Map
Telford sunrise: 5:36am
10.5°C > 14.5°C Light drizzle from very low cloud soon stopped with clouds lifting and breaking but very little blue / sun. Light SSE W veered WSW. Moderate visibility becoming very good.
Later visit to avoid the rain and see whether the E winds had brought anything in: seems not.
(44th visit of the year)
Notes
- 2 Oystercatchers on the SW grass again.
- at least 2 Common Sandpipers
- no juveniles Coots seen this morning: probably being brooded due to the wet weather.
- several small groups of Sand Martins flew through before some stayed, after which numbers built up to >40 again. 3 Swifts joined them. The lone Swallow flew through.
- just one singing Willow Warbler today.
- 2 Sedge Warblers again in song this morning: both were in different locations from previous days.
and
- my first Grey Squirrel of the year here: cannot believe they are only now emerging from hibernation: elsewhere they seem to be active on all but the coldest days throughout the winter.
My later visit means that the counts are not directly comparable but are given for completeness.
Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Feral Pigeons
- 6 Jackdaws
- 4 Rooks
- 2 Ravens
Count of hirundines etc
- 3 Swifts
- >50 Sand Martins
- 1 Swallow
Later visit to avoid the rain and see whether the E winds had brought anything in: seems not.
(44th visit of the year)
Notes
- 2 Oystercatchers on the SW grass again.
- at least 2 Common Sandpipers
- no juveniles Coots seen this morning: probably being brooded due to the wet weather.
- several small groups of Sand Martins flew through before some stayed, after which numbers built up to >40 again. 3 Swifts joined them. The lone Swallow flew through.
- just one singing Willow Warbler today.
- 2 Sedge Warblers again in song this morning: both were in different locations from previous days.
and
- my first Grey Squirrel of the year here: cannot believe they are only now emerging from hibernation: elsewhere they seem to be active on all but the coldest days throughout the winter.
My later visit means that the counts are not directly comparable but are given for completeness.
Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Feral Pigeons
- 6 Jackdaws
- 4 Rooks
- 2 Ravens
Count of hirundines etc
- 3 Swifts
- >50 Sand Martins
- 1 Swallow
Count of singing warblers
- 8 Chiffchaffs
- 1 Willow Warbler
- 12 Blackcaps
- 1 Garden Warbler
- 3 Common Whitethroats
- 2 Sedge Warblers
- 4 Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- 5 (3♂) Mallard again
- 1 Cormorant (seen on my 2nd visit)
- 2 Oystercatchers again: flew off
- 2 Common Sandpipers
- 1 Grey Heron
- 8 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 35 Coots
Plants are beginning to grow at speed now and here is one of the Spring umbellifers about to begin flowering. This is the most common umbellifer at this time of year – Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris).
(Ed Wilson)
- 8 Chiffchaffs
- 1 Willow Warbler
- 12 Blackcaps
- 1 Garden Warbler
- 3 Common Whitethroats
- 2 Sedge Warblers
- 4 Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- 5 (3♂) Mallard again
- 1 Cormorant (seen on my 2nd visit)
- 2 Oystercatchers again: flew off
- 2 Common Sandpipers
- 1 Grey Heron
- 8 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 35 Coots
The pair of Oystercatchers at the lake this morning with one bird preening.
Now which way was that noise? They always seem to look slightly worried.
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Nedge Hill: 10:25am - 11:25am
Map
(1st visit of the year)
Since my last visit things have changed somewhat. There are now ‘Private’ signs restricting access to some of the fields. Several fields that were once fallow are now being farmed. Many fields contain just maize stubble from last year. And some of the hedges have been severely flailed.
Generally a disappointing visit, with no obvious migrants present
Notes
- 2 Canada Geese in one of the fields to the SW
- a pair of Mallard in one of the wet areas
- no Woodpeckers seen or heard
- no Willow Warblers either
- and no Yellowhammers
and
- several Rabbits including small juveniles – known as kits or kittens
- many St Mark’s Flies: these are small black flies that stay around head height and have legs trailing (St. Mark’s Day is 25 April when these flies typically emerge)
Counts of birds flying over
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Stock Doves
- 1 Feral Pigeon
Count of singing warblers
- 5 Chiffchaffs
- 2 Blackcaps
- 2 Common Whitethroats
Of the specialities of this location
- 3 Lapwings
- 3 Sky Larks
- 4 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day in 2006, 2010, 2012 and 2013
2013Nedge Hill - Map
7 Wheatear
2 Fieldfare
(John Isherwood)
Wrekin - Map
2 Wood Warbler
2 Tree Pipit
Pied Flycatchers
Common Redstarts
(Jim Almond)
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2012Nedge Hill - Map
4 Wheatear
Hobby
(Martin Grant / Arthur Harper)
------------------------------
2010
Nedge Hill - Map
20 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
Priorslee Lake - Map
2 Common Sandpipers
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Ed Wilson)
20 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
------------------------------
2006Priorslee Lake - Map
2 Common Sandpipers
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Ed Wilson)