1 Plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- *1 House Spider-type: Eratigena sp.
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- *1 Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica)
- 1 Stretch spider (Tetragnatha sp.)
- 2 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestmen

Otherwise noted later:
- Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- *Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
- *Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

One of the near-by showers prevented any decent sunrise. Later I captured this 'burning bush'.

The flanks of this Tufted Duck are just starting to go white indicating it is a drake. There is the merest hint of a tuft lying flat against the nape. The eye certainly looks golden but a real Goldeneye duck is even brighter (as well as having a very different head-shape).

Just a record shot of one of the trio of high-flying passing Jays. The very rounded wing-shape shows well (not much else!).

This year is providing a bumper number of Notch-wing Button moths (Acleris emargana) sightings. Its distinctive outline makes it one of the easier micro-moths to identify. The other markings are all detritus on the lamp pole.

Compare and contrast time. The shape only works with the males of the species – the females are very similarly shaped. This is a Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax). Note the yellow on the legs. [sorry about the reflection off the leaf]

And a Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax). No yellow on the legs, just pale hairs catching the sun. The leg colour distinction applies to both sexes

Would you believe a Plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)? This specimen / species has remarkably bushy antennae.

A clear eye-level view of a Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea).

A rather unusual outline from this resting cranefly. It is covered in dew so there is no chance of seeing any diagnostic marks. Cranefly sp. it stays.

One of the House Spider-type Eratigena sp. That reminds me: the Shropshire recorder tells me that the possible 'money spider' from Friday 24th was in fact a spiderling from this group. Also that I have previously mistyped the scientific name as Eritigena (I didn't do 'classics' at school!).

This is a Walnut Orb Weaver spider (Nuctenea umbratica). I see this species whenever I look in the sailing club shelter pre-dawn but I cannot recall having seen one on the lamps, as here.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:

Moths:

None

With:
- 1 Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- plus various midges and the usual other unidentified spiders

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2010
Priorslee Lake
3 Pochard
2 Sparrowhawks
24 Swallows
Peregrine Falcon
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Redwing
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
Siskin
105 Greenfinches
Swallow
House Martin
3 Chiffchaffs
Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)

28 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

9.0°C > 12.0°C: Broken cloud at multiple levels with light rain c.08:10 and again after 09:30. Moderate S wind increasing somewhat. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:05 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:30 – 09:10

(214th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- All the recent fly-over Collared Doves seem to be commuting between Stafford Park and the Priorslee Estate.
- Two Barn Swallows flew SE 08:50.
- The fly-over Mistle Thrush was unusual since at this time of the year they often gather in quite large groups in open country – as many as 30 together is not uncommon.

Overhead:
- 2 Canada Geese: inbound at 07:05
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 2 Stock Doves: singles
- 286 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves: singles
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c.15 large gulls
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 81 Jackdaws
- 174 Rooks
- 2 Barn Swallows
- 4 Starlings: together
- 1 Mistle Thrush
- 6 Pied Wagtails again
- >44 Meadow Pipits
- 1 Linnet

Warblers noted:
- 4 Chiffchaffs: no song

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 5 (3♂) Mallard only
- 7 Moorhens
- 59 Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes: all adults
- c.350 Black-headed Gulls
- 9 Herring Gulls
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull
- *42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c.75 'large gulls'
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- no Grey Heron
- 1 Kingfisher

At / around the street lamps pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata)

Other things:
- 1 cranefly sp.
- *1 sawfly larvae
- *1 Tephritid or Fruit fly Anomoia purmunda
- *1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina): winter colours
- 1 Common or European Earwig (Forficula dentata)
- 1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 1 Stretch spider (Tetragnatha sp.)
- *2 Paroligolophus agrestis harvestmen
- *3 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestmen

Otherwise noted: no insects in the rain.
- 1 Grey Squirrel
I again failed to find any bats – seems rather early in the Autumn for them to disappear?

Although it was mainly cloudy(and rained later) there was some colour in the sunrise.

Just as the sun rose and almost immediately disappeared for the rest of the morning.

A first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull showing how it is possible to walk on water.

Here we go...

A three-point landing.

Unusual plumage on this immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. First and second-winter birds show an all-dark tail band. Normally third winter birds show faint dark marks on the central tail feathers. This looks to be a third-winter bird with second-year outer tail-feathers yet to be replaced.

Yes: I know its not sharp (but then neither is the bird). This adult Lesser Black-backed Gull is really scruffy as it moults. The tail is a mess. Only the three old outer-primaries remain with the inner primaries clearly regrowing. And some of the greater coverts are missing showing the pale bases to the inner secondaries.

Very much a moth of Autumn this is a Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata), covered in dew. The adult moth feeds on over-ripe berries and Ivy blossom. I last recorded this moth in both 2016 and 2017.

I see many small flies on and around the lamp poles pre-dawn. As I have no way of identifying most of them I tend to ignore them. This however showed distinctive markings on the wings. I think it is the Tephritid or Fruit fly Anomoia purmunda.

I am almost certain this is a sawfly larvae but I have no idea which species.

I can't find any reason to think this is anything other than a Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) in its brown winter colours. It seemed somewhat small and I saw a still green summer individual only three days ago. No other species seems to match the shape.

Compare and contrast time: two species of harvestman. At the top a Paroligolophus agrestis with the rather short legs thicker toward the base. Below it a Dicranopalpus sp. with the long, forked pedipalps.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:

Moths:

None

With:
- 1 cranefly, possibly Tipula fulvipennis
- 1 Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)
- no Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- 1 Stretch spider (Tetragnatha sp.)
- plus various midges and the usual other unidentified spiders

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:15 – 09:55

(194th visit of the year)

*Not much to note other than the unveiling of 'Percy the Priorslee Snake' now preserved for posterity (see pics).

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Feral Pigeons: together
- 4 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 4 Jackdaws: together

Warblers noted:

None

On /around the water:
- 76 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese again
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swan
- 44 (30♂) Mallard
- 17 (4+♂) Tufted Duck again
- 6 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 41 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull again
- 1 Grey Heron again

On a different lamp pole:
- 1 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestman

Nothing noted elsewhere in light rain.

There was a late update to the identity of the mystery insect on a lamp pole yesterday morning. The original text suggested it might be a midge. Following a suggestion from Martin Adlam and after an email to the Shropshire Bug Recorder it was re-identified as a planthopper and most likely Agallia consobrina.

During lockdown #1 in Spring 2020 children from Priorslee painted stones and laid them on the grass round The Flash as 'Percy the Priorslee Snake" with "Thank You NHS" messages. Over time the painting faded and the line of stones was disrupted by walkers. Inspired by that action a team of locals, with planning permission from the local council, has produced a display of those stones and more.

The complete array of gaily-coloured stones, all lacquered to prevent fading and set in concrete. Good work guys.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2011
Priorslee Lake
2 Skylarks
3 Meadow Pipits
26 Pied Wagtails
7 Siskins
2 Redpolls
142 Greylag Geese
320 Canada Geese
Common Sandpiper
45 Robins
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Cormorant
A pair of Wigeon
220 Coots
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

2007
RAF Cosford
Juvenile Gannet flew over RAF Cosford at about 100ft
(Martin R Adlam)

2005
Priorslee Lake
3 Redpoll
Siskin
5 Chiffchaffs
Blackcap
Kingfisher
Buzzard
2 Kestrel
Meadow Pipit
(Ed Wilson)

27 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

11.0°C: Puffy clouds with blue sky patches and also showers around. Fresh (in both senses) W wind. Very good visibility.

[Sunrise: 07:03 BST]

* = a photo today

The early deluge of rain suggested my usual early visit would not be rewarding.

Priorslee Lake: 11:20 – 12:05

(213th visit of the year)

Viewing from the dam-top only

Bird notes:
- now all the juvenile Great Crested Grebes seem to have gone. I had the telescope out today and was therefore better able to confirm the ages of the birds though as they were all awake it was quite easy anyway.

Overhead:
- [Wood Pigeons not counted]
- 18 Jackdaws: unusual at this time of day
- 10 Starlings: together

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 15 (9♂) Mallard
- 1 Moorhen: hiding away
- 76 Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes: all adults
- c.100 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 17 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

No walk around as the very wet vegetation was unlikely to have yielded much

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 10:30 – 11:15

(193rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Rather fewer Mallard. I surmise that having been fed they had disappeared inside the island for a snooze.
- Just four of the Tufted Ducks were obviously starting to moult in to drake plumage. The Mallard have long finished moulting and were seen getting on with life – mating observed.
- The 'spare' adult Great Crested Grebe noted again, lurking by the S side of the island.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw

Warblers noted:
- 2 Chiffchaffs: no song

On /around the water:
- 42 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swan
- 27 (18♂) Mallard
- 17 (4+♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 3 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 33 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser |Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron

On the same lamp pole as yesterday:
- 1 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestman: had not been washed off.
- *1 Planthopper. Most likely Agallia consobrina.

Elsewhere: still waiting for the Ivy blossom to appear.
- 1 Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- 4 Common Carder Bees (Bombus pascuorum)
- 3 Common Wasps (Paravespula vulgaris)
- *1 Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)
- *1 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- *1 Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis)

A male Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax). The body is clearly not tapered-enough to be a male Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) but it would have been less obvious which species it was from the body shape had it been a female. Then the colour of the front legs would have told us – all dark on Common Drone Fly; with extensive yellow on Tapered Drone Fly.

A classic 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)

This is the most common form of Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) with 'lots of spots' (usually 17) on a slightly more orange-toned back (the elytra, covering the wings). The extensive white face is another clue. Strangely after what seemed to be larger than usual numbers of both larvae and pupae of this species I have seen fewer adults this year. This species seems to have had little effect on the 7 Spot population but I have not seen any 2 Spot Ladybirds (Adalia bipunctata) in the area since 2018.

I had no real idea about this tiny creature that was some 15 feet up a lamp pole. The photo was not great. I thought perhaps a midge. I am indebted to Martin Adlam for the suggestion that it could be a bug. I sent the photo to the Shropshire Bug Recorder and he confirmed it as a planthopper and most likely Agallia consobrina. The photo does not have enough detail to positively ID it. Quite why it was where it was ...! Thanks to all

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Teal
3 Wigeon
1 Kingfisher
(John Isherwood)

2011
Priorslee Lake
13 Meadow Pipits
3 Redpoll
Siskin
Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Juvenile Common Scoter
3 Little Grebes
Drake Pintail x Mallard
(Ed Wilson/Andy Latham)

26 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

14.0°C: A mixed bag: broken medium/high level cloud to E and N; spells of thin low cloud with sunny intervals in between. Moderate S breeze. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:02 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:30 – 08:50

(212th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A mixed group of Canada and Greylag Geese flew outbound at 05:35 over the football field. Too dark to see.
- Again only one juvenile Great Crested Grebe found. Just six adults.
- A protracted arrival of Black-headed Gulls from the W and NW. From my location I could track them all inbound and not, as often happen when I am at the lakeside, become confused with birds leaving. So at least 475 arrived (just
- The arrival of large gulls coincided with the passage of Jackdaws and Rooks along the same flight line – confusing! c.150 logged, with exactly c.120 of these stopping for a wash and brush up. One was noted as an adult Herring Gull, but rather too dark to ID many of them,
- A groups of 31 Meadow Pipits flew S over the football field at 07:15. Several more small groups seen and others heard. I could not see these passing unless they were against the cloud so I probably missed many.
- A juvenile Bullfinch seen: I was surprised to see that at this date it still lacked black on the crown and face.

Overhead:
- >4 Canada Geese: heard outbound; four inbound
- >2 Greylag Geese: heard outbound
- 1 Stock Dove
- 122 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls again
- c.30 large gulls
- 56 Jackdaws
- 101 Rooks
- 2 Starlings: together
- 4 Pied Wagtails again
- >44 Meadow Pipits
- 1 Linnet

Warblers noted:
- 4 Chiffchaffs: one in song
- 1 Blackcap

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 11 (7♂) Mallard
- 7 Moorhens again
- 74 Coots
- 6 + 1 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- >475 Black-headed Gulls
- *2 Herring Gulls
- 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c.120 'large gulls': see notes
- 2 Cormorants: arrived and departed separately
- 1 Grey Heron: departed again
- 1 Kingfisher

At / around the street lamps pre-dawn:

Moths:

None

Other things:
- *2 ichneumon sps.
- 1 Tipula paludosa cranefly
- 1 Plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)
- 1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- 3 Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 2 Stretch spiders (Tetragnatha sp.)
- *1 possible 'money spiders'
- *1 possible spiderling of the Giant House Spider group (Eritigena)
No harvestmen again

Otherwise noted:

I need the Ivy to start flowering to attract insects – almost no flowers at the moment.

- Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- 2 Hawker sp. dragonflies
- Stretch spiders (Tetragnatha sp.)
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
- 2 Grey Squirrels
- 1 Badger

The Harvest Moon is looking decidedly lop-sided now.

And here's one for cloud fans.

Gulls rarely look like they are supposed to and here is a good example. Despite the dark-looking eye and the rather gentle rounded head this not a Common Gull. It is too large (in comparison with the Black-headed Gull), the dark spotting is not confined to the hind-neck and the bill is too thick. Despite the dark eye this seems to be a third-winter Herring Gull with some dark on the bill (especially the upper mandible) and some brown feathers in the folded coverts.

One of two ichneumon-types on the lamps poles today. This one against rather confusing lichen-encrusted background. The long antennae are a good clue to this group of insects as the 'wasp-waist' is typically hard to see through the folded wings. It is just about discernible here.

The other one. I would guess a different species as this has curving-out antennae.

One of two tiny spiders I found. At the time I assumed they were probably on the several hundred species of 'money spider' though at this time of year we are inundated with recently hatched 'spiderlings'. As it has a distinctive abdomen pattern I'll see what the Shropshire recorder makes of it.

This was also very small. It is also well-patterned and the markings suggest a spiderling of one of the Giant House Spider group (Eritigena). I'll check.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:

Moths:

None

With:
- *1 cranefly Tipula lateralis
- 3 Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)
- 1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- 1 Leiobunum rotundum/blackwalli harvestman
- plus various midges and the usual other unidentified spiders as usual

I have zoomed in on this large cranefly Tipula lateralis, chopping its legs off to show identification features. Note the line running down the centre of the abdomen and the strongly marked wings. This is not one of the 'Autumn' craneflies the species, not any one individual, being on the wing from March until October. It is a female as it has a pointed abdomen (its ovipositor).

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 08:55 – 09:50

(192nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Bumper number of Mallard again.
- My first Meadow Pipit of Autumn here (first noted this year during Spring passage on 18 March)

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Wood Pigeons
- 5 Jackdaws
- 1 Meadow Pipit

Warblers noted:
- 3 Chiffchaffs: one in song

On /around the water:
- 69 Canada Geese
- 9 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swan
- 50 (33♂) Mallard
- 13 (?♂) Tufted Duck again
- 12 Moorhens
- 26 Coots
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 14 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: departed
- 2 Grey Herons

On a lamp pole:
- 1 Dicranopalpus sp. harvestman

Elsewhere: 

Still waiting for the Ivy blossom to appear.

- 1 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)

- 1 Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- 1 Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- 1 Ichneumon sp.: a large a striking yellow and black insect with no obvious black bands across the yellow abdomen. Seen very briefly in flight only.

- 1 Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax)

- 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Even if they are rather common and often noisy Collared Doves can look quite smart.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2011
Priorslee Lake
115 Greylag Geese
420+ Canada Geese
Shoveler
Common Sandpiper
Kingfisher
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

25 Sep 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

16.0°C > 17.0°C: Cloudy and humid. Calm. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:00 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:30 – 08:45

(211th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- c.20 Canada Geese flew outbound at 05:40 lit only by the reflection of the Teece Drive street lights.
- Just one juvenile Great Crested Grebe found. Still eight adults.
- A very desultory arrival of large gulls with only 55 logged, with exactly 40 of these stopping for a wash and brush up.
- Later a significant arrival of 74 Lesser Black-backed Gulls with just three Herring Gulls. A few other individuals dropped in later.
- When I arrived a Tawny Owl was hooting alongside Teece Drive. A few minutes later when I was checking the insects in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel what was presumably a different bird was giving repeated 'kvick' calls from around the lower pool and then soon after had flown across the road to continue its calls from the Ricoh copse.

Overhead:
- c.20 Canada Geese: outbound, together
- 99(!) Wood Pigeons
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 15 large gulls
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 19 Jackdaws
- 134 Rooks
- 4 Pied Wagtails

Warblers noted:
- 5 Chiffchaffs: no song again
- 2 Blackcaps: again

Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 14 (9♂) Mallard
- 7 Moorhens
- 70 Coots
- 8 + 1 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- c.200 Black-headed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 81 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 40 'large gulls': see notes
- 1 Grey Heron: departed again

At / around the street lamps pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 Brindled Flat-body (Agonopterix arenella)
- *1 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)
- *1 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)

Other things:
- 1 Plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)
- 1 Owl Midge Psychodidae sp.
- 1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- *5 Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 1 Noble False Widow (Steatoda nobilis)
- 4 Stretch spiders (Tetragnatha sp.)
No harvestmen

Otherwise noted:

Yet more dull conditions:

- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)

- Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- Alder Leaf Beetle (Agelastica alni)
- *Common Green Capsid (bug) (Lygocoris pabulinus)
- *Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- Stretch spider (Tetragnatha sp.)
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
- 1 Grey Squirrel

None of the moths I logged this morning was resting helpfully on any of the lamp poles. I found this Brindled Flat-body (Agonopterix arenella) resting on a leaf in vegetation lit by one of the lamps.

This moth was flying around and looking for a place to hide. This was a long-range shot just as it disappeared. There is enough detail here to identify it as an Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa). This common species is double-brooded with individuals flying in Spring and then again in Autumn. It might be common but I have not logged it here for at least eight years.

A very faded Snout moth (Hypena proboscidalis). It was also flying around and then, literally, went to ground amongst the leaf-litter. I was lucky to spot it.

I have shown these before but this leaf seemed especially affected. They are the result of the Spangle Gall Wasp (Neuroterus quercusbaccarum). This wasp lays its eggs in June in the lower epidermis of oak leaves. The galls then develop in Autumn and Winter with a new generation of adult wasps emerging in April. The tiny adult wasps are rarely seen – there seem to be no photos of them on the internet.

An unusual time of year to find a plant bug. Taken at long range as I knew if I crashed through the vegetation to get closer it would fly. It is most likely a Common Green Capsid (Lygocoris pabulinus) though as so often there are other very similar species. It is resting on the edge of a Larger Bindweed flower (Calystegia sepium).

A very typical view of a Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus) sitting in the middle of its web. Its feet are holding strands of the web in order to detect anything flying in to it that might be food. The diagnostic white cross at the top of the abdomen is very obvious.

These are all Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius). An obvious adult at top right with two spiderlings bottom left. The distinctive abdomen marking is clearly visible on the left-most one.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:

Moths:

None

with:
- 1 Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- 8 Common Rough Woodlouse (Porcellio scaber)
- 1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus)
- 2 Leiobunum rotundum/blackwalli harvestman
- plus various midges and the usual other unidentified spiders as usual

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 08:50 – 09:40

(191st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Bumper number of Mallard.
- More have the Tufted Duck seemed to have baled out

Birds noted flying over here:
- 13 Wood Pigeons

Warblers noted:
- 2 Chiffchaffs: no song

On /around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese: two of these arrived
- 3 Greylag Geese: arrived
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swan
- 47 (31♂) Mallard
- 13 (?♂) Tufted Duck only
- 10 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- *2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Grey Herons

On a lamp pole:
- *1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Elsewhere:
- 2 Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- 1 Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- 1 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- the same Peppery Milkcap (Lactarius piperatus) fungus as yesterday: it will probably be present for several weeks
- 1 Grey Squirrel

I am not entirely sure what this juvenile Great Crested Grebe has caught. Whatever it was then it was wisely soon discarded.

A Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina) changing to the brown colour it wears throughout winter.

(Ed Wilson)