31 Dec 15

No sightings in so far today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake
Today's Report Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
Two 1st winter female Scaup
(Ian Grant)


2012
Priorslee Lake
Drake Scaup
(Jim Almond and Paul Spear)

2010
Priorslee Lake
c.1500 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Water Rail
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee lake
11 Great Crested Grebes
31 Pochard
48 Tufted Duck
237 Coot
Golden Plover
1 Water Rail
700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.1250 Black-headed Gulls
300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
37 Herring Gulls
6 Great Black-backed Gull
374 Jackdaws
178 Rooks
1 Kingfisher
1 Willow Tit
2 Redpolls.
2 Redwings
14 Robins
19 Blackbirds
13 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

30 Dec 15

No sightings in today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake
Today's Report Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 female Scaup
1 Yellow-legged Gull
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
7 Gadwall
(John Isherwood/Dawn Balmer)

The Flash
5 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
Yellow-legged Gull
(Dawn Balmer)

Horsehay Pool
12 Goosander
(Dawn Balmer)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Jim Almond/Chris Ballance)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 adult Yellow legged Gull
9 Great Black-backed Gulls
Water Rail
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Yellow-legged Gull
Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Caspian Gull
(Jason)


2006
Priorslee lake
2 Great Crested Grebes
19 Pochard
34 Tufted Ducks
>300 Black-headed Gulls
>298 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
12 Herring Gull
33 Robins
13 Blackbirds
10 Fieldfares
45 Redwings
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee lake
2 Little Grebes 
11 Great Crested Grebes 
1 Cormorant 
2 Mute Swans 
35 Pochard
84 Tufted Duck
243 Coot
c.250 Black-headed Gulls 
c.700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 
1 Yellow-legged Gull 
32 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

29 Dec 15

No sightings in today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012
2012
Priorslee Lake
Drake Scaup
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Martin Grant)


2011
Priorslee Lake
4 Yellow legged Gull
22 Great Black-backed Gulls
(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
Tundra Bean Goose
(John Isherwood)

Holmer Lake
9 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Black-necked Grebe
4 Gadwall
2 Water Rail
2 Caspian Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Ring-billed Gull
(John Isherwood/Richard Vernon/Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Cormorant 
3 Wigeon
30 Tufted Duck
4 Pochard
180+ Coot
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
4000+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls
65 Herring Gulls
1000+ Black-headed Gulls
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee lake
1 Little Grebe;
3 Pochard
10 Tufted Ducks
1 Lapwing
>550 Black-headed Gulls
>108 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
c.40 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee lake
Lesser black-backed Gulls C.3200
Black-headed Gulls C.1700
Herring Gulls C.100
Great Black-backed Gulls 8
Yellow-legged Gull 4
(Martin Adlam/Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

28 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 15:00
Location

2 Great Black-backed Gulls
12 Pochard
9 Gadwall

(John Isherwood)


Stafford Park: 14:45
Location

1 Peregrine

(John Isherwood)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006,  2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

7 Gadwall
10 Pochard
64 Tufted Ducks
1 Scaup
1 Goosander
218 Coots
28 Redwings
386 Jackdaws
209 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)


2012
Priorslee Lake
1 drake Scaup
4 Gadwall
19 Pochard
1 Peregrine
(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
4 Goosander
1 Pochard
(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Caspian Gull
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
15+ Great Black-backed Gulls
(Dawn Balmer & Pete Wilson)

Horsehay Pool
1 Yellow-legged Gull
(Kriss Webb)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Caspian Gull 
9 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson/David Fairhurst)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black necked Grebe
4 Gadwall
1 Water Rail
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
1 Peregrine
 2 Wigeon
(John Isherwood)


Trench Pool
1 Yellow-legged Gul1
1 Great Black-backed Gull 
1 Gadwall
(John Isherwood)

2007
The Flash
11 Goosander
(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Village
9 Siskins
7 Redwing
(Martin Adlam)


2006
Priorslee lake
1 Great Crested Grebe
1 Pochard
15 Tufted Ducks
13 Lapwings
c.100 Black-headed Gulls
c.1100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
26 Herring Gulls
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
12 Pied Wagtails
6 Redwing
1 Fieldfare
160 Jackdaws
97 Rooks
20 Chaffinches
5 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

2005
Priorslee lake
30 Pochard 30
32 Tufted Duck
6 Great Crested Grebe
200+ Coot
1 Water Rail
c.3000 Black-headed Gulls
c.2000 Lesser Black-backs
4 Herring Gulls
21 Pied Wagtails
247 Rooks
172 Jackdaw
5 Redwing
5 Fieldfare
46 Siskin
19 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

27 Dec 15

No sightings in today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe
7 Gadwall
7 Pochard
101 Tufted Ducks
1 Scaup
210 Coots
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Little Grebe
69 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Caspian Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull.
(Dawn Balmer & Pete Wilson)

2011
The Wrekin
Flock of Crossbills near summit
(Maurice Baker)

2010
Priorslee Lake
2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
18 Mute Swans
59 Canada Geese
4 Gadwall
29 Pochard 
92 Tufted Ducks 
2 Water Rails
327 Coots
2 Redwings
16 Goldfinches
13 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
22 Tufted Ducks
86 Coots
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
3 Buzzards
20 Pied Wagtails
c.200 Redwing
4 Mistle Thrush
c.500 Fieldfare
1 Willow Tit
3 Brambling
14 Chaffinches
13 Greenfinches
2 Redpoll
1 Siskin
3 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

26 Dec 15

No sightings in today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2009, 2012 and 2013
2013
Priorslee Lake

Two 1st winter female Scaup
(Unknown)

2012
Priorslee Lake
A drake Scaup
4 Gadwall
10 Great Black-backed Gull
(Kriss Webb)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Black-necked Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
4 Gadwall
26 Pochard
97 Tufted Ducks
3 Goosander
327 Coots
5 Redwings
4 Fieldfare
10 Goldfinches 
14 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

25 Dec 15

No sightings in today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2006, 2009 and 2013
2013
Priorslee Lake

5 Gadwall 
2 Teal 
6 Pochard 
78 Tufted Ducks 
1 female Greater Scaup
222 Coots counted
Caspian Gull
2 Fieldfare
17 Redwings 
429 Jackdaws
173 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Pochard 
110 Tufted Ducks 
17 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
11 Swans 
1 Shoveler 
c.115 Tufted Duck 
7 Goosander
129 Coots 
41 Black-headed Gulls
51 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
21 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
26 Mute Swans today
4 Great Crested Grebes
>17 Greylag Geese
4 Gadwall
26 Pochard
97 Tufted Ducks
Common Gull
309 Coot
5 Goldfinches
c.20 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
1 Great Crested Grebe
31 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
58 Coots
c.500 Black-headed Gulls
c.3200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
12 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
15 Pied Wagtails
1 Redpoll
3 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

24 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 12:04 – 12:45
Location

Telford sunrise: not relevant

8.0°C > 6.0°C Clearing after rain and gales; passing showers. Fresh / strong WSW wind. Very good visibility.

Wishing all our readers a Happy Festive Season and all the best for 2016

With rain and gales early I decided against the usual dawn start. Later to The Flash and then viewing the lake from the dam only with only the birds on the water logged.

Was rewarded with my first Reed Bunting of 2015 at The Flash! The half-dozen or so that roost at the lake must go somewhere (though they seem to be flying off SE from there and hence away from The Flash)

(160th visit of the year)

Notes
- the large gulls mainly arrived and after a quick wash departed

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 13 (8♂) Gadwall
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 13 (11♂) Pochard
- 82 (45♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 1 Little Grebe again
- 12 Great Crested Grebes again
- 29 Moorhens
- 197 Coots
- 71 Black-headed Gulls
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 14 Herring Gulls
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull again

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 11:28 – 11:59
Location

(109th visit of the year)

Notes
- Goosanders again: strange that so far this winter drakes have been (almost) as numerous as brownheads. Since they first started using this site in winter, about 6 years ago, there has usually be a significant preponderance of brownheads (females / immatures). Does this mean they did not have a good breeding season in 2015 and there are few immatures?
- Kingfisher yet again
- the Reed Bunting as highlighted

Birds noted flying over
None

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 42 (26♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 38 (27♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 (4♂) Goosander
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 13 Coots
- 19 Black-headed Gulls

A Christmas Eve rainbow over The Flash. The low winter sun means big rainbows even in the middle of the day.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

5 Gadwall 
7 Pochard 
34 Tufted Ducks 
204 Coots counted 
123 Black-headed Gulls
16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
22 Herring Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Grey Herons
126 Canada Geese
110 Tufted Ducks 
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Shoveler 
71 Tufted Duck 
1 Goosander 
125 Coots
>40 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
1 Tufted Duck 
19 Goosander 
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
13 Pochard
35 Tufted Ducks
178 Coots
Peregrine
14 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Pochard
38 Tufted Duck
5 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
4 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Dawn Balmer & Pete Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes 
10 Swans
28 Pochard 
77 Tufted Ducks
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
60 Herring Gulls
1 Water Rail heard 
299 Coots counted 
4 Redwings 
2 Willow Tits again 
c.5 Goldfinches
c.10 Siskins
(Ed Wilson/Dawn Balmer/ Peter Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
41 Pochard
38 Tufted Ducks
8 Redwing
2 Fieldfare
1 Redpoll
4 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

23 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake:
Location

Afternoon update: 15:00

1 Cetti's Warbler -  still vocalising in NW bulrush bed
13 Gadwall
12 Pochard
20 Greenfinch
Kestrel
Willow Tit

(John Isherwood)


 Morning Report: 07:00 – 09:40

Telford sunrise: 08:19 yet again

4.0°C > 6.5°C Fine and clear. Light / moderate SW wind. Good visibility

Went to look at the historic Redwing roost and stayed too long failing to find more than 2 birds: as a result I missed most of the distant outbound geese, many of the Magpies and all of the Reed Buntings leaving their roosts

(159th visit of the year)

Notes
- a sub-adult Swan present by 06:45 but soon seen off
- another new record count of Gadwall – 15 today
- many Mallard seen flying around pre-dawn may or may not have been counted later
- Little Grebe reappeared: same?
- over past week a slight reduction in number of Coots: strange at this time of year unless hard-weather related
- no idea where most of the Jackdaws have done: no large groups seen today
- Cetti’s Warbler calling and alarm-calling in NW area again
- 2 Goldfinches seemed to have roosted in the SW trees last night: not noted roosting by this species anywhere near the lake recently (there used to be a few with the Greenfinches in the bushes chopped down ahead of the Academy being built)
and
- nothing on the lamps

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 20 Canada Geese (2 groups)
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 11 Herring Gulls
- 131 Jackdaws
- 7 Rooks
- 2 Pied Wagtails again
- 9 Redwings (2 groups)
- 5 Greenfinches
- 10 Siskins
- 1 Redpoll

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 32 Magpies (partial count)
- c.95 Starlings (3 groups)
- 2 Redwings again
- Reed Buntings not noted

The counts from the lake area
- 3 Mute Swans
- 15 (10♂) Gadwall
- 7 (4♂) Mallard
- 10 (8♂) Pochard
- 59 (33♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Little Grebe
- 12 Great Crested Grebes
- 24 Moorhens
- 198 Coots
- 77 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull

The pellucid sunrise on a (relatively) chilly morning.

Only managed to capture this just after the event: the Crow was harassing the Buzzard and had flown at it and ‘over shot’!

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trench Lock Pool: 09:49 – 10:24
Location

(52nd visit of the year)

Notes
- the Yellow-legged Gull was standing on a buoy which was handy. Sadly it flew off just as I was raising the camera.

Birds noted flying over
- 1 Canada Goose

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 33 Canada Geese
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 3 feral Mallard-type ducks
- 82 (??♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 (0♂) Goosander
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Little Grebe
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 163 Coots
- 42 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull

A different backdrop for this brownhead Goosander. The ‘lump’ in front is a preening Coot.

This is the ‘other’ brownhead Goosander having a stretch and showing the head-shape and plumes to good-effect.

Two for the price of one! The flying bird is a 2nd winter Herring Gull with a completely grey mantle and inner primaries and a few secondaries. The bird on the water is, I believe, the Yellow-legged Gull that was standing on the buoy before it flew off. It is rather pale for this species and I think a 3rd winter: note the extensive black on the large bill and a hint of brown tones on the otherwise pale mantle. The head is rather paler than many Herring Gulls would be, but this a rather variable feature. But compare with flying bird.

From the left the gulls are a 1st winter Lesser Black-back, a 1st winter Herring (a rather small bird, probably a female), a 2nd winter Herring Gull and the putative 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull. Not easy with the bills held at different angles, but compare the size and length of the bill on the Yellow-leg.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

1st winter female Great Scaup

Horsehay Pool
Kittiwake

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Gadwall
14 Pochard
29 Tufted Ducks
3 Goosanders
178 Coots
2 Redwings
4 Siskin
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Pochard
44 Tufted Duck
28 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
30 Mute Swans
40 Tufted Duck
1 Goosander
161 Coots
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
1 Black-necked Grebe
18 Swans
4 Gadwall
41 Pochard
75 Tufted Ducks
2 Water Rails
311 Coots
600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
12 Goldfinches
10 Siskins
(Ed Wilson/Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
3 Cormorants
32 Pochard
24 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
64 Coots
c.100 Black-headed Gulls
23 Redwing
(Martin Adlam)

2005
Priorslee lake
10 Pochard
15 Tufted Duck
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
c.100 Lesser Black-backs
1 Water Rail
20 Pied Wagtails
365 Rooks
325 Jackdaw
1 Kingfisher
51 Siskin
7 Redpoll
13 Greenfinch 13
12 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

22 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 06:59 – 09:49

Telford sunrise: 08:19 again

12.5°C > 13.5°C Mainly cloudy and rather windy – fresh / strong SW wind. Good visibility

The wind made viewing conditions difficult. The small birds stayed hidden and the larger birds were swirling around making accurate counts impossible

Most notable was the preponderance of Herring Gulls in the (now typically) small number of large gulls over

Best was the Woodcock seen at a different place around the lake and apparently going to roost at a different location

(158th visit of the year)

Notes
- the geese will have to go down as unidentified: even at long range the different flight action of the smaller Greylags is usually obvious: today the wind was making the flight action very atypical
- the 2 Cormorants had a good look at the lake but moved on – they probably saw me
- only 4 Wood Pigeons seen this morning: apart from thick fog days this must be a record low number
- Cetti’s Warbler not heard
- all the finches were logged as flying over – the trees were waving about in wind too much for them to land
and
- nothing on the lamps

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 93 geese sp. (11 groups)
- 2 Cormorants
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 17 Herring Gulls
- 5 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 269 Jackdaws
- [no Rooks!]
- 2 Pied Wagtails
- 17 Redwings (4 groups)
- 2 Greenfinches
- 3 Goldfinches
- 4 Siskins
- 2 Redpolls

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 41 Magpies (partial count)
- c.80 Starlings (3 groups)
- 2 Redwings
- 3 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 10 (6♂) Gadwall
- 14 (7♂) Mallard
- 11 (9♂) Pochard again
- 69 (38♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 10 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 or 2 Water Rails heard
- 20 Moorhens
- [** Coots not counted]
- 1 Woodcock
- 99(!) Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull

A belated and half-hearted attempt by the weather to deliver another red sky morning.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 09:52 – 10:18

(108th visit of the year)

Notes
- see note above about over-flying Herring Gulls: a few Black-headed Gulls with them
- Kingfisher yet again

Birds noted flying over
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
- 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 55 Herring Gulls

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 19 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 34 (21♂) Mallard
- 33 (19♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 18 Coots
- 46 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

5 Gadwall 
2 Teal 
6 Pochard 
78 Tufted Ducks 
1 female Greater Scaup
222 Coots counted
Caspian Gull
2 Fieldfare
17 Redwings 
429 Jackdaws
173 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Pochard 
110 Tufted Ducks 
17 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
11 Swans 
1 Shoveler 
c.115 Tufted Duck 
7 Goosander
129 Coots 
41 Black-headed Gulls
51 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
21 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Gadwall
12 Pochard
26 Tufted Ducks
181 Coots
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Pochard
40 Tufted Duck
16 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
32 Swans
114 Canada Geese
39 Tufted Duck
1 Goldeneye
166 Coots counted
(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
3rd-winter American Herring Gull
Caspian Gull
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
5 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Tom Lowe/Kriss Webb)

2011
Priorslee Lake
c.6000 Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls
7 Yellow legged Gulls
6 Great Black-backed Gulls
Sparrowhawk
(Martin Adlam and Ian Grant)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe 
1 Black-necked Grebe 
5 Great Crested Grebes 
42 Swans
2 Gadwall
51 Pochard
132 Tufted Ducks
2 Water Rails
296 Coots
c.2000 Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls
30 Lapwings
50 Golden Plover
7 Redwings
8 Fieldfares
15 Goldfinches
11 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
1 Great Crested Grebe
31 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
58 Coots
c.500 Black-headed Gulls
c.3200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
12 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
15 Pied Wagtails
1 Redpoll
3 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

2005
Priorslee lake
c.600 Black-headed Gulls
c.100 Lesser Black-backs
11 Herring Gull
7 Pochard
14 Tufted Duck
1 Cormorant on the Lake.
200 Coot
1 Water Rail
18 Pied Wagtails
231 Rooks
323 Jackdaw
3 Redwing
c.50 Siskin
7 Redpoll
8 Reed Bunting
1 Willow Tit

(Martin Adlam)

21 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 06:57 – 09:38
Location

Telford sunrise: 08:19

3.5°C > 6.5°C Clear and fine start, red sky by sunrise and cloud ahead of rain later. Moderate SW wind. Very good visibility, decreasing somewhat

(157th visit of the year)

Notes
- a pair of Mallard seen mating
- a pair of Goosanders flew W pre-dawn: a pair flew E some 30 minutes later, presumed to be the same
- the Water Rail was flushed from just alongside the concrete ramp. No calls were heard – this species seems more vocal when >1 bird is present
- very few Black-headed Gulls this morning; also rather few large gulls, but am getting used to that
- no large parties of Jackdaws seen or heard this morning
- I heard the Cetti’s Warbler call just once at the W this morning
- the Redwings seen leaving roost this morning were from scattered locations all around the lake
- 8 Reed Buntings seen leaving the W end roost: at least one more heard calling here. There are usually a few more birds roosting along the N side. Numbers are higher than last year
and
- 1 Mottled Umber moth on the lamps

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 26 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Goosander
- 25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 3 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 154 Jackdaws
- 13 Rooks
- 4 Pied Wagtails again
- 18 Redwings (3 groups)
- 24 Siskins (2 groups)

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 63 Magpies
- 47 Starlings (2 groups)
- 11 Redwings
- 8 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 9 (6♂) Gadwall
- 15 (8♂) Mallard
- 11 (9♂) Pochard
- 68 (38♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 12 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Water Rail
- 27 Moorhens
- 221 Coots
- 49 Black-headed Gulls
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Herring Gulls

A great sunrise this morning: this was the start.

Later more extensive.

And at its peak as more cloud spread in ahead of rain.

Another view (well there is not much else of interest at the moment)

Today’s Mottled Umber moth on a lamp.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trench Lock Pool
: 09:47 – 10:11
Location
(49th visit of the year)

Notes
- Canada Geese were flying in with some of each group flying over to Middle Pool
- one of the Cormorants had the crested look that is acquired in breeding plumage, though the plumes that give this effect had yet to show any white
- 2 Jays seen – not that common here

Birds noted flying over
- 16 Canada Geese (2 groups)

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 26 Canada Geese
- 19 (11♂) Mallard
- 3 feral Mallard-type ducks
- 74 (33♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Cormorants
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 5 Moorhens
- 182 Coots
- 62 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2009,  2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

5 Gadwall 
2 Teal 
7 Pochard 
74 Tufted Ducks
221 Coots
2 Fieldfare
65 Redwings
228 Jackdaws
119 Rooks
13 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Gadwall.
12 Pochard
12 Goosanders
51 Tufted Ducks
145 Coots
c.280 Black-headed Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
c.265 Jackdaws
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

The Flash
12 Goosanders
4 Pochard
38 Tufted Duck
12 Goosanders
7 Coots
42 were Herring Gulls
44 Black-headed Gulls only on the water
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

Trench Lock Pool
32 Mute Swans
42 Tufted Duck
168 Coots counted
1 Great Black-backed Gull.
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
Little Grebe
8 Great Crested Grebes
22 Swans
1 Gadwall
51 Pochard
148 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
1 Snipe
1 Woodcock
274 Coots
8000+ gulls
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
7 Redwings
16 Goldfinches
13 Siskins
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson/Martin Adlam/Jim Almond)

2005
Priorslee lake
9 Pochard
16 Tufted Duck
c.2000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.500 Black-headed Gulls
5 Great Black-backed Gulls
11 Herring Gull.
c.200 Coot 
1 Water Rail
15 Pied Wagtails
243 Rooks
532 Jackdaw
31 Siskin
2 Redpoll
16 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

20 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 06:48 – 09:40
Location

Telford sunrise: 08:18 again

8.5°C > 10.0°C. Some clear spells and some cloud with a few spots of rain; light / moderate SW wind. Good visibility

(156th visit of the year)

Notes
- the geese were, for the first time for ages, flying close-enough to be heard – and indeed 26 Canadas dropped in for a while
- a drake Teal was new in
- since yesterday 3 of the Gadwall ducks seem to have left
- Willow Tit both calling and in song in NE area in group of tits moving W; probably the same bird singing and then seen near the Teece Drive gate later
- 3 groups of Starlings left from very different points this morning
- 4 of the 7 Song Thrushes were singing this morning
- visited the usual Redwing roost site and heard just 1 bird as it left! All the others left from elsewhere around the lake
- Mistle Thrush heard singing from two different locations but suspect the same bird involved (and the same as heard from The Flash later)
- a few Pied Wagtails have started to use the Academy building and car park for hunting
- the Cetti’s Warbler sang once in the NE corner; later I heard a single call at the E end of the N side
- 2 Redpolls flew out of the trees in SW area
and
- still no moths on the lamps

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 12 Canada Geese
- 84 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Herring Gulls
- 79 Wood Pigeons (2 parties)
- c.275 Jackdaws
- 6 Rooks
- 1 Raven
- 4 Pied Wagtails
- 3 Greenfinches
- 14 Goldfinches

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 45 Magpies (incomplete count)
- 38 Starlings (3 groups)
- 6 Redwings
- 1 Reed Bunting

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 26 Canada Geese
- 8 (6♂) Gadwall
- 1 (1♂) Teal
- 9 (5♂) Mallard
- 12 (10♂) Pochard
- 61 (40♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 12 Great Crested Grebes
- 22 Moorhens
- 205 Coots
- c.200 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 2 Herring Gulls

Not a bad start to the day

Can you just about make out the bird at the back is a drake Teal? Yes - then have 10 points with this barely adequate record shot.

This is a Grey Wagtail. Males do not have a black throat at this time of year. Here the throat is quite white and the breast rather yellow suggesting this is an older bird.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash: 09:42 – 10:08
Location

(107th visit of the year)

Notes
- a few more geese today, but last winter’s large numbers show no sign of being repeated
- the over flying Fieldfare were a late addition to my site year-list
- a distant Mistle Thrush in song – probably the same as heard at the lake

Birds noted flying over
- 2 Fieldfare

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 9 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 31 (20♂) Mallard
- 37 (22♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Moorhen
- 16 Coots
- 33 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2006, 2009,  2010, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

5 Gadwall 
2 Teal 
6 Pochard 
94 Tufted Ducks 
10 Goosander
1 Water Rail
229 Coots
2 Fieldfare
85 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Little Grebe 
151 Tufted Ducks 
1 Greater Scaup 
2 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
1 Little Grebe 
1 Shoveler 
1 Pochard 
95 Tufted Duck 
133 Coots 
54 Black-headed Gulls
4 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
7 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool
Iceland Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Mallard x Pintail
c.200 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Gull
110 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
6 Herring Gulls
1 Redwing
4 Fieldfare
5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake

Little Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Water Rail
>3000 Black-headed Gulls
28 Swans
2 Gadwall
52 Pochard
112 Tufted Ducks
287 Coots
10 Redwings 
199 Jackdaws
6 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee lake
31 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
c.2800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
31 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
18 Pied Wagtails
2 Redpolls
7 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

19 Dec 15

Priorslee Lake: 07:02 – 09:42
Location

Plus a postscript for c.14:00

Telford sunrise: 08:18

13.0°C throughout. Cloudy with spells of light rain / drizzle; fresh S wind. Moderate visibility, poor at times

(155th visit of the year)

A difficult day with wet optics and very dull conditions

Notes
- the / a Little Grebe in the NW area today: for weeks the birds logged have generally been at the E end of the N shore
- 2 Grey Herons seen disputing territory well before light; soon after a bird was seen flying in from the N and this may or may not have been another individual. Whatever, after it was properly light only 1 bird noted
- 1 Starling left the NW reeds a few minutes after 3 birds flew out of the W end
- Cetti’s Warbler gave just a single alarm call this morning
- most of the Pied Wagtails flying over were at the W end and were not from any roost in the M54 services
- I suspect that most of the Greenfinches I have recently been recording as ‘flying over’ are coming out of a roost at the E end of the Priorslee Estate. However as I can only realistically visit this area on non-school days (wandering around close to the Academy with binoculars and a camera seems unwise in this day and age) I will continue to record them as flying over
and
- no moths on the lamps

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull
- c.340 Jackdaws
- 4 Rooks
- 10 Pied Wagtails
- 10 Greenfinches (see notes)
- 2 Siskins

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 55 Magpies
- 4 Starlings (2 groups)
- 1 Redwing
- 6 Reed Buntings again

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (6♂) Gadwall
- 10 (5♂) Mallard
- 9 (9♂) Pochard
- 71 (44♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 2, perhaps 3, Grey Herons
- 1 Little Grebe
- 10 Great Crested Grebes
- 18 Moorhens
- ** Coots (not counted)
- c.275 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull

As a post-script to this I stopped off while passing at c.14:00 and noted
- 13 (11♂) Pochard now
- 24 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls
Nothing else was counted

Notes:
- the Little Grebe seemed to be back at its usual haunt
- 3 of the Herring Gulls had ‘dark(er)’ backs than normal: one I judged within the normal variation of the northern population from Scandinavia. Neither of the others had the ‘clean’ look of a Yellow-legged Gull but in the still poor conditions I was unable to get more than record shots that don’t really allow further investigation

More evidence of strange behaviour during the current warm spell. This pair of flies are mating on the Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium). Not sure what the flies are – they look rather like Yellow Dung-flies though the female of that species is supposed to be grey. My literature does not give any flies as on the wing in December, just the common Winter Midges.

These flowers look to me rather like Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) though illustration show yellow centres. Perhaps an effect of flowers out of season when they cannot develop properly? Not sharp I am afraid in the poor light.

This equally un-sharp photo of the feathery leaves supports the identification later visit.

Here we see a Herring-type Gull alongside Black-headed Gulls. A classic Herring Gull would have the same tone to the mantle as the Black-heads: this is significantly darker and I would judge too dark to be ‘just’ a Scandinavian race Herring Gull (argentatus). A classic winter adult Yellow-legged Gull would show a head with no (or almost no) head-streaking. Also rather strange is only two white ‘spots’ in the folded primaries – there are normally four [but note the difference in the apparent tone of the Black-heads depending upon the angle].

And here is another example of how difficult it is to judge the true tone: The two large gulls here look quite different in tone, but ...

... here they look almost the same and if there is a difference it is the other bird that looks darker. Gulls: don’t you just love them.

(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in 2005, 2006, 2009,  2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014
2014
Priorslee Lake

Today's Report Here
(Ed Wilson)


2013
Priorslee Lake

3 Gadwall 
7 Pochard
80 Tufted Ducks
231 Coots
268 Black-headed Gulls
8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
11 Herring Gulls
27 Fieldfare
103 Redwings
356 Jackdaws
251 Rooks
2 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)


2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall
11 Pochard
44 Tufted Ducks
180 Coots
1 Great Black-backed Gull
2 Redwings
17 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 adult Yellow legged Gull
5 Great Black-backed Gull
10 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

Holmer Lake
14 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

2009
Priorslee Lake

Black necked Grebe
7 Great Crested Grebes 
45 Pochard
130 Tufted Duck
302 Coot
>3500 gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
20 Swans
1 Water Rail
15 Lapwing
15 Herring Gulls
5 Redwings
c.20 Goldfinches
7 Siskins
(Ed Wilson/ John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee lake
31 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
c.2800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
31 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
18 Pied Wagtails
2 Redpoll
7 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

2005
Priorslee Lake

c.400 Black-headed Gulls
150 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
9 Pochard
16 Tufted Duck
200 Coot
1 Water Rail
15 Pied Wagtails
243 Rooks
532 Jackdaw 532
Redwing with a full-blown song
31 Siskins
2 Redpoll
16 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)