7.0°C > 11.0°C: Mostly cloudy with only a few brighter moments. Light easterly breeze developing. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:07 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:150 – 06:20 // 07:30 – 10:00
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:150 – 06:20 // 07:30 – 10:00
(123rd visit of the year)
Note
Note that Severn-Trent contractors will be doing some grass-cutting this week, supervised on-site by one of their environmental scientists. This will hopefully prevent a repetition of the mess the contractors made last Autumn. The plan is to created more species diversity though this will take time and further mowing to discourage the more aggressive plants. I have been in email correspondence over the timing – during "no mow May". I have been given assurances about the sanctity of the orchids.
Bird notes:
- the pair of Canada Geese still with a single gosling
- the pair of Greylag Geese still with just three goslings.
- *a trio of visiting Mute Swans was proving hard for the resident cob to persuade to leave. Usually the cob will fly toward one of visitors and land short but twice at least he pressed home to collide with his target. One of the visitors was a first year bird.
- a pair of Gadwall seen early only flying off East at 05:50. At 09:00 a drake (the same?) was present.
- a duck Mallard with a single duckling again
- the duck Pochard in her usual place.
- yesterday's pair of Tufted Duck not seen.
- no juvenile Great Crested Grebes seen.
- Reed Warblers continue to confuse by singing from 'new' locations. Are these new arrivals or residents moving around? It is crowded in some reedy areas.
- certainly two Garden Warblers singing again but could there have been a third? #2 was still in the south-west area but early only. Yesterday's new(?) bird, #3, was singing in the south-east area, also early only. Then much later there was some very intermittent song from #1 along the South side. Could #1 and #3 be the same? Perhaps he has found a mate who has chosen a slightly different place to nest?
- only one Common Whitethroat singing today: Saturday's new arrival singing almost continually and doing display flights.
- what sounded like a family party of Jays making a lot of noise – as they do – along the North side. Several birds seen, none well-enough to confirm presence of juveniles.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound
- 2 (2♂) Mallard
- 2 Stock Doves: pair
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Collared Doves: pair
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Jackdaws again
- 2 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 7 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese: of these a pair arrived
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- *4 Mute Swans: the other resident assumed to be on the nest: see also notes
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- no Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 29 + 17 (7 broods) Coots
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts
- 4 Barn Swallows
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 15 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 13 (13) Reed Warblers
- 12 (11) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Garden Warblers: but see notes
- 1 (1) Common Whitethroat
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp. again
Noted later:
cloudier and cooler conditions meant fewer insects around:
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp. again
Noted later:
cloudier and cooler conditions meant fewer insects around:
Butterflies:
none
none
Moths
Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
*$ Blackthorn Tip Moth Argyresthia spinosella: a new species for me
*$ Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*$ Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana
*Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
*Straw Dot Rivula sericealis
Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
*$ Blackthorn Tip Moth Argyresthia spinosella: a new species for me
*$ Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*$ Plum Tortrix Hedya pruniana
*Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
*Straw Dot Rivula sericealis
Bees, wasps etc.:
*Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
*Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
*Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*unidentified ichneumon
*unidentified ichneumon
Hoverflies:
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
*Twin-spot Boxer Platycheirus rosarum [Fourspot Sedgesitter Pyrophaena rosarum]
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
*Twin-spot Boxer Platycheirus rosarum [Fourspot Sedgesitter Pyrophaena rosarum]
Alder Flies:
Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
Alder Fly Sialis lutaria
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
none
none
Other flies
dagger fly Empis tessellata
*$ Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis
Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp. not specifically identified
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
*male and female Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
many other boring and / or strange flies
dagger fly Empis tessellata
*$ Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis
Spotted Cranefly Nephrotoma appendiculata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp. not specifically identified
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
*male and female Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
many other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp., either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa
*$ Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Pachygnatha degeeri
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp., either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa
*$ Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Pachygnatha degeeri
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Slugs, snails etc.:
snail to be identified
snail to be identified
New plants for the year:
*Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus [a grass]
Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor
A Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum with its tongue well inside what seems to be the flowers of a "Dog Rose" Rosa canina or similar.
There are about 2500 species of ichneumon wasp in the UK of which about 20 can be identified from photos. This is not one of them. Come back in ten years when the progress of AI means that the equivalent of Obsidentify will take a DNA sample and provide the precise identity.
The first of what I am sure will be many Common Marble moths Celypha lacunana, a species easily flushed from vegetation during daytime.
A Plum Tortrix moth Hedya pruniana. This was my "safety shot" as it landed on the underside of a leaf. Before I could get better positioned it crawled on top of the leaf and out of view.
There were very few hoverflies noted this morning. This is one of three Marmalade Hoverflies Episyrphus balteatus I saw. My reflection is visible in its thorax.
Another doing what I also noted many flies doing today: licking the leaves. Perhaps some residue moisture from the overnight dew?
The only other hoverfly species I saw was this Twin-spot Boxer Platycheirus rosarum, also showing my reflection. You cannot see the two spots on the abdomen with the wings closed. Obsidentify calls it Fourspot Sedgesitter and indeed some specimens do show a feint second pair of spots. I have no idea why it uses the scientific name Pyrophaena rosarum. Note it appears to be laying an egg(?)...
Even though the wings are unusually plain this has to be a Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis. Not easy to see but the antennae reaches the left edge of the photo eliminating any other species..
A Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp., either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa not separable from photos. Note the six eyes. Some spiders have six: most have eight.
This tiny spider on the boxing rink is apparently the Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Pachygnatha degeeri. New for me.
A Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor. I read that all these in the UK originate from gardens and while freely breeding and spreading they are "not native". But then what is? There were no plants during the Ice Age!
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
On the wall of the tunnel I found this Large Long-horn moth Nematopogon swammerdamella. The scientific name is longer than the moth!
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:25 – 07:25
(120th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a single well-developed Mallard duckling was seen again
- just two from yesterday's brood of three juvenile Coots noted.
- amazing: the same number of Great Crested Grebes on consecutive days.
- so far the number of Swifts around is larger than it has been for several years.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Noted on / around the water:
- 17 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident presumed to be on the island.
- 16 (12♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard only
- 4 Moorhens
- 19 + 2 (1 brood) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >15 Swifts
- 2 House Martins again
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
Curlew
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Wrekin
5 Tree Pipits
2 Common Redstart
2 Spotted Flycatchers
5 Pied Flycatcher
5 Wood Warblers
Tawny Owl
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Wrekin
21 Crossbill
4 Wood Warbler
Pied Flycatcher
Common Redstart
Tree Pipit
(Glenn Bishton)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Ed Wilson)
*Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus [a grass]
Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor
The sunrise looking threatening.
Better soon after!
Two of the trio of visiting Mute Swans splash down.
The third was a first year still with brown in the plumage.
This Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum has been busy and has a full load in its pollen sac.
On the face of it there does not seem to be much pollen left in the almost finished flower of what was probably Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata.
This Blackthorn Tip Moth Argyresthia spinosella is a new species for me.
Trying to fide in the grass was this Common Nettle-tap moth Anthophila fabriciana. My second this year.
A straw-coloured moth with dots in the forewings. Must be a Straw Dot Rivula sericealis.
..."Bombs away!" It is now rolling down the grass stem.
A female Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria asking to leave the room...
...and a male. Much more yellow-toned.
Another female. I think this species is attractively ugly – if that makes any sense.
About the only species of grass I can easily identify is Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Large Long-horn Nematopogon swammerdamella
*1 Large Long-horn Nematopogon swammerdamella
Flies
1 cranefly Limonia nubeculosa
1 unidentified cranefly
9 owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
15 midges of various species.
1 cranefly Limonia nubeculosa
1 unidentified cranefly
9 owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly] again
15 midges of various species.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:25 – 07:25
(120th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a single well-developed Mallard duckling was seen again
- just two from yesterday's brood of three juvenile Coots noted.
- amazing: the same number of Great Crested Grebes on consecutive days.
- so far the number of Swifts around is larger than it has been for several years.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
Noted on / around the water:
- 17 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident presumed to be on the island.
- 16 (12♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard only
- 4 Moorhens
- 19 + 2 (1 brood) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >15 Swifts
- 2 House Martins again
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths
*1$ Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata: moth species #14 at this site in 2025
1 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda: for its third day
*1$ Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata: moth species #14 at this site in 2025
1 Pale Tussock Calliteara pudibunda: for its third day
Hoverflies:
*1 Spotted Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis [Spotted Thintail]
*1 Spotted Meliscaeva Meliscaeva auricollis [Spotted Thintail]
Other flies:
*1 caddis fly
numerous different midges and flies
*1 Velvet Mite Eutrombidium rostratus.
*1 caddis fly
numerous different midges and flies
*1 Velvet Mite Eutrombidium rostratus.
Beetles
Alder Leaf Beetles Agelastica alni
A scruff-looking Treecreeper shinning up a tree. Not sure whether it is an adult care-worn from family duties or a fluffy youngster.
Snoozing in the crevice of street lamp pole I found this male Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly Meliscaeva auricollis.
Alder Leaf Beetles Agelastica alni
A new moth for the year was this Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata on a street lamp pole.
A caddis fly is about all I can say here.
Another Velvet Mite Eutrombidium rostratus.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
Priorslee Lake
Curlew
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Wrekin
5 Tree Pipits
2 Common Redstart
2 Spotted Flycatchers
5 Pied Flycatcher
5 Wood Warblers
Tawny Owl
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Wrekin
21 Crossbill
4 Wood Warbler
Pied Flycatcher
Common Redstart
Tree Pipit
(Glenn Bishton)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Ed Wilson)