Priorslee Lake: 04:50 – 06:15 // 07:05 – 09:15
[Woodhouse Lane: 08:15 – 08:50]
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:00
6.0°C > 10.0°C: Clear early with mist; then thin low cloud – lifted mist; later more general cloud. Light SE wind increasing. Very good visibility
Sunrise: 05:48 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:50 – 06:15 // 07:05 – 09:15
(111th visit of the year)
Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
85 Whimbrel
three birds seen flying SW over at 07:05. My only previous sighting here was many years ago before my accessible computer began
Other bird notes from today
- a pair of Mallard seen flying over were presumable the pair seen walking along Teece Drive and jumping in to the Wesley Brook later. Thus included in the lake totals
- although I have logged four Stock Doves as over-flying I saw several more flying around the trees in the area and I suspect all these are in fact local birds. I previous years I have noted only one nest site around the lake and another in the farm area of Woodhouse Lane
- I am still recording improbable numbers of Blackcaps with birds noted most days singing from ‘new’ locations. What is going on?
- now three singing Garden Warblers
- a third singing Common Whitethroat confirmed
- a fourth singing Reed Warbler confirmed
- at least two House Sparrows strayed from the estate on to ‘my’ area in the hedge alongside the academy
Bird totals
Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 1 Greylag Goose (from E and circled back))
- 4 Canada Geese (outbound)
- 3 Whimbrel
- 4 Stock Doves
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Jackdaws
Hirundines noted
- >20 Sand Martins
- >3 Barn Swallows
Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 8 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 29 (20) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 Greylag Geese (tow pairs and a single came and went)
- 8 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck again
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Little Grebes
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 14 Coots only
Nothing on the lamp poles pre-dawn
Later
- first Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) in my ‘lake’ recording area
- first Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) I have ever noted inside my ‘lake’ recording area
- Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has taken a bashing from yesterday’s thunderstorms
- Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) visible but no flower as yet
- first rosettes of Common Spotted Orchid (Orchis (Dactylorhiza) fuchsii): no spike or flower as yet
- Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) buds about to open
Probably about half-moon then ...
A clear and slightly misty start. Great luminosity though.
More mist and colour a bit later ...
... Then the dreaded low cloud rolled in...
... And later gave this effect.
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) at the lake – my first at this site.
(Ed Wilson)
Notes from Woodhouse Lane (08:15 – 08:50)
(12th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- Stock Doves probably nesting in copse alongside M-way junction
- now a third singing Common Whitethroat
- single Linnet: good news? its mate on a nest perhaps
and
- first flowers of Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca)
Totals of ‘interesting’ species (singing birds)
- 1 Sparrowhawk carrying prey
- 2 Stock Doves
- 3 (3) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (3) Chaffinches again
- 2 Goldfinch
- 1 (0) Linnet
- 5 (0) Yellowhammers
I know I have done this before but the sunlit sea of yellow contrasting the blue sky cried out to be shown again. Now with more ‘green’ on the trees.
I have shown this before. However this example almost ‘jumped out of the hedgerow’ at me. What a stunning flower – and there are dozens on each plant of Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes from Woodhouse Lane (08:15 – 08:50)
(12th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- Stock Doves probably nesting in copse alongside M-way junction
- now a third singing Common Whitethroat
- single Linnet: good news? its mate on a nest perhaps
and
- first flowers of Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca)
Totals of ‘interesting’ species (singing birds)
- 1 Sparrowhawk carrying prey
- 2 Stock Doves
- 3 (3) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (3) Chaffinches again
- 2 Goldfinch
- 1 (0) Linnet
- 5 (0) Yellowhammers
Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) flowers (and a hitherto unnoticed ant sp.).
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:00
(104th visit of the year)
Notes from here:
- I am sure there are unrecorded Canada Geese inside the island
- pair of Gadwall re-appeared
- single brood of 7 Mallard ducklings
- rather misty across the water. Any attempt at a Coot count would have been inaccurate
Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None
Hirundines noted
None
Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs remain
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler remains
- 5 (3) Blackcaps
The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 16 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 16 (13♂) + 7 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- -- Coots [not counted]
It is many weeks since I photographed a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying here. This display suggests that the current two birds are recent arrivals and still pair-bonding. Wonder what happened to the previous pair? And the odd single seen in the last few weeks.
Not the best of photos but worth noting two things. How can a Wren sit and sing from such a thick wire. And just what is it front of the bird’s eye? Is it another ‘pollen horn’?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:20 – 07:00
(104th visit of the year)
Notes from here:
- I am sure there are unrecorded Canada Geese inside the island
- pair of Gadwall re-appeared
- single brood of 7 Mallard ducklings
- rather misty across the water. Any attempt at a Coot count would have been inaccurate
Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None
Hirundines noted
None
Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs remain
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler remains
- 5 (3) Blackcaps
The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 16 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 16 (13♂) + 7 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- -- Coots [not counted]
I remember when these hair-styles were last in fashion.
(Ed Wilson)
Between the lake and The Flash
No warblers seen or heard in this area
At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush
At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush
- 1 (1) Nuthatch
(Ed Wilson)
Note: A few photos from Belvide on Tuesday. Click Here
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Between the lake and The Flash
No warblers seen or heard in this area
At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush
At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush
- 1 (1) Nuthatch
(Ed Wilson)
Note: A few photos from Belvide on Tuesday. Click Here
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Cranes
(Observer Unknown)
The Wrekin
3 Wood Warbler
(Damon H, Jim A, Yvonne C)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Cormorant
1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpipers
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Wheatear
3 Reed Warblers
12 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
3 Greylag Goose
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose
3 Pochard
7 Tufted Duck
4 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
2 Swallows
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
28 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
6 Tufted Duck
2 Swifts
c.5 Sand Martins
c.30 Swallows
c.40 House Martins
1 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
Sparrowhawk
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
19 Wheatear
Swallows
(Richard Camp)
Long Lane, Wellington
c10 Ringed Plover
c10 Dunlin
Spotted Redshank
(JV Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Swift
12 House Martin
7 Swallow
(Martin Grant)
2011
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatcher
1 Common Redstart
2 Marsh Tit
1 Wood Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Swift
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Reed Warblers
9 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
East of Priorslee Lake
6 Whitethroats
2 Sky Larks
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
7 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
3 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
2 Jays
28 Magpies
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
(Peter Nickless)
Priorslee Flash
1 Cormorant
Swallows
34 Blackbirds
6 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
Lanes to the east of Priorslee Flash
5 Mallard
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
Sky Larks
Blackcaps
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Stock Doves
1 Swift
2 Sand Martins
2 Swallows
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
26 Blackbirds
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
7 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
17 Magpies
1 Raven
7 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings.
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Cranes
(Observer Unknown)
The Wrekin
3 Wood Warbler
(Damon H, Jim A, Yvonne C)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Cormorant
1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpipers
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Wheatear
3 Reed Warblers
12 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
3 Greylag Goose
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose
3 Pochard
7 Tufted Duck
4 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
2 Swallows
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
28 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
6 Tufted Duck
2 Swifts
c.5 Sand Martins
c.30 Swallows
c.40 House Martins
1 Blackcap
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
Sparrowhawk
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
19 Wheatear
Swallows
(Richard Camp)
Long Lane, Wellington
c10 Ringed Plover
c10 Dunlin
Spotted Redshank
(JV Reeves)
2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Swift
12 House Martin
7 Swallow
(Martin Grant)
2011
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatcher
1 Common Redstart
2 Marsh Tit
1 Wood Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Swift
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Reed Warblers
9 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
East of Priorslee Lake
6 Whitethroats
2 Sky Larks
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)
2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
7 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
3 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
2 Jays
28 Magpies
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
(Peter Nickless)
Priorslee Flash
1 Cormorant
Swallows
34 Blackbirds
6 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
Lanes to the east of Priorslee Flash
5 Mallard
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
Sky Larks
Blackcaps
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Stock Doves
1 Swift
2 Sand Martins
2 Swallows
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
26 Blackbirds
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
7 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
17 Magpies
1 Raven
7 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings.
(Ed Wilson)