12.0°C > 16.0°C: Variable cloud after a mostly clear start. Cool and fresh westerly breeze. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 04:47 BST [the mornings start to draw in. Downhill all the way to Xmas now...]
* = 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:: 04:55 – 06:10 // 07:20 – 10:05
(153rd visit of the year)
Bird notes
*An additional bird species for my 2025 list here. A hitherto unnoticed Common Tern departed East over the dam in the company of an adult Black-headed Gull at 05:35. Bird species #97 (plus the half for the earlier White Wagtail!)
Other bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- only the resident cob Mute Swan still keeping the other unringed adult in check. The pen not seen.
- *just one duck Mallard with ducklings seen: eleven!
- the duck Pochard was seen again.
- I cannot explain the increase in Coot numbers here especially as at The Flash the juveniles in particular seemed to be hiding away from the breezy conditions.
- the Little Grebe was heard once again. As usual a single call only.
- the first returning Black-headed Gull was an adult that arrived at 05:30 only to leave at 05:35 (with the Common Tern for company). Another flew over 08:05.
- not for the first the Merlin app was reporting a calling Chiffchaff as a Common Redstart. If only!
- a Garden Warbler was again heard singing very intermittently with a calling juvenile nearby.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 45 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 18 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 3 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans: see notes
- *20 (?♂) + 11 (1 brood) Mallard: see notes
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 2 Moorhens only
- 83 adult and juvenile Coots
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- *1 $ Common Tern
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >10 Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (16) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (7) Reed Warblers
- 7 (7) Blackcaps again
- 2 (1) Garden Warbler again
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
*1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella [my moth species #51 here in 2025]
Noted later:
Too breezy for smaller insects.
*1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella [my moth species #51 here in 2025]
Noted later:
Too breezy for smaller insects.
Butterflies:
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green-veined White Pieris napi
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
*Comma Polygonia c-album
Large White Pieris brassicae
Green-veined White Pieris napi
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
*Comma Polygonia c-album
Moths
*1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
otherwise just one grass moth that dived for cover
*1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
otherwise just one grass moth that dived for cover
Bees, wasps etc.:
Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris: the only bumble bee species seen
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris: the only bumble bee species seen
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
*$ Furry Dronefly Eristalis intricaria
*Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Short Melanostoma Melanostoma mellinum [Variable Duskyface]
Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
*Humming Syrphus Syrphus ribesii [Common Flower Fly]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
*$ Furry Dronefly Eristalis intricaria
*Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Short Melanostoma Melanostoma mellinum [Variable Duskyface]
Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
*Humming Syrphus Syrphus ribesii [Common Flower Fly]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
*Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
many damselflies not checked
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
*Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
many damselflies not checked
Lacewings:
none
none
Other flies:
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*$ Blow-fly Pollenia rudis [Awkward Cluster Fly]
*possible stretched-foot fly Tanypeza longimana
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*$ Blow-fly Pollenia rudis [Awkward Cluster Fly]
*possible stretched-foot fly Tanypeza longimana
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
*Red Bug Deraeocoris ruber
*$ Mirid bug, probably Plagiognathus arbustorum
*Red Bug Deraeocoris ruber
*$ Mirid bug, probably Plagiognathus arbustorum
Leafhoppers etc.:
*$ planthopper, probably Eupteryx urticae
*$ planthopper, probably Eupteryx urticae
Beetles:
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: many: no larvae seen again
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea: adult
*Pollen Beetle Meligethes sp.
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: many: no larvae seen again
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea: adult
*Pollen Beetle Meligethes sp.
Slugs, snails etc.:
White-lipped Snail Cepaea hortensis
White-lipped Snail Cepaea hortensis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
none
none
New flowers for the year:
None
I think the camera did well to capture enough detail on the Common Tern leaving at 05:35 for me to edit it in to an acceptable photo. An Arctic Tern would have a shorter bill, longer tail-streamers and translucent feathers along the whole trailing edge of the outer wing.
The underwing shows the white mark – the "comma" of its vernacular name and the "c-album" or 'white letter c' of its scientific name given by Carl Linnaeus.
A two-fer. Only when I was checking the photo of the only Common Marble moth Celypha lacunana of the morning did I notice the small creature alongside it. That is a planthopper, probably Eupteryx urticae as it was on its favourite food-plant – Common or Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica – hence the planthopper's scientific species name.
This is a Furry Dronefly Eristalis intricaria. I last saw this species of hoverfly three years ago. Being hairy it looks quite unlike any of the other droneflies but is shares the markings on the top two segments of the abdomen with many of the other species in the genus.
This male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax shows the same markings on the top segment of his abdomen.
A Short Melanostoma hoverfly Melanostoma mellinum. As it is a male (the eyes meet) and the tips of the folded wings do not extend beyond the abdomen it cannot be a Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare which is also known as a Long-winged Duskyface.
Most unusual. A female of the Syrphus group clearly showing me that the femur of her hind leg is totally yellow and therefore she is a Humming Syrphus Syrphus ribesii. A Pollen Beetle Meligethes sp. gate-crashes the photo.
Another two-fer. Only when I was checking the identity of the male Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum did I notice the Mirid bug bottom right. I think it is Plagiognathus arbustorum.
Another male Common Blue Damselfly. I have no idea why it looks like this. Although the abdomen is flexible it seems an unusual way to flex.
An unusual view of a male Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus. There is dispute as to why this group of insects is so-named. One explanation from an American source is that some of them have "a beak-like proboscis" resembling the Snipe bird. That seems to me to refer to what we call "dagger flies". The other view is that they occur in the same wet grassland habitat as Snipe – bring them on here! So I don't know.
I have at last managed to identify this fly with golden hairs on the thorax and speckled grey on the abdomen. It is the Blow-fly Pollenia rudis also known as Awkward Cluster Fly. I am not sure why it is "awkward" but cluster flies are so-named as they over-winter as adults, gathered together in large numbers, perhaps hidden away in your house, garage etc.
Obsidentify was 100% sure this is the stretched-foot fly Tanypeza longimana. It is not shown in either of the usual web sites I use to check Obsidentify is telling me. A general Google enquire shows it fits quite well though this species in this group is noted as having "wholly yellow legs".
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(149th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- six adult Mute Swans again.
- a trio Great Crested Grebes again: a pair(?) together at the top end; another asleep along the East side.
- no sign of the Great (White) Egret.
- the first returning Black-headed Gull here as well as at the Balancing Lake.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- *1 Common Buzzard
- 3 Jackdaws yet again
Noted on / around the water:
- 184 Canada Geese
- 56 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- 20 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 23 + 3 (2 broods) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- *1 Black-headed Gull
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
One plus eleven. Well done mum Mallard in protecting and raising such a large brood.
Close up and personal with a Comma butterfly Polygonia c-album.
A different specimen provides a plan view.
The Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella on one of the street lamp poles at dawn did the decent thing and stayed for me to take a much better photo using daylight.
The legs look slightly more yellow here but...
A Red Bug Deraeocoris ruber.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
*1 Small Fan-footed Wave Idaea biselata
Flies
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
15 midges of various species.
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
15 midges of various species.
A Small Fan-footed Wave moth Idaea biselata. Mr. Google's AI tells me that 'The "fan-footed" part of the name refers to the wavy or "fan-like" appearance of the cross-bands on its wings, especially the outer band'. I get the "fan" part: where does the "foot" come in to it?
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:15
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:15
(149th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- six adult Mute Swans again.
- a trio Great Crested Grebes again: a pair(?) together at the top end; another asleep along the East side.
- no sign of the Great (White) Egret.
- the first returning Black-headed Gull here as well as at the Balancing Lake.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- *1 Common Buzzard
- 3 Jackdaws yet again
Noted on / around the water:
- 184 Canada Geese
- 56 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- 20 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 23 + 3 (2 broods) Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- *1 Black-headed Gull
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths [on street lamp poles and in the grass]
*1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*2 Common Greys Scoparia ambigualis
*1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*2 Common Greys Scoparia ambigualis
Bees, wasps etc.:
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Other flies:
moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
plus numerous different midges and flies
moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
plus numerous different midges and flies
Springtails:
*springtail Orchesella cincta
*springtail Orchesella cincta
Bugs:
none
none
Leafhoppers etc.:
*$ planthopper just possibly Alebra albostriella
*$ planthopper just possibly Alebra albostriella
Beetles:
larva and pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
larva and pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
none
none
New flowers for the year:
None
As well as the one at the Balancing Lake I found a Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella here.
Obsidentify left me on my own with this moth telling me it was one of the 14 Scoparia / Eudonia group. I knew that! Luckily there is a good web site with pristine examples of each to show the characteristics. Of course most of those I see in real life are less than pristine so there is always an element of doubt. I am almost certain this is a Common Grey Scoparia ambigualis.
The white at the base of the antennae is a clue that this springtail is Orchesella cincta. Not a group of insects I associate with Summer.
This may be the planthopper Alebra albostriella. There are not only similar species but they all change appearance as they age!
At the top of a street lamp pole I noted this trio. On the right is what I believe to be a ladybird larva, species not identified. In the middle a fly with a swelling on its front legs. On the left what might be small beetle. Not very illuminating! I need a ladder.
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Plover sp.
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Marsh Warbler
Unlikely as it seems I am pretty convinced about this on the basis of the song alone I was walking along the W end path at c.06:15 when a strange song caught my attention: there had been young Reed Warblers flitting about the area away from the reeds and it sound 'Acro-like'. But it was far too fast and I then assumed it was a Sedge Warbler (especially after my bird in the town centre last week). But the sound was all wrong with what seemed more like Garden Warbler tones, though with the characteristic Acro dynamics.
The bird was singing from a small patch of bushes growing in the fence at the W end of the yacht compound and I had the choice of a close view directly in to the bright sun; or going the 'other side' and trying to see between the yachts at some distance. I decided to stay where I was and in response to gentle phishing I got a good-enough glimpse to confirm it was a Reed / Marsh and not Sedge Warbler and certainly an Acro.
The song continued to puzzle and included all manner of oddities, sounding at times like juvenile Great Tit begging, all while singing at full volume.
I decided that the best thing would be to try and record the bird so I dashed back to the car for my digital tape recorder. When I returned the bird was not singing and phishing produced only a Wren and a pair of Bullfinches!
Revisited the area twice more for some 15 minutes on each occasion without success: was not too surprised as it was a small and rather unlikely spot for the bird to stay in.
Worth rechecking - but I went all around the lake twice without hearing anything untoward.
Only my second-ever UK Marsh Warbler - the last was as long ago as when they bred in Worcestershire! But familiar with the birds abroad as recently as May in Poland where I heard maybe 20.
I really cannot see what else it might have been: I am not that confident to say it WAS a Marsh Warbler song, only that I have no idea what else it could have been and it fits the general pattern of song.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Village
A pair of Siskins
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)
The first returning Black-headed Gull seems at home already.
A Common Buzzard overhead. I have had fewer than usual sightings this year.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012
Priorslee Lake
Plover sp.
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Marsh Warbler
Unlikely as it seems I am pretty convinced about this on the basis of the song alone I was walking along the W end path at c.06:15 when a strange song caught my attention: there had been young Reed Warblers flitting about the area away from the reeds and it sound 'Acro-like'. But it was far too fast and I then assumed it was a Sedge Warbler (especially after my bird in the town centre last week). But the sound was all wrong with what seemed more like Garden Warbler tones, though with the characteristic Acro dynamics.
The bird was singing from a small patch of bushes growing in the fence at the W end of the yacht compound and I had the choice of a close view directly in to the bright sun; or going the 'other side' and trying to see between the yachts at some distance. I decided to stay where I was and in response to gentle phishing I got a good-enough glimpse to confirm it was a Reed / Marsh and not Sedge Warbler and certainly an Acro.
The song continued to puzzle and included all manner of oddities, sounding at times like juvenile Great Tit begging, all while singing at full volume.
I decided that the best thing would be to try and record the bird so I dashed back to the car for my digital tape recorder. When I returned the bird was not singing and phishing produced only a Wren and a pair of Bullfinches!
Revisited the area twice more for some 15 minutes on each occasion without success: was not too surprised as it was a small and rather unlikely spot for the bird to stay in.
Worth rechecking - but I went all around the lake twice without hearing anything untoward.
Only my second-ever UK Marsh Warbler - the last was as long ago as when they bred in Worcestershire! But familiar with the birds abroad as recently as May in Poland where I heard maybe 20.
I really cannot see what else it might have been: I am not that confident to say it WAS a Marsh Warbler song, only that I have no idea what else it could have been and it fits the general pattern of song.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Village
A pair of Siskins
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)