12.0°C > 17.0°C: Scattered cloud at multiple levels with good light conditions though little sun. Light southerly breeze increasing moderate. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:14 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 – 06:45 // 07:50 – 10:05
(212th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- two visiting Mute Swans remain and seemed to be unmolested by the resident pair.
- several of the outbound groups of geese were too distant to identify. On size I judged them to be Canadas but it seems improbable there were no Greylags outbound so I have recorded these as "unidentified geese".
- a small arrival of geese included 21 Canadas, 1 Greylag and the *hybrid Canada x Greylag seen at The Flash yesterday.
- *now five Gadwall (two drakes).
- only 30 Mallard counted today.
- *a duck Common Teal again.
- *now a group of five Tufted Duck: all drakes?
- a surprise was seeing three late Swifts. Two were over the North side trees at 08:35 and another was seen flying fast south-east.
- at least one Sand Martin, *five Barn Swallows and six House Martins were noted hunting insects over the water at c.09:00. Earlier I had seen three House Martins high over the football field, one of which was a recently-fledged, begging juvenile.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 51 Canada Geese: outbound in four groups
- 54 unidentified geese: outbound in three groups
- 2 Stock Doves
- 91 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 15 Lesser Black-baked Gulls
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
- 3 Jackdaws only
- 110 Rooks
- 5 Pied Wagtail
Counts from the lake area:
- *21 Canada Geese: arrived in two groups together with...
- *1 Canada x Greylag Goose and...
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 4 Mute Swans
- *5 (2♂) Gadwall
- 30 (♂?) Mallard
- *1 (0♂) Common Teal
- no Pochard
- *7 (7?♂) Tufted Duck
- *13 Moorhens
- 159 adult and juvenile Coots
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- c.100 Black-headed Gulls
- *14 Herring Gulls
- 147 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived and was never seen again!
- 2 Grey Herons: one departed
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 3 Swifts
- 1 Sand Martin
- *5 Barn Swallows
- 6 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *22 (5) Chiffchaffs: gulp!
- no Reed Warbler
- 4 (0) Blackcaps
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Moths:
- *6 Common Grass-moths Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer] again
- *1 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa
- *1 $ Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea: moth species #85 here
- *6 Common Grass-moths Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer] again
- *1 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa
- *1 $ Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea: moth species #85 here
Springtails:
- 1 springtail Pogonognathellus longicornis-type
- 1 springtail Pogonognathellus longicornis-type
Flies:
- *1 Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum
- 1 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
- *1 tiny male plumed midge sp.
- *1 Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum
- 1 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
- *1 tiny male plumed midge sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
A few changes from yesterday: another Hornet sighting!.
- 1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Noted later:
A few changes from yesterday: another Hornet sighting!.
Butterflies:
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- *Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- *Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Moths:
- *2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana again
- *2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana again
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- *Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
- European Hornet Vespa crabro
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- *Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
- European Hornet Vespa crabro
Hoverflies:
- Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- *Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
- *Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- *Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
- *Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
Damsel-/Dragonflies
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Beetles:
- none
- none
Flies:
- *$$ Muscid Fly Limnophora tigrina
- *Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *Scorpion Fly Panorpa germanica
- *$ Muscid fly Phaonia rufiventris
- *Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- otherwise no interesting identified or unidentified flies!
The hybrid goose among a trio of Canada Geese. I have presumed that this is a Canada (the similar, but faded, white chinstrap) crossed with a Greylag (the pale bill). Perhaps it is just the angle but this bird looks larger than any of the Canadas whereas Greylag genes would suggest it might be smaller. Perhaps it is a male goose and the Canadas are all the average-smaller females.
From left to right: drake Tufted Duck; duck Common Teal; immature Moorhen; two more Tufted Duck, the first certainly a drake but I am not willing to commit to the sex of the other.
What is almost certainly a juvenile Barn Swallow with no hint of tail-streamers. Of course they can break off though it would be unusual for both to do so. The streamers are feathers so must be moulted at some stage.
A Chiffchaff looking pensive. There were very many calling and singing today. There are still too many leaves on the trees for most to be photographed. This strangely dark bird was an exception.
Do I need to say "Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta "? Did I know this species had blue in the outer and inner corners of the wing edges?
Two Common Nettle-tap moths Anthophila fabriciana again today. They can be difficult. They fly erratically around and the suddenly land. They can then be hard to locate unless there is a contrasting background. This one, on Snowberries Symphoricarpos albus, it was not easy to see.
For once a reasonably sharp photo of a Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella. There were many to choose from today.
In spite of the position of the twig this is probably my best photo of a Square-spot Rustic moth Xestia xanthographa so far.
This is my first Flounced Rustic moth Luperina testacea for several years. It is a common-enough moth, just not attracted to the street lights: perhaps they are the wrong "colour temperature" to which some moths are very sensitive. A tiny plumed midge to keep it company at the very top of the street lamp pole.
A Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris. Sadly(?) the European Hornet Vespa crabro did not stay around to be photographed.
For a change as male Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare (the eyes meet) showing that the yellow spots on his abdomen are rectangular and not triangular as they are in the more commonly-seen female.
The hoverfly known as the Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens. I have no idea what is lurking behind it on the Teece Drive fence.
A new fly for me. The distinctive thorax marking and the abdomen spots identify this as the Muscid Fly Limnophora tigrina.
Long past any date I have recorded this species in previous years is this female Scorpion Fly Panorpa germanica.
A splendid-looking fly. It is the Muscid fly Phaonia rufiventris and Obsidentify could obviously see the critical features of "bristle arrangement" to separate this from the outwardly similar P. subventa.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:50 – 07:45
(207th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- now only eight Mute Swans.
- two duck Common Teal were together by the island.
- at least three of fewer Tufted Duck than yesterday were seen flying off.
- only two Black-headed Gulls for some reason.
- four Cormorants, one of which was seen arriving.
- three Grey Herons.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 6 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 4 Canada Geese
- 48 Greylag Geese: of these 42 arrived together
- 8 Mute Swans
- 34 (?♂) Mallard
- 2 (0♂) Common Teal
- 15 (?♂) Tufted Duck: three of these departed together
- 11 Moorhens
- 94 adult and juvenile Coots
- 5 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: where were the other juveniles hiding
- 2 Black-headed Gulls only
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, briefly several times – I assume the same bird
- 4 Cormorants: one of these arrived
- 1 Grey Heron
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (1) Chiffchaffs
Noted around the area:
- *$$ Muscid Fly Limnophora tigrina
- *Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *Scorpion Fly Panorpa germanica
- *$ Muscid fly Phaonia rufiventris
- *Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- otherwise no interesting identified or unidentified flies!
Two photos of this morning's red sky warning.
The best sunrise for weeks!
A pair of Gadwall, drake on the left, sandwiching the smaller duck Common Teal.
An almost "plan view" of an adult Herring Gull – note the all-yellow bill apart from the red spot. It is in moult: there are a few inner primary wing-feathers missing. The white patch in the centre of the wing is where some of the secondary coverts are being replaced thereby exposing the white base to the secondary feathers.
An adult Barn Swallow flies by. Probably a male with tail streamer this long.
About to go a-hunting.
Today's Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum.
A Greenbottle Lucilia sp. in very close-up as it tucks in to the Ivy blossom.
A different species of Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp. and not S. carnaria. I don't know what though.
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths: [43 species here before today; one addition]
*1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]: my first here
*1 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]: my first here
Flies:
11 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
4 midges of various species only
11 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
4 midges of various species only
Arthropods:
2 White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
2 White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
2 unidentified spiders
*1 Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
2 unidentified spiders
My first-ever Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella in the tunnel and indeed my first-ever grass moth there. I think my torch disturbed it but luckily I managed to follow it to see where it landed on the ceiling.
Today's Garden Spider Araneus diadematus.
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:50 – 07:45
(207th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- now only eight Mute Swans.
- two duck Common Teal were together by the island.
- at least three of fewer Tufted Duck than yesterday were seen flying off.
- only two Black-headed Gulls for some reason.
- four Cormorants, one of which was seen arriving.
- three Grey Herons.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 6 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 4 Canada Geese
- 48 Greylag Geese: of these 42 arrived together
- 8 Mute Swans
- 34 (?♂) Mallard
- 2 (0♂) Common Teal
- 15 (?♂) Tufted Duck: three of these departed together
- 11 Moorhens
- 94 adult and juvenile Coots
- 5 + 3 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: where were the other juveniles hiding
- 2 Black-headed Gulls only
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, briefly several times – I assume the same bird
- 4 Cormorants: one of these arrived
- 1 Grey Heron
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (1) Chiffchaffs
Noted around the area:
Moths:
- 4 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]
- *1 Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea [previously Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer]
- *1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
- *1 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa : moth species 70 here this year for me.
- 4 Common Grass-moth Agriphila tristella [previously Common Grass-veneer]
- *1 Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea [previously Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer]
- *1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
- *1 Square-spot Rustic Xestia xanthographa : moth species 70 here this year for me.
Flies:
- *1 Muscid fly Phaonia subventa/rufiventris
- *1 Muscid fly Phaonia subventa/rufiventris
Dermaptera:
- 1 Common European Earwig Forficula dentata
- 1 Common European Earwig Forficula dentata
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
A Common Marbled Carpet moth Chloroclysta truncata. This is an early date for a second generation of this very variable species. My last sightings were in late June.
In squirrel alley I found my first-ever Square-spot Rustic moth Xestia xanthographa around The Flash area.
This critical arrangement of bristles is not visible in this view so this Muscid fly stays as one of the species pair Phaonia subventa/rufiventris
(Ed Wilson)
- 1 harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
After a dead specimen a few days ago here is a live Chevron Grass Moth Agriphila geniculea.
(Ed Wilson)
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2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Teal
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
Turtle Dove
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
Pair Ruddy Duck
(Malcolm Thompson)
Priorslee Lake
2 Teal
(Ed Wilson)
2010
Priorslee Lake
Turtle Dove
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
Pair Ruddy Duck
(Malcolm Thompson)