9.0°C > 15.0°C: Another clear start. Partly cloudy after c.08:30. Moderate / fresh north-westerly wind abating somewhat and backing westerly. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:52 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: 05:05 – 06:05 // 07:25 – 09:55
(137th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct. That said the Canada Geese were coming under pressure from the cob Mute Swan. This is the first time I have noted this cob taking any interest in the geese and their goslings. The previous cob drowned all the goslings the previous two years.
- no Gadwall again today.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- I did not hear any Little Grebe today
- no Garden Warbler or Common Whitethroat heard.
- no Starlings seen.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Greylag Geese: a pair inbound; a pair flew South
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 6 Wood Pigeons again
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Jackdaw only
Counts from the lake area:
- 13 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 5 Moorhens
- 34 + 12 (7 broods) Coots
- 5 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 16 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (9) Reed Warblers
- 8 (8) Blackcaps yet again
- no Common Whitethroat
- no Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted
Noted later:
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths
2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
2 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
2 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
Bees, wasps etc.:
*Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*ichneumon wasp
*sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
*Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*ichneumon wasp
*sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
Hoverflies:
*Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum [Blotch-winged Whitebelt]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
*Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis [Orange-belted Leafwalker]
*Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum [Blotch-winged Whitebelt]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
*Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis [Orange-belted Leafwalker]
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
*Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
*Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Lacewings:
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
Other flies:
*plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
cluster fly Pollenia sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
*usual other boring and / or strange flies
*plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
cluster fly Pollenia sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
*usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: at least 50 without searching
*$ pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: just one
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: at least 50 without searching
*$ pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: just one
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Slugs, snails etc.:
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
New flowers for the year:
*Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
A Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis. Late in its flight period and most of the rufous hairs have been worn away.
An ichneumon wasp. There are so many to choose from and most are not illustrated anywhere. This one was small – that is a (well--chewed) buttercup petal it is resting on.
The pale marks between the segments of the abdomen (tergites) indicate this is a Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum.
The very distinctive Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum. The Obsidentify name of Blotch-winged Whitebelt is even more descriptive.
Another Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans and as with all the others I have seen this year, of the form plumata with the white tail.
With the sun at just the right angle shining through the hoverfly's wings there is no mistaking an Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis.
A male Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella with wings spread exposing the abdomen markings. Note the shape of the marking on the first obvious segment – a "U"-shaped mark.
Remember that small all-black fly with a dark mark in the wing. Well that was a male Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus. This is the very different female with extensive pale in the body and a very different head shape because, as with most fly species, the eyes of females are well-separated rather than co-joined as in most males.
This is a long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus but I can be no more specific. NatureSpot notes there are 17 species in their home county of Leicester and a very few can be identified from photos.
A cluster fly Pollenia sp. Obsidentify says "unknown" cluster fly but I suspect they mean "unidentified". I am sure it is not new to science.
My first pupa of a Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis this year. Judging by the very large number of larvae that are present it will not be my last.
The first flower this year of a Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis. In the past I have been confused about which species this is so I thought Obsidentify would help. "Hedgehog" was its first attempt. After I edited the photo "possible Hoof Fungus". I think not!
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
A Common Marbled Carpet moth Chloroclysta truncata. This is a very variable species. There is another similarly variable if much less common species but luckily that does not have a rufous form.
The best I can do in identifying this moth is to say it is one of the Minor species in the genus Oligia. Recent work has demonstrated that examination of the genitalia is the only way of separating the five adult species contradicting many earlier suggestions that there were some consistent variations in the markings.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:10 – 07:20
(134th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- once again the pen Mute Swan was on her own with the lone cygnet. The other four adults seemed to be forming two pairs, albeit loosely. There was no sign of an obvious partner for the pen.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- a lone drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- still two Great Crested Grebes. Again they did not seem interested in the nest site.
- I think we can say the Reed Warbler has moved on.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 132 Canada Geese
- 21 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 23 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens again
- 24 + 4 (2 broods) Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
*Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Another clear, if breezy, start to the day.
A Silver-ground Carpet moth Xanthorhoe montanata with its wings raised to show the abdomen.
It is some weeks since I noted my previous Honey Bee Apis mellifera
This is a sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex. I have read the text for each of these on the very detailed descriptions on the "sawflies.org.uk" web site and am none the wiser!
Another that may or may not be of the same species.
My best photo to date of the lacewing Chrysopa perla.
A rare daytime view of a male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus.
I wish I knew. This fly looks to be easy to identify but isn't.
The most common and most easily identified of the dagger flies is this Empis tessellata.
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
*$$ 1 Minor species Oligia sp.
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
*$$ 1 Minor species Oligia sp.
Flies
17 midges of various species.
17 midges of various species.
Arthropod:
*1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
*1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
A surprisingly long White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:10 – 07:20
(134th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- once again the pen Mute Swan was on her own with the lone cygnet. The other four adults seemed to be forming two pairs, albeit loosely. There was no sign of an obvious partner for the pen.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- a lone drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- still two Great Crested Grebes. Again they did not seem interested in the nest site.
- I think we can say the Reed Warbler has moved on.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 132 Canada Geese
- 21 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 23 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens again
- 24 + 4 (2 broods) Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
Bees, wasps etc.:
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
also numerous different midges and flies
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
also numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
A Green Meshweaver spider Nigma walckenaeri doing as I described the one I photographed yesterday on the "boxing ring" at the lake should have been doing: that is lying in wait (upside down) under a web set across a concave leaf.
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson
*Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
(Ed Wilson)
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2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson