14.0°C > 21.0°C: A cloudy start with bright and then sunny spells developing. Moderate south-westerly breeze. Very good visibility.
[Sunrise: 05:05 BST]
* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area
This could become a habit. Another late start. Tomorrow will be even later – Saturday.
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 10:50 – 12:55
(120th visit of the year)
I did a full walk around today.
Bird notes:
- the seven Greylag Geese goslings present and correct.
- *the pen Mute Swan came off the nest for a while. No sign of any cygnets and she soon returned to the nest site.
- *five Mallard ducklings seen: the two well-grown and independent birds together; and a brood of three sizeable ducklings with their mother.
- despite the warmer weather I could see no juvenile Coots.
- all three usual warbler species heard but no counts taken again.
- I did not hear the Reed Bunting singing from along the South side.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull again
- 2 Wood Pigeons
That's all folks but my heard was buried in the undergrowth much of the time.
Counts from the lake area:
- 6 Canada Geese: of these two pairs departed
- 2 + 7 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- *2 Mute Swans
- *15 (11♂) + 5 (2 broods) Mallard
- 1 Moorhen again
- 19 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- Chiffchaffs present
- Reed Warblers present
- Blackcaps present
Also noted
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- Chiffchaffs present
- Reed Warblers present
- Blackcaps present
Also noted
Butterflies:
- Green-veined White Pieris napi
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- Green-veined White Pieris napi
- Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths:
- *1 Thistle Root-borer Epiblema cirsiana
- *1 Thistle Root-borer Epiblema cirsiana
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- *Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
- "black ant"
- Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- *Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
- "black ant"
Hoverflies:
- Buttercup Blacklet Cheilosia albitarsus [Late Buttercup Cheilosia]
- *Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus [Tiger Marsh Fly; Sun Fly]
- *Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
- Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
- Buttercup Blacklet Cheilosia albitarsus [Late Buttercup Cheilosia]
- *Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus [Tiger Marsh Fly; Sun Fly]
- *Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
- Grey-spotted Boxer Platycheirus albimanus [Grey-spotted Sedgesitter or White-footed Hoverfly]
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- *Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
- *Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
Other flies:
- *root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris
- *Common Blow Fly Calliphora vicina
- Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
- Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
- *Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius
- other unidentified fly species
- *root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris
- *Common Blow Fly Calliphora vicina
- Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
- Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
- *Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius
- other unidentified fly species
Bugs:
- Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
- nymph of the Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
- Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
- nymph of the Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Beetles:
- Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- *Soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- *Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
- pollen beetle Meligethes sp.
- False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
- Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
- *14 Spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata
- Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- *Soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- *Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
- pollen beetle Meligethes sp.
- False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
- Nettle Weevil Phyllobius pomaceus
- *14 Spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp. either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa
- *Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus
To the right are the two independent Mallard ducklings. At the back the three fast-growing ducklings with their mother.
The best I could do with this Thistle Root-borer moth Epiblema cirsiana before it flew off. The tuft of cells on the thorax are visible as are the rufous markings toward the tip of the wings.
Also tucking in is a Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris. Hard to separate legs, antennae and tongue.
At a strange angle is this sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex. Is it missing a leg, or is the leg tucked under?
I saw my first Blue-tailed Damselflies Ischnura elegans of the year today and here is one. It is the only "blue" damselfly species that shows a coloured stigma in the wings.
As yesterday the clear marks on the thorax identifies this as the root-maggot fly Anthomyia procellaris. It seems common at the moment.
Not sure about this fly. Obsidentify was 90% sure it is one the blowflies in the genus Bellardia which I have not knowing seen before. The NatureSpot photo gallery suggests that this genus is more hairy than this, especially on the thorax. Google Lens suggested it was from the large and complex Tachinid family. Whatever its wings seem to be battered.
This Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis of the form succinea has lost (or never had) its spots. Identify by the extensive white on the "face".
A 14 Spot Ladybird Propylea quattuordecimpunctata. With a scientific name like that it is just as well it does not wear a name badge. I am not sure about the "14 spot" bit!
A Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp. either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa. This species constructs a web across the surface of a leaf and then sits upside-down ready to pounce when anything blunders in to the web.
An easy spider to identify: a Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus. This is one of the jumping spiders that ambush their prey....
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 09:15 – 10:40
(118th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- *I am confused about the Mute Swans. At one point I noted eight on the open water. I have no idea whether the resident pen was one of these. Two of them seemed to be acting as a pair and both had their wings arched as if they might be carrying cygnets on their back. One upended and would have tipped any cygnets in the water. The other gave me a clear view of an empty back.
- *two Canada Goose goslings seen: I assume the brood seen by another birdwatcher two days ago. The erstwhile brood of three not located again.
- just one Greylag Goose and that flew in.
- the same three groups of juvenile Coots seen: nine youngsters again. It was a different group that was a juvenile short today.
- no sign of any Great Crested Grebes.
- I have yet to see any Swifts here this year. I was told by one of the fishermen that they are around in the evenings.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws: singles
Noted on / around the water:
- *22 + 2 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 1 Greylag Goose: arrived
- *8 Mute Swans: was there a ninth on the nest?
- 22 (17♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens again
- 21 + 9 (3 broods) Coots
- no Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- *Cucumber Green Orb Spider Araniella sp. either A. cucurbitina or A. opisthographa
- *Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus
Both Mute Swans on the water and no cygnets in sight.
An Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum ticks in.
A Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus also known as a Tiger Marsh Fly or Sun Fly.
A Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare.
One of the "bluebottles": a Common Blow Fly Calliphora vicina.
This handsome fly is a Marsh Snipefly Rhagio tringarius
A Soldier beetle Cantharis nigricans
...as this one has done with a midge.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 09:15 – 10:40
(118th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- *I am confused about the Mute Swans. At one point I noted eight on the open water. I have no idea whether the resident pen was one of these. Two of them seemed to be acting as a pair and both had their wings arched as if they might be carrying cygnets on their back. One upended and would have tipped any cygnets in the water. The other gave me a clear view of an empty back.
- *two Canada Goose goslings seen: I assume the brood seen by another birdwatcher two days ago. The erstwhile brood of three not located again.
- just one Greylag Goose and that flew in.
- the same three groups of juvenile Coots seen: nine youngsters again. It was a different group that was a juvenile short today.
- no sign of any Great Crested Grebes.
- I have yet to see any Swifts here this year. I was told by one of the fishermen that they are around in the evenings.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Jackdaws: singles
Noted on / around the water:
- *22 + 2 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 1 Greylag Goose: arrived
- *8 Mute Swans: was there a ninth on the nest?
- 22 (17♂) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens again
- 21 + 9 (3 broods) Coots
- no Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps
Notes around the area:
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps
Notes around the area:
Moths:
- *1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana: moth species #10 here this year for me.
- *1 Yellow-barred Longhorn Nemophora degeerella: moth species #11 here this year for me.
- *1 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana: moth species #10 here this year for me.
- *1 Yellow-barred Longhorn Nemophora degeerella: moth species #11 here this year for me.
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
- Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Flies:
- Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
- owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
- *phantom cranefly Ptychoptera contaminata
- *Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
- various other unidentified flies and midges
- Greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
- owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
- *phantom cranefly Ptychoptera contaminata
- *Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus
- various other unidentified flies and midges
Beetles:
- Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- pollen beetles Meligethes sp.
- Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
- pollen beetles Meligethes sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
No sign of any cygnets on the back of this Mute Swan. Its partner(?) with similarly raised wings then up-ended to feed and would have thrown any cygnets in to the water!
....and dives in. There may be a dozen hungry mouths to choose. Very few of the fledglings will survive their first few days. Simple maths will tell you that if they did in a few years we would be knee-deep in Blue Tits. Sad but true.
A Common Nettle-tap moth Anthophila fabriciana. Can be tricky to find as it flits around and while it is so doing can be mistaken for an owl midge Psychodidae sp.
A female Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp. She does not show the scorpion-like "sting" that is the male genitalia held proud.
Not behaving properly is a Downlooker Snipefly Rhagio scolopaceus. They do often sit on tree trunks or street lamp poles head down. I could have turned the photo up the other way...
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
2009
Priorslee Lake
Redshank
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
- Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
These two Canada Goose goslings are clearly a week or so old.
A Blue Tit arriving with food, cases the area....
No mistaking this Yellow-barred Longhorn moth Nemophora degeerella.
This handsome insect is the phantom cranefly Ptychoptera contaminata.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
2009
Priorslee Lake
Redshank
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)