No sightings in today
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2006
Priorslee Lake
13 Swifts
(Ed Wilson)
30 Jul 22
No sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2006
Priorslee Lake
13 Swifts
(Ed Wilson)
29 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Common Terns
(Ed Wilson)
28 Jul 22
Priorslee Lake
12:15pm - 1:45pm
Birds Noted:
3 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
2 Mute Swan + 4 cygnets (Cygnus olor) - Pair Blue 7JNU/7JSS
18 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
2 Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
4 Moorhen + 1 chick (Gallinula chloropus)
2 Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
4 Moorhen + 1 chick (Gallinula chloropus)
63 Coot + 3 chicks (Fulica atra)
9 Great Crested Grebe + 3 juveniles (Podiceps cristatus)
5 Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
1 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
1 Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - flying over
1 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
10 Magpie (Pica pica) - including flock of 7.
1 Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
2 Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
1 Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
2 Blackbird (Turdus merula) - including one with food for young
1 Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
5 Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
1 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
1 Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - flying over
1 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
10 Magpie (Pica pica) - including flock of 7.
1 Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)
2 Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
1 Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)
2 Blackbird (Turdus merula) - including one with food for young
1 Dunnock (Prunella modularis)
5 Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
(Martin Grant)
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
17 Mistle Thrush including several juveniles
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Common Terns
(Ed Wilson)
27 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2006
Priorslee Lake
Redshank
(Ed Wilson)
26 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2013
Priorslee Lake
Willow Tit
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
25 Jul 22
No sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2007
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
300+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls
3 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Reed Warbler
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Sand Martins
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
3 Herons
3 Greylag Geese
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Kestrel
6 Stock Doves
303 Wood Pigeons
12 Swifts
1 Kingfisher
4 Sand Martins
7 Swallows
6 House Martins
2 Grey Wagtails
8 Reed Warblers
2 Lesser Whitethroats
1 Common Whitethroat
1 Garden Warbler
9 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
3 Willow Tits
1 Jay
248 Jackdaws
485 Rooks
205 Greenfinches
3 Bullfinches
8 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)
23 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2012
Priorslee Lake
7 Skylarks
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)
22 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Kingfisher
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)
2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
20 Jul 22
No sightings in today
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Wheatear
(Ed Wilson)
19 Jul 22
No sightings in today.
Sightings from previous years without links are below
2011
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A male Cockatiel
1 drake Ruddy Duck
(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
4 Common Sandpiper
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A male Cockatiel
1 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
16 Jul 22
No Sightings in today.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Flash
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
14 Jul 22
Priorslee Lake and The Flash
11.0°C > 17.0°C: Early areas of cloud faded away; then clear for a while before more cloud developed. Light NW wind, increasing moderate. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 05:03 BST
* = a photo from today
Just a note: I need a break, having spent the last 27 months here most days (except during lockdowns). Back soon!
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:50 – 09:15
(161st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The number of Moorhens seen has been very low recently. Today I noted the first juveniles here this year and strangely they were two well-grown birds together. They have obviously been hiding somewhere.
- I cannot explain the continuing low count of Coots: surely the adults have not started to move away already? But if not where are they?
- One or more Little Grebes were calling at the West end throughout. They were keeping well hidden. I last heard them here a month ago.
- *A pair of Great Crested Grebes have at least two young.
- *Five Common Sandpipers were on one of the boat launching piers at 08:55. I had not seen or heard them earlier so suspect they had just flown in.
- Just one Blackcap heard singing. So why were there four singing at The Flash?
Birds noted flying over here:
- 7 Feral Pigeons: one group
- 5 Stock Doves: a single and two pairs
- 69 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull again
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 107 Jackdaws
- 9 Rooks
Hirundines etc. noted, most unusually:
- 1 Swift, briefly
- 3 Barn Swallows flew through
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Sedge Warbler
- 8 (5) Reed Warblers
- 3 (1) Blackcap only
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: from two days ago
- 1 Greylag Goose: from two days ago
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 16 (?♂) Mallard
- 2 + 2 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 41 adult and juvenile Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard
- *8 + 2? (a possible brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *5 Common Sandpipers: arrived?
- 19 Black-headed Gulls: one juvenile
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull: both adults
- 1 Kingfisher again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
As close as I could get to the pair of Great Crested Grebe with young. Two juveniles are evident in this view. There could well be more with four being the most common brood size, though they rarely all survive to fledge.
Record shot. The five Common Sandpipers that appeared on this platform by 08:55 (and were flushed off soon after)
And another. It is also a female without the scent mark in the forewing. I was looking for one with all-black antenna tips which would make it an Essex Skipper (T. lineola).
Here a male with the scent gland. In Essex Skipper the mark tends to be shorter and more parallel with the wing-edge. It has the same black-tipped antennae as the female.
My first Gatekeeper butterfly (Pyronia tithonus) of the year. They are smaller and more colourful than Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) with the two white dots in the black circle on the forewing being diagnostic – only one white spot for Meadow Brown. This is a male with a dark central area to, especially, the forewing.
The underwing is also more strongly patterned than that of Meadow Brown and the two white spots are again evident.
A Small Fan-footed Wave moth (Idaea biselata) on a street lamp pre-dawn. With a slightly battered left wing.
A Clouded Border moth (Lomaspilis marginata) also on a street lamp pre-dawn; and also with a slightly battered left wing.
An uncommon sight was this daytime Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) here on Common Field Thistle (Cirsium arvense).
With its surprisingly large and spade-like tongue in one of the flowers of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) this is a Bumblebee Cheilosia hoverfly (Cheilosia illustrata).
It is just possible to make out the short horizontal bars on the thorax of this hoverfly which identifies it as a Dead-head (or Batman) Hoverfly (Myathropa florea).
I haven't seen one of these for a while. It is a Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea). Indeed I suspect my previous record was back in Spring when they were still in brown 'winter plumage'.
Loadsa legs!. The body on the left is of a stretch spider Tetragnatha sp., but what it is battling with I cannot be sure about. Trying to count the legs suggests it is another spider. Mating perhaps?
And yet another example, rather more strongly marked, with a rather browner tone. I found this on a moss-covered street lamp in squirrel alley.
I found this moth on the roof of the tunnel. I am fairly sure it is a Red Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe spadicearia). Separation from Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (X. ferrugata) is not easy, the best indication here being the narrow white edging on the outer part of the dark central area which the latter species lacks. Genitalia examination is the only 100% reliable guide. Whatever it is the fifteenth species of moth I have found in the tunnel this year.
(Ed Wilson)
11.0°C > 17.0°C: Early areas of cloud faded away; then clear for a while before more cloud developed. Light NW wind, increasing moderate. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 05:03 BST
* = a photo from today
Just a note: I need a break, having spent the last 27 months here most days (except during lockdowns). Back soon!
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:50 – 09:15
(161st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The number of Moorhens seen has been very low recently. Today I noted the first juveniles here this year and strangely they were two well-grown birds together. They have obviously been hiding somewhere.
- I cannot explain the continuing low count of Coots: surely the adults have not started to move away already? But if not where are they?
- One or more Little Grebes were calling at the West end throughout. They were keeping well hidden. I last heard them here a month ago.
- *A pair of Great Crested Grebes have at least two young.
- *Five Common Sandpipers were on one of the boat launching piers at 08:55. I had not seen or heard them earlier so suspect they had just flown in.
- Just one Blackcap heard singing. So why were there four singing at The Flash?
Birds noted flying over here:
- 7 Feral Pigeons: one group
- 5 Stock Doves: a single and two pairs
- 69 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull again
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 107 Jackdaws
- 9 Rooks
Hirundines etc. noted, most unusually:
- 1 Swift, briefly
- 3 Barn Swallows flew through
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Sedge Warbler
- 8 (5) Reed Warblers
- 3 (1) Blackcap only
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: from two days ago
- 1 Greylag Goose: from two days ago
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 16 (?♂) Mallard
- 2 + 2 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 41 adult and juvenile Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard
- *8 + 2? (a possible brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *5 Common Sandpipers: arrived?
- 19 Black-headed Gulls: one juvenile
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull: both adults
- 1 Kingfisher again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Moths:
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata)
and:
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- *1 stretch spider Tetragnatha sp.
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 1 female Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- *1 stretch spider Tetragnatha sp.
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 1 female Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
And thanks as always to Tom Lowe for pointing out that what I noted as a Common Emerald moth (Hemithea aestivaria) last Saturday (9th) was in fact a Large Emerald (Geometra papilionaria). Apart from the size difference Common Emerald has an obvious chequered border to its wings.
Noted later:
Noted later:
It remained cloudy throughout while I was looking for insects.
New for this year:
Butterflies:
- *Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola): first confirmed record this year.
- *Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus): same date as my first 2021 record and two days later than my first in 2020.
Repeat sightings:
- *Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola): first confirmed record this year.
- *Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus): same date as my first 2021 record and two days later than my first in 2020.
Repeat sightings:
Butterflies:
- *Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
- *Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
- Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
Moths:
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
- Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
- Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)
- *Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
- Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
- Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)
- *Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
Hoverflies:
- *Bumblebee Cheilosia (Cheilosia illustrata)
- Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
- *Dead-head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) [Batman Hoverfly]
- *Bumblebee Cheilosia (Cheilosia illustrata)
- Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
- *Dead-head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) [Batman Hoverfly]
Dragon/Damselflies
- Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
- Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
Other flies:
- dagger fly Empis livida
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- dagger fly Empis livida
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
Beetles:
- unidentified pollen beetles
- unidentified pollen beetles
Bugs:
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
Snails / Slugs etc.
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
Not exactly a stunning sunrise but a most unusual cloud formation.
'Our' Common Buzzard was keeping a watchful eye on me from a roof in Teece Drive this morning.
I looked closely at every Small Skipper butterfly (Thymelicus sylvestris). Here is one.
No luck here either.
With a short straight scent mark this IS a male Essex Skipper.
'Aircraft of the day'. A Boeing 777 200 series of United Airlines en route from George Bush Intercontinental Airport at Houston, Texas to Frankfurt International Airport in Germany. Although United Airlines has recently updated its livery it has eschewed the fashion for painting the airline name in billboard letters under the fuselage or for extending the tail-fin colour (blue) under the rear fuselage.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:45
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:45
(157th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The geese were flying around but seem to be still testing their wings and reluctant to leave the confines of the water.
- I am not sure what happened yesterday: all five adult Mute Swans were present and were very obvious today.
- The number of juvenile Great Crested Grebes is still to be determined: only one seen again.
- It is very strange that eleven House Martins suddenly turned up and then quickly disappeared. Surely not a migrant group at this date? I have seen no more than six around the estate recently.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 Swifts briefly
- 11 House Martins, equally briefly
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 197 Canada Geese
- no Canada x Greylag Goose located
- 62 Greylag Geese
- 5 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 24 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 + 6 juvenile Moorhens
- ? + >12 juvenile Coots
- 2 + ? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult again
- 1 Grey Heron
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- *2 Small Fan-footed Wave moths (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Clouded Border moth (Lomaspilis marginata)
- 1 Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
Bird notes:
- The geese were flying around but seem to be still testing their wings and reluctant to leave the confines of the water.
- I am not sure what happened yesterday: all five adult Mute Swans were present and were very obvious today.
- The number of juvenile Great Crested Grebes is still to be determined: only one seen again.
- It is very strange that eleven House Martins suddenly turned up and then quickly disappeared. Surely not a migrant group at this date? I have seen no more than six around the estate recently.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 Swifts briefly
- 11 House Martins, equally briefly
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 197 Canada Geese
- no Canada x Greylag Goose located
- 62 Greylag Geese
- 5 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 24 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 + 6 juvenile Moorhens
- ? + >12 juvenile Coots
- 2 + ? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult again
- 1 Grey Heron
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- *2 Small Fan-footed Wave moths (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Clouded Border moth (Lomaspilis marginata)
- 1 Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
Another Small Fan-footed Wave moth (Idaea biselata) on a street lamp here.
There was also a Clouded Border moth (Lomaspilis marginata) on a street lamp here as well as at the balancing lake.. My moth species total for around The Flash this year moves to 21.
(Ed Wilson)
Between the lake and The Flash:
- Moorhen(s) heard at the upper pool.
- Two juvenile Moorhens seen at the lower pool.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- *1 probable Red Twin-spot Carpet moth (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)
- 1 owl midge Psychodidae sp.
(Ed Wilson)
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Between the lake and The Flash:
- Moorhen(s) heard at the upper pool.
- Two juvenile Moorhens seen at the lower pool.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- *1 probable Red Twin-spot Carpet moth (Xanthorhoe spadicearia)
- 1 owl midge Psychodidae sp.
(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
2012
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
Possible Otter
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
A female Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
2005
Priorslee Lake
Common/Arctic Tern
(Martin Adlam)
13 Jul 22
Priorslee Lake and The Flash
16.0°C > 17.0°C: Mostly cloudy with some breaks, especially later. Moderate NW wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:01 BST
* = a photo from today
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:55 – 09:05
(160th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- I presume the same three Canada and one Greylag geese that arrived yesterday were the ones here today. The cob Mute Swan left them alone.
- Yet another low count of Coots and this despite there being two new broods totalling five juveniles.
- A pair of Great Crested Grebe may have young.
- A Garden Warbler was calling along the South side where I saw one collecting food – but that was many weeks ago and I had neither seen nor heard anything since.
- A Blackbird was giving a very half-hearted song. No song heard from any others.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Greylag Geese: single and duo outbound; single inbound
- 8 Feral Pigeons: single and septet
- 1 Stock Dove
- 63 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves, together
- 1 Herring Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 71 Jackdaws
- 28 Rooks
- 2 Greenfinches
Hirundines etc. noted, most unusually:
This Great Crested Grebe may well be sheltering young inside the fluffed up feathers on its back. It was one of two birds very close together that showed no inclination to do any display ritual.
An adult Black-headed Gull beginning to moult in to winter plumage. The dark hood is fading from the front and some of the inner primaries are missing.
From underneath just five old primaries show: it should have ten. I suspect that the two shorter feathers inboard of the obvious inner primary are two beginning to regrow.
I have tried to turn this warbler in to something unusual but I have concluded it is just a 'funny Chiffchaff' lacking the normal supercilium (eyebrow). That feature can often be rather faint but I do recall ever having seen a bird without even a hint of one. Unhelpfully it did not call much less sing. I have another less sharp photo that shows black legs.
Very early today this Common Buzzard was sitting on a roof in Pitchford Drive. The local Magpies were quite upset: the buzzard was having none of it and ignored them. It was also ignoring the begging calls of a juvenile buzzard in the near-by Ricoh copse.
This looks somewhat like a grass moth but isn't. It, probably wisely, refused to turn its back towards me. However there is enough of the wing marking visible to identify it as a Pale Straw Pearl moth (Udea lutealis). I should see plenty more of these. This brings my moth species total for the lake in 2022 to 65.
Another Garden Grass-veneer moth (Chrysoteuchia culmella). This specimen shows only a faint angled cross line near the wing-tip but the longitudinal lines are exceptionally clear showing how they split.
Contrast with this, my first Common Grass-veneer moth (Agriphila tristella) of the year. There is no cross-line near the wing tip and the wide middle stripe with a clear edge divides into four ‘fingers’. This will likely soon become the dominant grass moth. What joy!
This is a Small Fan-footed Wave moth (Idaea biselata). Not all specimens have a 'filled-in' sub-terminal area. When they do, as here, they can be confused with Treble Brown Spot (I. trigeminata) though that species always has a dark leading-edge to the wing.
On a lamp pole pre-dawn this Early Thorn moth (Selenia dentaria) had the decency to stay until it was light. 'Early' Thorn because this species is double-brooded and I saw examples of the first brood in March. Note the comb-like antenna. When the hairs are on one side only this is called a pectinate antenna.
I found this caterpillar / larva feeding on an Alder leaf and wondered about Alder Leaf Saw-fly. Checking the web that is white so back to the drawing board where I drew a blank.
A tiny ladybird with long name: it is a 24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata). Not new for the year as I saw one on the rather unlikely date of 27 January.
A Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius). As previously noted this species is very variable in colour and marking. I have not seen too many dark ones like this.
I am not sure about this spider. It looks somewhat like the Bridge Orb-web Spiders (Larinioides sclopetarius) that I see most days though the legs seem longer and the abdomen markings less intense. Whatever it is then the long palps indicate it is a male.
Just peeping out behind the adult Great Crested Grebe's neck is a juvenile. There are almost certainly others hiding between the parent's fluffed-up feathers.
Between the lake and The Flash:
- No Moorhens seen or heard at either pool.
Also these moths:
- *1 Cinerous Neb (Bryotropha terrella)
- *1 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella)
- 1 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis)
I found this small moth resting on a leaf and it was reluctant to fly, allowing a close-up view. It is a Cinerous Neb (Bryotropha terrella)
A troublesome moth in a troublesome position. I have noted previously that moths on the roof of the tunnel are too close for my camera zoom but too small on other settings. So it is not a good photo to start with. Then it is one of the Marbled Minor (Oligia sp.) group of three species that cannot be separated reliably without dissection. There were some reddish tones which suggests Rufous Minor (O. versicolor) but it will have to stay a Marbled Minor-type. Previously unnoticed and unidentified small spider and small gnat are a bonus?
(Ed Wilson)
16.0°C > 17.0°C: Mostly cloudy with some breaks, especially later. Moderate NW wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:01 BST
* = a photo from today
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:55 – 09:05
(160th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- I presume the same three Canada and one Greylag geese that arrived yesterday were the ones here today. The cob Mute Swan left them alone.
- Yet another low count of Coots and this despite there being two new broods totalling five juveniles.
- A pair of Great Crested Grebe may have young.
- A Garden Warbler was calling along the South side where I saw one collecting food – but that was many weeks ago and I had neither seen nor heard anything since.
- A Blackbird was giving a very half-hearted song. No song heard from any others.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Greylag Geese: single and duo outbound; single inbound
- 8 Feral Pigeons: single and septet
- 1 Stock Dove
- 63 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves, together
- 1 Herring Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 71 Jackdaws
- 28 Rooks
- 2 Greenfinches
Hirundines etc. noted, most unusually:
None
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- *5 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 5 (5) Reed Warblers
- 1 (0) Garden Warbler
- 6 (3) Blackcaps
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: from yesterday?
- 1 Greylag Goose: from yesterday?
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 1 Moorhen only
- 48 adult and juvenile Coots
- *8 + ? (a possible brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *10 Black-headed Gulls: all adults again
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull: both adults
- 1 Kingfisher: possibly a second
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Moths:
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria): second generation
- 1 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex): dead in web.
- *5 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 5 (5) Reed Warblers
- 1 (0) Garden Warbler
- 6 (3) Blackcaps
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: from yesterday?
- 1 Greylag Goose: from yesterday?
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 1 Moorhen only
- 48 adult and juvenile Coots
- *8 + ? (a possible brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *10 Black-headed Gulls: all adults again
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull: both adults
- 1 Kingfisher: possibly a second
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Moths:
- *1 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
- *1 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria): second generation
- 1 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex): dead in web.
and:
- 2 stretch spider Tetragnatha sp.
- *1 unidentified orb-web spider
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 2 female Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
- 2 Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus harvestmen
Noted later:
- 2 stretch spider Tetragnatha sp.
- *1 unidentified orb-web spider
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- 2 female Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
- 2 Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus harvestmen
Noted later:
It remained cloudy throughout while I was looking for insects.
New for this year:
Moths
- Privet Tortrix (Clepsis consimilana)
- *Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella)
- *Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
- *unknown larvae
New for this year:
Moths
- Privet Tortrix (Clepsis consimilana)
- *Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella)
- *Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
- *unknown larvae
Plants:
- *Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
Repeat sightings:
Butterflies:
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- *Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)
Repeat sightings:
Butterflies:
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Moths:
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
- *Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
- *Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
Bees, wasps etc.:
- *Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- *Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Hoverflies:
- Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
- Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
Dragon/Damselflies
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
Other flies:
- Black Snipefly (Chrysopilus cristatus)
- Black Snipefly (Chrysopilus cristatus)
Beetles:
- Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
- [no unidentified pollen beetles]
Bugs:
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- *24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata)
- *Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius)
- Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
- [no unidentified pollen beetles]
Bugs:
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- *24 Spot Ladybird (Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata)
- *Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius)
Snails / Slugs etc.
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
A Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) tucks in to Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis).
Do I have to say this is a Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)? Another flower in the disturbed verge of Castle Farm Way. From all the seed pods visible seems I have overlooked these flowers, bright as they are.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:50
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:50
(156th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The geese have now started to find their wings and counting was made more difficult by birds flying around.
- I could only find three adult Mute Swans other than the resident pen and her four cygnets. Later she left the cygnets and was seen chasing one of these three. Afterwards I could only find two other adults though I did not see any leave.
- The pair of Great Crested Grebes have at least one juvenile which was seen on an adult's back.
- A screaming party of twelve Swifts were high overhead. Are they thinking of leaving already? The end of the month is the usual departure for many of the birds that nest in the UK. Departure is usually shortly after the first 'flying ant' day which allows them to stock up with food. In Newport, at least, the first 'flying ant' day of the year was last Sunday (10th), unusually early.
- A juvenile Black-headed Gull was present.
Birds noted flying over here:
Bird notes:
- The geese have now started to find their wings and counting was made more difficult by birds flying around.
- I could only find three adult Mute Swans other than the resident pen and her four cygnets. Later she left the cygnets and was seen chasing one of these three. Afterwards I could only find two other adults though I did not see any leave.
- The pair of Great Crested Grebes have at least one juvenile which was seen on an adult's back.
- A screaming party of twelve Swifts were high overhead. Are they thinking of leaving already? The end of the month is the usual departure for many of the birds that nest in the UK. Departure is usually shortly after the first 'flying ant' day which allows them to stock up with food. In Newport, at least, the first 'flying ant' day of the year was last Sunday (10th), unusually early.
- A juvenile Black-headed Gull was present.
Birds noted flying over here:
None
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts screaming high overhead
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs again
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 190 Canada Geese
- 1 Canada x Greylag Goose
- 59 Greylag Geese: three of these departed
- 4 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans: see notes
- 17 (?♂) Mallard: a bit better
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 20 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 + 7 juvenile Moorhens
- ? + >15 juvenile Coots
- *2 + 1? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *5 Black-headed Gulls: one of these a juvenile
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 1 Grey Heron: departed
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- 1 Early Thorn moth (Selenia dentaria)
- 1 Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
- 12 Swifts screaming high overhead
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs again
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 190 Canada Geese
- 1 Canada x Greylag Goose
- 59 Greylag Geese: three of these departed
- 4 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans: see notes
- 17 (?♂) Mallard: a bit better
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 20 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 + 7 juvenile Moorhens
- ? + >15 juvenile Coots
- *2 + 1? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- *5 Black-headed Gulls: one of these a juvenile
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 1 Grey Heron: departed
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- 1 Early Thorn moth (Selenia dentaria)
- 1 Leiobunum rotundum harvestman
A juvenile Black-headed Gull. In fresh plumage they are very ginger-toned, that quickly fading to the brown that it will wear until it moults next year. They do look strange at this age.
(Ed Wilson)
(Ed Wilson)
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Between the lake and The Flash:
- No Moorhens seen or heard at either pool.
Also these moths:
- *1 Cinerous Neb (Bryotropha terrella)
- *1 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella)
- 1 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis)
I also found this different grass moth on a lamp pole. It is an Inlaid Grass-veneer moth (Crambus pascuella). Both thee moths are my first in the area this year.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- 1 Garden Grass-veneer moth (Chrysoteuchia culmella) again
- *1 Marbled Minor-type (Oligia sp.)
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- 1 Garden Grass-veneer moth (Chrysoteuchia culmella) again
- *1 Marbled Minor-type (Oligia sp.)
(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
2014
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2007
Priorslee Lake
Hobby
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
3 drake Ruddy Ducks
(Ed Wilson)
12 Jul 22
Priorslee Lake and The Flash
19.0°C > 22.0°C: Mainly overcast at medium / high level. Spots of rain as I was arriving and again as I departed. Very light SSW winds. Humid. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:00 BST
* = a photo from today
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:40 – 08:50
(159th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan left the geese that arrived alone unless they got too close.
- I was either wrong yesterday to think the Great Crested Grebe's nest platform was no more: or they have quickly rebuilt it.
- Strangely my first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year flew over. All the others I saw were adults that visited the lake.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 76 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 1 Black-headed Gull: juvenile
- 2 Herring Gulls again
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 41 Jackdaws
- 7 Rooks
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts: all singles at very different times
- 4 Barn Swallows: together – family party?
- >3 House Martins: bird(s) heard high overhead at 04:50 but not located; three, briefly, at 06:50
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Sedge Warbler
- 7 (4) Reed Warblers
- 6 (4) Blackcaps
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: flew in together
- 1 Greylag Goose: also flew in
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 17 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 51 adult and juvenile Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 8 Black-headed Gulls: all adults again
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull: seven adults and one immature, all briefly
- 1 Kingfisher yet again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
This is frustrating. It may be an Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). This species is separated from the very similar Small Skipper (T. sylvestris) by having all-black tips to the antennae. It certainly looks good in this photo which was the only chance I had before the butterfly disappeared it to the far distance. I would have liked to have seen it 'head-on' to be sure of its identity.
Not a stunning photo of a micro moth at the top of the tallest lamp pole near the Teece Drive gate. It is my first Orange Crest (Helcystogramma rufescens) of 2022. You can at least see how it got that name.
A rather puzzling grass moth and the only one I saw today that was not obviously a Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella). This shows a faint chevron-shaped cross line in the middle of the wing as well as the one toward the wing tip (though this is only partially visible due to the damaged wing). These features are reminiscent of Barred Grass-veneer (Agriphila inquinatella) though that species is usually much more strongly marked with a noticeably darker area on the cross-line. One to pend.
Sitting at an awkward angle and positioned so that I was photographing it between vegetation this is a Blue-bordered Carpet moth (Plemyria rubiginata). I first recorded this species in 2020 and saw it again last year. It is not a common species though far from unusual.
A moth that 'got away' yesterday. Here is one of the dozen or so Shaded Broad-bar moths (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) I saw today. In flight these look much less interesting than they appear at rest.
One of ten Round-winged Muslin moths (Thumatha senex) that were on the lamp poles along the West end footpath. Seven of them were on one lamp pole and two more on the adjacent pole. This was a new species for me in 2019 since when it has been annual and in some numbers.
A new species for me. This one of the Tephritid flies and almost certainly Urophora jaceana. The wing pattern in this group can be variable but this species lays its eggs in Knapweed – which is the flower involved here.
This fly caused me to pause. Does it really have long, thick and pink antennae? Actually no. It is drinking from one of the flowers in the umbel of a Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and all the flowers have thick pink stamens (stigmata?). I don't know what species the fly is.
I think this is a small Common Toad (Bufo bufo). Most people seem to find it easy to separate frogs from toads: I have to say I don't, especially when they are small and not moving. I have no idea what is on the left of the photo. Did the toad just eat a beetle?
It is easier to identify here where the leaves are more obvious. In Common (or Perforate) St. John's-wort (H. perforatum) the leaves are dotted pale ('perforated').
Tucking in to the nectar on offer is an unidentified pollen beetle and a Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus).
This is a better example of Scentless Mayweed (Matricaria perforata) than I photographed a few weeks ago. The way the petals fold back is distinctive of mayweeds. Pinching the leaves is the easiest way to separate this from other mayweed and allied species. I found this on the disturbed verge of Castle Farm Way.
Not something I have noted previously. Two pairs of adult Coots were having a dispute (three only visible here) and six of the seven juveniles of one of the adult pairs seemed to want to join in. The photo is not very sharp I am afraid: the camera was on the wrong setting and I had to grab what I could.
The juveniles soon moved away and the adults carried on, mainly just posturing, before they backed off and went their separate ways.
This is what it looks like from a more normal perspective. It may be Tetanocera ferruginea. But then again with flies....
This Garden Grass-veneer moth (Chrysoteuchia culmella) was on the roof of the tunnel. I have inverted it for easier viewing. The single 'U-shaped' cross line toward the wing tip separates this species from all other grass moths.
(Ed Wilson)
19.0°C > 22.0°C: Mainly overcast at medium / high level. Spots of rain as I was arriving and again as I departed. Very light SSW winds. Humid. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:00 BST
* = a photo from today
Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:45 // 06:40 – 08:50
(159th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan left the geese that arrived alone unless they got too close.
- I was either wrong yesterday to think the Great Crested Grebe's nest platform was no more: or they have quickly rebuilt it.
- Strangely my first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year flew over. All the others I saw were adults that visited the lake.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 76 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 1 Black-headed Gull: juvenile
- 2 Herring Gulls again
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 41 Jackdaws
- 7 Rooks
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts: all singles at very different times
- 4 Barn Swallows: together – family party?
- >3 House Martins: bird(s) heard high overhead at 04:50 but not located; three, briefly, at 06:50
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Sedge Warbler
- 7 (4) Reed Warblers
- 6 (4) Blackcaps
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: flew in together
- 1 Greylag Goose: also flew in
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 17 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 51 adult and juvenile Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 8 Black-headed Gulls: all adults again
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gull: seven adults and one immature, all briefly
- 1 Kingfisher yet again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Moths:
- *1 Orange Crest (Helcystogramma rufescens)
- *1 Blue-bordered Carpet (Plemyria rubiginata)
- *10 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)
- *1 Orange Crest (Helcystogramma rufescens)
- *1 Blue-bordered Carpet (Plemyria rubiginata)
- *10 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)
and:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
Noted later:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
Noted later:
Another shorter than usual visit
New for this year:
Butterflies:
- *possible Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
Flies:
- *Tephritid fly, almost certainly Urophora jaceana
Amphibians:
- *Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Plants:
- *Imperforate St John's-wort (Hypericum maculatum)
- *Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)
Repeat sightings:
Butterflies:
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
New for this year:
Butterflies:
- *possible Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
Flies:
- *Tephritid fly, almost certainly Urophora jaceana
Amphibians:
- *Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
Plants:
- *Imperforate St John's-wort (Hypericum maculatum)
- *Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)
Repeat sightings:
Butterflies:
- Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
- Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
Moths:
- Common Marble (Celypha lacunana)
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella): at least 50 grass moths; all those checked were this species
- *Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata): at least 12
- Common Marble (Celypha lacunana)
- Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella): at least 50 grass moths; all those checked were this species
- *Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata): at least 12
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
Hoverflies:
- *Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
- *Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
- Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
Dragon/Damselflies
- Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
- Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)
- Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
Other flies:
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Black Snipefly (Chrysopilus cristatus)
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Black Snipefly (Chrysopilus cristatus)
Beetles:
- Rough-haired Lagria Beetle (Lagria hirta)
- Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
- *the usual unidentified pollen beetles
- Rough-haired Lagria Beetle (Lagria hirta)
- Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
- *the usual unidentified pollen beetles
Bugs:
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
Flowers:
- *Scentless Mayweed (Matricaria perforata)
- *Scentless Mayweed (Matricaria perforata)
Snails / Slugs etc.
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
- White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
And another specimen for good measure.
This is Imperforate St John's-wort (Hypericum maculatum).
My PlantNet app. tells me this is Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum). I am sure I have seen this flower previously. I wonder what I identified it as? I also found this on the disturbed verge of Castle Farm Way.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:35
(155th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- Somebody seems to have silenced the Peacock. I haven't heard it for over a week.
- A sizeable group of Coots was jammed together on the edge of the island. In the relatively dull conditions it was impossible to count how many; still less separate adults and immatures. These apart a good number of juveniles were seen elsewhere.
- The Little Grebe was located again. It was diving beneath overhanging vegetation and I probably overlooked it yesterday.
- Now three Great Crested Grebes again.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Jackdaw once more
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts in the far distance over St Georges
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (3) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 203 Canada Geese
- 1 Canada x Greylag Goose
- 74 Greylag Geese
- 5 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 7 (?♂) Mallard only: where were they hiding?
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 22 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 + 6 (? broods) Moorhens
- *? + >16 (? broods) Coots: see notes
- 1 Little Grebe
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Grey Heron
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- *1 red fly sp., possibly Tetanocera ferruginea
- *1 Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus harvestman
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:35
(155th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- Somebody seems to have silenced the Peacock. I haven't heard it for over a week.
- A sizeable group of Coots was jammed together on the edge of the island. In the relatively dull conditions it was impossible to count how many; still less separate adults and immatures. These apart a good number of juveniles were seen elsewhere.
- The Little Grebe was located again. It was diving beneath overhanging vegetation and I probably overlooked it yesterday.
- Now three Great Crested Grebes again.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Jackdaw once more
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts in the far distance over St Georges
Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (3) Blackcaps
Noted on / around the water:
- 203 Canada Geese
- 1 Canada x Greylag Goose
- 74 Greylag Geese
- 5 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 7 (?♂) Mallard only: where were they hiding?
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 22 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 + 6 (? broods) Moorhens
- *? + >16 (? broods) Coots: see notes
- 1 Little Grebe
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Grey Heron
Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- *1 red fly sp., possibly Tetanocera ferruginea
- *1 Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus harvestman
It is not usual for flies to allow this close an approach.
This is either a Dicranopalpus ramosus or a D. caudatus harvestman – only recently has it been discovered that there are two cryptic species involved. Separation requires genitalia examination (of the harvestman: not me). It is some ten days earlier than any previous record I have for these species.
(Ed Wilson)
Between the lake and The Flash:
- Moorhen(s) heard only at the upper pool.
- One adult and one juvenile Moorhens at the lower pool.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- *1 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella).
- many midges of various sizes.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Between the lake and The Flash:
- Moorhen(s) heard only at the upper pool.
- One adult and one juvenile Moorhens at the lower pool.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- *1 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella).
- many midges of various sizes.
(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
Ruddy Duck
Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)