13.0°C > 17.0°C: Broken low cloud that the sun, hidden behind a thin overcast, was unable to shift. Moderate southerly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:53 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: 05:15 – 06:20 // 07:35 – 09:50
(135th visit of the year)
Bird notes
*A surprise today was a Curlew seen flying high East at 06:10. Many years I record this species in Spring when birds are moving from their over-wintering estuaries to their moorland breeding sites. At this time of year? A failed breeding bird or a non-breeding immature perhaps. Bird species #96 for me here this year.
Other bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- the pair of Gadwall present throughout.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- a trio of Tufted Duck (two drakes) present early only.
- *a Kestrel was hovering over the Ricoh grounds c.09:30
- no Garden Warbler song heard. Have they give up and moved on: or settled down to breed?
- 10 Starlings on the football field (ages not determined)
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair inbound
- 16 Wood Pigeons
- *1 Curlew
- 13 Herring Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 8 Jackdaws
Counts from the lake area:
- 12 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Duck: departed
- 5 Moorhens
- 37 + 18 8 broods) Coots
- 7 + >2 (2? broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 Swifts
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (9) Reed Warblers again
- 8 (8) Blackcaps
- no Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted
Noted later:
Noted later:
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths
1 Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
12 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
*2 Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana
7 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*$1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 unidentified small caterpillar
1 Plain Pollen-moth Micropterix calthella [was Plain Gold]
12 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
*2 Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana
7 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*$1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 unidentified small caterpillar
Bees, wasps etc.:
Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
*Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
*Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
*$ Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
*Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
*Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
*$ Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Other flies:
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
*leafhopper Cixius sp., perhaps C. nervosus
*greenfly aphid sp.
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
*leafhopper Cixius sp., perhaps C. nervosus
*greenfly aphid sp.
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
*Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
*Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
*Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala
*$ Common (or Red-headed) Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
*Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
*Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
*Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala
*$ Common (or Red-headed) Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis
Slugs, snails etc.:
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*money spiders
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*money spiders
New flowers for the year:
*Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor
A typically battered-looking Timothy Tortrix moth Zelotherses paleana. Very plain-looking with the orangey wash on the neck and shoulders the identification feature.
It is that time of the year when grass moths start appearing and provide identification challenges. It is not always easy to obtain such a clear view of the markings and identify this as a Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella. They are "grass moths" primarily because the larvae feed on grass roots. That said the adults are very often found head down amongst the rank grasses.
Sadly no identity on this tiny (5mm?) hairy caterpillar. I suppose all caterpillars are small when they hatch from the egg. It won't get much sustenance here – the handrail of the "boxing ring" on the dam top.
This is likely a Hairy-eyed Syrphus hoverfly Syrphus torvus. There are similar species so I cannot be 100% sure.
Not east to see, also against the handrail of the "boxing ring", this one of the leafhoppers Cixius sp., perhaps C. nervosus.
A male Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis. Note how his elytra (wing cases) are held open. This is useful to identify the females who lack the swollen thighs.
What I believe to be a Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala sitting on (part of) my index finger (and complete with my reflection).
A Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp. with a Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus in its long jaws.
The last of a quartet photographed on the "boxing ring" was this money spider. There was another species as well but I was unable to get a shot in focus.
Oops: not quite in focus - apologies. This is Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor and one of the target species for the work Severn Trent are doing to create a more diverse habitat.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(132nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- still just five adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet again.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- guess what: two Great Crested Grebes! These explored all the water without paying any attention to the putative nest site.
- the singing Reed Warbler not heard.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 80 Canada Geese again
- 7 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose still
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 17 (15♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens still
- 19 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (6) Chiffchaffs
- no Reed Warbler
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
*Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor
Not an inspiring start. It didn't get much better.
Record shot only of the Curlew against the grey sky at 06:10. A most unusual date here.
Also only a record shot – a Kestrel hovering over the Ricoh grounds. The grey tail with a dark band at the tip identifies it as a male.
A typically battered-looking Timothy Tortrix moth Zelotherses paleana. Very plain-looking with the orangey wash on the neck and shoulders the identification feature.
This is likely a Hairy-eyed Syrphus hoverfly Syrphus torvus. There are similar species so I cannot be 100% sure.
A Grey-spotted Boxer hoverfly Platycheirus albimanus in flight.
A smart male Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta.
Not east to see, also against the handrail of the "boxing ring", this one of the leafhoppers Cixius sp., perhaps C. nervosus.
Same place: an unusual view of a greenfly aphid sp.
What I believe to be a Cabbage-stem Flea Beetle Psylliodes chrysocephala sitting on (part of) my index finger (and complete with my reflection).
A Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus. Note how the scales rub off leaving them looking "patchy".
No mistaking this as a Common (or Red-headed) Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis.
A Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp. with a Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus in its long jaws.
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
1 White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella
1 White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella
Flies
1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
*$ 2 craneflies Ilisia occoecata
11 midges of various species.
1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
*$ 2 craneflies Ilisia occoecata
11 midges of various species.
Arthropods:
1 Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber
1 Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber
There were two of these craneflies Ilisia occoecata here today. It seems to be a good hunting ground for the more unusual species.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:25 – 07:30
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:25 – 07:30
(132nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- still just five adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet again.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- guess what: two Great Crested Grebes! These explored all the water without paying any attention to the putative nest site.
- the singing Reed Warbler not heard.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 80 Canada Geese again
- 7 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose still
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 17 (15♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens still
- 19 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (6) Chiffchaffs
- no Reed Warbler
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
Bees, wasps etc.:
*Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis livida
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
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis livida
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
*instar of Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes
*Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
*instar of Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
adult of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
*larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
$ Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata [formerly Strangalia maculata]
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
adult of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
*larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
$ Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata [formerly Strangalia maculata]
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
female harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli: exactly where two males were holding legs two days ago.
female harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
A trio! On the left I think a larva of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis. In the middle a Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris. I have no idea about the creature on the right as I did not see it until I looked at the photo.
A Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata. In your I-Spy Beetles book (or similar) this was named Strangalia maculata.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Wrekin
3 Tree Pipit
2 Wood Warbler
1 Pied Flycatcher
2 Spotted Flycatcher
(Martin Adlam)
female harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli: exactly where two males were holding legs two days ago.
female harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Every morning I see Early Bumblebees Bombus pratorum on the Dog Roses Rosa canina-type.
A late instar of a Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes. No red legs at this stage.
My first record this year here of the soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans.
(Ed Wilson)
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2007
Wrekin
3 Tree Pipit
2 Wood Warbler
1 Pied Flycatcher
2 Spotted Flycatcher
(Martin Adlam)