16.0°C > 17.0°C: Overcast at medium-low level. Moderate easterly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:57 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: 05:15 – 06:40 // 07:50 – 09:45
(201st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the usual Greylag Goose was not noted. The only geese on the water were five Canada Geese arrivals c.09:20. Only 16 outbound Canada Geese noted these in five small groups that appeared unsure where they were going. No Greylags seen at all.
- all four Mute Swans present, mostly as two pairs keeping well apart. A small amount of interaction as I was leaving.
- *a pair of Gadwall noted.
- I accidentally flushed a Common Teal (sex not determined) at 08:05. I have no idea where it went as it flew behind trees from my position. An unusually early date for a returning bird.
- the duck Pochard was seen and rather odd too. I thought I saw her fly off strongly towards the East my view being blocked by trees as to whether she departed the lake. Five minutes later she (the same?) was by the boat launching platform where she so often resides. It would be an exceptionally early date for a returning Pochard and drakes usually very significantly outnumber ducks.
- *a drake Tufted Duck was noted asleep in a large group of feeding Coots.
- I twice heard a Common Sandpiper flying around never managing to see where it was.
- no Swifts seen.
- *another mixed hirundine group of two Sand Martins, six Barn Swallows and four House Martins was chasing insects over the water by c.08:55.
- of the 175+ Wood Pigeons noted flying over at least 140 were in a large, loose group apparently flushed out of fields to the East c.08:40.
- the first of two sizeable mixed groups of Jackdaws and Rooks was over at the unusually early time of 05:30 when I was not ready for them. Normally they begin to pass a few minutes after the first Wren song is heard. Today the first group was at least five minutes before that.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 16 Canada Geese: outbound in five groups
- >175 Wood Pigeons: see notes
- 12 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 24 Jackdaws only
- 100 Rooks exactly
Counts from the lake area:
- 5 Canada Geese: arrived
- 4 Mute Swans: see notes
- *2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 27 (♂?) Mallard
- 1 (♂?) Common Teal
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- *1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 12 + 2 (2 dependent broods) Moorhens
- 132 adult and juvenile Coots again
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 61 Black-headed Gulls: none confirmed as a juvenile
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 26 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons: one arrived and one (the same?) departed
Hirundines etc. noted:
- no Swifts
- *2 Sand Martins
- *6 Barn Swallows
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- 13 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
- 1 (0) Blackcap
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
* = 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: 05:15 – 06:40 // 07:50 – 09:45
(201st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the usual Greylag Goose was not noted. The only geese on the water were five Canada Geese arrivals c.09:20. Only 16 outbound Canada Geese noted these in five small groups that appeared unsure where they were going. No Greylags seen at all.
- all four Mute Swans present, mostly as two pairs keeping well apart. A small amount of interaction as I was leaving.
- *a pair of Gadwall noted.
- I accidentally flushed a Common Teal (sex not determined) at 08:05. I have no idea where it went as it flew behind trees from my position. An unusually early date for a returning bird.
- the duck Pochard was seen and rather odd too. I thought I saw her fly off strongly towards the East my view being blocked by trees as to whether she departed the lake. Five minutes later she (the same?) was by the boat launching platform where she so often resides. It would be an exceptionally early date for a returning Pochard and drakes usually very significantly outnumber ducks.
- *a drake Tufted Duck was noted asleep in a large group of feeding Coots.
- I twice heard a Common Sandpiper flying around never managing to see where it was.
- no Swifts seen.
- *another mixed hirundine group of two Sand Martins, six Barn Swallows and four House Martins was chasing insects over the water by c.08:55.
- of the 175+ Wood Pigeons noted flying over at least 140 were in a large, loose group apparently flushed out of fields to the East c.08:40.
- the first of two sizeable mixed groups of Jackdaws and Rooks was over at the unusually early time of 05:30 when I was not ready for them. Normally they begin to pass a few minutes after the first Wren song is heard. Today the first group was at least five minutes before that.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 16 Canada Geese: outbound in five groups
- >175 Wood Pigeons: see notes
- 12 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 24 Jackdaws only
- 100 Rooks exactly
Counts from the lake area:
- 5 Canada Geese: arrived
- 4 Mute Swans: see notes
- *2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 27 (♂?) Mallard
- 1 (♂?) Common Teal
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- *1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 12 + 2 (2 dependent broods) Moorhens
- 132 adult and juvenile Coots again
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 61 Black-headed Gulls: none confirmed as a juvenile
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 26 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons: one arrived and one (the same?) departed
Hirundines etc. noted:
- no Swifts
- *2 Sand Martins
- *6 Barn Swallows
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- 13 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
- 1 (0) Blackcap
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
- 1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]
- 1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]
Flies:
- *1 midge, perhaps Chaoborus sp.
- *1 midge, perhaps Chaoborus sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 Large House Spider-type: Eratigena group from E. duellica, E. atrica and E. saeva
- 1 Noble or False Widow Spider Steatoda nobilis
- 1 harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
In dull and breezy conditions almost nothing.
- *1 Large House Spider-type: Eratigena group from E. duellica, E. atrica and E. saeva
- 1 Noble or False Widow Spider Steatoda nobilis
- 1 harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
In dull and breezy conditions almost nothing.
Moths
I could not even persuade a grass moth to leave its hideaway!
I could not even persuade a grass moth to leave its hideaway!
Bees, wasps etc.:
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Hoverflies:
none
none
Damsel- /Dragon- flies:
none
none
Other flies:
*a very few unidentified fly species
*a very few unidentified fly species
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
*7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
Dead-centre and tail-on is a drake Gadwall with the white in his wing and black stern. I was sure there was a pair in the viewfinder but where the duck has gone is a mystery. Just Coots and an adult winter-plumage Black-headed Gull visible here.
I spent some while trying to photo the hirundines over the water. As previously noted this tends to be "Catch 22" situation: they only come down to feed low over the water in dull weather when the camera struggles both to focus and "freeze" the action. I was well-pleased with the Sand Martin...
A male midge with an Afro-style of antennae. I have no real idea as its identity: perhaps Chaoborus species.
A Flame Carpet moth Xanthorhoe designata in a difficult location tucked up against one of the recessed light fittings.
I only ever seem to see female mosquitoes in the tunnel: females have the proboscis for collecting blood to produce her eggs. This is a Banded Mosquito Culiseta annulata. It is difficult to see the banded abdomen that gives the species its name. Here it can be identified because it is the only UK species with banded legs.
An unknown fly. I do not often see flies resting on the tunnel wall. I feel the hairy and pointed abdomen ought to be a clue. Apparently not.
One of the 15 midges of various species I noted. This looked "different" with very long front legs. These only seemed to confuse both Obsidentify and Google Lens in to thinking they were its antennae. Both suggested an ichneumon – clearly wrong. The real antennae are short.
It can be difficult to persuade the camera to focus on the spider and not its shadow. I think this is a Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica.
A Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata showing why it is also known as the Silver-sided Sector Spider.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:45 – 07:45
(196th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- now ten Mute Swans!
- the single almost full-grown Mallard duckling seen still with its mother.
- for a reason I am sure they know there is no longer an aggregation of Coots along the eastern edge of the island. Just over half the total is at the top end and most of the balance at the bottom end. A few birds are still attending to nests or holding territory.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 10 Mute Swans
- 26 (?♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 18 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- *9 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 94 adult and juvenile Coots
- 4 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 29 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron: departed
Hirundines etc. noted:
*7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
A drake Tufted Duck I found pretending to me one of the many Coots.
...and this "me and my reflection" photo of a passing Barn Swallow.
One of the few flies I noted today. Probably a Muscid fly. Otherwise unidentified.
I am sure I ought to know this fly with a grey thorax and banded abdomen. I can't think!
A 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata tucks in to Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris
One of the Large House Spider-types of the Eratigena group either E. duellica, E. atrica and E. saeva not usually separable from photos. This one on a street lamp pole pre-dawn.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths: [41 species here before today; no additions]
*1 White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella
*1 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata
*1 White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella
*1 Flame Carpet Xanthorhoe designata
Flies:
*1 Banded Mosquito Culiseta annulata
*1 unknown fly
*7 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
*15 midges of various species
*1 Banded Mosquito Culiseta annulata
*1 unknown fly
*7 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
*15 midges of various species
Arthropods:
no White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
no White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
*1 Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica
*2 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
3 other unidentified spiders
1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
*1 Walnut Orb Weaver Nuctenea umbratica
*2 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
3 other unidentified spiders
An easy to identify micro-moth: a White-shouldered House Moth Endrosis sarcitrella.
Not much to show today so here is one the abundant moth flies Psychodidae sp. I see most mornings.
This, my apps reliably inform me, is another Missing Sector Orb-web Spider. Very different!
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:45 – 07:45
(196th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- now ten Mute Swans!
- the single almost full-grown Mallard duckling seen still with its mother.
- for a reason I am sure they know there is no longer an aggregation of Coots along the eastern edge of the island. Just over half the total is at the top end and most of the balance at the bottom end. A few birds are still attending to nests or holding territory.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- no Greylag Geese
- 10 Mute Swans
- 26 (?♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 18 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- *9 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 94 adult and juvenile Coots
- 4 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 29 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron: departed
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Where are all the House Martins this year?
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- no Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Where are all the House Martins this year?
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- no Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths:
*1 Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla
*1 Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea [previously Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer]
*1 Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla
*1 Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea [previously Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer]
Hoverflies:
*1 Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus [Stripe-backed Brusheye]
*1 Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus [Stripe-backed Brusheye]
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
2 harvestmen Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
I struggled to get a decent photo of this Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea. A pale moth tucked in a dark corner. I could either show the moth with the markings "blown out" or, as here, show the (rather faded) chevron marks on the wings without the whole moth being visible.
Very strange: I was walking past a street lamp pole when a hoverfly appeared and briefly investigated it before flying off. I managed a quick shot and while not perfect the angled-down yellow marks on the abdomen and the two stripes down the thorax identify it as a Stripe-backed Fleckwing Dasysyrphus albostriatus which Obsidentify calls a Stripe-backed Brusheye.
Garden Spiders Araneus diadematus can be one of several different colours. This is one of the reddish-brown form.
(Ed Wilson)
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
2 harvestmen Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
A Moorhen with just one chick. They don't seem to have such a successful breeding season as last year.
A Common Plume moth Emmelina monodactyla.
(Ed Wilson)