18.0°C > 24.0°C: Scattered cloud. Light and variable breeze. Hazy. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:45 BST.
* = a species photographed today
! = a first sighting of the species this year
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:45– 05:55 // 07:00 – 09:55
(145th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the seven Greylag Geese goslings with two extra adults still present
- both Mute Swans were sometimes close to but showed no interest in the geese and goslings.
- there were no Mallard on the south-west grassy area today with 24 congregating at the East end and feeding on the weed.
- eleven juvenile Coots seen from five broods.
- the first pair of Great Crested Grebes seem to have lost their remaining juvenile. The second pair have at least two juveniles seen in the water. A third pair have at least two juveniles on a parent's back. There appeared to be two unattached adults early. I did not see them later.
- the daily warbler update:
a Cetti's Warbler was heard calling in the north-east area.
no Lesser Whitethroat was heard.
the West end and South side Common Whitethroats were singing. This suggest the South side bird is between broods though I have yet to see any others in this area. The West end bird probably has yet to find a mate.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Herring Gull
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 30 Wood Pigeons
- 22 Jackdaws again
- 5 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 4 + 7 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 24 (?♂) Mallard: see notes
- 2 Moorhens again
- 33+ 11 (5 broods) Coots
- *8 + >4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 10 Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (0) Cetti's Warbler
- 13 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 11 (11) Reed Warblers
- 12 (11) Blackcaps
- no Lesser Whitethroat
- 2 (2) Common Whitethroats
Also noted:
Butterflies:
- *2 ! Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
- *1 ! Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus
- 2 Large White Pieris brassicae
- 1 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- *16+ Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
- *1 Comma Polygonia c-album
- *2 ! Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris
- *1 ! Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus
- 2 Large White Pieris brassicae
- 1 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- *16+ Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
- *1 Comma Polygonia c-album
Moths:
- 14 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]: as least as many "got away"
- 14 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]: as least as many "got away"
Bees, wasps etc.:
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
all bumblebees apparently this species
- *! Yellow-sided Clover Sawfly Tenthredo notha
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- *Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
all bumblebees apparently this species
- *! Yellow-sided Clover Sawfly Tenthredo notha
Hoverflies:
- *>5 ! Broad-banded Epistrophe Epistrophe grossulariae [Black-horned Smoothtail]
- >100 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- *>30 Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
- *1 Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum [Stripe-faced Drone Fly]
- *1 Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- *1 $ Common Flatface Pipizella viduata
- 1 male Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- >30 Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis / S. torvus
- *>5 ! Broad-banded Epistrophe Epistrophe grossulariae [Black-horned Smoothtail]
- >100 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- *>30 Migrant Field Syrph Eupeodes corollae [Migrant Hoverfly; Migrant Aphideater]
- *1 Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum [Stripe-faced Drone Fly]
- *1 Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- *1 $ Common Flatface Pipizella viduata
- 1 male Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- >30 Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis / S. torvus
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
most damselflies not checked
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
- two species of dragonfly seen in flight only
most damselflies not checked
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
- two species of dragonfly seen in flight only
Other flies:
- Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus: at least one female
- *long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- dagger fly Empis livida
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
plus many unidentified flies
- Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus: at least one female
- *long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- dagger fly Empis livida
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
plus many unidentified flies
Bugs:
- *Dock Bug Coreus marginatus
- *mirid bug Deraeocoris flavilinea
- *! Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius
- *Dock Bug Coreus marginatus
- *mirid bug Deraeocoris flavilinea
- *! Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius
Beetles:
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
- *Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
- False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
- *Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- *Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata [formerly Strangalia maculata]
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
- *Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
- False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
- *Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- *Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata [formerly Strangalia maculata]
Flowers new for the year (incomplete):
- *Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum
- *Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica [Persian Speedwell]
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
- *Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum
- *Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica [Persian Speedwell]
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
Moths:
- 1 ! Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex
- 1 ! Round-winged Muslin Thumatha senex
Beetles:
- *1 $ flower beetle Dasytes plumbeus
A slight stormy-look to the sunrise. There were plenty of overnight storms in some part of England and Wales last night.
This is the third pair of Great Crested Grebes to hatch juveniles. As usual the birds were at a distance. One adult brings food and at least two juveniles are peering from the other adult's back.
A male Small Skipper butterfly Thymelicus sylvestris. A male because of the scent gland (the dark stripe) in the wing. Very similar to Essex Skipper T. lineola which does occur here. The males of that species has the scent mark more parallel to the wing edge and both sexes have an all-black tip to the antennae. Both species have a narrow dark edge to the wings unlike...
I previously noted that a good ID feature of Ringlet butterfly Aphantopus hyperantus was the thin cream line around the edges of the dark wings. Not when the specimen is this worn it isn't!
If this is what I think it is, a Yellow-sided Clover Sawfly Tenthredo notha, then it is good at botany as I am.
With two almost parallel-sided yellow bands this hoverfly is a Broad-banded Epistrophe Epistrophe grossulariae which Obsidentify calls Black-horned Smoothtail.
The unmistakeable shape of a Dock Bug Coreus marginatus. On a Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius.
I am not sure what this mirid (or plant) bug Deraeocoris flavilinea was doing wandering along the handrail of the boxing ring on the dam.
A Common Froghopper Philaenus spumarius. The marking on this species are very variable. This is what emerges from the cuckoo-spit froth that was on many plants a few weeks ago.
I found this on one of the street lamp poles around dawn. It seems it is the flower beetle Dasytes plumbeus. A new species for me.
A well-posed male Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
A Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva on Common Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium as usual.
...and these flowers are Common Field-speedwell Veronica persica which Google Lens calls Persian Speedwell (I suppose that is logical from the species' scientific name).
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
The photo of a Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata is bombed by one of the many unidentified midges seen today.
- *1 $ flower beetle Dasytes plumbeus
...the Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus. This too is a male with a scent mark (and somewhat worn).
A Comma butterfly Polygonia c-album identifying itself.
A Honey Bee Apis mellifera tucking in to the flowers of Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria.
Another industrious Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris with a good pollen load.
A well-posed Migrant Field Syrph hoverfly Eupeodes corollae.
The very obvious pale hairs separating the body segments (tergites) of this hoverfly indicate it is a Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum.
A close-up of a male Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax apparently wiping its eye.
This is a new species of hoverfly for me: a Common Flatface Pipizella viduata.
My best photo yet of a long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus (or similar!).
A Spotted Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata not being very cooperative.
These are flowers from Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum...
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
- 1 ! Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- *1 Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata
- 1 ! Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- *1 Slender Pug Eupithecia tenuiata
Flies:
- 36 midges of several species
- *1 $ cranefly Nephrotoma guestfalica
- 2 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- 36 midges of several species
- *1 $ cranefly Nephrotoma guestfalica
- 2 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
Arthropods:
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
A new species of cranefly for me: it is a female Nephrotoma guestfalica that differs from other species in the genus in that it has a very prominent wing marking (the abdomen marks are slightly different but less easy to separate).
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:55
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:55
(142nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the Canada Goose gosling is still present.
- there seemed to be only six visiting Mute Swans. What I assume to be the resident cob was near the island. No sign of his partner – is she still sitting? Seems unlikely that any cygnets will hatch at this late date.
- no Mallard ducklings found.
- Coot numbers well down. Not always easy to spot among the multitude of geese and the extensive areas of weed on the surface. That said I found the Tufted Duck easily-enough.
- only one Great Crested Grebe confirmed though seen in several locations.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Starling at least: still giving calls as is juveniles present nearby.
Noted on / around the water:
- 168 + 1 Canada Geese
- 100 Greylag Geese
- 8? Mute Swans: see notes
- 21 Mallard
- 7 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 12 + 5 (3 broods) Coots: see notes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again
Noted around the area:
Bird notes:
- the Canada Goose gosling is still present.
- there seemed to be only six visiting Mute Swans. What I assume to be the resident cob was near the island. No sign of his partner – is she still sitting? Seems unlikely that any cygnets will hatch at this late date.
- no Mallard ducklings found.
- Coot numbers well down. Not always easy to spot among the multitude of geese and the extensive areas of weed on the surface. That said I found the Tufted Duck easily-enough.
- only one Great Crested Grebe confirmed though seen in several locations.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Starling at least: still giving calls as is juveniles present nearby.
Noted on / around the water:
- 168 + 1 Canada Geese
- 100 Greylag Geese
- 8? Mute Swans: see notes
- 21 Mallard
- 7 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 12 + 5 (3 broods) Coots: see notes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again
Noted around the area:
Moths:
- 1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
- 5 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
- *2 ! Tawny Grey Eudonia lacustrata [was Little Grey]
- 1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
- 5 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
- *2 ! Tawny Grey Eudonia lacustrata [was Little Grey]
Bees, wasps etc.:
- 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Hoverflies:
- >10 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- >10 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans [Common Bluetail]
Other flies:
- *1 $ caddisfly Leptocerus tineiformis
- >5 greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *1 $ caddisfly Leptocerus tineiformis
- >5 greenbottle Lucilia sp.
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
One of two Tawny Grey moths Eudonia lacustrata I found resting on separate street lamp poles. This species used to be known as Little Grey.
At the top of a street lamp pole I found this caddisfly Leptocerus tineiformis. Caddisflies are often hard to ID. This particular caddis fly has narrow, elongated wings with light speckling and particularly long antennae. A new species for me.
(Ed Wilson)
2012
Priorslee Lake
Plover sp.
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Marsh Warbler
Unlikely as it seems I am pretty convinced about this on the basis of the song alone I was walking along the W end path at c.06:15 when a strange song caught my attention: there had been young Reed Warblers flitting about the area away from the reeds and it sound 'Acro-like'. But it was far too fast and I then assumed it was a Sedge Warbler (especially after my bird in the town centre last week). But the sound was all wrong with what seemed more like Garden Warbler tones, though with the characteristic Acro dynamics.
The bird was singing from a small patch of bushes growing in the fence at the W end of the yacht compound and I had the choice of a close view directly in to the bright sun; or going the 'other side' and trying to see between the yachts at some distance. I decided to stay where I was and in response to gentle phishing I got a good-enough glimpse to confirm it was a Reed / Marsh and not Sedge Warbler and certainly an Acro.
The song continued to puzzle and included all manner of oddities, sounding at times like juvenile Great Tit begging, all while singing at full volume.
I decided that the best thing would be to try and record the bird so I dashed back to the car for my digital tape recorder. When I returned the bird was not singing and phishing produced only a Wren and a pair of Bullfinches!
Revisited the area twice more for some 15 minutes on each occasion without success: was not too surprised as it was a small and rather unlikely spot for the bird to stay in.
Worth rechecking - but I went all around the lake twice without hearing anything untoward.
Only my second-ever UK Marsh Warbler - the last was as long ago as when they bred in Worcestershire! But familiar with the birds abroad as recently as May in Poland where I heard maybe 20.
I really cannot see what else it might have been: I am not that confident to say it WAS a Marsh Warbler song, only that I have no idea what else it could have been and it fits the general pattern of song.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Village
A pair of Siskins
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012
Priorslee Lake
Plover sp.
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Marsh Warbler
Unlikely as it seems I am pretty convinced about this on the basis of the song alone I was walking along the W end path at c.06:15 when a strange song caught my attention: there had been young Reed Warblers flitting about the area away from the reeds and it sound 'Acro-like'. But it was far too fast and I then assumed it was a Sedge Warbler (especially after my bird in the town centre last week). But the sound was all wrong with what seemed more like Garden Warbler tones, though with the characteristic Acro dynamics.
The bird was singing from a small patch of bushes growing in the fence at the W end of the yacht compound and I had the choice of a close view directly in to the bright sun; or going the 'other side' and trying to see between the yachts at some distance. I decided to stay where I was and in response to gentle phishing I got a good-enough glimpse to confirm it was a Reed / Marsh and not Sedge Warbler and certainly an Acro.
The song continued to puzzle and included all manner of oddities, sounding at times like juvenile Great Tit begging, all while singing at full volume.
I decided that the best thing would be to try and record the bird so I dashed back to the car for my digital tape recorder. When I returned the bird was not singing and phishing produced only a Wren and a pair of Bullfinches!
Revisited the area twice more for some 15 minutes on each occasion without success: was not too surprised as it was a small and rather unlikely spot for the bird to stay in.
Worth rechecking - but I went all around the lake twice without hearing anything untoward.
Only my second-ever UK Marsh Warbler - the last was as long ago as when they bred in Worcestershire! But familiar with the birds abroad as recently as May in Poland where I heard maybe 20.
I really cannot see what else it might have been: I am not that confident to say it WAS a Marsh Warbler song, only that I have no idea what else it could have been and it fits the general pattern of song.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Village
A pair of Siskins
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Ed Wilson)