11.0°C > 15.0°C: Mostly cloudy at medium level. A few blue patches but also some light showery rain c.08:45. Light south-westerly breeze. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 07:00 GMT
* = a species photographed today.
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:40 – 08:55
(230th visit of the year)
Bird notes
Highlight this morning was only my second Peregrine of the year here (the previous one was on 14 June). It cruised over c.06:45. Remarkably none of the many gulls on the water paid it any heed with a single passing Jackdaw attempting to chase it away.
Other bird notes:
- only small groups of migrant Wood Pigeons noted and these did not all seem clear as to where to go. One group was flying West; two south-west and one south-east with other three groups heading South.
- after the now usual arrival of at least 450 Black-headed Gulls, skimming in low over the M54 at 06:35. I was then surprised to see two more large groups (c.100 and c.150) arrive a few minutes later.
- in contrast there were very few large gulls, especially early. The first three appeared overhead at 06:30 but deigned to stop and these, along with 18 others, flew on. Eventually just seven Lesser Black-backs arrived before almost all the gulls departed.
- much later 49 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew in from the North, followed ten minutes later by 11 Herring Gulls. Most odd.
Counts of birds noted flying over:
- 11 Canada Geese: four outbound together; seven inbound in two groups
- 2 Greylag Geese: outbound together
- 4 Stock Doves: together
- 127 Wood Pigeons: of these 96 were noted in seven migrant parties: see also notes
- *1 Peregrine
- 1 Herring Gull
- 29 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant
- 194 Jackdaws
- 167 Rooks
- 1 Raven
- 14 Starlings: two groups
- 2 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Siskin
Birds seen leaving roost around the lake:
- 8 Starlings
Counts from the lake area:
- 38 Canada Geese: 34 present pre-dawn all departed; two duos arrived
- 19 Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Gadwall
- 12 (9♂) Mallard
- 5 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 203 Coots
- *5 Great Crested Grebes
- >700 Black-headed Gulls
- 11 Herring Gulls
- 56 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron
Noted on the street lamps poles pre-dawn:
Moths:
- 6 November Moth-types Epirrita dilutata agg.
- 6 November Moth-types Epirrita dilutata agg.
Bees, wasps etc.:
- *2 small ichneumon wasps
- *2 small ichneumon wasps
Flies:
- 1 female plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
- 1 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
- 2 wood gnats Sylvicola sp.
- 1 cranefly Tipula confusa
- 1 cranefly Tipula fulvipennis
- 1 female plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
- 1 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
- 2 wood gnats Sylvicola sp.
- 1 cranefly Tipula confusa
- 1 cranefly Tipula fulvipennis
Psylliodes:
- *1 possible jumping plant louse, species not identified
- *1 possible jumping plant louse, species not identified
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Telford Sailing Club
Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Telford Sailing Club
Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:
Flies:
- 4 craneflies, not all specifically identified: one could be *Nigrotipula nigra
- 9 other midges/gnats, also not specifically identified
- 4 craneflies, not all specifically identified: one could be *Nigrotipula nigra
- 9 other midges/gnats, also not specifically identified
Beetles:
- 1 Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- 1 Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 23 spiders of several species, not specifically identified
- 1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
- 23 spiders of several species, not specifically identified
- 1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
Bees, wasps etc.:
- 1 Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
- 1 Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Plants:
- *Nipplewort Lapsana communis: seem unusually late for this to still be flowering
- *Nipplewort Lapsana communis: seem unusually late for this to still be flowering
Surprisingly somewhat better weather than I expected – until it rained a bit later.
Record shot of the Peregrine. Well it was only 06:45!
Two unidentifieds. At the top a small ichneumon. At the bottom at springtail.
A Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Both my apps were convinced this is Nipplewort Lapsana communis. Not only does it seem unusually late for this to be flowering but I am used to seeing at the top of vertical stems.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 09:00 – 10:30
(233rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a Little Grebe again. Is it the same one? Has it been lurking by the island all the while? It was today. I heard it call once – unusual outside the breeding season I would have thought.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
- 23 Redwings: two groups
Noted on / around the water:
- 5 Canada Geese
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 6 + 3 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 36 (24♂) Mallard
- *1 (1♂) Mallard-hybrid
- 131 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 16 Moorhens
- *136 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant
Noted around The Flash:
This looks distinctive-enough to be easy to identify. Looks can be deceptive! In real life it was stunningly orange-toned and resembled some other small orange flies. The banding on the abdomen is something I have not seen previously.
An unidentified leafhopper. Some species are distinctive-enough to be identified from reasonable photos. There are several confusing mainly green ones.
Another puzzle. The 'lump' looks to be what I identified last week as the workings of the gall-midge Dasineura urticae. Here a small nymph seems to be emerging from the gall. A midge would not have a nymph-stage: like all flies their lifecycle is egg then larva and direct to adult. Perhaps the 'nymph' is a Nettle Aphid Microlophium carnosum and unconnected with the gall.
At last. Something I can identify! A Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis of the form succinea. All forms are somewhat variable. This is unusual in showing more black than red (the spots are larger): also the dark shading in the white 'eyes' does not appear in any photos I can find on the internet.
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
c.75 Starlings left roost at W end
118 Wood Pigeons
2 Skylarks
7 Meadow Pipits
478 Fieldfare
76 Redwings
9 Siskins
13 Linnets
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
2 Cormorants
26 Pochard
47 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
64 Coots
35 Fieldfares
3 Song Thrushes
24 Redwings
4 Mistle Thrushes
(Ed Wilson)
2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
Wigeon
Cormorant
300 Black-headed Gulls
40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.75 Lapwings
2 Fieldfares
1 duck Pochard
34 Tufted Duck
200 Coot
(Ed Wilson)
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(233rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a Little Grebe again. Is it the same one? Has it been lurking by the island all the while? It was today. I heard it call once – unusual outside the breeding season I would have thought.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
- 23 Redwings: two groups
Noted on / around the water:
- 5 Canada Geese
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 6 + 3 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 36 (24♂) Mallard
- *1 (1♂) Mallard-hybrid
- 131 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 16 Moorhens
- *136 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant
Noted around The Flash:
Moths:
- *1 Pale Birch Tortrix Acleris logiana.: almost the same place as yesterday
- *1 Pale Birch Tortrix Acleris logiana.: almost the same place as yesterday
Bees, wasps etc.:
- >5 Common Wasps Paravespula vulgaris
- >5 Common Wasps Paravespula vulgaris
Flies:
- *1 possible Nettle Aphid Microlophium carnosum
- at least five species seen
- *1 possible Nettle Aphid Microlophium carnosum
- at least five species seen
Leafhoppers:
- *1 unidentified leafhopper
- *1 unidentified leafhopper
Bugs:
- *1 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
- *1 Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
Beetles:
- 1 Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- 1 Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- none
A few more photos of this strange Mallard-hybrid. I cannot think of any species of duck whose drakes shows feathering along the flanks as shown here. And where does the rufous on the face come from?
Apparently surrenders. It is interesting that with c.140 Coot here at the moment many of them are not fighting – thank goodness.
The same Pale Birch Tortrix Acleris logiana had moved a few inches to the right and was hiding in a crack in the street lamp pole. Even had I initially noticed it here the view would almost certainly precluded identification.
- none
The bill pattern is a puzzle too.
The curled tail-feather confirms drake Mallard genes are there.
Coots are inveterate nest-builders. This one is still building.
When not nest building they can often be found fighting. Two against one here.
"Take that".
Reinforcements arrive.
As previously noted it is a long way to the island and Little Grebes are indeed 'little'.
Of course at the top of a tree behind many branches. A Great Spotted Woodpecker.
With red on the nape it is a male.
A number of unidentified flies today. Here is one.
And another.
Another settling down to a meal of Ivy nectar.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priorslee Lake
c.75 Starlings left roost at W end
118 Wood Pigeons
2 Skylarks
7 Meadow Pipits
478 Fieldfare
76 Redwings
9 Siskins
13 Linnets
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
2 Cormorants
26 Pochard
47 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
64 Coots
35 Fieldfares
3 Song Thrushes
24 Redwings
4 Mistle Thrushes
(Ed Wilson)
2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
Wigeon
Cormorant
300 Black-headed Gulls
40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.75 Lapwings
2 Fieldfares
1 duck Pochard
34 Tufted Duck
200 Coot
(Ed Wilson)