20 Jul 26
No sightings in today.
2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Wheatear
(Ed Wilson)
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Priorslee Lake
1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Wheatear
(Ed Wilson)
19 Jul 26
No sightings in today.
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2011
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A male Cockatiel
1 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
Female Ruddy Duck
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
A male Cockatiel
1 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
18 Jul 26
Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash
13.0°C > 18.0°C: Clear but hazy. Low cloud to the North later did not encroach this far. Light and variable breeze. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:08 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 // 07:05 – 09:30
(163rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- initially eight Canada Geese: eventually nineteen. The lone adult Greylag joined by another.
- no Mallard duckling noted. Fewer adults.
- a new brood of three Coots appeared.
- all the Great Crested Grebes behaved themselves and appeared: six adults and five juveniles.
- a tight group of 19 presumed Racing Pigeons flew fast East across the football field c.05:35. None of the local Feral Pigeons seemed interested in joining them. Seems an early time for Racing Pigeons to be about.
- a Willow Warbler was seen along the South side: making an early start on its long journey back to sub-Saharan Africa.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 19 Racing(?) Pigeons
- 84 Wood Pigeons
- 158 Jackdaws
- 69 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 19 Canada Geese: see notes
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 32 (?♂) Mallard
- 6 Moorhens
- 49 Coots: three of these a new party of juveniles
- 6 + 5 (3 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 14 Black-headed Gulls
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron: heard c.05:20 only
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts again
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (0) Willow Warbler
- 5 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (1) Reed Warblers
- 4 (1) Blackcaps
Also noted:
The vegetation is very dry and flowers are fading fast. Other than butterflies it was a struggle.
I may have had my doubts about several of the "white" butterflies today but not this Green-veined White Pieris napi
Is this Speckled Wood butterfly Pararge aegeria destined to fly around in circles? Of course as a feisty species that is often seen in sparring duos or groups they frequently fly in circles anyway.
Hooray! A Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella actually posing for a photo and not disappearing in the long grass.
Common Wasps Vespula vulgaris have been scarce so far this year. Long may it stay that way? Not really as they are an important predator of very many pest species.
A smart cranefly. It is one of the several species in the "Tiger Cranefly group" though that specific appellation is given to a different species. This, a Nephrotoma flavipalpis, has no vernacular name. The ovipositor identifies it as a female.
One of two spiders that were on the sluice control box inside the boxing ring on the dam. This looks to be a Garden Spider Araneus diadematus.
One of two pug moths I noted on the ceiling of the tunnel. Neither Obsidentify nor Google Lens gave a positive ID and I remain unhappy with any of their suggestions.
(161st visit of the year)
New bird species:
A belated addition to my 2026 bird list at this site when a single Barn Swallow flew South. Species #71.
Bird notes
I did not see either yesterday's moulting drake Common Teal or hear any Ring-necked Parakeet.
Other bird notes:
- 18 Mute Swans remain.
- the decline in geese numbers continues.
- only ten of the 31 Coots were on the edge of the island. A new brood of three juveniles boosted the otherwise low number. Where have they all gone?
- three adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls arrived together from the West and immediately started noisily dive-bombing the Grey Heron that had been minding its own business atop a tree on the island.
13.0°C > 18.0°C: Clear but hazy. Low cloud to the North later did not encroach this far. Light and variable breeze. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:08 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 // 07:05 – 09:30
(163rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- initially eight Canada Geese: eventually nineteen. The lone adult Greylag joined by another.
- no Mallard duckling noted. Fewer adults.
- a new brood of three Coots appeared.
- all the Great Crested Grebes behaved themselves and appeared: six adults and five juveniles.
- a tight group of 19 presumed Racing Pigeons flew fast East across the football field c.05:35. None of the local Feral Pigeons seemed interested in joining them. Seems an early time for Racing Pigeons to be about.
- a Willow Warbler was seen along the South side: making an early start on its long journey back to sub-Saharan Africa.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 19 Racing(?) Pigeons
- 84 Wood Pigeons
- 158 Jackdaws
- 69 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 19 Canada Geese: see notes
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 32 (?♂) Mallard
- 6 Moorhens
- 49 Coots: three of these a new party of juveniles
- 6 + 5 (3 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 14 Black-headed Gulls
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron: heard c.05:20 only
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts again
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (0) Willow Warbler
- 5 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (1) Reed Warblers
- 4 (1) Blackcaps
Also noted:
The vegetation is very dry and flowers are fading fast. Other than butterflies it was a struggle.
Butterflies:
- *2 Green-veined White Pieris napi
- 2 unidentified "whites" Pieris sp.
- *2 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 19 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 39 (!!) Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 7 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- 3 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
- *2 Peacock Aglais io
- *1 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
- *2 Green-veined White Pieris napi
- 2 unidentified "whites" Pieris sp.
- *2 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 19 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 39 (!!) Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 7 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- 3 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
- *2 Peacock Aglais io
- *1 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
Moths:
- *8 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
many other *unidentified grass moths flying away to hide.
- *1 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata [was Small Purple & Gold]
- *8 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
many other *unidentified grass moths flying away to hide.
- *1 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata [was Small Purple & Gold]
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- *Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
very few!
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
very few!
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator [Blue Emperor]
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- *Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
- Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator [Blue Emperor]
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
- *Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
True flies:
even fewer today including...
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *! cranefly Nephrotoma flavipalpis
- *marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
a few unidentified flies
even fewer today including...
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- *! cranefly Nephrotoma flavipalpis
- *marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
a few unidentified flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
none
none
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 possible Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
- *1 possible Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius [Bridge Orbweaver]
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
A blank morning again
- *1 possible Garden Spider Araneus diadematus [Garden Cross Spider]
- *1 possible Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius [Bridge Orbweaver]
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
A blank morning again
And some other butterflies have also seen better days. A very ragged Peacock butterfly Aglais io.
A Small Copper butterfly Lycaena phlaeas from the underside.
This grass moth is also posing but is so worn I cannot tell what species it is.
Worth another look: a Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata, formerly known as Small Purple & Gold.
A posing Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum.
The marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea seems to be especially common at the moment.
Very close-by was this possible Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius dealing with a large fly, apparently a Cluster Fly Pollenia sp. I am more confident about this spider's ID though I have not previously seen this species away from the West end.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
- 1 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- 1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *2 unidentified pug moths
- *1 ! Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba
- 1 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- 1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *2 unidentified pug moths
- *1 ! Large Yellow Underwing Noctua pronuba
Flies:
- 3 midges only
- 1 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
- 3 midges only
- 1 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 1 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]
Arthropods:
- 2 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
- 2 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 3 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
- 3 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
I was equally unconvinced about any of their suggestions for this one.
My first Large Yellow Underwing moth Noctua pronuba of the year. An abundant species which I rarely see – one a year in the tunnel seems to be the going rate. It is one of the large group of Noctuid moths that seem to come to light early in the night and have presumably hidden away well before dawn.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:00 – 07:00
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:00 – 07:00
(161st visit of the year)
New bird species:
A belated addition to my 2026 bird list at this site when a single Barn Swallow flew South. Species #71.
Bird notes
I did not see either yesterday's moulting drake Common Teal or hear any Ring-necked Parakeet.
Other bird notes:
- 18 Mute Swans remain.
- the decline in geese numbers continues.
- only ten of the 31 Coots were on the edge of the island. A new brood of three juveniles boosted the otherwise low number. Where have they all gone?
- three adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls arrived together from the West and immediately started noisily dive-bombing the Grey Heron that had been minding its own business atop a tree on the island.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
None
Noted on / around the water:
- 62 Canada Geese
- 59 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 19 (?♂) Tufted Duck only
- 3 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- no Great Crested Grebe
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adults, arrived together
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff again
Noted around the area:
Noted on / around the water:
- 62 Canada Geese
- 59 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 19 (?♂) Tufted Duck only
- 3 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- no Great Crested Grebe
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adults, arrived together
- 1 Grey Heron
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff again
Noted around the area:
Moths:
- 2 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *1 ! Pale-streak Grass-moth Agriphila selasella [was Pale-streak Grass-veneer]
- *1 ! Black Arches Lymantria monacha
- *1 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula
- 8 caterpillars of Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
- 2 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *1 ! Pale-streak Grass-moth Agriphila selasella [was Pale-streak Grass-veneer]
- *1 ! Black Arches Lymantria monacha
- *1 Swallow Prominent Pheosia tremula
- 8 caterpillars of Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
Bugs:
- NB: yesterday's mirid bug Phytocoris tiliae has been confirmed as such by the Shropshire recorder.
- NB: yesterday's mirid bug Phytocoris tiliae has been confirmed as such by the Shropshire recorder.
Beetles:
- *1 ! Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata
Another variation on the grass moth theme. My first Pale-streak Grass-moth Agriphila selasella of the year on one of the street lamp poles alongside the Wesley Brook leading away from The Flash.
A smart moth: a Black Arches Lymantria monacha. I found this at shoulder-height on a street lamp pole at the top end resting in full sun. I used my shadow to get a better contrast. I had taken a "safety shot" in case it flew off. This is a worn individual with no scales remaining on top of its head. A species I record every year: only one or two though.
"Come in #9 your time is up"! A Swallow Prominent moth Pheosia tremula found on one of the shaded street lamp poles at the top end where I usually find a few each year. Presumably a second generation individual. The Field Guide notes April – June for the first generation and August for the second.
New for the year was this Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata, also on one of the street lamp poles alongside the Wesley Brook.
(Ed Wilson)
- *1 ! Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata
(Ed Wilson)
17 Jul 26
Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash
15.0°C > 19.0°C: Another clear start with no low cloud before 08:00. This cloud more patchy than in recent days giving way to a high overcast for a while. Full sun just as I was leaving. Very light north- easterly breeze. Moderate visibility in haze.
Sunrise: 05:07 BST
* = a species photographed today
! = a first sighting of the species this year
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:35– 05:50 // 07:10 – 09:45
(162nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
*Best today was a Little Egret seen on one of the boating platforms c.05:20 and then presumably this bird seen heading South high over the football field c.05:35.
Other bird notes:
- initially four Canada Geese with four more joining them. The lone adult Greylag remains.
- no Mallard duckling noted. The same bumper number of adults.
- as yesterday the trio of juvenile Great Crested Grebes still with their parents. The single similar-aged juvenile seemed to be on its own. Only one other adult seen across the other side of the water.
- One of the Black-headed Gulls on the football field was a recently fledged juvenile. Two more advanced juveniles were on the lake later.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Canada Goose: flew East
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Stock Doves: as two duos
- 85 Wood Pigeons
- 182 Jackdaws
- 55 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 8 Canada Geese: see notes
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- 42 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens
- 32 Coots only
- 3 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- *11 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- *3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: *one of these a juvenile on the football field c.05:35
- 1 Grey Heron
- *1 Little Egret: see notes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 7 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (1) Reed Warblers
- 2 (1) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat
Also noted:
More sun did not lead to many more insects, even butterflies were not so abundant as I expected.
15.0°C > 19.0°C: Another clear start with no low cloud before 08:00. This cloud more patchy than in recent days giving way to a high overcast for a while. Full sun just as I was leaving. Very light north- easterly breeze. Moderate visibility in haze.
Sunrise: 05:07 BST
* = a species photographed today
! = a first sighting of the species this year
$ = a new species for me in this area
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:35– 05:50 // 07:10 – 09:45
(162nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
*Best today was a Little Egret seen on one of the boating platforms c.05:20 and then presumably this bird seen heading South high over the football field c.05:35.
Other bird notes:
- initially four Canada Geese with four more joining them. The lone adult Greylag remains.
- no Mallard duckling noted. The same bumper number of adults.
- as yesterday the trio of juvenile Great Crested Grebes still with their parents. The single similar-aged juvenile seemed to be on its own. Only one other adult seen across the other side of the water.
- One of the Black-headed Gulls on the football field was a recently fledged juvenile. Two more advanced juveniles were on the lake later.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Canada Goose: flew East
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Stock Doves: as two duos
- 85 Wood Pigeons
- 182 Jackdaws
- 55 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 8 Canada Geese: see notes
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- 42 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens
- 32 Coots only
- 3 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- *11 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- *3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: *one of these a juvenile on the football field c.05:35
- 1 Grey Heron
- *1 Little Egret: see notes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 7 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (1) Reed Warblers
- 2 (1) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat
Also noted:
More sun did not lead to many more insects, even butterflies were not so abundant as I expected.
Butterflies:
- *1 Large White Pieris brassicae
- *1 Small White Pieris rapae
- 3 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 14 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 19 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 4 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- *1 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
- *2 Peacock Aglais io
- *1 Large White Pieris brassicae
- *1 Small White Pieris rapae
- 3 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 14 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- 19 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 4 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- *1 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
- *2 Peacock Aglais io
Moths:
- *2 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
many more flying away to hide.
- *1 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata [was Small Purple & Gold]
- *2 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
many more flying away to hide.
- *1 Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata [was Small Purple & Gold]
Bees, wasps etc.:
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- *Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
- Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
- *Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- Common Copperback Ferdinandea cuprea [Bronze Sap Hoverfly; Eurasian Copperback]
- Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- *Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- Common Copperback Ferdinandea cuprea [Bronze Sap Hoverfly; Eurasian Copperback]
- Common Twist-tail Sphaerophoria scripta [Long Hoverfly; Common Globetail]
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- *Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]: one female
- Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]: one female
- Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
True flies:
fewer today including...
- long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
- *! cranefly Tipula lateralis
- *Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
other unidentified flies
fewer today including...
- long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
- *! cranefly Tipula lateralis
- *Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
other unidentified flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
- *1 male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
Moths:
- 1 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
- 1 Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella [was Straw Grass-veneer]
Leafhoppers etc.:
- *1 lacehopper Cixius nervosus
- *1 lacehopper Cixius nervosus
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Common Candy-striped Spider Enoplognatha ovata (or similar)
- 1 "money spider" Erigone sp.
A recently-fledged juvenile Black-headed Gull on the football field c.05:30. The dark feathers on the crown and back will soon be replaced: those in the wing will stay until next year's moult.
This juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull scattered all the Black-headed Gulls from the football field when it flew in.
No longer pristine. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull in heavy wing-moult at the end of the breeding season.
The best photo I could manage of the Little Egret at c.05:15. The black bill and yellow feet leave no doubt over its identity which is more than can be said of....
Clearly not a Green-veined White butterfly Pieris napi this female (a black spot in both wings) is a Large White P. brassicae best identified by the dark horizontal area showing through under the lower black spot. Size is difficult to judge "in the field". From a photo even harder.
This attractive insect is a Mint Moth Pyrausta aurata, formerly known as Small Purple & Gold. The new name is more apposite as it feeds on the abundant Water Mint Mentha aquatica along the South side of the water.
One of six Hornet Hoverflies Volucella zonaria I noted today. In this view it is possible to see the feathered antennae which provides the alternative name of Hornet Plumehorn, a feature common to all members of this genus.
This the cranefly Tipula lateralis with the pale area in the wing, the pale line down the abdomen and the, relatively, long antennae.
On one of the street lamp poles around dawn I found this lacehopper, almost certainly Cixius nervosus, though as usual there are similar species.
A male harvestman Leiobunum rotundum. Males have a more rotund body than females and on this species the oculum (area around the eyes on top of the front part of the body) does not have white edging.
(160th visit of the year)
Two notable records today:
- *a moulting drake Common Teal was noted lurking among Greylag Geese on the edge of the island. A most unusual date to see this species in this area.
- a Ring-necked Parakeet was heard again and then seen twice (different birds?) in flight in front of trees behind Ennerdale Close.
Other bird notes:
- 18 Mute Swans remain.
- more Canada and Greylag Geese have now departed. A group of ten was seen in the air: I was unsure whether they were leaving, arriving or just flying over.
- only nineteen of the 38 Coots were on the edge of the island. There seem to be many "missing". One pair has just hatched at least two juveniles from their third brood. I cannot recall noting a third brood previously.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 (2?) Ring-necked Parakeet
Noted on / around the water:
- 85 Canada Geese
- *67 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans still
- 20 (?♂) Mallard
- *1 (1♂) Common Teal
- 30 (?♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens again
- 35 Coots only
- 1 Great Crested Grebe: again
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, arrived
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 3 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- no Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
- 1 Common Candy-striped Spider Enoplognatha ovata (or similar)
- 1 "money spider" Erigone sp.
...this image of it departing c.05:35.
Also clearly not a Green-veined White. I believe this to be a Small White Pieris rapae
Close-up and personal with a Painted Lady butterfly Vanessa cardui.
Not quite so close-up with this Peacock butterfly Aglais io.
A very worn grass moth: typical that when one stays in view it is almost impossible to ID. I do believe it to be a Straw Grass-moth Agriphila straminella.
At last: one that poses well! No angled cross line on this species.
A cuddly Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
A very strange face on this species...
...with a long and surprisingly thin tongue.
Whereas this is a Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea with a dark (brown) leading edge to the wing.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
- 1 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- *1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata form aversata
- 1 Brown House-moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella
- *1 Riband Wave Idaea aversata form aversata
Flies:
- 2 midges only
- 2 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 4 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]: one a day but never in the same place on the wall
- 1 Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
- 1 unidentified cranefly
- 2 midges only
- 2 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 4 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]: one a day but never in the same place on the wall
- 1 Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
- 1 unidentified cranefly
Arthropods:
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 5 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
- 5 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
Sitting at a strange angle on the ceiling of tunnel was this Riband Wave moth Idaea aversata of the less common form aversata with the solid area between the two cross-lines.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 05:55 – 07:05
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 05:55 – 07:05
(160th visit of the year)
Two notable records today:
- *a moulting drake Common Teal was noted lurking among Greylag Geese on the edge of the island. A most unusual date to see this species in this area.
- a Ring-necked Parakeet was heard again and then seen twice (different birds?) in flight in front of trees behind Ennerdale Close.
Other bird notes:
- 18 Mute Swans remain.
- more Canada and Greylag Geese have now departed. A group of ten was seen in the air: I was unsure whether they were leaving, arriving or just flying over.
- only nineteen of the 38 Coots were on the edge of the island. There seem to be many "missing". One pair has just hatched at least two juveniles from their third brood. I cannot recall noting a third brood previously.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 (2?) Ring-necked Parakeet
Noted on / around the water:
- 85 Canada Geese
- *67 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans still
- 20 (?♂) Mallard
- *1 (1♂) Common Teal
- 30 (?♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens again
- 35 Coots only
- 1 Great Crested Grebe: again
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, arrived
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 3 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- no Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths:
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *2 caterpillars of Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
- *1 Bird-cherry Ermine Yponomeuta evonymella
- *2 caterpillars of Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
Flies:
- 1 Awkward Clusterfly Pollenia rudis
- 1 Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
- 1 Awkward Clusterfly Pollenia rudis
- 1 Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Bugs:
- *1 $ mirid bug Phytocoris tiliae
- *1 $ mirid bug Phytocoris tiliae
Beetles:
- 1 Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- 1 Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
Slugs, snails etc.:
- *1 Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Not easy to see: a moulting drake Common Teal between the two Greylag Geese. On size it could be little else. The green speculum in the wing is visible and it is just possible to see the green area around the eye and some yellow outlining that. It is normally well in to August before birds return to our area in small numbers from their breeding sites North and East.
One (and a half) caterpillars of the Cinnabar moth Tyria jacobaeae feeding as always on Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris.
Not a species I have recorded previously. A long way up a street lamp pole (the insect, not me) I found this mirid bug Phytocoris tiliae.
(Ed Wilson)
- *1 Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Yet another Bird-cherry Ermine moth Yponomeuta evonymella.
In spite of the dry weather I found this Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis munching away.
(Ed Wilson)
16 Jul 26
Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash
13.0°C > 19.0°C: A clear start with low cloud soon arriving from the East. This started to break soon after 08:30 with good sunny spells and mostly thin high cloud. Moderate easterly breeze again. Good visibility with haze.
13.0°C > 19.0°C: A clear start with low cloud soon arriving from the East. This started to break soon after 08:30 with good sunny spells and mostly thin high cloud. Moderate easterly breeze again. Good visibility with haze.
Sunrise: 05:06 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– 06:00 // 07:05 – 09:55
(161st visit of the year)
Bird note:
Unexpected today was a pair a Lapwings on the south-west grass c.08:45.
Other bird notes:
- again initially six Canada Geese with ten joining them at various times. The lone adult Greylag remains.
- *a small Mallard duckling noted. Another bumper number of adults.
- as yesterday the trio of juvenile Great Crested Grebes still with their parents. However the single similar-aged juvenile seemed to be with only one of its parents.
- Black-headed Gulls were commuting between the lake and the football field. Difficult to be sure exactly how many.
- no Swifts were overhead early again. At least ten during the cloudy spell.
- two Common Whitethroats were heard calling and then seen at the West end.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Canada Geese: flew East together
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 96 Wood Pigeons
- 109 Jackdaws
- 31 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 16 Canada Geese: see notes
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- *42 (?♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 34 Coots only
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 2 Lapwings: arrived
- c.20 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles noted
- *1 Herring Gull
- *3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >10 Swifts
- 3 Barn Swallows
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (1) Reed Warblers
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
- *2 (0) Common Whitethroats
Also noted:
More sun did not lead to many more insects, even butterflies were not so abundant as I expected.
* = 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– 06:00 // 07:05 – 09:55
(161st visit of the year)
Bird note:
Unexpected today was a pair a Lapwings on the south-west grass c.08:45.
Other bird notes:
- again initially six Canada Geese with ten joining them at various times. The lone adult Greylag remains.
- *a small Mallard duckling noted. Another bumper number of adults.
- as yesterday the trio of juvenile Great Crested Grebes still with their parents. However the single similar-aged juvenile seemed to be with only one of its parents.
- Black-headed Gulls were commuting between the lake and the football field. Difficult to be sure exactly how many.
- no Swifts were overhead early again. At least ten during the cloudy spell.
- two Common Whitethroats were heard calling and then seen at the West end.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Canada Geese: flew East together
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 96 Wood Pigeons
- 109 Jackdaws
- 31 Rooks
Counts from the lake area:
- 16 Canada Geese: see notes
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 2 Mute Swans
- *42 (?♂) + 1 (1 brood) Mallard
- 3 Moorhens
- 34 Coots only
- 5 + 4 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- 2 Lapwings: arrived
- c.20 Black-headed Gulls: no juveniles noted
- *1 Herring Gull
- *3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >10 Swifts
- 3 Barn Swallows
- 2 House Martins
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (1) Reed Warblers
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
- *2 (0) Common Whitethroats
Also noted:
More sun did not lead to many more insects, even butterflies were not so abundant as I expected.
Butterflies:
- 1 "white" Pieris sp.
- 1 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 4 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
- 2 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- >29 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 2 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- 4 Peacock Aglais io
- *2 ! Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
- 1 "white" Pieris sp.
- 1 Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
- 4 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus
- 2 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina
- >29 Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus
- 2 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
- 4 Peacock Aglais io
- *2 ! Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas
Moths:
- 1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
so many flying away to hide.
- 1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
so many flying away to hide.
Bees, wasps etc.:
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- *female ichneumon, perhaps Cryptus sp.
- *smaller female ichneumon, different species
- *yet another different ichneumon
- *Honey Bee Apis mellifera
- Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- *female ichneumon, perhaps Cryptus sp.
- *smaller female ichneumon, different species
- *yet another different ichneumon
Hoverflies:
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- *Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- *Common Copperback Ferdinandea cuprea [Bronze Sap Hoverfly; Eurasian Copperback]
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- *Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
- Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
- *Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
- Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
- *Common Copperback Ferdinandea cuprea [Bronze Sap Hoverfly; Eurasian Copperback]
- Pellucid Fly Volucella pellucens [Pied Plumehorn; Great Pied Hoverfly]
- *Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria [Hornet Plumehorn]
Damsel / Dragon-flies:
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]: one female
- Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
- Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]: one female
- Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
at least one other species of dragonfly seen in flight only
True flies:
more today including...
- *$ muscid fly perhaps Coenosia tigrina
- *long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Awkward Clusterfly Pollenia rudis
- Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- *marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
other unidentified flies
more today including...
- *$ muscid fly perhaps Coenosia tigrina
- *long-legged fly Dolichopus ungulatus or similar
- greenbottle Lucilia sp.
- Awkward Clusterfly Pollenia rudis
- Flesh fly Sarcophaga sp., possibly S. carnaria
- *marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea
other unidentified flies
Earwigs:
- *$ possible earwig nymph
- *$ possible earwig nymph
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- *Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
- 7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
- *Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva
Mammals:
- *Brown Hare Lepus europaeus
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
- *Brown Hare Lepus europaeus
On the West end street lamp poles around dawn:
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 spider Clubiona sp.
- *2 Common Candy-striped Spider Enoplognatha ovata or similar
- 1 harvestman from the species pair Dicranopalpus ramosus / D. caudatus
The immature Herring Gull in the water had just failed to dislodge the adult Lesser Black-backed Gull standing on the buoy.
Obsidentify seemed to be having a bad day. It told me this Honey Bee Apis mellifera was a Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax!
A smaller female ichneumon of a different species with a, proportionately, very long ovipositor. There are about 2500 species of ichneumon in the UK and very few are illustrated and many of those are difficult to separate from similar species.
"Another chance to see..." a Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax with tongue extended as it gets nectar from Knapweed.
This appears to be a long-legged fly but seems about two-thirds size of those I have been logging as "Dolichopus ungulatus or similar".
I am not sure what this is. Google Lens came up with a plausible suggestion of an earwig nymph. I have never seen one previously.
The larger of two Common Candy-striped Spiders Enoplognatha ovata (or similar) I found on different street lamp poles around dawn.
I espied this Brown Hare Lepus europaeus on the football field c.05:30. It got inside the fence and seems to have got out again: it wasn't there later.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
This moth is a Common Masoner Blastobasis adustella. Another questionable result from Obsidentify that suggested Bee Moth Aphonia sociella: which it isn't.
The markings on this moth have faded away. Luckily the shape is distinctive-enough to identify it as a Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina resting with its feet on one of the tunnel lamps.
The mayflies in the tunnel are in a different location each day so are they different individuals? This certainly is as it is a male with the "turbinate" eyes and the only one I have seen on the ceiling. As far as I can tell possibly also a Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum.
This is a species of wood gnat, perhaps Sylvicola fenestralis. Only one species in this genus is easily identifiable as it lacks a dark smudge on the wing tip. I usually only record wood gnats in late Winter.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:05 – 07:00
- 1 spider Clubiona sp.
- *2 Common Candy-striped Spider Enoplognatha ovata or similar
- 1 harvestman from the species pair Dicranopalpus ramosus / D. caudatus
Mrs. Mallard with her lone duckling. On size I doubt I have seen this duckling previously.
A Common Whitethroat (with a berry). One of two that popped out of the Ricoh hedge.
New for the year today was Small Copper butterfly Lycaena phlaeas.
Google Lens suggested this female ichneumon (with ovipositor) was from the genus Cryptus.
Yet another different ichneumon. This a male.
Another Common Copperback hoverfly Ferdinandea cuprea. My best year for this species.
It looks alarming but is quite harmless: a Hornet Hoverfly Volucella zonaria.
This may, or may not, be a muscid fly and perhaps Coenosia tigrina. If so this species catches its prey in flight.
This was another.
"Yet another chance to see..." the marsh fly Tetanocera ferruginea.
A Common Red Soldier Beetle Rhagonycha fulva showing well against the blade of grass.
(Ed Wilson)
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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
- *1 Common Masoner Blastobasis adustella [was Dingy Dowd]
- 1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *1 ! Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina
- *1 Common Masoner Blastobasis adustella [was Dingy Dowd]
- 1 Single-dotted Wave Idaea dimidiata
- *1 ! Dun-bar Cosmia trapezina
Flies:
- 4 midges of several species
- *3 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 7 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]: one a day but never in the same place on the wall
- *1 wood gnat, perhaps Sylvicola fenestralis
- 1 cranefly Tipula confusa
- 4 midges of several species
- *3 mayfly, possibly Pond Olive Cloeon dipterum
- 7 moth fly Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly or Owl Fly]: one a day but never in the same place on the wall
- *1 wood gnat, perhaps Sylvicola fenestralis
- 1 cranefly Tipula confusa
Bugs:
- *1 ! grass bug Stenodema calcarata or similar
- *1 ! grass bug Stenodema calcarata or similar
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 4 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
- 2 harvestman Phalangium opilio
- 4 Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]
- 2 harvestman Phalangium opilio
A strange place to find a grass bug. It is likely to be Stenodema calcarata or similar.
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:05 – 07:00
(159th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- still 18 Mute Swans though it is amazing how many times I have to count them to find all 18.
- some Canada and Greylag Geese have now departed. A group of ten was seen in the air: I was unsure whether they were leaving, arriving or just flying over.
- only nineteen of the 38 Coots were on the edge of the island. There seem to be many "missing". One pair has just hatched at least two juveniles from their third brood. I cannot recall noting a third brood previously.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 129 Canada Geese
- 79 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans again
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 30 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 38 Coots only: of these seven were dependent juveniles
- 1 Great Crested Grebe: again
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
Bird notes:
- still 18 Mute Swans though it is amazing how many times I have to count them to find all 18.
- some Canada and Greylag Geese have now departed. A group of ten was seen in the air: I was unsure whether they were leaving, arriving or just flying over.
- only nineteen of the 38 Coots were on the edge of the island. There seem to be many "missing". One pair has just hatched at least two juveniles from their third brood. I cannot recall noting a third brood previously.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Noted on / around the water:
- 129 Canada Geese
- 79 Greylag Geese
- 18 Mute Swans again
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 30 (?♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 38 Coots only: of these seven were dependent juveniles
- 1 Great Crested Grebe: again
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
None
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- no Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- no Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 harvestman from the species pair Dicranopalpus ramosus / D. caudatus
- 1 female harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
- 1 harvestman from the species pair Dicranopalpus ramosus / D. caudatus
- 1 female harvestman Leiobunum rotundum
Nothing else in the, at the time, cloudy conditions.
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Flash
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
(Ed Wilson)
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2013
Priorslee Flash
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 drake Ruddy Duck
(Ed Wilson)