8.0°C > 15.0°C: "Rain to end by 06:15" said my app. So: a dry and cloudless start with only a few clouds later! Fresh south-westerly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:39 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:30 – 09:25
(220th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- no visiting Mute Swans.
- with much of the weed no longer floating many of the Coots have moved back to the south-west grass. It seems that some have departed as even allowing for the difficulty in counting birds all jammed together on the grass there were fewer to be seen.
- I counted 122 Black-headed Gulls on the football field c.06:50. At least another 50 arrivals at the lake had flown off East before then.
- a large number of Barn Swallows. Birds were noted arriving and leaving. Amongst them were a few Sand and rather more House Matins. At times there were over 60 birds present. The number shown is my best estimate of the minimum number present.
- today's over-flying Jackdaws included the first large tight group this Autumn containing at least 70 birds.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 137 Greylag Geese: 63 outbound together; 70 inbound including a group of, ahem, 62!
- 22 Wood Pigeons only
- 1 Herring Gull
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron
- c.130 Jackdaws
- 174 Rooks
- 2 Pied Wagtails
Counts from the lake area:
- 18 Canada Geese: arrived in two groups
- 2 Mute Swans
- 12 (>4♂?) Mallard
- 10 Moorhens again
- 86 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- c.175 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 7 Herring Gulls
- 2 Yellow-legged Gulls: adult and first winter
- 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons for a while and both present when the other bird flew over.
Hirundines etc. noted: see notes
- >2 Sand Martins
- >50 Barn Swallows
- >15 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *16 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcap
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
A stiff breeze again to the numbers down
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species in the area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:30 – 09:25
(220th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- no visiting Mute Swans.
- with much of the weed no longer floating many of the Coots have moved back to the south-west grass. It seems that some have departed as even allowing for the difficulty in counting birds all jammed together on the grass there were fewer to be seen.
- I counted 122 Black-headed Gulls on the football field c.06:50. At least another 50 arrivals at the lake had flown off East before then.
- a large number of Barn Swallows. Birds were noted arriving and leaving. Amongst them were a few Sand and rather more House Matins. At times there were over 60 birds present. The number shown is my best estimate of the minimum number present.
- today's over-flying Jackdaws included the first large tight group this Autumn containing at least 70 birds.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 137 Greylag Geese: 63 outbound together; 70 inbound including a group of, ahem, 62!
- 22 Wood Pigeons only
- 1 Herring Gull
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron
- c.130 Jackdaws
- 174 Rooks
- 2 Pied Wagtails
Counts from the lake area:
- 18 Canada Geese: arrived in two groups
- 2 Mute Swans
- 12 (>4♂?) Mallard
- 10 Moorhens again
- 86 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- c.175 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 7 Herring Gulls
- 2 Yellow-legged Gulls: adult and first winter
- 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Grey Herons for a while and both present when the other bird flew over.
Hirundines etc. noted: see notes
- >2 Sand Martins
- >50 Barn Swallows
- >15 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *16 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcap
Noted on the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
A stiff breeze again to the numbers down
Springtails:
1 springtail Tomocerus vulgaris- type
1 springtail Tomocerus vulgaris- type
Flies:
*2 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
*1 wood gnat Sylvicola sp.
2 green midges Tanytarsus sp.
*2 Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii
*1 wood gnat Sylvicola sp.
2 green midges Tanytarsus sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
1 Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius [Bridge Orbweaver]
*1 male harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli / rotundum
Noted elsewhere:
1 Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius [Bridge Orbweaver]
*1 male harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli / rotundum
Noted elsewhere:
Butterflies:
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths:
- *1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
- *1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana
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
- *Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Other flies:
- very few flies, none identified
- very few flies, none identified
Bugs:
- *Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes
- *Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
- *1 harvestman Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus
Fungus:
- *Field Mushroom Agaricus campestris
- *"seeded bun"!
A few threatening clouds to the south-west which was from where the wind was blowing. Luckily they faded away before reaching the area.
What I believe to be a first-winter Yellow-legged Gull. Not dark-enough for a Lesser Black-back. Separation from a Herring Gull at this age is by less extensive pale on the inner primaries and a neater tail-band with an unmarked upper-tail (though in the strong sunlight I would not have relied on this latter feature alone).
I was making squeaking noises to see whether a warbler would pop out to look. I might have known it would be a Blue Tit that would be inquisitive.
I keep suggesting I am unlikely to see any more Common Nettle-tap moths Anthophila fabriciana this year but they keep coming. I have logged 168 so far this year. I managed four last year!
Still at it: a Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum with its tongue stuck down the trumpet of a flower on one of the few remaining spikes of the Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii alongside Teece Drive.
I keep seeing European Hornets Vespa crabro: almost one a day. I still don't have any idea where the nest might be.
It is a sign of Autumn when wood gnats Sylvicola sp. start appearing. Most cannot be specifically identified from photos.
A harvestman from the species pair Dicranopalpus ramosus/caudatus in typical pose with (what's left of) its legs bunched at right angles to its body. The long, forked pedipalps are also diagnostic.
A male harvestman from the species pair Leiobunum blackwalli / rotundum. Males of these species are harder to separate than females and the only reliable method is to look at the oculum surround. At this range and with one (of only seven) legs in the way it is not possible.
Fungi have responded very quickly to the rain. I am sure these are Field Mushrooms Agaricus campestris...
...especially when viewed from underneath. Obsidentify was only prepared to go as far as Agaricus sp. perhaps so as to avoid getting sued if it is wrong and someone is taken ill.
(213th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- again more geese heard from inside the island.
- the recent duck Common Teal not found.
- still a low count of Tufted Duck.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- >29 Canada Geese
- >4 Greylag Geese
- 11 Mute Swans
- 32 (20?♂) Mallard
- 7 (2?♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Moorhens
- 85 Coots
- *3 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 42 Black-headed Gulls
- *1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, arrived
- *7 Cormorants: one of these departed and a different one arrived
- 2 Grey Herons: one of these arrived to the consternation of the other
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
Noted around the area:
- *Field Mushroom Agaricus campestris
- *"seeded bun"!
Ever more lopsided as the Blood Moon wanes.
This looked a good cloud to avoid.
There were many Chiffchaffs flicking about and calling. This was the best I could manage.
Just about recognisable as a Goldcrest. It was energetically flitting about amongst the leaves and branches.
This male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax was the only hoverfly I noted here today.
This fly is a female Spotted-winged Drosophila Drosophila suzukii. Her wings are plain unlike...
...those of this male.
I wonder why it is called a "Red-legged Shieldbug" Pentatoma rufipes!
I think I may have been "had" here. All my apps suggested this is a species of puffball but on closer inspection the "seeds" on the top do not match any species on the internet. I think it is a discarded seeded bun!
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths: [45 species here before today; no addition]
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
Flies:
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
14 midges of various species
2 moth flies Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
14 midges of various species
Arthropods:
3 White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
3 White-legged Snake Millipedes Tachypodoiulus niger
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
4 spiders probably all Missing Sector Orb-web Spiders Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
4 spiders probably all Missing Sector Orb-web Spiders Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
This morning's Common Marbled Carpet moth Chloroclysta truncata on the ceiling in the tunnel. A multi-brooded species: my last record here was back in mid-June.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 09:30 – 10:35
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 09:30 – 10:35
(213th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- again more geese heard from inside the island.
- the recent duck Common Teal not found.
- still a low count of Tufted Duck.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- >29 Canada Geese
- >4 Greylag Geese
- 11 Mute Swans
- 32 (20?♂) Mallard
- 7 (2?♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Moorhens
- 85 Coots
- *3 + 5 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 42 Black-headed Gulls
- *1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, arrived
- *7 Cormorants: one of these departed and a different one arrived
- 2 Grey Herons: one of these arrived to the consternation of the other
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
Noted around the area:
Butterflies:
- *Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- *Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths:
- none
- none
Bees, wasps, etc.:
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
- *Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
- *Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *female harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli
Siblings. All three juvenile Great Crested Grebes from one of the two successful nests, here taking a break.
As this adult Lesser Black-backed spreads its wings to splash down it reveals the extent of its current wing moult. On the left wing I think I can see seven old primary feathers with two partially regrown inboard – gulls have 10 primaries which are moulted in succession from the innermost. At the same time the adjacent secondaries are moulted in succession from the outermost leaving a big gap as the moult starts.
Taking a leaf out of Government policy the Cormorants were opting for a "one in, one out" approach. Here a sub-adult is leaving...possibly a third or fourth year bird judging by the limited amount of white on the belly. Note the single "missing" wing feather balanced on each side suggesting this is a planned moult rather than damage.
Now a female harvestman from the species pair Leiobunum blackwalli / rotundum. In this instance it is easy to ascribe her to L. blackwalli for as in the description in NatureSpot notes "The 'saddle' of the female is black and widens posteriorly and terminates abruptly". Also note that the surround to the eyes is white – a feature she shares with the male who has a more circular and entirely red-brown body. She wins the prize for today's harvestman with the fewest legs!
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
9 Ravens
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
1 immature Peregrine Falcon
Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
3 Wheatear
Yellow Wagtail
(John Isherwood)
Trench Lock Pool
1 Arctic Tern
(John Isherwood)
2010
Priorslee Lake
Albino Wood Pigeon
3 Swifts
1 Sedge Warbler
Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)
- *female harvestman Leiobunum blackwalli
Butter wouldn't melt....
Soaking up the sun is a Speckled Wood butterfly Pararge aegeria.
Finding a few flowers to drink some nectar is a Migrant Field Syrph hoverfly Eupeodes corollae.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
Priorslee Lake
9 Ravens
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
1 immature Peregrine Falcon
Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
3 Wheatear
Yellow Wagtail
(John Isherwood)
Trench Lock Pool
1 Arctic Tern
(John Isherwood)
2010
Priorslee Lake
Albino Wood Pigeon
3 Swifts
1 Sedge Warbler
Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)