29 Mar 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 7.0°C: Medium-level cloud apart from a sliver of clear sky to the East pre-dawn giving a good sunrise. Very light south-westerly breeze, increasing moderate. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:52 BST

All times now BST

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:05 – 07:25 // 08:35 – 09:55

(72nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- back to six Great Crested Grebes.
- the Great (White) Egret was the first bird I saw in flight today: it arrived at 06:25.
- Sand Martins kept 'appearing' and 'disappearing' again. Eight was my highest count though almost certainly more passing through.
- as yesterday a Willow Warbler was heard singing just once along the North side as I made by first circuit.
- a single Starling seen again.
- a Mistle Thrush was from trees singing alongside and while it was doing so two other birds went chasing down Teece Drive. It is a while since I hears or saw this species in the Teece Drive area: recent sightings have been alongside Teece Drive.
- a pair of Grey Wagtails was seen on the dam-face. It is several weeks since I last saw any here.
- one of three singing(!) Greenfinches was also seen doing its bat-like display flight.
- after singing from several different locations any Reed Bunting have gone quiet. Have they failed to find any mate and moved on? Or are these often quiet birds getting on with breeding?

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 11 Canada Geese: three pairs flew East; one pair and a trio flew West.
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; together
- c.120 Jackdaws: of these c.100 flew past in one very loose formation.
- 5 Rooks
- 1 Siskin

Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese: of these a pair throughout; a pair and a trio arrived
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (7♂) Mallard
- *8 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- *6 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
- *1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Hirundines etc. noted:
- *>8 Sand Martins

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler as usual
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler: see notes
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again

On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:
It had only recently clouded after an earlier frost so just...

Flies etc.:
- *1 unidentified fungus gnat

Of note around the area later:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- several unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only

Plants:
- *Marsh Marigold (aka Kingcups) Caltha palustris

Mainly cloudy but a thin strip of clear sky to the East led to a sunrise worth getting out of bed (early). These landscape format photos come from my Samsung mobile phone.

Colouring up well.

Maximum colour – and I toned this down!

This is what my "big camera" made of the early sunrise.

Maximum colour.

And now the sun rises.

Four drake and one duck Tufted Duck go for a fly-about. The leading drake has his tuft flying in the breeze.

 And heading back.

A duck leads two drakes, one with tuft flying in the breeze.

Great Crested Grebes displaying early.

A Cormorant tries, reasonably successfully, to hide.

A Sand Martin. Note the breast band.

Another. As I have commented in previous years Sand Martins (and other species of hirundine) only descend low-enough to photograph in poor weather when there is not-enough light for crisp photos.

A Blue Tit posing.

Apologies: I included this to show that the throat of female Grey Wagtails is (usually) pale whereas...

...the male has dark in the throat.

Here he hides his throat but shows his long tail. This species has a longer tail than Pied Wagtail and it is pumped more vigorously.

This insect on a street lamp pole pre-dawn has many of the hallmarks of a fungus gnat. The hairs sticking out of the abdomen are a puzzle as I cannot match them with any photos on NatureSpot.

Just one flower of Marsh Marigolds, (or Kingcups) Caltha palustris was showing this morning. Almost tow weeks earlier than last year though it may take some days for a significant number of flowers to appear.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:

Flies:
- *1 male small plumed midge

Arthropods:
- *1 Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus

Spiders:
- *1 unidentified small spider

A male of the smaller (and unidentified) midge species.

Compare with this large male of the plumed midge Chironomus plumosus [this was actually taken at The Flash].

A Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede Cylindroiulus punctatus. The banded appearance is the best identification feature of this species.

A small spider I cannot identify. None of the suggestions from Obsidentify or Google Lens check out with photos on NatureSpot. The well-marked legs suggest it is likely one of the Long-jawed Orb-web Spiders of the Metellina group.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:30 – 08:30

(71st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- both Mute Swans noted though never together.
- the recent (Common) Teal were not seen.
- one Siskin at least still in the area.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:

None

Noted on / around the water:
- 31 Canada Geese: of these a trio arrived.
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 25 (22♂) Mallard
- 13 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- more male and female plumed midges Chironomus plumosus

A Blue Tit here as well.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
31 Tufted Duck
3 Redwings
5 Sand Martins
7 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
49 Tufted Ducks
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
Iceland Gull
(John Isherwood and et al)

The Flash
1 Shoveler
2 Pochard
(John Isherwood)

Horsehay Pool
2 Mandarin Ducks
(Paul Spear)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
16 Tufted Duck
2 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
47 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Red-legged Partridges
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
Sand Martins
7 Gadwall
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
6 Skylarks
1 Fieldfare
3 Redwings
Lapwing
Green Woodpecker
14 Linnets.
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
Barn Owl
25 Sand Martins
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
47 Redwings
4 Meadow Pipits
12 Tufted Duck
4 Jays
433 Wood Pigeons
(Ed Wilson)

28 Mar 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

3.0°C > 8.0°C: Mostly clear skies. Keen westerly wind gusting fresh. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:54 GMT

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:35 – 06:30 // 07:30 – 09:35

(71st visit of the year)

New bird species:
- a Willow Warbler sand once from the North on my first walk around c.06:15. I did not hear it later. My latest date for at least four years.
- a Barn Swallow flew through at c.08:45 with it or another seen at 08:50
My 2026 bird species total now #72.

Other bird notes:
- a pair and a *single Mute Swan visited at separate times and were soon sent on their way.
- yesterday's extra Coots gone again (or sheltering from the wind?)
- now eight Great Crested Grebes.
- at least a dozen Sand Martins 'appeared' high overhead c.08:30 before 'disappearing'. Later four (more? of these?) appeared briefly high overhead.
- a single Starling flew out of the estate: the first I have seen for several weeks and suggesting nesting in the area as usual.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 6 Canada Geese: two pairs flew East; one pair flew West.
- 2 Stock Doves: singles
- 19 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Herring Gulls: first- and second-year together

Counts from the lake area:
- 13 Canada Geese: of these a pair throughout; a pair departed and three pairs and a trio arrived
- 4 Greylag Geese: throughout
- *5 Mute Swans: a pair and a single visited briefly
- 12 (9♂) Mallard
- 21 (13♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 23 Coots
- 8 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
- no Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Hirundines etc. noted:
- >12 Sand Martins
- 1 or 2 Barn Swallows

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- *13 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

On the West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:

Nothing noted in chilly breezy conditions

Of note around the area later:

Bees, wasps etc.:
- *1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
- many other unidentified bumblebees seen in flight only

Flies:
- *Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria
- many other unidentified flies sunning on the street lamp poles

Clear skies do not make for interesting sunrises.

A lone Mute Swan tries its luck.

Leaving so soon? It is clear this bird is unringed. My view was blocked by trees when a pair were similarly quickly seen off.

One of the local Common Buzzards...

 ...unpopular with the local Carrion Crows that always....

 ...try and persuade the buzzard to go elsewhere. Crows are more agile in flight and can usually avoid the buzzards' talons.

I am not sure what this Long-tailed Tit is doing. Are there insects in the buds? Is it after the sticky covering of the leaf-sheath to take away to bind its nest? Or is in drinking moisture?

This does not make it any clearer!

Another in the group looks on.

A Long-tailed Tit from a different family group.

One peering at me between branches.

Wings? What are they?

One of the thirteen Chiffchaffs I heard singing. When they start nesting I hope some will descend from the tree-tops for better photos.

Just to prove it is not only The Flash that has friendly Robins.

A Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris get stuck in to the flowers of Blackthorn Prunus spinosa. One of many other bumblebees seen in flight only and these hence unidentified.

A good view of the tail showing the thin line of colour between the white of the tail and the black of the lower abdomen.

Spectacularly ugly and hairy! A male Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:35 – 07:25

(70th visit of the year)

New bird species:
A Skylark flew over heading West in full song. I cannot recall hearing a Skylark in song here before. Usually I hear their flight calls as they move between breeding sites and wintering areas. Also they are more often heard in Autumn. Bird species #58 here for 2026.

Other bird notes:
- I only confirmed one Mute Swan. The vegetation on the island is greening up and it is quite likely the other bird was on the nest and not visible from where I was looking.
- a pair of (Common) Teal was chased by a Coot from underneath overhanging vegetation at the top end.
- the recent low counts of Moorhens is likely due to nesting birds hiding away.
- back to two Great Crested Grebes with one in close attendance of the other sitting on the nesting platform.
- some Siskins remain: at least three at the top end and four seen near the top of squirrel alley.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Skylark

Noted on / around the water:
- *17 Canada Geese: of these a trio departed. More(?) heard from inside island?
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 1 Mute Swan: see notes
- 20 (17♂) Mallard
- *2 (1♂) (Common) Teal
- 13 (8♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs still
- no Blackcaps

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- more male and female plumed midges Chironomus plumosus

Little and large. The duck (Common) Teal dwarfed by a Canada Goose.

The white at the bend of the wing identifies this as a Wood Pigeon. The lack of a white neck patch must mean this is a juvenile. Wood Pigeons attempt to mate and breed more or less throughout the year though this seems remarkably early for a juvenile to have successfully fledged.

I think this could be described as "feathering your own nest".

I thought the adjacent Long-tailed Tit nest had been destroyed (by the gales) and abandoned. Apparently not.

It must be difficult to see where you are going with a large feather in front.

Splendid!

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
9+ Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Shoveler
30 Tufted Duck
10 Chiffchaffs
5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
51 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Fieldfare
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
7 Meadow Pipits
c.150 Fieldfare
c.30 Starlings
1 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
7 Wigeon
22 Tufted Duck
1 Glaucous Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 hybrid Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Mediterranean Gull
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
4 Herring Gulls.
(Tom Lowe, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
2 Lapwing
(Martin Grant)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull.
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
10 Chiffchaffs singing
4 Blackcaps singing
1 Skylark
1 Willow Tit
1 Raven flew over
3 Great Crested Grebes
11 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
38 Tufted Duck
5 Chiffchaffs singing
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
6 Gadwall
c.15 Tufted Duck
1 Fieldfare
11 Linnets
5 Chiffchaffs
c.40 Sand Martins
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
30 Tufted Ducks
Siskins
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
10 Meadow Pipits
Linnets
Skylarks
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
14 Tufted Ducks
3 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kittiwake
242 Wood Pigeons
4 Stock Doves
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
3 Meadow Pipits
3 Grey Wagtails
9 Pied Wagtails
26 Wrens
3 Fieldfare
94 Redwings
2 Swallow
13 Sand Martins
1 Blackcap
1 Willow Warbler
7 Chiffchaffs
18 Magpies
4 Jays
127 Jackdaws
13 Greenfinches
7 Siskins
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

27 Mar 26

The Flash and Priorslee Balancing Lake

9.0°C > 10.0°C: Overcast after earlier rain. Light rain / drizzle after 11:30. Moderate south-westerly wind. Very good visibility but moderate at best when drizzle set in.

[Sunrise: 05:56 GMT]

* = a species photographed today
$ = a new species for me in this area

Another late start avoiding the early heavy rain.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 10:25 – 11:40

(70th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- where have the extra Coots come from?

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: pair flew North
- 1 Great (White) Egret: flew West (the semi-resident present)

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 11 (7♂) Mallard
- *21 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 39 Coots
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- no gulls
- 2 Cormorants
- no Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
NB: numbers are not strictly comparable with those of my early visits. Many warblers are particular vociferous around and soon after dawn.
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 9 (9) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- *very many unidentified midges

Fungus:
- *Glistening Inkcap Coprinellus micaceus

A pair of Tufted Duck. It is unusual to be able to approach this species here. Note the wave breaking against the duck's breast. A few more Tufties here today - but fewer at The Flash. Any connection? Most, though not necessarily all at The Flash, will soon be off to their northern breeding grounds.

About this time each year I lament the tardy arrival of the migrants that will hoover up many of the midges buzzing around my head.

Three of them more or less in focus. Note they seem to fly with their front legs curled under.

This is the third time this year I have found fresh Glistening Inkcap fungus Coprinellus micaceus in a very similar area along the North side. Something is rotting underneath!

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:15

(69th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- on my third viewing of the eastern edge of the island I noted a drake (Common) Teal. Was there a duck lurking nearby? Have they been hiding since I last noted them three days ago?
- a few Siskins remain: at least one heard at the top end and three seen near the top of squirrel alley.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:

None

Noted on / around the water:
- 18 Canada Geese
- 7 Greylag Geese: of these a trio departed together
- 2 Mute Swans
- 22 (16♂) Mallard
- *1 (1♂) (Common) Teal
- 16 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 26 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- no gulls

Warblers noted (the number in brackets refers to birds singing):
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs yet again
- no Blackcaps again

Of note around the area:

Flies:
- more male and female plumed midges Chironomus plumosus
- *unidentified midge

Springtails:
- *1 possible Entomobrya intermedia
- 1 unidentified globular springtail

Just about visible with his head underwater is the drake (Common) Teal lurking beside the island.

I am still nowhere near being able to identify this, presumed female, midge with thicker than usual antennae.

A helpful springtail against the plain white background of an identification label on a street lamp pole. It does not mean I can identify it. The pattern on the abdomen is a good match for Entomobrya intermedia which NatureSpot notes as "2mm, sometimes larger". This was certainly larger than 2mm, at least 5mm I would judge.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebes
5+ Cormorants
31 Tufted Duck
1 Kittiwake
7 Fieldfare
6 Chiffchaffs
c.230 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Cackling Goose
2 Teal
49 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
7 Great Crested Grebes
7 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
1 Pochard
34 Tufted Ducks
c.500 Black-headed Gulls
7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
31 Herring Gulls
1 Common Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
5 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Pochard
62 Tufted Duck
Steppe Gull?
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
26 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Cormorants
2 Goosander
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Dunlin
1 Raven
(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
2 Shoveler
1 Willow Warbler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
4 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
16 Fieldfares
1 Willow Warbler
4 Great Crested Grebe
4 Herons
4 Gadwall
29 Tufted Duck
c.215 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
2 Pochard
27 Tufted Ducks
16 Meadow Pipits
36 Robins
28 Blackbirds
5 Chiffchaffs
1 Redpoll
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Pochard
24 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
127 Wood Pigeon
21 Wrens
3 Fieldfare
3 Redwing
3 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Warblers
8 Sand Martins
22 Siskin
6 Linnets
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam, Martin Grant)