12.0°C > 15.0°C: A few early clear bits otherwise mostly cloudy: often bright and with clearer skies to the East. Light easterly breeze developing. Good visibility with haze.
Sunrise: 05:18 BST
* = a species photographed today.
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
I am about to take a few days break and do other things. I will be back!
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:10 – 06:15 // 07:20 – 09:50
(120th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the pair of Canada Geese still with a single gosling
- the pair of Greylag Geese still with four goslings.
- the pair of Gadwall present early only.
- no ducklings seen.
- the duck Pochard in her usual place.
- two Tufted Duck (unsexed) flew high West at 06:00. Two also unsexed flew high East at 08:20. Two drakes arrived c.08:30.
- still at least two Great Crested Grebe juveniles and still not seen in the water
- no Sedge Warbler heard today.
- a Reed Warbler was singing from the Ricoh hedge alongside the West end path.
- always hard to see: it sounded as if there were two different family parties of Goldcrests.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair outbound
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull again
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook
- 7 Starlings
Counts from the lake area:
- 6 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall: see notes
- 3 (3♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard as ever
- 2 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 28 + 9 (5 broods) Coots
- 7 + 2? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- *7 Swifts
- 2 Barn Swallows
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 15 (13) Chiffchaffs
- no Sedge Warblers
- 13 (13) Reed Warblers
- 11 (10) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Garden Warblers still
Noted on the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Moth:
- *1 $ Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda; moth species #14 this year
- *1 $ Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda; moth species #14 this year
Flies:
- 1 plumed midge sp.
- 1 plumed midge sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Noted later:
The lack of sun meant few insects were out and about despite the warm conditions.
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Noted later:
The lack of sun meant few insects were out and about despite the warm conditions.
Butterflies:
none
none
Moths
*$ Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]; moth species #15 this year
*$ Meadow Hook-wing Ancylis badiana [was Common Roller]; moth species #16 this year
*$ Bordered Marble Endothenia marginana: a new species for me and #17 this year
*$ Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]; moth species #15 this year
*$ Meadow Hook-wing Ancylis badiana [was Common Roller]; moth species #16 this year
*$ Bordered Marble Endothenia marginana: a new species for me and #17 this year
Bees, wasps etc.:
*$ White-tipped Sawfly Tenthredo livida
*$ White-tipped Sawfly Tenthredo livida
Hoverflies:
Spring Epistrophe Epistrophe eligans [Spring Smoothtail]
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Spring Epistrophe Epistrophe eligans [Spring Smoothtail]
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Alder Flies:
Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
none
none
Other flies
*$ root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris or similar
*caddisfly unknown
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
*$ cranefly Epiphragma ocellare [Picture-winged Cranefly]
Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa communis (plus other not specifically identified)
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
*$ Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
*$ cranefly Tipula luna
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
other unidentified flies, both boring and interesting
*$ root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris or similar
*caddisfly unknown
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
*$ cranefly Epiphragma ocellare [Picture-winged Cranefly]
Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa communis (plus other not specifically identified)
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
*$ Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
*$ cranefly Tipula luna
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
other unidentified flies, both boring and interesting
Bugs:
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
*$ cuckoo spit created by froghopper nymphs
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
*$ cuckoo spit created by froghopper nymphs
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*unidentified spider
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*unidentified spider
New flowers for the year:
*Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
In order of seeing four new species of moth today: this Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda is moth species #14 this year. I last recorded one in 2022.
This tiny critter is a Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella. It used to be called Plain Gold. Recognise by the tuft of yellow scales on the crown. Moth species #15.
The best I could manage with a very flighty Meadow Hook-wing moth Ancylis badiana. It used to be known as Common Roller. I see it most years. It is my moth species #16 here this year.
Not many hoverflies out and about this morning. Here is one that was: a Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus.
One Alder Fly Sialis lutaria deceased. At least it proves the species has four wings and is not therefore a true fly.
This fly with the black spots on the grey abdomen with a grey and black thorax is one of the root-maggot flies, likely Anthomyia procellaris or similar.
This is the distinctive cranefly Epiphragma ocellare which Obsidentify calls Picture-winged Cranefly. Fair enough. It was new species for me last year.
No real idea what this tiny fly / midge is, here sitting on a grass stem. How can something this delicate function?
Today I noticed the first cuckoo spit of the year. It is created by froghopper nymphs to avoid getting eaten. The plant is Cleavers Galium aparine.
There were many Long-jawed Orb-web Spiders Tetragnatha sp. hanging about waiting for prey to snag their webs.
Many insects like to visit buttercups. The top creature is an unidentified spider waiting for an unfortunate visitor to arrive. I think the lower creature is an upside-down spider: its mate?
This is Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper. The only way I know whether it is this rather than other sow-thistles is to grab the leaves. It was!
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(117th visit of the year)
Bird notes
Highlight was my first Reed Warbler here this year. Singing and then seen in flight at the top end. This species is a late migrant - the reeds need to grow a bit. It is probably only passing through though some years ago birds nested in the reeds alongside Derwent Drive (before the fishing peg was constructed). Bird species #70 for me here this year.
Other bird notes:
- *I noted at least two Mallard ducklings by the island. I did not see any adult in the area.
- *Tufted Duck as two pairs today
- guess what: no Great Crested Grebe seen.
- I think that Starlings in the estate are about to or have just fledged. There was much alarm calling from adults alongside the Wesley Brook as it passes the academy, probably due to Carrion Crows hanging about looking for a meal.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 18 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident presumed to be on the island.
- *21 (20♂) + 2? (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) feral Mallard x ?
- *4 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 18 + 2 (1 brood) Coots
- no Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
The middle Canada Goose here is significantly smaller. I presume it is "only a female" as these do average smaller. In the US and Canada there are many races / species (depending on taxonomy) of Canada Geese and small races exist. Unlikely here other than in Winter when genuine wild birds are known to visit the UK.
A fully-winged aphid. There are many species and only a few are illustrated in the winged form. So unidentified.
(Ed Wilson)
*Prickly Sow-thistle Sonchus asper
Before I had a chance to get to the lake for a reflective view this was the sunrise today.
By the time I scampered(?!) to the water's edge the colour had faded somewhat.
A few Swifts made brief visits to drink. Here is one leaving.
The same individual though I am likely to see very many more. They like buttercups.
And again.
Sitting on the dead head of a dandelion I found this Bordered Marble moth Endothenia marginana. It is a new moth species for me and my #17 of the year here.
A White-tipped Sawfly Tenthredo livida. Seems a good name!
"Caddis fly unknown" said Obsidentify. I'll go along with that.
The dagger fly Empis tessellata shows off its dagger-like mouth parts used to suck its victims dry.
A Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus in typical head-down position – hence the name.
And one that has not read the book on how to behave.
I think this cranefly is Tipula luna. I have no idea what the red area on the side of the thorax is...
...a fungal infection? A collection of mites? The cranefly did not seem too alert.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
none
none
Flies
4 owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
22 midges of various species.
4 owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
22 midges of various species.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:15
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:15
(117th visit of the year)
Bird notes
Highlight was my first Reed Warbler here this year. Singing and then seen in flight at the top end. This species is a late migrant - the reeds need to grow a bit. It is probably only passing through though some years ago birds nested in the reeds alongside Derwent Drive (before the fishing peg was constructed). Bird species #70 for me here this year.
Other bird notes:
- *I noted at least two Mallard ducklings by the island. I did not see any adult in the area.
- *Tufted Duck as two pairs today
- guess what: no Great Crested Grebe seen.
- I think that Starlings in the estate are about to or have just fledged. There was much alarm calling from adults alongside the Wesley Brook as it passes the academy, probably due to Carrion Crows hanging about looking for a meal.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 18 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident presumed to be on the island.
- *21 (20♂) + 2? (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) feral Mallard x ?
- *4 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 18 + 2 (1 brood) Coots
- no Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs again
- 5 (5) Blackcaps again
Noted around the area:
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs again
- 5 (5) Blackcaps again
Noted around the area:
Moths
none
none
Bees, wasps etc.:
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Flies:
*1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
*1 aphid sp. "black fly"
numerous different midges
*1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
*1 aphid sp. "black fly"
numerous different midges
Beetles
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
You have to look VERY hard to see two Mallard ducklings against the edge of the island.
Two pairs of Tufted Duck were new arrivals here. Here is one of them
I do like owl midges Psychodidae sp. Perhaps I'll settle on this vernacular name.
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis of the form succinea. My first ladybird here this year.
(Ed Wilson)