Location
Sunrise: 04:54 BST
10°C > 12°C Cloud at many levels with a few spits of rain early. Some breaks developed later. Light E wind. Moderate visibility and rather hazy
So much for the fine and dry holiday weekend we were promised. It was raining as I left home. The rain soon eased but the rather chilly conditions seemed to stop much in the way of song
(87th visit of the year)
Best this morning was the probable Curlew which flew through my binoculars as I was following the Tufted Ducks that were flying around. It seemed to be leaving the dam area which was at the other end of the lake from me and I only had a split second view before I was blocked by trees. It did not call. A strange date: birds should be on territory by now and failed breeders probably have time to try again – I reckon June 15 as about the first date for returning birds
There is just the possibility that it could have been a Whimbrel but I think not. In the brief view the bill seemed curved rather than kinked down. And Whimbrel are usually very noisy calling as they fly
Other notes
- some of the Jackdaws and Rooks were in small groups of 3 / 4 suggesting family parties on feeding forays
- one of the Swallows was seen heading off E over the fields – normally the birds at the lake come from the area of Priorslee Village to the W. That said, while I was in Woodhouse Lane yesterday perhaps the same birds flew E over head
- the Cetti’s Warbler sang from the NW area again, but then worked all the way along the N side to the far NE corner. Perhaps it has given up trying to attract a mate and goes off looking for one?
And
Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls as well
- 10 Feral Pigeons (4 groups)
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 41 Jackdaws
- 73 Rooks
Hirundine etc. approximate maxima
- >25 Common Swifts again
- 3 Barn Swallow
- 6 House Martins
Warblers seen / heard around the lake: numbers in brackets are singing birds
- 1 (1) Cetti’s Warbler
- 7 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 7 (5) Blackcaps
- 9 (9) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 11 (9♂) + 2 (1 brood) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 4 Great Crested Grebes only
- 3 Moorhens
- 15 + 1 juvenile Coots
- 1 Curlew (see above)
First chance I have had to get close to a Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus) without getting my feet wet!
Deep throat (if you are under 50 you may not understand ...)
A bank of Ramsons (Allium ursinium) growing alongside the Wesley Brook.
Closer-up showing the flower-heads now open.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:55 – 07:15
Location
(52nd visit of the year)
Notes
- just Canada Geese present today
- no sign of either Great Crested Grebe this morning
- a lone House Martin was the only hirundines etc. seen
Birds noted flying over
None
Hirundines etc. seen here today
- 1 House Martin
Warblers seen / heard around the water: numbers in brackets are singing birds
The now usual trio
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 1 (1) Blackcap
The counts from the water
- 2 + 6 Mute Swans
- 27 Canada Geese
- 1 all white feral-goose
- 23 (17♂) Mallard
- 2 Moorhens
- 14 Coots
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day in ...........
2015Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2007
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Martin Adlam)