7.0°C > 9.0°C: Some clear spells with plenty of cloud as well. A light shower as I was departing. Fresh north-westerly breeze. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:49 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:55 – 07:05 // 08:10 – 09:55
(74th visit of the year)
New bird species:
An addition to my 2026 bird species list for this site: at least two House Martins were heard (and then photographed) in with Sand Martins over the water c.09:15. Species #73 here this year and my earliest date since 2016 (26 March that year).
Other bird notes:
- the Great (White) Egret arrived at 06:16 but today was beaten as the first bird seen in flight by two of the local Common Buzzards leaving a roost.
- two Grey Herons were sparring c.06:25. Several other sightings of one and two birds are assumed to relate to these two.
- two tight groups of Jackdaws, each of c.30(?) birds, flew outbound in the far distance more or less concurrently. Five minutes later a large open group of at least 200 flew by. No Rooks were seen in any of these groups with just two noted later.
- for the third day a Willow Warbler was heard singing in more or less the same spot along the North side. It is several years since this species stayed to breed here with most birds passing through. The main passage is usually about a week away.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair flew East
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair flew East
- 18 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; singles
- >250 Jackdaws: see notes
- 2 Rooks
- 1 Siskin again
Counts from the lake area:
- 9 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Tufted Duck only
- 8 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly
- *2 Cormorant: arrived separately
- *2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >6 Sand Martins
- *1 Barn Swallow
- *2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler: see notes
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps once more
On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
too breezy?
Other bird notes:
- the Great (White) Egret arrived at 06:16 but today was beaten as the first bird seen in flight by two of the local Common Buzzards leaving a roost.
- two Grey Herons were sparring c.06:25. Several other sightings of one and two birds are assumed to relate to these two.
- two tight groups of Jackdaws, each of c.30(?) birds, flew outbound in the far distance more or less concurrently. Five minutes later a large open group of at least 200 flew by. No Rooks were seen in any of these groups with just two noted later.
- for the third day a Willow Warbler was heard singing in more or less the same spot along the North side. It is several years since this species stayed to breed here with most birds passing through. The main passage is usually about a week away.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair flew East
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair flew East
- 18 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; singles
- >250 Jackdaws: see notes
- 2 Rooks
- 1 Siskin again
Counts from the lake area:
- 9 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese: a pair arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Tufted Duck only
- 8 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly
- *2 Cormorant: arrived separately
- *2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >6 Sand Martins
- *1 Barn Swallow
- *2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler: see notes
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps once more
On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
too breezy?
Flies etc.:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
Of note around the area later:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
Of note around the area later:
Bees, wasps etc.:
- *1 male Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva
- *1 possible male Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrena flavipes
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only
- *1 male Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva
- *1 possible male Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrena flavipes
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only
Hoverflies:
- *1 male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- *1 male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Other flies:
- *1 root-maggot fly, Anthomyia procellaris or similar
- *1 possible Fannia mollissima.
- *1 Greenbottle Lucilia-type
- *1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- plus several unidentified flies
In the shelter of the fresh wind and where there had been some sun I found a surprising range of insects considering the ambient temperature was still below 10°C. The chill was probably why they were all sitting around and easy to approach. This seems to be a male Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva. The female is larger, has a banded, tawny abdomen, black legs and lacks the white moustache.
I am not sure about this other mining bee. The ginger moustache and the light banding on the abdomen suggest it could be a male Yellow-legged Mining Bee A. flavipes. Only the, again larger, female has an obvious yellow brush on her legs that gives the species its name.
A male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax. Not a bee as it has short antennae. A male because the eyes meet (as is common in fly species)
A fly taking a rest (I thought it was a female ichneumon at first but that is a leg and not an ovipositor sticking out beyond the end of its abdomen.) There is a faint chequerboard pattern on the abdomen and the halteres look to be yellow. This suggests it may be one of the Fannia group and possibly F. mollissima.
As I recall this is my first moth fly Psychodidae sp. of the year. This group of c.100 species are also known as Drain Flies or Owl Flies. They are not specifically identifiable from photos.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 07:10 – 08:05
(72nd visit of the year)
New bird species:
Two additions to my 2026 bird species list for this site:
- a Marsh Tit was singing near the academy and moving quickly through along with a small group of Coal Tits.
- my first Willow Warbler of the year here was singing in bushes alongside the small playground area – this seems to be a popular spot as it is where I usually hear one first most years.
Species #59 and #60 here this year.
Other bird notes:
- more Tufted Duck today. Perhaps some were birds moved off the Balancing Lake yesterday by the sailing club's activities.
- no Siskins noted today.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair flew North
- 1 Herring Gull: adult
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; separately
Noted on / around the water:
- 22 Canada Geese
- 8 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 19 (16♂) Mallard
- 21 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots yet again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap again
Of note around the area:
- *1 root-maggot fly, Anthomyia procellaris or similar
- *1 possible Fannia mollissima.
- *1 Greenbottle Lucilia-type
- *1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- plus several unidentified flies
Not a sunrise to get excited about.
The second of this morning's Cormorants arriving. An immature – white on the belly.
One of the Grey Herons seen today.
Well: you can tell it is a Barn Swallow.
Record shot! Definitely two House Martins showing their white rumps (and not much else) here.
The tubby-looking appearance is sufficient to ID this as a House Martin. Confirmation is the lack of breast band that would indicate a Sand Martin and the shallow 'V' of the tail that rules out Barn Swallow.
This is a root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris or similar
Obsidentify suggested (100%) that this is also a root-maggot fly. I am not convinced...
...from the other side either.
A Greenbottle Lucilia-type. There are many "greenbottles", not all in this genus.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 07:10 – 08:05
(72nd visit of the year)
New bird species:
Two additions to my 2026 bird species list for this site:
- a Marsh Tit was singing near the academy and moving quickly through along with a small group of Coal Tits.
- my first Willow Warbler of the year here was singing in bushes alongside the small playground area – this seems to be a popular spot as it is where I usually hear one first most years.
Species #59 and #60 here this year.
Other bird notes:
- more Tufted Duck today. Perhaps some were birds moved off the Balancing Lake yesterday by the sailing club's activities.
- no Siskins noted today.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair flew North
- 1 Herring Gull: adult
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; separately
Noted on / around the water:
- 22 Canada Geese
- 8 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 19 (16♂) Mallard
- 21 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots yet again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap again
Of note around the area:
Flies:
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
(Ed Wilson)
2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing
1 Blackcap
7 Chiffchaffs
197 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
42 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Horsehay Pool
Mandarin Ducks
(JW Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )
The Flash
46 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
Raven
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Swallow
14 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
20 Redwing
4 Siskins
2 Linnet
9 Greenfinch
4 Reed Bunting
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Willow Tit
(Martin R Adlam)
- 1 male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
Give us a song Mr. Wren.
Open wide.
Wider!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing
1 Blackcap
7 Chiffchaffs
197 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
42 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Horsehay Pool
Mandarin Ducks
(JW Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )
The Flash
46 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
Raven
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Swallow
14 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
20 Redwing
4 Siskins
2 Linnet
9 Greenfinch
4 Reed Bunting
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Willow Tit
(Martin R Adlam)