12.0°C > 17.0°C: Mostly a low overcast with very occasional light drizzle. The sun briefly poked through as I was leaving. Moderate south-westerly wind. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:55 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:10 – 06:15 // 07:25 – 09:50
(133rd visit of the year)
The Wesley Brook under the Priorslee Avenue tunnel is bit a mere trickle. There is a little more water flowing after the sluices empty near the Teece Drive gate.
Note the lake has much blue-green algae which can upset dogs if they drink any. It may also explain why so few of the juvenile Coots are surviving.
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct. A big arrival of >40 Canada Geese with c.20 noted flying off later.
- no Gadwall seen.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- the second Garden Warbler to arrive which has been singing continually for many days was not heard this morning. A bird at the East end of the South side that I have heard occasionally and intermittently was heard briefly.
- I did not hear the Common Whitethroat today but was only briefly in the area.
- the only Starling noted was an adult flying from the estate. All the other birds seem to have departed.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound
- 8 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Jackdaws
Counts from the lake area:
- 47 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese: of these 40 arrived and later c.20 departed
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest: see notes
- no Gadwall
- 6 (6♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 3 Moorhens again
- 25 + 9 (4 broods) Coots
- *9 + >2 (2? broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron: flew off West 06:00
Hirundines etc. noted:
- c.25 Swifts
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 16 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 6 (6) Reed Warblers only
- 8 (8) Blackcaps
- 1 (1) Garden Warbler: see notes
- no Common Whitethroat
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
- *1 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata: my moth species #31 here this year
- *1 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata: my moth species #31 here this year
Flies
- *$$1 caddis fly, perhaps Sisyra nigra
Noted later:
Note: more wet foliage and overcast conditions.
- *$$1 caddis fly, perhaps Sisyra nigra
Noted later:
Note: more wet foliage and overcast conditions.
Butterflies:
none
none
Moths
1 Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
*1 Yellow-barred Longhorn Nemophora degeerella
3 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
*$ 1 caterpillar of a Drinker Euthrix potatoria: my moth species #32 here this year
4 Silver-ground Carpets Xanthorhoe montanata
2 Straw Dots Rivula sericealis
***Another mammoth total for a dull day
I note the number of individuals as these records all go to the Shropshire recorders
1 Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
*1 Yellow-barred Longhorn Nemophora degeerella
3 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
2 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
*$ 1 caterpillar of a Drinker Euthrix potatoria: my moth species #32 here this year
4 Silver-ground Carpets Xanthorhoe montanata
2 Straw Dots Rivula sericealis
***Another mammoth total for a dull day
I note the number of individuals as these records all go to the Shropshire recorders
Bees, wasps etc.:
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
*Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
unidentified wasp Vespula sp. - flew at me!
*sawfly Tenthredo sp. [not T. mesomela]
*another Tenthredo type
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
*Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
unidentified wasp Vespula sp. - flew at me!
*sawfly Tenthredo sp. [not T. mesomela]
*another Tenthredo type
Hoverflies:
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
*Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
*Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
*Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
cranefly Phylidorea ferruginea
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
cranefly Phylidorea ferruginea
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Aphids:
*possible Large Blackberry Aphid Amphorophora rubi.
*possible Large Blackberry Aphid Amphorophora rubi.
Bugs:
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Beetles:
soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
*larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
*presumed Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
*$$ Scarce Fungus Weevil Platyrhinus resinosus
*$ Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala
soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
*larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
*presumed Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
*$$ Scarce Fungus Weevil Platyrhinus resinosus
*$ Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala
Slugs, snails etc.:
*$ Dusky Slug Arion subfuscus
*$ Dusky Slug Arion subfuscus
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
Metellina sp.
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Metellina sp.
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
New flowers for the year:
*$ Nipplewort Lapsana communis
*$ Honeysuckle Lonicera sp.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away". I am not sure that applies to eating one in the middle of Teece Drive. This male Blackbird might need an ambulance (or worse).
An unusual location to find this Yellow-barred Longhorn moth Nemophora degeerella: on the fence alongside Teece Drive.
A caterpillar of a Drinker moth Euthrix potatoria. Apologies it is not all in focus – it was angled away from me and I was unable to get square-on on because of brambles.
Obsidentify was 100% sure this sawfly is Tenthredo mesomela. I am sure it isn't as that species is apple green and while the camera does not always render colour that accurately it wasn't green. So Tenredo sp.
Obsidentify was sure this caddis fly is Sisyra nigra. I am not too sure: the shape seems wrong though the venation seems about right.
This looks to be a Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus. It seems small but it is well out of context – on the rail of the 'boxing ring' on the dam. No nettles here.
I think this might help solve a mystery from yesterday. There are, I now believe, two larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis here. The one on the left is full-sized whereas the one on the right is an early instar and is smaller and lacks the full array of tufts.
Another challenge. I did not believe Obsidentify when it said "100% Scarce Fungus Weevil Platyrhinus resinosus" as it has no "weevil snout". But it was correct. As NatureSpot puts it "This is truly an odd looking creature and could hardly be confused with anything else". It not quite as scarce as the name implies. The larvae feed inside the fungus King Alfred's Cakes Daldinia concentrica.
The dark lines on its body seems to make this a Dusky Slug Arion subfuscus rather than the rufous form of (Great) Black Slug Arion sp. Here tucking in to Common Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:20
(130th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- only five adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet present. I did not explicitly see the resident cob but he seems to spend little time with his partner and it may have been he who was on the water perhaps preventing the adult with the Darvic ring '7JXV' from entering.
- I think I was mistaken in logging the all-white feral Mallard ('Aylesbury Duck') yesterday. It did look rather large from a distance and I did not look at it too hard. Today there was one of the mainly white feral geese that visit from time to time. It was with Greylag Geese and probably arrived with the party of c.25 that came in yesterday.
- only one Great Crested Grebe and that was nowhere near the site the pair seemed to be exploring yesterday
- the singing Reed Warbler for its sixth day. Let's hop he attracts a mate.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
- 1 Sparrowhawk
Noted on / around the water:
- 81 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 21 (17♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens again
- 14 Coots only
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
Another unusual location to find this Yellow-barred Longhorn moth Nemophora degeerella: on a street lamp pole in squirrel alley. I usually find them on vegetation.
I was even more surprised at this moth high up on the tallest lamp pole in squirrel alley. It was beyond 'flash' range so a poor photo but the salient ID feature of a white wedge at the wing tip identifies it as a Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma, my first here. I see the similar Swallow Prominent P. tremula on street lamp poles at the top end every year.
One of two male harvestmen Leiobunum blackwalli sitting side-by-side on a street lamp pole. Very modern. This one is missing a leg this early in the season.
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Sedge Warbler
5 Reed Warbler
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
2 Dunlin
1 Sanderling
(Andy Latham)
2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Tufted Ducks
Ed Wilson
2007
Priorslee Lake
Swifts
Kestrel
Great Black-backed Gull
(Martin Adlam)
*$ Nipplewort Lapsana communis
*$ Honeysuckle Lonicera sp.
Once again about as good as it got!
Beware of blue-green algae.
A stand-off between a pair of Great Crested Grebes and another. I thought the pair on the left were the second pair to possibly have juvenile(s)...
...and indeed they do if you look hard between them. Only with the camera could I see this.
The Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata on one of the street lamp poles when I arrived.
A very soggy Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum. I know how it felt.
and another Tenthredo type.
Take a bow if you get the ID of this correct. It is...
...the underside of this (out of focus) Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus.
Just one damselfly seen this morning: this male Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans.
My best suggestion for this is a Large Blackberry Aphid Amphorophora rubi.
There were several more of an intermediate form also on the Teece Drive fence: like this one.
I think this is a Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala.
Growing alongside the West end path is Nipplewort Lapsana communis.
In a shady spot on a dull morning I found this flower of Honeysuckle Lonicera sp.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria
*1 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria
Flies
no owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
20 other midges of various species.
no owl midges Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
20 other midges of various species.
Arthropods:
1 Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber
1 Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber
A very fresh and smart Green Carpet moth Colostygia pectinataria.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:20
(130th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- only five adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet present. I did not explicitly see the resident cob but he seems to spend little time with his partner and it may have been he who was on the water perhaps preventing the adult with the Darvic ring '7JXV' from entering.
- I think I was mistaken in logging the all-white feral Mallard ('Aylesbury Duck') yesterday. It did look rather large from a distance and I did not look at it too hard. Today there was one of the mainly white feral geese that visit from time to time. It was with Greylag Geese and probably arrived with the party of c.25 that came in yesterday.
- only one Great Crested Grebe and that was nowhere near the site the pair seemed to be exploring yesterday
- the singing Reed Warbler for its sixth day. Let's hop he attracts a mate.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
- 1 Sparrowhawk
Noted on / around the water:
- 81 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 21 (17♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens again
- 14 Coots only
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Reed Warbler
- 6 (6) Blackcaps
So: why were they so happy today!
Noted around the area:
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Reed Warbler
- 6 (6) Blackcaps
So: why were they so happy today!
Noted around the area:
Moths
*2 Yellow-barred Longhorns Nemophora degeerella
*1$ Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma
*2 Yellow-barred Longhorns Nemophora degeerella
*1$ Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma
Bees, wasps etc.:
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Other flies:
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
also numerous different midges and flies
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
also numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*2 male harvestmen Leiobunum blackwalli
Not, as I logged yesterday, an Aylesbury Duck but a feral goose, sometimes one of several seen in the company of Greylag Geese.
Strangely it circled around rather than carrying its prey back to a nest. Hard to see the prey here but the barring on the breast identifies the Sparrowhawk as a male.
*2 male harvestmen Leiobunum blackwalli
A Sparrowhawk carrying prey.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Sedge Warbler
5 Reed Warbler
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
2 Dunlin
1 Sanderling
(Andy Latham)
2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Tufted Ducks
Ed Wilson
2007
Priorslee Lake
Swifts
Kestrel
Great Black-backed Gull
(Martin Adlam)