15.0°C > 19.0°C: Mostly cloudy. A light drizzly shower c.06:30. A very few sunny bits after 08:30. Fresh south-westerly breeze tending to ease somewhat. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 04:45 BST
* = 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 // 07:25 – 10:05
(154th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- the visiting unringed adult Mute Swan was hissing at passers by as it was stranded on the dam. I do not understand why it does not fly away. The wings, when it arches them at passers-by, look uninjured. The pen was not seen again.
- four duck Mallard with ducklings seen just to confuse: eleven, four, six and one in descending size order. I also suspect that two of those I have counted as adults are fully-fledged juveniles from here.
- the duck Pochard still around.
- the Little Grebe was not heard on either of my transits past the area.
- a single Feral Pigeon flew fast West c.05:40 closely followed by a group of six. These did not to seem to any of the birds that fly around the estate and which I do not report unless they do anything unusual.
- the Garden Warbler was again heard singing and seen flying around from bush to bush with another non-singing/calling bird in pursuit.
- a Common Whitethroat was heard giving its alarm call. I assume this means it is too busy on nesting duty to sing at the moment.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 7 Feral Pigeons: see notes
- 44 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 20 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 6 Starlings
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 3 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans: see notes
- 22 (?♂) + 22 (4 broods) Mallard: see notes
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 3 Moorhens
- 81 adult and juvenile Coots
- no Little Grebe heard
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts: these are typically only seen over the dam area c.05:30.
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (7) Reed Warblers again
- 8 (7) Blackcaps
- 2 (1) Garden Warblers: see notes
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat: see notes
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
*1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata [my moth species #53 here in 2025]
Noted later:
Breezy again
*1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata [my moth species #53 here in 2025]
Noted later:
Breezy again
Butterflies:
Large White Pieris brassicae
Small White Pieris rapae
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
*Comma Polygonia c-album
Large White Pieris brassicae
Small White Pieris rapae
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
*Comma Polygonia c-album
Moths
*2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
*1 Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana (was Aphelia paleana)
1 Barred Marble Celypha striana
3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
1 Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata
*2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
*1 Timothy Tortrix Zelotherses paleana (was Aphelia paleana)
1 Barred Marble Celypha striana
3 Common Marbles Celypha lacunana
1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
1 Latticed Heath Chiasmia clathrata
Bees, wasps etc.:
*probable Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes [Fork-tailed Flower-Bee]
*Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris: very many, mainly small individuals
*small ichneumon sp.
*probable Hairy-footed Flower Bee Anthophora plumipes [Fork-tailed Flower-Bee]
*Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris: very many, mainly small individuals
*small ichneumon sp.
Hoverflies:
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
*$ Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus [Stripe-backed Brusheye]
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
*Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Dark-saddled Leucozona Leucozona laternaria [Dark-saddled Hoary]
Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
*$ Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
*$ Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus [Stripe-backed Brusheye]
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
*Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Dark-saddled Leucozona Leucozona laternaria [Dark-saddled Hoary]
Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
*$ Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
Lacewings:
*1 unidentified "brown lacewing"
*1 unidentified "brown lacewing"
Other flies:
*$$ caddis fly Triaenodes bicolor
*$$ possible root-maggot fly Pegomya bicolor
*female semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus
Tachinid fly, perhaps one of the Siphona species
female Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
as usual many unidentified flies of many different species
*$$ caddis fly Triaenodes bicolor
*$$ possible root-maggot fly Pegomya bicolor
*female semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus
Tachinid fly, perhaps one of the Siphona species
female Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
as usual many unidentified flies of many different species
Bugs:
$ Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum
*Mirid bug Plagiognathus arbustorum
$ Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum
*Mirid bug Plagiognathus arbustorum
Beetles:
*$ 10 Spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata
*Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: many
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea: adult
*Pollen Beetle Meligethes sp.
*$ 10 Spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata
*Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata
pupae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: many
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.:
*unidentified money spider
*unidentified money spider
New flowers for the year:
*$ Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium [Fireweed]
*$ Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium [Fireweed]
A Comma butterfly Polygonia c-album brightens any day.
Only previously seen elsewhere this year is a Riband Wave moth Idaea aversata. A recalculation makes it my moth species #53 here in 2025.
Fresh out of the hairdressing salon is this Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum.
A tiny unidentified ichneumon.
Rubbing her hands (with glee?) is a female Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus.
Just about the largest of the British hoverflies is this Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria. Despite its appearance it is quite harmless and a nectar feeder.
At first sight this seems to be a Grouse Wing caddis fly Mystacides longicornis without patterning on the wings. But it also has what seems like a large moustache (actually the palps)! It is the different caddis fly Triaenodes bicolor. In this instance "bicolor" refers to the different colour of the underwing, hidden here. As caddis flies are not true flies they have two pairs of wings rather than one pair and halteres. A new insect for me.
This may be the root-maggot fly Pegomya bicolor (or a similar species in the genus). However it does look more robust than those shown on the internet. I cannot come up with a better suggestion.
A female semaphore fly Poecilobothrus nobilitatus. She lacks the white tips to the wings that the male uses as display.
I couldn't get a better angle on this insect so it will stay in the log as an unidentified "brown lacewing".
Up close and personal with an unidentified fly.
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
none
none
Flies
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
11 midges of various species.
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
11 midges of various species.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
(152nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- where were the rest of the geese? They cannot fly at the moment. I assume inside the island but if so they were strangely muted.
- six adult Mute Swans yet again.
- a scruffy and moulting drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- only one Great Crested Grebe noted
- the Great (White) Egret has reappeared
- it always happens. Several weeks ago I flushed a Common Buzzard off one of the goal posts in the small football field at the top end. The camera was not ready so I did not get a shot. Since then whenever I have approached the area I have ensured the camera is primed. Today I forgot. Guess what? The bird flew off from the goal post as I approached. Botheration!
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 69 Canada Geese
- 36 Greylag Geese
- no mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- *25 (?♂) Mallard only
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 22 + 6 (3 broods) Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Great White Egret
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 3 Swifts
- 3 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (5) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
It was drizzling while I was here so not much found
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
A Garden Spider Araneus diadematus that was on the ceiling of the tunnel. It clearly shows the mark at the from of the abdomen that gives it the alternative name of Garden Cross Spider.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:20
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:15 – 07:20
(152nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- where were the rest of the geese? They cannot fly at the moment. I assume inside the island but if so they were strangely muted.
- six adult Mute Swans yet again.
- a scruffy and moulting drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- only one Great Crested Grebe noted
- the Great (White) Egret has reappeared
- it always happens. Several weeks ago I flushed a Common Buzzard off one of the goal posts in the small football field at the top end. The camera was not ready so I did not get a shot. Since then whenever I have approached the area I have ensured the camera is primed. Today I forgot. Guess what? The bird flew off from the goal post as I approached. Botheration!
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 69 Canada Geese
- 36 Greylag Geese
- no mainly white feral goose
- 6 Mute Swans
- *25 (?♂) Mallard only
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 22 + 6 (3 broods) Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Great White Egret
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 3 Swifts
- 3 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (5) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
It was drizzling while I was here so not much found
Butterflies:
none
none
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]
*1 $ White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella [was Inlaid Grass-veneer]
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*1 Blood-vein Timandra comae
1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 $ White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella [was Inlaid Grass-veneer]
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
*1 Blood-vein Timandra comae
Bees, wasps etc.:
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
none
none
Other flies:
numerous different midges and flies
numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
larva of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea: adult
larva of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea: adult
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
New flowers for the year:
None
Not as first seems a duck Mallard. The plain pale bill means it is a drake. This drake is in so-called "eclipse" plumage and it is flightless – note the short flight feathers on its back. It needs more camouflage when it cannot fly. Another separation feature between drakes and ducks in this transition plumage is that the drake's head is grey rather than brown.
A moth making life hard. The contrast between the pale moth and the shaded vegetation had the camera struggling and the moth has wrapped its right wing around its body partially covering the diagnostic markings on the left wing. It is my first White-banded Grass-moth Crambus pascuella of this year.
Trying to hide in the vegetation was this Blood-vein moth Timandra comae. I failed to get a photo of the one I saw at the Balancing Lake about 10 days ago.
A Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp. in exactly the same place as it was two days ago. Did it eat the moth that was next to it then?
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper - First returning
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper - First returning
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Snipe
1 Common Sandpiper - First returning
At least 38 Swifts
(Ed Wilson)
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper - First returning
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper - First returning
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Snipe
1 Common Sandpiper - First returning
At least 38 Swifts
(Ed Wilson)