20 Aug 25

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

13.0°C > 15.0°C: Low / medium overcast with early slight drizzle. A few brighter moments came to nought. Moderate / fresh northerly wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:01 BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:45 // 07:45 – 09:45

(204th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- no geese on the water early or late. All the outbound geese were flying diagonally across the lake area and appeared to have not come from The Flash.
- all four Mute Swans still present at 05:15. By 06:00 the resident cob was giving chase of the extra pair departed at 06:15.
- the duck Pochard gone in to hiding.
- the three juveniles from the third Great Crested Grebe brood were the only youngsters noted.
- Sand Martins, Barn Swallows and House Martins were again in a mixed group, harder to see as the more northerly component to the wind meant they were frequenting low along the South side where access is impossible and view over the reeds is difficult.
- Chiffchaffs everywhere again today.
- no groups of Jackdaws and Rooks. Indeed hardly any Jackdaws and the Rooks were in a steady stream rather than bunched together.
- a single Starling (there is such a thing?) flew off of a roof in Teece Drive and was probably the bird singing(?!) from a roof in Everglade Road a few minutes later. An unusual date.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 60 Canada Geese: 52 outbound in six groups; two duos inbound
- 16 Greylag Geese: outbound in two groups
- 1 Stock Done
- 123 Wood Pigeons
- 32 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 7 Jackdaws only
- 62 Rooks
- 1 Pied Wagtail

Counts from the lake area:
- 4 Mute Swans: two departed together
- *21 (♂?) Mallard
- no Pochard
- 10 + 3 (2 dependent broods) Moorhens
- 137 adult and juvenile Coots again
- 7 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 40 Black-headed Gulls: two confirmed as juveniles
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 34 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons: the second flew in and was presumably the bird that departed

Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Sand Martins
- 8 Barn Swallows
- 4 House Martins

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- *17 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
- 2 (0) Blackcaps

Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 $$ probable White-headed Mompha Mompha propinquella
- also three seen in flight only, one likely a plume moth species

Flies:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
- 1 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 2 Missing Sector Orb-web Spiders Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]

Noted later:
Again nothing in the dull and breezy conditions. Otherwise....

Mammals:
- 1 Pipistrelle-type bat over the Ricoh area c.05:25

Yesterday I photographed two Mallard acquiring drake plumage still with under-developed wings. Here is a duck Mallard in the same state characterised by her dull bill with the brown edging.

After a bit of photo-editing I managed to rescue a reasonable photo of a passing Jay.

 "Whee – no wings"!

One of the many Chiffchaffs among the many Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna berries waiting the arrival of the Redwings – at least six weeks away.

The same bird.

 And again.

If confirmed by the Shropshire recorder this will be a new moth species for me. I think it is a White-headed Mompha Mompha propinquella the larvae of which create leaf-mines in various species of willowherb. The only moth I could photograph today.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Moths: [41 species here before today; no additions]
none

Bees, wasps etc.:
*1 Honey Bee Apis mellifera

Flies:
*1 $$ possible Dull Four-spined Legionnaire Chorisops tibialis
*1 $ cranefly Nephrotoma flavipalpis
*1 $$ possible cranefly Nigrotipula nigra
*1 cranefly Tipula lateralis
8 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
9 midges of various species

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
*1 harvestman Opilio canestrinii

This is why I don't always take what Obsidentify tells me without checking. One of many unusual sighting in the tunnel this morning was this Honey Bee Apis mellifera asleep on the ceiling. Obsidentify told me it was a Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax. Not with long antennae it isn't.

Obsidentify was 100% sure this is a Dull Four-spined Legionnaire fly Chorisops tibialis. NatureSpot suggests caution in separating this species from others in the group.

The rectangular yellow areas on the thorax of this cranefly identify it as a Nephrotoma flavipalpis.

Another Obsidentify certainty tells me this cranefly is Nigrotipula nigra. If correct a new species for me.

The necessary camera flash makes the photo of this cranefly Tipula lateralis difficult to interpret.

This Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata has reduced the number of midges I can count by the one dead in its palps. The green-bodied midge looks as if it might have been interesting.

The working part of a harvestman Opilio canestrinii.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 06:50 – 07:40

(198th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- the same four fast-growing Mallard ducklings seen with their mother.
- both the Great Crested Grebe families were complete today.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Noted on / around the water:
- 4 Canada Geese again
- 2 Greylag Geese: arrived together
- *10 Mute Swans
- 23 (?♂) + 4 (1 brood) Mallard
- 14 (12?♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 106 adult and juvenile Coots
- 4 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 19 Black-headed Gulls: one juvenile
- 1 Cormorant again
- 2 Grey Herons

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcap again

Noted around the area:

Moths:
none

Bugs:
1 Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 unidentified spider

Three of the ten Mute Swans went for a fly about. The middle bird has a strange kink in its neck. All three seemed to be happily upending to feed when I saw them later and none of them seemed to have an abnormal neck..

I can't identify this small spider. I have included it because it appears to be holding its back legs raised backwards over its body.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Wheatear
(Ed Wilson)

19 Aug 25

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

15.0°C > 14.0°C: Low overcast with spells of drizzle. Moderate north-easterly wind. Moderate visibility often poor in drizzle.

Sunrise: 05:59 BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:35 // 07:30 – 09:35

(203rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- the only geese on the water were two Canada Geese arrivals c.09:20. Just 12 outbound Canada Geese noted these in three small groups and only three inbound two of these being a duo before any went outbound. No Greylags seen at all.
- all four Mute Swans still present. What I assume to be the new resident cob was harassing one of the other, presumably also a cob.
- the duck Pochard was seen in her usual area.
- as yesterday I twice heard a Common Sandpiper flying around without ever managing to see where it was.
- at least two Sand Martins were in the mixed hirundine group.
- seven Barn Swallows were noted apparently leaving in a group to the North at 07:55. How this relates to the five or more seen later in the mixed group is unclear.
- at least six House Martins were on the mixed group and then eight were seen high overhead later when I was unable to see whether the originals were still present.
- I am wondering whether there might be two infrequently singing Cetti's Warblers. On three separate occasions recently I have heard a bird give a partial song near the South end of the dam while. On other days I have heard a proper song from the North side. Today I heard both though several hours apart so plenty of time for a single bird to relocate.
- there were Chiffchaffs everywhere today with one bird seen to feed another – I was unable to tell whether the recipient was a juvenile but it seems likely
- after the first sizeable mixed group of Jackdaws and Rooks was noted at 05:30 yesterday this mining I had to wait until 05:48. Improbably for the second day I counted exactly 100 Rooks.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 15 Canada Geese: 12 outbound in three groups; a singe and a duo inbound
- 106 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 47 Jackdaws
- 100 Rooks exactly again
- 2 Pied Wagtails

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: arrived
- *4 Mute Swans: see notes
- 23 (♂?) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 11 + 3 (3 dependent broods) Moorhens
- 131 adult and juvenile Coots again
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Common Sandpiper: see notes
- *47 Black-headed Gulls: two confirmed as a juvenile
- 6 Herring Gulls
- 82 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Grey Heron

Hirundines etc. noted:
- no Swifts
- *2 Sand Martins again
- *7 (or 12) Barn Swallows: see notes
- *6 (or 14) House Martins: see notes

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) or perhaps 2 (2) Cetti's Warbler: see notes
- 18 (0) Chiffchaffs
- *2 (0) Reed Warblers
- 3 (0) Blackcaps

Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]

Flies:
- 1 male midge, perhaps Chaoborus sp.
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]

Noted later:
Nothing in the dull and breezy conditions. Earlier....

Mammals:
- 2 Pipistrelle-type bats over the Ricoh area c.05:25

Full marks for effort from the resident Mute Swan on the left. He didn't succeed in moving the other pair though.

Well these are two drake Mallard, neither of which has wings that would allow it to fly. I think these are juveniles yet to fully fledge rather than adults that have yet to complete their moult. I see many adults flying around by now.

Compare and contrast time. The right-hand bird is a Black-headed Gull starting its moult out of juvenile garb in to first-winter plumage. The nearer bird is already in adult-winter plumage with only "ear-muffs" remaining from its breeding plumage.

It was another morning trying to get half-decent photos of individuals in the mixed hirundine group feeding close-in to the dam – while it was drizzling. Here is a Sand Martin with plumage suggesting it needs a moult after a hard breeding season.

A smarter-looking bird. This shows a feature rarely visible "in the field" - the dark axillaries. These are feathers in the "arm pit" of the wing.

A Barn Swallow of course. I am intrigued by the white mark in the centre of its back. No idea beyond suggesting it is moulting ahead of its long journey to Southern Africa.

When the tail is held tightly closed the sub-terminal spots on the streamers are not visible.

This shows that House Martin is a tubbier bird than either the Sand Martin or Barn Swallow. This bird also shows a white patch in the middle of its back. Strange.

No dark axillaries on this species – the opposite: they are paler than the rest of the under-wing.

I did not expect this! I was standing on the dam top and photographing whatever hirundine flew past. When I looked at the photos I noticed this Reed Warbler! I had to increase the number of this species I had recorded.

Two juvenile Goldfinches in flight with two others on the ground to the left.

Munching away is another juvenile Goldfinch. With the beak partly open the first impression is more Greenfinch-like. The yellow in the wing dictates otherwise.

Two juveniles get down to the important task of eating.

And a quartet doing the same. I assume grass seeds?

The only moth I identified all morning was this Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella on the first street lamp pole I looked at. A well-marked example it is too.

On the same street lamp pole as yesterday's spider but a different species. A fine example of a Garden Spider Araneus diadematus.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Moths: [41 species here before today; no additions]
One possible unidentified moth!

Flies:
*1 cranefly Tipula confusa
*2 craneflies Tipula lateralis
12 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
10 midges of various species

Arthropods:
still no White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
*3 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
2 other unidentified spiders

Somewhat frustrating. The best shot of this small creature when edited suggests it may be one of the many Argyresthia group of micro-moths, none of which I have recorded from this area. It will have to remain a possible as there is too little detail.

I think this is the cranefly Tipula confusa from the apparent lack of obvious antennae and the way it holds its wings over its back at rest (rather than outstretched). Since learning that there about 350 species of cranefly in the UK I have become more cautious about identification of many that I see!

A pair of craneflies Tipula lateralis attempting to ensure the continuation of the species.

Fancy a nice bit of silver-side? That's Silver-sided Sector Spider Zygiella x-notata more usually known as the Missing Sector Orb-web Spider due to the absence of one segment in its web-structure.

I was somewhat bemused by the two white stripes on the abdomen of this spider but...

...they are present in a less obvious way on the abdomen of this Missing Sector Orb-web Spider so I guess they both are. I cannot suggest an identity for the cranefly this one is devouring.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 06:40 – 07:25

(197th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- still ten Mute Swans!
- four fast-growing Mallard ducklings seen with their mother.
- each of the Great Crested Grebe families apparently with a juvenile missing. Might have been due to the drizzle and poor visibility that I failed to find them.
- *a Grey Wagtail was present very briefly.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:

None

Noted on / around the water:
- 4 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 10 Mute Swans
- 17 (?♂) + 4 (1 brood) Mallard
- 18 (?♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens
- 99 adult and juvenile Coots
- 4 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 15 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 4 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcap

Noted around the area:

Moths:
none

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus

Well it was drizzling and this immature or female Grey Wagtail only stopped very briefly. My first record here since early Spring.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2011
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
A male Cockatiel
1 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)

18 Aug 25

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

16.0°C > 17.0°C: Overcast at medium-low level. Moderate easterly wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:57 BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:40 // 07:50 – 09:45

(201st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- the usual Greylag Goose was not noted. The only geese on the water were five Canada Geese arrivals c.09:20. Only 16 outbound Canada Geese noted these in five small groups that appeared unsure where they were going. No Greylags seen at all.
- all four Mute Swans present, mostly as two pairs keeping well apart. A small amount of interaction as I was leaving.
- *a pair of Gadwall noted.
- I accidentally flushed a Common Teal (sex not determined) at 08:05. I have no idea where it went as it flew behind trees from my position. An unusually early date for a returning bird.
- the duck Pochard was seen and rather odd too. I thought I saw her fly off strongly towards the East my view being blocked by trees as to whether she departed the lake. Five minutes later she (the same?) was by the boat launching platform where she so often resides. It would be an exceptionally early date for a returning Pochard and drakes usually very significantly outnumber ducks.
- *a drake Tufted Duck was noted asleep in a large group of feeding Coots.
- I twice heard a Common Sandpiper flying around never managing to see where it was.
- no Swifts seen.
- *another mixed hirundine group of two Sand Martins, six Barn Swallows and four House Martins was chasing insects over the water by c.08:55.
- of the 175+ Wood Pigeons noted flying over at least 140 were in a large, loose group apparently flushed out of fields to the East c.08:40.
- the first of two sizeable mixed groups of Jackdaws and Rooks was over at the unusually early time of 05:30 when I was not ready for them. Normally they begin to pass a few minutes after the first Wren song is heard. Today the first group was at least five minutes before that.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 16 Canada Geese: outbound in five groups
- >175 Wood Pigeons: see notes
- 12 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 24 Jackdaws only
- 100 Rooks exactly

Counts from the lake area:
- 5 Canada Geese: arrived
- 4 Mute Swans: see notes
- *2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 27 (♂?) Mallard
- 1 (♂?) Common Teal
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- *1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 12 + 2 (2 dependent broods) Moorhens
- 132 adult and juvenile Coots again
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 61 Black-headed Gulls: none confirmed as a juvenile
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 26 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons: one arrived and one (the same?) departed

Hirundines etc. noted:
- no Swifts
- *2 Sand Martins
- *6 Barn Swallows
- 4 House Martins

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- 13 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
- 1 (0) Blackcap

Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:

Moths:
- 1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]

Flies:
- *1 midge, perhaps Chaoborus sp.

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 Large House Spider-type: Eratigena group from E. duellica, E. atrica and E. saeva
- 1 Noble or False Widow Spider Steatoda nobilis
- 1 harvestman Leiobunum rotundum

Noted later:
In dull and breezy conditions almost nothing.

Moths
I could not even persuade a grass moth to leave its hideaway!

Bees, wasps etc.:
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum

Hoverflies:
none

Damsel- /Dragon- flies:
none

Other flies:
*a very few unidentified fly species

Bugs:
none

Beetles:
*7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata

Dead-centre and tail-on is a drake Gadwall with the white in his wing and black stern. I was sure there was a pair in the viewfinder but where the duck has gone is a mystery. Just Coots and an adult winter-plumage Black-headed Gull visible here.

A drake Tufted Duck I found pretending to me one of the many Coots.

I spent some while trying to photo the hirundines over the water. As previously noted this tends to be "Catch 22" situation: they only come down to feed low over the water in dull weather when the camera struggles both to focus and "freeze" the action. I was well-pleased with the Sand Martin...

...and this "me and my reflection" photo of a passing Barn Swallow.

One of the few flies I noted today. Probably a Muscid fly. Otherwise unidentified.

I am sure I ought to know this fly with a grey thorax and banded abdomen. I can't think!

A male midge with an Afro-style of antennae. I have no real idea as its identity: perhaps Chaoborus species.

A 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata tucks in to Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris

One of the Large House Spider-types of the Eratigena group either E. duellica, E. atrica and E. saeva not usually separable from photos. This one on a street lamp pole pre-dawn.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Moths: [41 species here before today; no additions]
*1 White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella
*1 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata

Flies:
*1 Banded Mosquito Culiseta annulata
*1 unknown fly
*7 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
*15 midges of various species

Arthropods:
no White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
*1 Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica
*2 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
3 other unidentified spiders

An easy to identify micro-moth: a White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella.

A Flame Carpet moth Xanthorhoe designata in a difficult location tucked up against one of the recessed light fittings.

I only ever seem to see female mosquitoes in the tunnel: females have the proboscis for collecting blood to produce her eggs. This is a Banded Mosquito Culiseta annulata. It is difficult to see the banded abdomen that gives the species its name. Here it can be identified because it is the only UK species with banded legs.

An unknown fly. I do not often see flies resting on the tunnel wall. I feel the hairy and pointed abdomen ought to be a clue. Apparently not.

Not much to show today so here is one the abundant moth flies Psychodidae sp. I see most mornings.

One of the 15 midges of various species I noted. This looked "different" with very long front legs. These only seemed to confuse both Obsidentify and Google Lens in to thinking they were its antennae. Both suggested an ichneumon – clearly wrong. The real antennae are short.

It can be difficult to persuade the camera to focus on the spider and not its shadow. I think this is a Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica.

A Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata showing why it is also known as the Silver-sided Sector Spider.

This, my apps reliably inform me, is another Missing Sector Orb-web Spider. Very different!

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 06:45 – 07:45

(196th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- now ten Mute Swans!
- the single almost full-grown Mallard duckling seen still with its mother.
- for a reason I am sure they know there is no longer an aggregation of Coots along the eastern edge of the island. Just over half the total is at the top end and most of the balance at the bottom end. A few birds are still attending to nests or holding territory.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Jackdaw

Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 10 Mute Swans
- 26 (?♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 18 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- *9 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 94 adult and juvenile Coots
- 4 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 29 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

Hirundines etc. noted:

None
Where are all the House Martins this year?

Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- no Blackcaps

Noted around the area:

Moths:
*1 Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla
*1 Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea [previously Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer]

Hoverflies:
*1 Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus [Stripe-backed Brusheye]

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
2 harvestmen Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus

A Moorhen with just one chick. They don't seem to have such a successful breeding season as last year.

A Common Plume moth Emmelina monodactyla.

I struggled to get a decent photo of this Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea. A pale moth tucked in a dark corner. I could either show the moth with the markings "blown out" or, as here, show the (rather faded) chevron marks on the wings without the whole moth being visible.

Very strange: I was walking past a street lamp pole when a hoverfly appeared and briefly investigated it before flying off. I managed a quick shot and while not perfect the angled-down yellow marks on the abdomen and the two stripes down the thorax identify it as a Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus which Obsidentify calls a Stripe-backed Brusheye.

Garden Spiders Araneus diadematus can be one of several different colours. This is one of the reddish-brown form.

(Ed Wilson)