10.0°C > 11.0°C: Areas of high cloud increased, thickened and lowered. Very hazy sun early. Very light south-westerly breeze increased moderate. Very good visibility though early mist over the lake.
Sunrise: 06:26 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:30 – 06:55 // 08:05 – 09:50
(84th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- three pairs(?) of Lesser Black-backed Gulls visited at 05:50, 09:00 and 09:20, each time staying c.10 minutes.
- many fewer Willow Warblers (also at The Flash). Most had likely moved on in the clear skies overnight.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: a pair flew East
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: immature
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- c.30 Racing Pigeons
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 54 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese: of these two pairs and a single arrived with the single departing
- 7 Greylag Geese: two pairs arrived together; a trio arrived later but did not stay
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (9♂) Mallard again
- 17 (12♂) Tufted Duck: of these 3 (2♂) departed together to the West
- 5 Moorhens only
- 24 Coots only
- 7 Great Crested Grebes yet again
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great (White) Egret: arrived 05:54
Hirundines etc. noted:
None.
Rather surprising in the cooler and overcast conditions
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- *1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warblers
- *20 (16) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 1 (1) Reed Warbler
- 14 (14) Blackcaps
On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Rather surprising in the cooler and overcast conditions
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- *1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warblers
- *20 (16) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 1 (1) Reed Warbler
- 14 (14) Blackcaps
On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Flies:
- 2 plumed midges
- 2 plumed midges
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Of note around the area later:
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Of note around the area later:
Bees, wasps etc.
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- probable other bumblebee species seen in flight only
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- probable other bumblebee species seen in flight only
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Flies:
- *1 Root-maggot fly, perhaps Lasiomma seminitidum
- otherwise only unidentified flies.
- *1 Root-maggot fly, perhaps Lasiomma seminitidum
- otherwise only unidentified flies.
Plants
new flowers for the year:
- *Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge Alliaria petiolata
- *Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
- *Lady's Smock / Cuckooplant / Milkmaid Cardamine pratensis
Today's sunrise before most of the high cloud rolled in. Mist over the water to the left. Surely not Autumn mist already? Were the last two days Summer?
As the year progresses the sun rises further anti-clockwise in the sky and I need to alter my vantage point.
This morning's only interesting(?) fly was this. It is one of the many Root-maggot flies, and because of the yellow halteres is perhaps Lasiomma seminitidum.
Just opening is the flower-head of Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge Alliaria petiolata. The leaves of this are good to eat and when crushed do indeed small like garlic.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 07:00 – 08:00
(82nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a Starling was calling from a roof in Everglade Road that backs on to the Wesley Brook and footpath between the Balancing Lake and The Flash.
- *three Blackcaps were chasing around calling and singing at the bottom end of squirrel alley. Very hard to keep track of. At the time I noted two males together but the third remained a mystery. However the photos I grabbed of them revealed that there was a female among them – my first confirmed female of the year. As with many migrants the males arrive first and set up the best territory to entice the later-arriving females.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
new flowers for the year:
- *Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge Alliaria petiolata
- *Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris
- *Lady's Smock / Cuckooplant / Milkmaid Cardamine pratensis
Another "well you do better" challenge! A flying Cetti's Warbler!
Have I mentioned "there is always a branch in the way"?
A Chiffchaff peering at me from behind the twigs.
Almost visible now. At this point it flew off!
A male Bullfinch of course.
I found this Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris moribund on the footpath alongside Teece Drive.
Also just opening is an umbel of Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris.
This is Lady's Smock (or Cuckooplant; Milkmaid) Cardamine pratensis. It is the food-plant for the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly Anthocharis cardamines.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Flies
- 11 unidentified midges of at least three species
- *1 cranefly Tipula vittata
- 11 unidentified midges of at least three species
- *1 cranefly Tipula vittata
Arthropods:
- *1 (Common) Striped Woodlouse Philoscia muscorum
- *1 (Common) Striped Woodlouse Philoscia muscorum
The pattern in the wings identify the cranefly as Tipula vittata.
A (Common) Striped Woodlouse Philoscia muscorum
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 07:00 – 08:00
(82nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- a Starling was calling from a roof in Everglade Road that backs on to the Wesley Brook and footpath between the Balancing Lake and The Flash.
- *three Blackcaps were chasing around calling and singing at the bottom end of squirrel alley. Very hard to keep track of. At the time I noted two males together but the third remained a mystery. However the photos I grabbed of them revealed that there was a female among them – my first confirmed female of the year. As with many migrants the males arrive first and set up the best territory to entice the later-arriving females.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
None
Noted on / around the water:
- 25 Canada Geese: of these 11 departed in four groups
- 3 Greylag Geese: they come, they go
- 2 Mute Swans: the pen was off the nest most of the time
- 17 (15♂) Mallard
- 11 (8♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Moorhen only: all hiding away nesting?
- 22 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (0) Willow Warblers
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (6) Blackcaps
Of note around the area:
Noted on / around the water:
- 25 Canada Geese: of these 11 departed in four groups
- 3 Greylag Geese: they come, they go
- 2 Mute Swans: the pen was off the nest most of the time
- 17 (15♂) Mallard
- 11 (8♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Moorhen only: all hiding away nesting?
- 22 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (0) Willow Warblers
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (6) Blackcaps
Of note around the area:
Moths:
- *1 Streamer Anticlea derivata: moth species #7 for me here this year
- *1 Streamer Anticlea derivata: moth species #7 for me here this year
Flies:
- *1 dagger fly Rhamphomyia subcinerascens
- many midges
- *1 dagger fly Rhamphomyia subcinerascens
- many midges
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 money spider Erigone sp.
I was struggling to get photos as they dashed around. When I edited this photo I realised it was a hitherto unnoticed female with a brown cap.
This moth is a Streamer Anticlea derivata: it is moth species #7 for me here this year. I record it most years in April.
I believe this to be the dagger fly Rhamphomyia subcinerascens, a species I noted at the Balancing Lake on 04 April and identified by the hairs on (only) the front and back legs. As with my previous sighting there is no obvious "dagger" mouthpiece. Perhaps it is pointing straight down and hidden by the large eyes?
(Ed Wilson)
2014
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
12 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
7 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
133 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling-type Goose
29 Tufted Ducks
5 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
22 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
Little Ringed Plover
8 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Tit
3 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Greylag Goose
1 Cackling Goose
73 Tufted Duck
Brambling
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
6 Redshank
18 Teal
(Martin Grant)
2011
Nedge Hill
Ring Ouzel
4 Common Redstart
7 Wheatear
(John Isherwood,Ed Wilson)
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatchers
2 Common Redstarts
1 Tree Pipit
(JW Reeves)
2007
Priorslee lake
4 Tufted Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Sand Martin
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
4 Blackcap
2 Willow Warbler
9 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
3 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
Priorslee Village
1 Swallow
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Herons
1 Cormorant
7 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
259 Jackdaw
4 Stock Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
13 Meadow Pipits
21 Wrens
18 Robins
22 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
3 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
4 Jays
6 Greenfinches
2 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)
- *1 money spider Erigone sp.
A not very good photo of one of two Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Nice red trousers!
Only slightly better. It is just possible to see red on the nape and hence this is a male.
One of the fighting male Blackcaps pauses briefly.
A money spider from the large Erigone family.
(Ed Wilson)
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2014
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
12 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
7 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
133 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling-type Goose
29 Tufted Ducks
5 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
22 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
Little Ringed Plover
8 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Tit
3 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Greylag Goose
1 Cackling Goose
73 Tufted Duck
Brambling
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
6 Redshank
18 Teal
(Martin Grant)
2011
Nedge Hill
Ring Ouzel
4 Common Redstart
7 Wheatear
(John Isherwood,Ed Wilson)
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatchers
2 Common Redstarts
1 Tree Pipit
(JW Reeves)
2007
Priorslee lake
4 Tufted Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Sand Martin
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
4 Blackcap
2 Willow Warbler
9 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
3 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
Priorslee Village
1 Swallow
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Herons
1 Cormorant
7 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
259 Jackdaw
4 Stock Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
13 Meadow Pipits
21 Wrens
18 Robins
22 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
3 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
4 Jays
6 Greenfinches
2 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)