7.0°C > 9.0°C: Mostly cloudy with occasional spells of mainly light rain. A heavier spell for a while after 08:15. Light wind. Rather murky at times with moderate visibility at best.
Sunrise: 06:23 GMT
* = a photo today
Priorslee Lake: 05:25 – 06:35 // 07:30 – 09:15
(63rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- As I later noted at The Flash Tufted Duck numbers are declining, probably as birds move N and E to breeding grounds.
- Two Great Crested Grebes were together in the NW area. A pair were displaying along the S side.
- A lone Black-headed Gull was on he football field at 06:35. It was the only one I noted. Reports from Belvide Reservoir, 12 miles to the E, speak of many thousand passing SE overhead in the last few days as they head off to their breeding areas, many in Central Europe.
- A group of 11 large gulls flew S at 06:10: it was too murky to be able to identify which species they might be. Just one Lesser Black-backed Gull seen overhead later.
- The Cetti's Warbler's was very noisy near where the Wesley Brook discharges in to the lake; and later also at the W end.
- Three Redwings flew out of the S side trees before dawn.
- Four male Greenfinches were concurrently giving their nasal call notes at the W end. Two of them were also seen performing their slow-motion bat-like display flights. It is welcome to see numbers picking up after this species was badly affected by a virus – no AstraZeneca injections for them (other Covid jabs are available...).
- The number of Siskins is reducing almost daily. No more than eight today. Whether they have eaten all the Alder seeds and therefore moved on or whether they are returning to their breeding grounds in more open country is hard to say.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs inbound
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Collared Doves: together
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 11 large gulls
- 102 Jackdaws
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers noted. (figures in brackets relate to singing birds)
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 12 (10) Chiffchaffs
Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens again
- 28 Coots again
- Little Grebe(s) heard only
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull: on the football field at 06:35 only
On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn: a bonanza in milder conditions.
Photo-bombed by a Moorhen this gives some scale to the thrush, significantly larger than Song Thrush which is less likely to be seen in an open grassy habitat as here.
I assume these are a pair. I was standing out of the rain in the sailing shelter when these two dropped in. When they flew off they went S over the M54 and are thus likely a different pair from those seen on the football field and heard singing alongside Teece Drive.
A handsome bird. Note the dark area at the 'shoulder', the round spots on the belly and the line of arrow-head spots on the throat.
The first of four moths of different species I found this morning. This has a rather strange colour caste as I was unable to get a clear flash photo and it is taken by the light of the LED torch. It is a Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana), the red spot being just discernible at the bottom of the hook marking. Strangely my first-ever record of this species was on the same date in 2020.
Moth species #2. This is one of the Acleris ferrugana / notana 'button' moths. These are generally impossible to separate from good photos – which this one isn't! Adults of both these species overwinter and can be tempted to fly on mild nights.
Moth species #3. Do you ever get the feeling you are being watched? This is a male Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) - males have a smoother trailing edge to the folded wings. This species has two generations each year. This is one of the larger and slightly less colourful first generation. Like all moths in the thorn group it rests with the wings held vertically above its backs.
The same individual from the other side by natural light. This shows more clearly its feathered antennae confirming it is a male – females have simple antennae.
Moth species #4. This is an Early Grey moth (Xylocampa areola). My last record here was on the same date in 2020.
An identification shot only. This Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) was flying around low to the ground perhaps looking for a possible nest site. I was quite pleased to get any sort of image to be able to confirm its identity.
On the wall of the sailing club HQ was this midge with spotted wings. I have not been able to even tentatively identify it though it seems rather familiar.
Despite appearances to the contrary I think this lacewing is a Common Green Lacewing from the Chrysoperia carnea group. They become straw-coloured before they hibernate. The brown bands suggest this species.
A beetle I found on a lamp pole. I cannot positively identify it. I think one of the leaf beetles because of its long antennae. It bears some resemblance to Cryptocephalus pusillus: however that is noted as active in late Summer / Autumn.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:40 – 07:25
I found this tiny weevil on one of the lamp poles. It would not stay still and have its portrait taken. It may be Notaris acridulus which is noted as having a deeply punctate elytra.
Warblers noted. (figures in brackets relate to singing birds)
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 12 (10) Chiffchaffs
Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens again
- 28 Coots again
- Little Grebe(s) heard only
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull: on the football field at 06:35 only
On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn: a bonanza in milder conditions.
- Moths:
- *1 x Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana)
- *1 Acleris ferrugana / notana 'button' moth
- *1 x Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
- *1 x Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)
x = new for my year list taking the total moth species count this year to 11
Other insects
- *1 Common Green Lacewing from the Chrysoperia carnea group
- 3 springtails, at least
- *1 beetle sp.
- *1 x Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana)
- *1 Acleris ferrugana / notana 'button' moth
- *1 x Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
- *1 x Early Grey (Xylocampa areola)
x = new for my year list taking the total moth species count this year to 11
Other insects
- *1 Common Green Lacewing from the Chrysoperia carnea group
- 3 springtails, at least
- *1 beetle sp.
Spiders:
- *1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
Noted later:
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- many gnats
- several springtails
- *1 spider to be identified
- *1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
Noted later:
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- many gnats
- several springtails
- *1 spider to be identified
In typical upright pose is a Mistle Thrush.
From the side the pale edges to the wing feathers can be seen.
The other side. This species often looks pot-bellied and with a rather small head for its size.
Do I need to say Blue Tit?
I think this spider is a Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
Another spider with breakfast in its jaws.
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:40 – 07:25
(60th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan chased one of the cygnets it to the air where it was joined by the second cygnet. These flew around and around for the longest duration flight I have seen them perform, gaining considerable height before splashing back down.
- Meanwhile the pen was on the nest throughout.
- Tufted Duck numbers somewhat declined. Are they beginning to move out?
- Just the one Great Crested Grebe located.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Warblers noted. (figures in brackets relate to singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
On /around the water:
- 34 Canada Geese: eight of these flew off
- 5 Greylag Geese: a pair of these flew off
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 21 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal still
- 61 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 13 Moorhens
- 26 Coots once again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull only
- 1 Grey Heron
On / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 Dotted Border moth (Agriopis marginaria): on a different lamp pole
- *1 mosquito sp., likely Culiseta annulata
- 1 springtail sp.
Elsewhere
Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan chased one of the cygnets it to the air where it was joined by the second cygnet. These flew around and around for the longest duration flight I have seen them perform, gaining considerable height before splashing back down.
- Meanwhile the pen was on the nest throughout.
- Tufted Duck numbers somewhat declined. Are they beginning to move out?
- Just the one Great Crested Grebe located.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Warblers noted. (figures in brackets relate to singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
On /around the water:
- 34 Canada Geese: eight of these flew off
- 5 Greylag Geese: a pair of these flew off
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 21 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal still
- 61 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 13 Moorhens
- 26 Coots once again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull only
- 1 Grey Heron
On / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 Dotted Border moth (Agriopis marginaria): on a different lamp pole
- *1 mosquito sp., likely Culiseta annulata
- 1 springtail sp.
Elsewhere
Nothing of note
This is very reminiscent of several 'midges' I have seen recently. However this one has a proboscis. I think it is a female mosquito and likely Culiseta annulata noted as having legs boldly banded. It hibernates as an adult. Females can bite man, causing blisters (but does not carry malaria).
(Ed Wilson)
Between the lake and The Flash:
- 2 Moorhens in the lower pool again.
- 5 Starlings only: in trees
- 1 Chiffchaff around the lower pool
(Ed Wilson)
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Between the lake and The Flash:
- 2 Moorhens in the lower pool again.
- 5 Starlings only: in trees
- 1 Chiffchaff around the lower pool
And
- *1 weevil sp. on one of the lamp poles. It may be Notaris acridulus
- *My first Lesser Celandine flower (Ficaria verna) (formerly Ranunculus ficaria) of the year.
- *1 weevil sp. on one of the lamp poles. It may be Notaris acridulus
- *My first Lesser Celandine flower (Ficaria verna) (formerly Ranunculus ficaria) of the year.
Not a very good specimen and I had to extract it from under several other plants. My first Lesser Celandine flower (Ficaria verna) this year.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Avenue tunnel
(Ed Wilson)
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Priorslee Avenue tunnel
Noted in the tunnel
- Just a few gnats again.
(Ed Wilson)
- Just a few gnats again.
(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
Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Iceland Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull.
(Tom Lowe)
2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Kittiwake
2 adult Little Gulls
(J Reeves / Jim Almond / Andy Latham)
2011
Priorslee Lake
13 Pochard
18 Tufted Duck
5 Great Crested Grebe
12+ Sand Martin
3 Chiffchaff
17 Pied Wagtails
23 Linnets
11 Greenfinches
(Mike Cooper, (Martin Grant, Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash
2 Great Crested Grebe
c.12 Tufted Duck
4 Teal
2 Chiffchaff singing
1 Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock
30 Tufted Duck
6 Sand Martins
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
( Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
7 Great Crested Grebe
1 Heron
6 Gadwall
19 Tufted Duck
2 Reed Buntings
( Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebe
15 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
3 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
46 Golden Plover
4 Stock Dove
281 Wood Pigeon
27 Wren
38 Robin
21 Blackbird
1 Redwing
4 Chiffchaff singing
3 Jay
35 Magpie
159 Jackdaw
3 Reed Bunting
( Ed Wilson)