Location
Telford sunrise: 07:33
c.1.0C > 2.5C. Clearing after sleety rain shower; soon low cloud and Telford ‘hat’ returned. Light E wind. Moderate visibility, even poor at times
(19th visit of the year)
Other notes
- 4 of the Canada Geese (2 parties) were after 09:00 – all the others over before 07:30
- Water Rail flushed. Not heard – I suspect that this species mainly calls when another bird is present and that is why I have not heard any recently. Several years ago when a lone bird was using a ditch in the NE corner I never heard it call whereas in the NW reeds where there were at least two birds they were quite vocal
- in addition to c.100 Wood Pigeon flushed from trees on NE side of the Castle Farm Way junction parties of 13 and 23 birds were noted flying high N as if moving somewhere
- 5 Starlings left the NW reeds in a very scattered group; a lone bird flew after them a minute or so later. Much later a single bird flew S overhead
- 9 Song Thrushes apparently in song. As yet song is rather intermittent and it is just possible I am double counting bird(s) that are still rather mobile
- Chaffinch in rather desultory song, briefly. My first song from this species this year (but see The Flash: one singing there as well)
- no fewer than 9 Bullfinches seen today – as 4 pairs and a single. Two of the pairs were, as they usually are at this time of year, seen eating hawthorn buds
- Reed Bunting singing again: another heard calling
also
- a Pale Brindled Beauty moth on one of the lamps (the previous specimen here this year was seen dead trapped in a spider’s web)
Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 15 Greylag Geese (2 groups)
- 21 Canada Goose (7 groups)
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Feral Pigeon
- 1 Stock Dove
- c.135 Wood Pigeons
- 72 Jackdaws
- 13 Rooks
- 1 Starling
- 3 Greenfinches
- 4 Siskins
Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake
- 7 Starlings (2 groups)
The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall again
- [no Mallard]
- 18 (16♂) Pochard
- 15 (6♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron yet again
- Little Grebe heard only
- 16 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Water Rail
- 16 Moorhens
- 69 Coots
- 52 Black-headed Gulls
Pale Brindled Beauty moth
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:00
Location
13th visit of the year)
Of note
- Great Spotted Woodpecker calling (no drumming heard yet)
- Mistle Thrush in song: not the usual bird singing between the lake and The Flash and audible from both locations. This was new for me at this site this year
- 1 Song Thrush in song
- 2 Kingfishers: one disappeared behind overhanging bushes where there is a bank: could it be thinking of nesting?
- 1 Chaffinch in song here as well
- 7 Siskins in the Alders but very flighty
Birds noted flying over
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 34 (22♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Pochard
- 76 (46♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 16 Coots
- 19 Black-headed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day in 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015
2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
1 Mediterranean Gull
(Observer Unknown)
2013
St Georges
5 Waxwings
(Observer Unknown)
Horsehay Pool
1 Caspian Gull
(Jim Almond)
2009
Priorslee Lake
2 Iceland Gulls
( Pete Jordan)
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
1 Mediterranean Gull
(Observer Unknown)
2013
St Georges
5 Waxwings
(Observer Unknown)
Horsehay Pool
1 Caspian Gull
(Jim Almond)
2009
Priorslee Lake
2 Iceland Gulls
( Pete Jordan)