25 Feb 16

Priorslee Lake: 07:15 – 09:25
Location

Telford sunrise: 07:06

c.1.0°C > 3.0°C. Some areas of cloud but mostly clear skies. Very light NW wind. Good visibility but fog-bank to E for a while

(26th visit of the year)

Just one highlight: a male Pheasant strutted across the grass in front of the sailing club shelter

Notes
- a Stock Dove was seen in the area where I have suspected nesting in both 2014 and 2015. Sadly several limbs have broken off the trees in the winter gales and I am not sure there is any suitable site now
- Sky Lark heard in song over fields to the E: well why not on a sunny morning
- the 11 Starlings were over the estate this morning. Perhaps they have returned to inspect their nest sites. It is unlikely that they will become truly ‘resident’ for some while yet
- 3 Coal Tits were seen having a right scrap, chasing each other around. At least one other bird singing
- 2 Reed Buntings singing again this morning, one from the W end; the other was along the S side today
also
- 2 Dotted Border moths on the lamps this morning

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 10 Canada Geese (3 groups)
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull again
- >120 Wood Pigeons over fields to the E
- 16 Jackdaws
- 18 Rooks
- 11 Starlings
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 2 Greenfinches
- Goldfinches
- 4 Siskins

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Gadwall
- 2 (1♂) Mallard still
- 1 (1♂) Pochard only
- 12 (9♂) Tufted Ducks
- 5 Cormorants
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 1 Little Grebe
- 13 Great Crested Grebes
- 21 Moorhens again
- 68 Coots
- 28 Black-headed Gulls

Male Greenfinch in the yellow early light.

A Dunnock (Hedge Sparrow as was) greets the day with a song.

And here is another in better light showing off all its plumage.

A Blue Tit having a real go at this Alder.

A handsome Pheasant runs across the grass.

Mrs. Bullfinch eating the buds.

Mr. Reed Bunting was managing to sing whilst demolishing these Greater Reedmace.

And here he is doing so.

And for a change of diet lets have a go at the Willowherb.

I make no excuse of including another photo of a male Siskin.

... and indeed another.

... and yet another. This bird was feeding on unusually low-hanging branches and in full sun so how could I resist?

Another Dotted Border moth.

As is this very differently-toned specimen.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 09:35 – 09:55
Location

(17th visit of the year)

Of note
- new for me here this year was Greenfinch: plenty at the lake but silent here until today whilst I have been present
- c.6 Siskins still in trees to SW

Birds noted flying over
- 1 Siskin again!

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 14 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 24 (16♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Pochard
- 28 (15♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 10 Coots only
- 13 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
8 Pochard 
5 Tufted Duck
5 Cormorant
1 Kittiwake
1 Great Black-backed Gull.
1 Iceland Gull
1 Caspian Gull
23 Redwings
c.800 Jackdaws
 >300 Rooks
 9 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, J.Reeves, P.Jordan, John Isherwood, Gary Crowder)

The Flash
1 Little Grebe
215 Tufted Ducks
2 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
11 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Telford Crematorium
Cackling Goose
300 Lesser Black-backed Gull
c.20 Herring Gull
500 Black-headed Gull 
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Gary Crowder)

Nedge Hill
1 Stonechat
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
25 Wigeon
4 Gadwall
17 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
Greater Scaup
50 Tufted Duck
12 Pochard
(Jim Shannon)

2012
Priorslee Lake

5 Redpoll

Priorslee Flash
1 Goosander

Nedge Hill
8 Lapwing
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe 
5 Great Crested Grebes
4 Gadwall
47 Pochard
55 Tufted Duck
c.550 Black-headed Gulls
c. 800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 
56 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
7 Pochard
7 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
2 Kestrel
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Lapwing
3 Grey Wagtail
26 Wren
28 Robin
21 Blackbird
15 Redwing
53 Magpie
14 Greenfinch
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
6 Great Crested Grebes
2 Gadwall
9 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks
5 Cormorants
121 Coot
1 Mediterranean Gull
c.1100 Black-headed Gulls
211 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
33 Herring Gulls.
741 Wood Pigeon
289 Jackdaws
108 Rooks
290 Starlings
21 Reed Bunting
1 Sky Lark
11 Greenfinches
6 Siskins
23 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)