------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Possible Marsh Harrier
11 Reed Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
3 Jun 25
No sightings in today.
2009
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Possible Marsh Harrier
11 Reed Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
2009
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Possible Marsh Harrier
11 Reed Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
2 Jun 25
Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash
9.0°C > 15.0°C: Another clear start. Partly cloudy after c.08:30. Moderate / fresh north-westerly wind abating somewhat and backing westerly. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:52 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:05 – 06:05 // 07:25 – 09:55
(137th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct. That said the Canada Geese were coming under pressure from the cob Mute Swan. This is the first time I have noted this cob taking any interest in the geese and their goslings. The previous cob drowned all the goslings the previous two years.
- no Gadwall again today.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- I did not hear any Little Grebe today
- no Garden Warbler or Common Whitethroat heard.
- no Starlings seen.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Greylag Geese: a pair inbound; a pair flew South
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 6 Wood Pigeons again
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Jackdaw only
Counts from the lake area:
- 13 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 5 Moorhens
- 34 + 12 (7 broods) Coots
- 5 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 16 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (9) Reed Warblers
- 8 (8) Blackcaps yet again
- no Common Whitethroat
- no Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted
Noted later:
9.0°C > 15.0°C: Another clear start. Partly cloudy after c.08:30. Moderate / fresh north-westerly wind abating somewhat and backing westerly. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:52 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:05 – 06:05 // 07:25 – 09:55
(137th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct. That said the Canada Geese were coming under pressure from the cob Mute Swan. This is the first time I have noted this cob taking any interest in the geese and their goslings. The previous cob drowned all the goslings the previous two years.
- no Gadwall again today.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- I did not hear any Little Grebe today
- no Garden Warbler or Common Whitethroat heard.
- no Starlings seen.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Greylag Geese: a pair inbound; a pair flew South
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 6 Wood Pigeons again
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Jackdaw only
Counts from the lake area:
- 13 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Pochard
- 5 Moorhens
- 34 + 12 (7 broods) Coots
- 5 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 16 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (9) Reed Warblers
- 8 (8) Blackcaps yet again
- no Common Whitethroat
- no Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted
Noted later:
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
Moths
2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
2 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
2 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
1 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
2 Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
Bees, wasps etc.:
*Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*ichneumon wasp
*sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
*Honey Bee Apis mellifera
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*ichneumon wasp
*sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex
Hoverflies:
*Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum [Blotch-winged Whitebelt]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
*Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis [Orange-belted Leafwalker]
*Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
*Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum [Blotch-winged Whitebelt]
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans [Bumblebee Plumehorn]
*Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis [Orange-belted Leafwalker]
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
*Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
*Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella [Azure Bluet]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
Lacewings:
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
Other flies:
*plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
cluster fly Pollenia sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
*usual other boring and / or strange flies
*plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
*Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus
*dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
cluster fly Pollenia sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
plus
*usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: at least 50 without searching
*$ pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: just one
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
Raspberry Beetle Byturus tomentosus
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: at least 50 without searching
*$ pupa of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis: just one
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Slugs, snails etc.:
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
New flowers for the year:
*Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
A Red Mason Bee Osmia bicornis. Late in its flight period and most of the rufous hairs have been worn away.
An ichneumon wasp. There are so many to choose from and most are not illustrated anywhere. This one was small – that is a (well--chewed) buttercup petal it is resting on.
The pale marks between the segments of the abdomen (tergites) indicate this is a Stripe-faced Dronefly Eristalis nemorum.
The very distinctive Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum. The Obsidentify name of Blotch-winged Whitebelt is even more descriptive.
Another Bumblebee Plume-horned Hoverfly Volucella bombylans and as with all the others I have seen this year, of the form plumata with the white tail.
With the sun at just the right angle shining through the hoverfly's wings there is no mistaking an Orange-belted Leaf Licker Xylota segnis.
A male Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella with wings spread exposing the abdomen markings. Note the shape of the marking on the first obvious segment – a "U"-shaped mark.
Remember that small all-black fly with a dark mark in the wing. Well that was a male Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus. This is the very different female with extensive pale in the body and a very different head shape because, as with most fly species, the eyes of females are well-separated rather than co-joined as in most males.
This is a long-legged fly of the Dolichopus genus but I can be no more specific. NatureSpot notes there are 17 species in their home county of Leicester and a very few can be identified from photos.
A cluster fly Pollenia sp. Obsidentify says "unknown" cluster fly but I suspect they mean "unidentified". I am sure it is not new to science.
My first pupa of a Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis this year. Judging by the very large number of larvae that are present it will not be my last.
The first flower this year of a Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis. In the past I have been confused about which species this is so I thought Obsidentify would help. "Hedgehog" was its first attempt. After I edited the photo "possible Hoof Fungus". I think not!
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
A Common Marbled Carpet moth Chloroclysta truncata. This is a very variable species. There is another similarly variable if much less common species but luckily that does not have a rufous form.
The best I can do in identifying this moth is to say it is one of the Minor species in the genus Oligia. Recent work has demonstrated that examination of the genitalia is the only way of separating the five adult species contradicting many earlier suggestions that there were some consistent variations in the markings.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:10 – 07:20
(134th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- once again the pen Mute Swan was on her own with the lone cygnet. The other four adults seemed to be forming two pairs, albeit loosely. There was no sign of an obvious partner for the pen.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- a lone drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- still two Great Crested Grebes. Again they did not seem interested in the nest site.
- I think we can say the Reed Warbler has moved on.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 132 Canada Geese
- 21 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 23 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens again
- 24 + 4 (2 broods) Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
*Convolvulus sp. probably Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis
Another clear, if breezy, start to the day.
A Silver-ground Carpet moth Xanthorhoe montanata with its wings raised to show the abdomen.
It is some weeks since I noted my previous Honey Bee Apis mellifera
This is a sawfly of the Tenthredo arcuata / brevicornis / notha / schaefferi complex. I have read the text for each of these on the very detailed descriptions on the "sawflies.org.uk" web site and am none the wiser!
Another that may or may not be of the same species.
My best photo to date of the lacewing Chrysopa perla.
A rare daytime view of a male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus.
I wish I knew. This fly looks to be easy to identify but isn't.
The most common and most easily identified of the dagger flies is this Empis tessellata.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
*$$ 1 Minor species Oligia sp.
*1 Common Marbled Carpet Chloroclysta truncata
*$$ 1 Minor species Oligia sp.
Flies
17 midges of various species.
17 midges of various species.
Arthropod:
*1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
*1 White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger
A surprisingly long White-legged Snake Millipede Tachypodoiulus niger.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:10 – 07:20
(134th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- once again the pen Mute Swan was on her own with the lone cygnet. The other four adults seemed to be forming two pairs, albeit loosely. There was no sign of an obvious partner for the pen.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- a lone drake Tufted Duck was a new arrival
- still two Great Crested Grebes. Again they did not seem interested in the nest site.
- I think we can say the Reed Warbler has moved on.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 4 Jackdaws
Noted on / around the water:
- 132 Canada Geese
- 21 Greylag Geese
- 1 mainly white feral goose
- 5 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 23 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens again
- 24 + 4 (2 broods) Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 6 Swifts
- 4 House Martins
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcaps
Noted around the area:
Moths
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
2 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
Bees, wasps etc.:
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
also numerous different midges and flies
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
also numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
none
none
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
A Green Meshweaver spider Nigma walckenaeri doing as I described the one I photographed yesterday on the "boxing ring" at the lake should have been doing: that is lying in wait (upside down) under a web set across a concave leaf.
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson
*Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Ed Wilson
1 Jun 25
Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash
10.0°C > 14.0°C: Mostly clear start with just a few wisps of high cloud. Partly cloudy by 09:00. Moderate / fresh south-westerly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:52 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:55 – 06:00 // 07:30 – 09:50
(136th visit of the year)
Bird notes
Today's unexpected record was a Little Grebe calling from the North side reeds. This species, while never common, has been unusually scarce this year so much so that my only previous record was a bird flying across the width of the water on 6 January while I was counting gulls. How long has it been lurking unseen and unheard? Or is it a new arrival?
Other bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- no Gadwall seen today.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- fewer Coots today: the birds on the North side were presumably staying in the shelter of the reeds.
- a Garden Warbler was singing lustily at dawn and intermittently thereafter.
- a Common Whitethroat was singing at the West end after 09:15.
- just five Starlings on the football field (ages not determined)
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Canada Geese: a trio inbound
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Jackdaws
Counts from the lake area:
- 13 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese: of these five pairs arrived separately
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- no Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard again
- 1 (0♂) Pochard as ever
- no Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 29 + 10 (6 broods) Coots
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 8 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron: departed 05:15
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (13) Chiffchaffs again
- *8 (8) Reed Warblers
- 8 (8) Blackcaps again
- 1 (1) Common Whitethroat
- 1 (1) Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted.
Noted later:
10.0°C > 14.0°C: Mostly clear start with just a few wisps of high cloud. Partly cloudy by 09:00. Moderate / fresh south-westerly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:52 BST
* = a species photographed today
$ = my first sighting of the species for this year
$$ = my first ever recorded sighting of the species
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 04:55 – 06:00 // 07:30 – 09:50
(136th visit of the year)
Bird notes
Today's unexpected record was a Little Grebe calling from the North side reeds. This species, while never common, has been unusually scarce this year so much so that my only previous record was a bird flying across the width of the water on 6 January while I was counting gulls. How long has it been lurking unseen and unheard? Or is it a new arrival?
Other bird notes:
- the Canada and Greylag goslings all still present and correct.
- no Gadwall seen today.
- no Mallard ducklings seen.
- the duck Pochard still here.
- fewer Coots today: the birds on the North side were presumably staying in the shelter of the reeds.
- a Garden Warbler was singing lustily at dawn and intermittently thereafter.
- a Common Whitethroat was singing at the West end after 09:15.
- just five Starlings on the football field (ages not determined)
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Canada Geese: a trio inbound
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Jackdaws
Counts from the lake area:
- 13 + 1 (1 brood) Canada Geese: of these five pairs arrived separately
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: the other resident assumed to be on the nest
- no Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard again
- 1 (0♂) Pochard as ever
- no Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 29 + 10 (6 broods) Coots
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 8 + 2 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron: departed 05:15
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 12 Swifts
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (13) Chiffchaffs again
- *8 (8) Reed Warblers
- 8 (8) Blackcaps again
- 1 (1) Common Whitethroat
- 1 (1) Garden Warbler
On the West end street lamp poles around-dawn:
Nothing noted.
Noted later:
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
*$ Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria
*$ Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
Moths
9 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
4 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
1 Dusky Marble Orthotaenia undulana [Woodland Marble]
*1 Drinker caterpillar Euthrix potatoria
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
*$ 1 different unidentified small very hairy caterpillar.
9 Common Nettle-taps Anthophila fabriciana
4 Common Marble Celypha lacunana
1 Dusky Marble Orthotaenia undulana [Woodland Marble]
*1 Drinker caterpillar Euthrix potatoria
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
*$ 1 different unidentified small very hairy caterpillar.
Bees, wasps etc.:
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
*Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
*Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
$ sawfly Tenthredo mesomela
*$ Braconid wasp, perhaps of genus Microgatrinae
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
*Tree Bumblebee Bombus hypnorum
*Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
*Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
$ sawfly Tenthredo mesomela
*$ Braconid wasp, perhaps of genus Microgatrinae
Hoverflies:
Buttercup Cheilosia-type: either Cheilosia albitarsus or C. ranunculi.
*Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Dead-head Hoverfly Myathropa florea [Common Batman Fly]
*Parhelophilus sp., probably P. frutetorum
*$$ probable Dull-backed Boxer Platycheirus manicatus
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Tooth-thighed Hoverfly Tropidia scita [Swamp Thickleg]
Buttercup Cheilosia-type: either Cheilosia albitarsus or C. ranunculi.
*Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Tapered Dronefly Eristalis pertinax
Common Dronefly Eristalis tenax
Meadow Field Syrph Eupeodes latifasciatus [Broad-banded Aphideater]
Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus
Chequered Hoverfly Melanostoma scalare [Long-winged Duskyface]
Dead-head Hoverfly Myathropa florea [Common Batman Fly]
*Parhelophilus sp., probably P. frutetorum
*$$ probable Dull-backed Boxer Platycheirus manicatus
Hairy-eyed Syrphus Syrphus torvus
*Tooth-thighed Hoverfly Tropidia scita [Swamp Thickleg]
Dragon-/Damsel-flies:
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
NB: there probably were Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella as well. It depended on how many 100 damselflies I was prepared to check!
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [Common Bluet]
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas [Large Redeye]
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
NB: there probably were Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella as well. It depended on how many 100 damselflies I was prepared to check!
Lacewings:
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
*lacewing Chrysopa perla
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
*$$ Thistle Gall Fly Urophora cardui
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
dagger fly Empis tessellata
Scorpion Fly Panorpa sp.
Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Common Crane-fly Tipula oleracea
*$$ Thistle Gall Fly Urophora cardui
plus
usual other boring and / or strange flies
Bugs:
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
Red-and-Black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata
Beetles:
*$$ Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Agapanthia villosoviridescens
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*$ soldier beetle Cantharis pellucida
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
*$$ Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn Agapanthia villosoviridescens
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
*$ soldier beetle Cantharis pellucida
7 Spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
False Blister Beetle Oedemera lurida or O. virescens
Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis [False Oil Beetle or Thick-legged Flower Beetle]
Slugs, snails etc.:
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Brown-lipped Snail Cepaea nemoralis
Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
*$ Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
*$ Green Meshweaver Nigma walckenaeri
Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
New flowers for the year:
*Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
Another Drinker moth caterpillar Euthrix potatoria , this one easier to photograph. I was not about to risk touching the hairs to remove the detritus from the photo though I did use a large leaf to remove the caterpillar from the middle of the footpath.
In the same place on the "boxing ring" as I found a tiny hairy caterpillar yesterday I noted this even hairier one today. No idea as to species.
Not all bumblebees with an orange pile are Common Carder Bees Bombus pascuorum. This is a Tree Bumblebee B. hypnorum with its pure white tail.
I have not seen many of these Red-tailed Bumblebees Bombus lapidarius so far this year. There are other species with red tails but these have yellow or orange bands on the abdomen or neck.
A tiny Braconid wasp, perhaps of genus Microgatrinae. There are so many and no identification guides for all but the few most obvious species.
Probably a new species of hoverfly for me. I think a Dull-backed Boxer Platycheirus manicatus. Males of this group are best separated by examining the front legs. Here we see the comb-like hairs on the upper part of the leg and a swelling toward the foot. The extent of the hairs and the shape of the swelling identifies the species but the difference are subtle. I have never previously had a good-enough photos to get experience in evaluating these features.
This hoverfly is one of the Parhelophilus species, probably P. frutetorum. Superficially similar to the Tiger Hoverfly Helophilus pendulus but noticeably orange-toned.
Steven Falk calls this hoverfly a Tooth-thighed Hoverfly Tropidia scita. I some ways the Obsidentify name of Swamp Thickleg seems more appropriate though there are other hoverflies with have swollen hind femurs and you can see the "tooth" here.
The sun went in and the insect activity paused and I was able to photo this sea-green lacewing Chrysopa perla. They are normally very skittish and difficult to approach.
This is so odd it is hard to see. It is a Thistle Gall Fly Urophora cardui. It is head-down and has, bizarrely, thick black zig-zag markings on otherwise clear wings. It is only c.7mm long [0.3"]. It gall causes the swollen stems in thistles.
A Green Meshweaver spider Nigma walckenaeri. It will have a problem mesh-weaving here, on the "boxing ring". It sets up its mesh web across the top of leaves that are usually slightly concave and lurks until something lands on the leaf and then pounces.
(Ed Wilson)
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Three moths were lurking in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel. I tried to get a better angle on this Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella but it flew off. Probably just as well as there is not much grass in the tunnel. The distinctive wing markings are clear-enough.
A Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria in what seemed to be the same position as on Friday though I did not notice it yesterday.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:05 – 07:25
(133rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- initially six adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet. After some chasing one 'disappeared'. Forced out of the water?
- at least four of the Mallard ducklings seen on Friday remain lurking close to the island.
- guess what: two Great Crested Grebes again! They did not seem interested in the nest site.
- at least four Great Spotted Woodpeckers in travelling family group.
- the singing Reed Warbler not heard again.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: flew North together
Noted on / around the water:
- 94 Canada Geese
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 6 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans: see notes
- *24 (19♂) + 4? (1 brood) Mallard
- 6 Moorhens
- 17 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift again
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcaps
why so few?
Noted around the area:
I believe this to be a male Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum (even though it is June). Males have the turbinate eyes and this species shows no tail streamers.
On the lower pool:
The Moorhens here have five well-grown juveniles. [the upper pool is too overgrown to go beyond noting that Moorhen juvenile(s) can be heard begging.
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
Peregrine
(Ed Wilson)
*Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica
It always seem to be better at dawn these days!
A Reed Warbler that did not want to be seen.
I was very pleased to see this Small Tortoiseshell butterfly Aglais urticae . It is one of our most common species yet last year I saw none at all in what was a dire year for butterflies generally. Lets hope this portends a better year in 2025.
Munch, munch. A Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris collecting wood for the nest.
A Bumblebee Blacklet hoverfly Cheilosia illustrata. A species in this genus that is "easy".
New for me is this Golden-bloomed Grey Longhorn beetle Agapanthia villosoviridescens.
My first soldier beetle Cantharis pellucida of the year.
The flowers on the first spikes of Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica are just opening.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
Moths:
*1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria
*1 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata
*1 Garden Grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [was Garden Grass-veneer]
*1 Green Carpet Colostygia pectinataria
*1 Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata
Flies
1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
1 cranefly Ilisia occoecata
10 midges of various species.
1 owl midge Psychodidae sp. [Drain Fly, Moth Fly or Owl Fly]
1 cranefly Ilisia occoecata
10 midges of various species.
And this another Common Pug Eupithecia vulgata
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:05 – 07:25
(133rd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- initially six adult Mute Swans and the lone cygnet. After some chasing one 'disappeared'. Forced out of the water?
- at least four of the Mallard ducklings seen on Friday remain lurking close to the island.
- guess what: two Great Crested Grebes again! They did not seem interested in the nest site.
- at least four Great Spotted Woodpeckers in travelling family group.
- the singing Reed Warbler not heard again.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: flew North together
Noted on / around the water:
- 94 Canada Geese
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 6 + 1 (1 brood) Mute Swans: see notes
- *24 (19♂) + 4? (1 brood) Mallard
- 6 Moorhens
- 17 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Swift again
- 1 House Martin
Warblers recorded (the figure in brackets is birds noted singing):
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (0) Blackcaps
why so few?
Noted around the area:
Moths
4 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
4 Common Nettle-tap Anthophila fabriciana again
Bees, wasps etc.:
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*$$ sawfly, probably Athalia cordata
Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum
Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum
Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum
Common Wasp Paravespula vulgaris
*$$ sawfly, probably Athalia cordata
Hoverflies:
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Syrphus sp. S. ribesii / S. vitripennis
Other flies:
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*$ male Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum
also numerous different midges and flies
Black Snipefly Chrysopilus cristatus
*$ male Pond Olive mayfly Cloeon dipterum
also numerous different midges and flies
Bugs:
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
*$$ the ground bug Scolopostethus thomsoni
Mirid bug Calocoris alpestris
*$$ the ground bug Scolopostethus thomsoni
Beetles:
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
adult of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni
adult of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis var. succinea
larvae of Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
If you look really really hard I think there are four Mallard ducklings visible.
A juvenile Dunnock still with some baby feathers to be moulted to its first proper plumage.
A sawfly, probably Athalia cordata.
With the help of the Shropshire recorder I can tell you this is a ground bug Scolopostethus thomsoni. Species in the genus can be separated by the antennae markings (dark and light areas). The British Bugs site gallery got me only so far as it is a group I am unfamiliar with.
(Ed Wilson)
Between the Balancing Lake and The Flash:
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of note:
On the lower pool:
The Moorhens here have five well-grown juveniles. [the upper pool is too overgrown to go beyond noting that Moorhen juvenile(s) can be heard begging.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2007
Priorslee Lake
Common Tern
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
Peregrine
(Ed Wilson)
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