17.0°C > 21.0°C: A few clouds early then medium / high cloud spreading from the West. Light south-easterly breeze. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:46 BST again
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:50 – 06:10 // 07:35 – 08:35
(151st visit of the year)
An abbreviated visit here ahead of a visit to a "Longest Day" air event in Herefordshire. Only one circumnavigation of the lake and some totals affected.
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- *again I did not see the pen Mute Swan. The cob was still preventing the other unringed adult from re-entering the water.
- a party of four Gadwall flushed as I arrived and were only seen in flight c.05:00. Probably two adults and two juveniles. Did they breed here? Or nearby and if so where?
- *three duck Mallard with ducklings seen: counts of one, 11 and one (in descending size order). How these relate to yesterday's sightings is unclear. What is clear is that it has been an exceptionally good year for this species here.
- the duck Pochard was seen this morning.
- a Little Grebe heard yet again from North-side reeds.
- a Common Buzzard was again sitting on the roof of the academy c.06:00. One had flushed from the south-west wooded area earlier.
- a confusing set of sightings of Feral or Racing Pigeons. I noted 12 flying high North to the far East at 05:20. They were well away from buildings which might suggest Racing Pigeons but at that early time? Some five minutes later 14 were circling over the fields to the East and then at c.05:55 a group of 16 flew West over the football field. So how many individuals did I see?
- an injured second year Lesser Black-backed Gull was trying to fly from the dam c.05:25.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 16 (?) Feral / Racing Pigeons: see notes
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 7 Jackdaws
- 32 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 3 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- *2 Mute Swans: see notes
- 4 (?♂) Gadwall: see notes
- *20 (?♂) + 13 (3 broods) Mallard: see notes
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 2 Moorhens again
- 51 adult and juvenile Coots
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- *1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *15 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (8) Reed Warblers again
- 8 (8) Blackcaps
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
An abbreviated visit here ahead of a visit to a "Longest Day" air event in Herefordshire. Only one circumnavigation of the lake and some totals affected.
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- *again I did not see the pen Mute Swan. The cob was still preventing the other unringed adult from re-entering the water.
- a party of four Gadwall flushed as I arrived and were only seen in flight c.05:00. Probably two adults and two juveniles. Did they breed here? Or nearby and if so where?
- *three duck Mallard with ducklings seen: counts of one, 11 and one (in descending size order). How these relate to yesterday's sightings is unclear. What is clear is that it has been an exceptionally good year for this species here.
- the duck Pochard was seen this morning.
- a Little Grebe heard yet again from North-side reeds.
- a Common Buzzard was again sitting on the roof of the academy c.06:00. One had flushed from the south-west wooded area earlier.
- a confusing set of sightings of Feral or Racing Pigeons. I noted 12 flying high North to the far East at 05:20. They were well away from buildings which might suggest Racing Pigeons but at that early time? Some five minutes later 14 were circling over the fields to the East and then at c.05:55 a group of 16 flew West over the football field. So how many individuals did I see?
- an injured second year Lesser Black-backed Gull was trying to fly from the dam c.05:25.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 16 (?) Feral / Racing Pigeons: see notes
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 7 Jackdaws
- 32 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 3 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- *2 Mute Swans: see notes
- 4 (?♂) Gadwall: see notes
- *20 (?♂) + 13 (3 broods) Mallard: see notes
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 2 Moorhens again
- 51 adult and juvenile Coots
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- *1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *15 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (8) Reed Warblers again
- 8 (8) Blackcaps
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
*1 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
*1 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
2 Long-jawed Orb-web Spiders Tetragnatha sp.
Noted later:
Affected by my earlier than usual departures
2 Long-jawed Orb-web Spiders Tetragnatha sp.
Noted later:
Affected by my earlier than usual departures
Butterflies:
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green-veined White Pieris napi
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green-veined White Pieris napi
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Moths
1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*1 $ Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata [my moth species #49 here in 2025]
1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*1 $ Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata [my moth species #49 here in 2025]
Bees, wasps etc.:
Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Buttercup Blacklet Cheilosia albitarsus [Late Buttercup Cheilosia]
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
*$ Two-banded Spearhorn Chrysotoxum bicinctum
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Buttercup Blacklet Cheilosia albitarsus [Late Buttercup Cheilosia]
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
*$ Two-banded Spearhorn Chrysotoxum bicinctum
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
*Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
most damselflies not checked
*Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
most damselflies not checked
Lacewings:
none
none
Other flies:
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: few
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: rather more – most larvae now pupae?
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: few
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: rather more – most larvae now pupae?
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Slugs, snails etc.:
White-lipped Snail Cepaea hortensis
White-lipped Snail Cepaea hortensis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
none
none
New flowers for the year:
*Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta
This duck Mallard has been a good mother. The first time I saw this brood there were twelve ducklings. To have eleven remaining when they are still this well-grown is most unusual.
I was too close when it lolloped about but on this view perhaps the right wing is damaged (broken?) at the bend.
On several recent days I have seen two or three Chiffchaffs in a bare (dead) tree along the North side but only at c.05:30. The photo editor deserves much credit for producing this image of what I assume is an adult heading back to its nest with food.
For the third consecutive day I have found a Mottled Beauty moth Alcis repandata on a street lamp pole around dawn. All different-looking examples of this variable species and all on different poles. Oddly, though a common moth species, not one I have recorded in previous years.
A seriously poor photo of my first, and hiding, Shaded Broad-bar moth Scotopteryx chenopodiata of the year. The head is to the right! I should see plenty more but you never know.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:30
(148th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- six adult Mute Swans again.
- yesterday's drake Tufted Ducks not seen.
- a trio Great Crested Grebes one of which was seen to display with each of the others in turn.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 155 Canada Geese
- 46 Greylag Geese
- no mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- 17 (?♂) Mallard
- no Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 16 + 6 (6 broods) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (5) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Another visit to the area around the small football field at the top end.
A female ichneumon species, suggested by Obsidentify as possibly one from the Campopleginae sub-family. I am not qualified to comment further.
A Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus and not "black" because, unusually, it is a female. I see very few females compared with the dozens and dozens of males.
In addition to its orange wing-bases this fly has rufous among the patterning on its abdomen and is hence the Tachinid fly Eriothrix rufomaculata.
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
Possible Black-necked Grebe seen by locals yesterday evening.
(Ed Wilson)
*Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta
What my mother would have called "an angry sky" as a precursor to thundery weather.
Looks more benign this way.
The new resident cob Mute Swan was...
...this one enter the water.
The second year Lesser Black-backed Gull that was flapping about on the dam.
This startling insect is a hoverfly and not a wasp. It is a Two-banded Spearhorn Chrysotoxum bicinctum.
The working part of a male Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum.
The vetch plant with the small white flowers is Hairy Tare Vicia hirsuta .
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
*1 Mottled Beauty Alcis repandata
Flies
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
23 midges of various species.
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
23 midges of various species.
Yet another Mottled Beauty moth and yet another "plumage" variant.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:30
(148th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- six adult Mute Swans again.
- yesterday's drake Tufted Ducks not seen.
- a trio Great Crested Grebes one of which was seen to display with each of the others in turn.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 155 Canada Geese
- 46 Greylag Geese
- no mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- 17 (?♂) Mallard
- no Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 16 + 6 (6 broods) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (5) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Another visit to the area around the small football field at the top end.
Butterflies:
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Moths [on street lamp poles and in the grass]
*1 $ Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella [my 33rd moth species here this year]
*2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
2 Garden Grass-moths Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 $ Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata [my 34th moth species here this year]
*1 $ Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella [my 33rd moth species here this year]
*2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
2 Garden Grass-moths Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 $ Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata [my 34th moth species here this year]
Bees, wasps etc.:
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*one female ichneumon species, perhaps of the Campopleginae sub-family.
*one male ichneumon species
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*one female ichneumon species, perhaps of the Campopleginae sub-family.
*one male ichneumon species
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Other flies:
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus: unusually a female
*Tachinid fly Eriothrix rufomaculata
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus numerous different midges and flies
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus: unusually a female
*Tachinid fly Eriothrix rufomaculata
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
larvae and pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
This moth is a "top of the street lamp pole special". Obsidentify was 97% sure this is a Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella. After checking with the literature I agree - there are several very similar species. This fits with the pattern of dots, flight date and location. My previous records are from early July in both 2018 and 2022.
To give an indication of the size of a Common Nettle-tap moth Anthophila fabriciana here is one sitting on bramble buds.
Another "top of the street lamp pole special" and a pole where I cannot recall ever finding a moth before. It is a Clouded Silver Lomographa temerata. My only previous record in the area was at the lake on 19 May 2022.
larvae and pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
More straightforward: a male ichneumon wasp of unknown species.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
Priorslee Lake
Possible Black-necked Grebe seen by locals yesterday evening.
(Ed Wilson)