31 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake
Location

Morning Update: 07:00

1 Cetti's Warbler - singing form NW reedbed
2 Little Ringed Plover
4 Gadwall
1 Kingfisher

(John Isherwood)

Morning Report:  07:15 – 10:00

Sunrise: 06:44 BST

c.1°C > c.7°C: Another frosty start. Scattered low stratus. Light W wind. Very good visibility

(51st visit of the year)

Other notes
- the 4 Gadwall comprised 3 drakes and 1 duck today – so now a duck is missing!
- another good count of Tufted Duck
- the Black-headed Gull was again on the ground in the old Celestica grounds – these are so flooded at the moment it might even think about breeding here. Will need more than one bird though
- the Cetti’s Warbler heard again. It was reported to me in the NW area first thing but was singing from the main N side reed bed when I heard it later. I doubt there are two birds
- only 1 Pied Wagtail on the dam-top today: no doubt the presence of fishermen dissuaded them
- the total of 14 Meadow Pipits included fly-overs while I was in Woodhouse Lane – they were headed toward the lake anyway. Two more were flushed out of the field alongside Woodhouse. (and several more were heard while I was walking to and from my bus-stop)
and
- 2 March moths on the same lamp along the W end

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Greylag Geese (1 group)
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 12 Wood Pigeons
- 7 Jackdaws
- 8 Rooks
- 1 Redwing
- 2 Starlings again
- 2 Pied Wagtail
- 14 Meadow Pipits (but see notes)
- 2 Linnets
- 2 Greenfinches
- 2 Goldfinch
- 4 Siskins

Hirundine totals
- 12 Sand Martins

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler again
- 7 Chiffchaffs again

The counts from the lake area
- 1 Mute Swan (see notes)
- 4 Canada Geese (left as 2 groups)
- 4 (3♂) Gadwall
- 3 (2♂) Mallard again
- 31 (19♂) Tufted Ducks
- 13 Great Crested Grebes
- 17 Moorhens again
- 57 Coots
- 1 Black-headed Gull

(Ed Wilson)

Not strictly around the lake area but an impressive sunrise over Priorslee.

a female Bullfinch

One of this morning’s March Moths: resting with one of the underwings showing.

Alongside Woodhouse Lane this morning

(Ed Wilson)

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Woodhouse Lane: 08:30 – 09:00

Some notes

A full walk along the lane and back across the field adjacent to the Wesley Brook failed to turn up anything of note other than the Meadow Pipits – see under main log above. In particular no Linnets or Yellowhammers were seen or heard

Some numbers
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming
- 2 Sky Larks in song
- 4 Song Thrushes in song
- 2 Chiffchaffs in song
- 2 Meadow Pipits flushed from the field (in addition to the fly-overs)

(Ed Wilson)

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Devil's Dingle: 08:30
Location

2 Oystercatchers
2 Snipe

(John Isherwood)

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On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

4 Great Crested Grebes

3 Cormorants

1 Grey Heron

15 Tufted Duck

3 Blackcaps

7 Chiffchaffs

139 Jackdaws

5 Redwings

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes

1 Cackling Goose

47 Tufted Ducks

1 Blackcap

4 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin

Mallard

Coot

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Green Woodpecker

Meadow Pipit

Blackcap

Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Marsh Tit

Treecreeper

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Linnet

Bullfinch.

(Ed Wilson)

2012

Nedge Hill

1 Wheatear

c.100 Fieldfare

(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Lake

c.15 Sand Martin

1 House Martin

Green Woodpecker

2 Brambling

2 Linnets

2 Redpolls

3 Great Crested Grebes 

15 Tufted Duck

6 Blackcaps

12 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

2 Great Crested Grebes 

1 Heron 

6 Greylag Geese

48 Tufted Duck 

3 Blackcaps

1 Willow Warbler

8 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
8 Chiffchaffs

2 Willow Warbler

1 Blackcap

(Martin Grant) 

2008
Priorslee Lake

3 Blackcaps

5 Chiffchaffs

7 Redwing- 1 singing

33 Tufted Duck

7 Gadwall

(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

16 Tufted Duck

1 Peregrine Falcon

7 Sand Martin

2 Swallow

7 Redwing

6 Chiffchaff

2 Willow Tit

2 Reed Bunting

(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Flash
Shoveler
4 Snipe
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
6 Great Crested Grebes
10 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
183 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
19 Sand Martins
1 Kestrel
3 Buzzards
4 Jays
2 Stock Doves
270 Wood Pigeons
1 Sky Lark
3 Meadow Pipits
3 Grey Wagtails
15 Robins
20 Blackbirds
5 Fieldfare
13 Redwings
2 Willow Warblers
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Tits
8 Greenfinches
5 Siskins
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

30 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake:  07:15 – 09:25
Location

Sunrise: 06:46 BST

c.1°C > c.6°C: Frosty start. Clear with just a few puffy clouds developing. Light SW wind. Very good visibility

(50th visit of the year)

Clear weather not the best for viewing passing birds; and not good for migrants either as they tend to pass straight over.

Other notes
- still only 1 Swan noted
- both pairs of Gadwall with no sign of the ‘extra’ drake today
- first sighting of Heron for over a week
- the Willow Tit again calling at the W end when I arrived
- hard to be certain of Chiffchaff numbers as birds rather mobile and some might have been counted twice: still migrants and no territory held a yet (a very short visit to the sluice area across Castle Farm Way produced my first non-signing bird, presumably a female)
- 2 Redwings in the trees: getting rather late for these
- 4 Pied Wagtails on the dam-top. Probably migrants and always worth checking for the grey-rumped and paler Continental race (sometimes ‘White Wagtail’): none today
- lots of Siskins heard over but difficult to see in the clear conditions; some heard in the trees but these equally elusive

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 4 Canada Geese (2 groups)
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 4 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 16 Wood Pigeons
- 15 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook
- 2 Starlings
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 1 Goldfinch again
- 8+ Siskins

Hirundine totals
- none in clear weather

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler still
- 7 Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 1 Mute Swan (see notes)
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall
- 4 (3♂) Mallard again
- 25 (16♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron
- 11 Great Crested Grebes again
- 17 Moorhens
- 63 Coots
- no gulls

The Willow Tit was at the W end again this morning. No apologies for returning to it as today it was in the sun.

Here the pale panel in the wing of Willow Tit can be clearly seen. It is not always this obvious, not least because you are frequently looking up at this bird.

A tranquil scene: his mate seems to be on the nest at the moment.

It was the mist that wasn’t flat – honest!

The first leaves of Spring.

(Ed Wilson)
    

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Priorslee Flash: 09:35 – 09:55
Location

(33rd visit of the year)

Notes
- the other Swan probably, as at the lake, on / visiting the nest site
- 3 Cormorants resting at the edge of the island
- perhaps the missing Great Crested Grebe also on nest
- first Chiffchaff of the year here

The only birds noted flying over
- 2 Buzzard
- 11 Feral Pigeons

Singing warblers around the water
- 1 Chiffchaff

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan
- 26 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 8 (6♂) Mallard
- 25 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Moorhen
- 11 Coots only
- 1 Black-headed Gull

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in .....................

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing
1 Blackcap
7 Chiffchaffs
197 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
42 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Horsehay Pool
Mandarin Ducks
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )

The Flash
46 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
Raven
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Swallow
14 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Great Crested Grebe
1 Dabchick.
1 Grey Heron
20 Redwing
4 Siskins
2 Linnet
9 Greenfinch
4 Reed Bunting
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Willow Tit
(Martin R Adlam)

29 Mar 16

No Sightings in so far today..............................

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On this day in .....................

2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

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 Sky Larks
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 16

No Sightings in today.

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On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 Sky Lark
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
Sky Larks
(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 16

No Sightings in so far today......................

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On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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)

26 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake: 07:15 – 09:30
Location

Sunrise: 05:56

7°C > 9°C: Overcast with mainly light drizzly-rain after 07:45; moderate / fresh S wind; Good visibility, moderate after onset of drizzle

(49th visit of the year)

The poor weather brought the first hirundines of the year for me here. A lone Sand Martin, briefly, at 07:45. Then 4 Sand Martins at 08:15 which increased to c.10. While I was trying to get some record photos of these I heard and then saw at least 2 Barn Swallow. And then the real surprise: a House Martin. This is usually the last of the hirundines to arrive and I have rarely seen this species in March, even when I spent a lot of time in SW England

Other notes
- only 1 Swan noted again
- a pair of the Gadwall seem to have gone
- with the two Black-headed Gulls overhead was, frustratingly, another gull that looked ‘interesting’ but it was too far away before I saw it to enable a positive ID
- in addition to the Wood Pigeons around and over the lake there were at least 150 over the fields to the east
- 2 Kingfishers today
- the Willow Tit was calling at the W end when I arrived: much later I heard what was probably the same bird calling across Castle Farm Way in the sluice exit area. I doubt there are two calling birds here
- 2 Lesser Redpolls again, feeding on dead Willowherb heads along the S side
and
- 1 of yesterday’s March Moths in the same place on the same lamp
- several bumble bee sp. flying around despite the dull and cool conditions: not seen well-enough to identify

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 7 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 8 Starlings
- 1 Redwing
- 1 Goldfinch
- 5 Siskins

Hirundine totals
- c.10 Sand Martins
- 2 Barn Swallows
- 1 House Martin

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler still
- 5 Chiffchaffs again

The counts from the lake area
- 1 Mute Swan (see notes)
- 3 (2♂) Gadwall
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 19 (12♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant briefly again
- 11 Great Crested Grebes
- 14 Moorhens
- 60 Coots
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 20 Herring Gulls

This is the first of a number of shots of this morning’s hirundines. With low light-levels and fast-moving and erratic flight from the birds chasing insects much credit goes to Canon for getting the auto-focus locked-in on a surprising number of occasions. Many more shots went straight in the bin of course, but to do so costs almost nothing with digital photography. Here we see the underside of a Sand Martin. In the field I find the dark collar almost impossible to see.

This view shows the dark collar to better effect.

This upper side view shows Sand Martin to be all brown above, with no spots in the short tail, here spread as it changes direction (Barn Swallows look blue-black on the mantle and wings while House Martins look black, though also gloss blue in good light).

Here is the upper side of a Barn Swallow. The row of white dots is often conspicuous in flight as the bird twists and turns after insects (an upper side view of another Sand Martin behind; with another Sand Martin doing its ‘bullet’ impression behind that).

The underside of a Barn Swallow. The throat area is all-dark (c.f. the Sand Martin’s collar). But the long tail-feathers distinguish this species.

This is the only shot I managed of the House Martin. The only feature that identifies here is the white that wraps right around the tail end on to the rump.

A Lesser Redpoll on dead Willowherb stems. This seems to be a female.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
13 Cormorants
4 Greylag Geese
22 Tufted Duck
5 Sand Martins
6 Redwings
8 Chiffchaffs
>500 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
50 Tufted Ducks
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
6 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
7 Wigeon 
2 Gadwall 
1 Pochard 
42 Tufted Ducks 
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Mediterranean Gull.
Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull.
>1500 Black-headed Gulls
2 Redwings
65 Magpies
25 Siskins
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes 
6 Swans
2 Pochard 
85 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
3 Buzzards
1 Little Grebe 
5 Great Crested Grebe
4 Gadwall
36 Tufted Duck
c.160 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe 
3 Greylag Geese 
32 Tufted Duck

Trench
1 Cormorant
43 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
Little Ringed Plover
1 Cormorant
1 Mallard x Pintail
18 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Little Ringed Plover
1 Kittiwake
33 Wren
29 Robin
24 Blackbird
3 Chiffchaff
39 Magpie
3 Greenfinch
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
8 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
27 Tufted Duck
1 Snipe
3 Chiffchaff
2 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Barn Owl
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Shoveler
30 Tufted Ducks
2 Water Rails
321 Wood Pigeons
2 Sky Larks
5 Meadow Pipits
33 Wrens
21 Robins
21 Blackbirds
1 Fieldfare
3 Redwings
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
18 Greenfinches
8 Siskins
1 Linnet
6 Reed Buntings
1 Yellowhammer.
(Ed Wilson)

25 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake
Location

Early Morning Sightings: 06:30

1 Cetti's Warbler calling from NE bay
5 Gadwall

(John Isherwood)


Morning Report: 07:15 – 09:25

Sunrise: 05:58

3°C > 10°C: Fine and clear; light W wind; good visibility

(48th visit of the year)

The clear weather meant rather little seen flying over

Notes
- only 1 Swan noted: I am sure the other was on /around the nest area but I did not see it
- the 2 Greylag Geese that flew over were likely the 2 that dropped in for a while later, only to be chased off by the Swan (and likely the 2 at The Flash later still)
- the additional drake Gadwall seems to have gone again
- not sure why fewer Coots today. Certainly some are now hiding on nests in the reeds, but not that many
- the only Black-headed Gull to ‘land’ did indeed unusually do just that: was seen on the rough ground in the old Celestica factory!
- the Cetti’s Warbler had relocated again and now in the main N side reed area
and
- 2 March Moths on separate lamps along the W end path

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Feral Pigeons
- 29 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook
- 1 Sky Lark
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 1 Greenfinch
- 2 Siskins

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler again
- 5 Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 1 Mute Swan (see notes)
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 5 (3♂) Gadwall
- 5 (3♂) Mallard
- 16 (11♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant briefly
- 9 Great Crested Grebes
- 16 Moorhens
- 53 Coots
- 1 Black-headed Gull

Now in full breeding plumage even female Siskins are now quite yellow.

The cob Swan on duty: the pen was not noted this morning and seems to have moved in to the nest site. I have not seen any nest-building going on; nor any display, let-alone mating, and it would be rather early for them to start laying eggs. So perhaps she is just inspecting the site.

This is (another) March Moth – probably the best shot yet as oddly the moth was in full sunlight.

There seems to be no (white) pussy willow as yet, but this tree in the S side hedge has had these yellow flowers for about 2 weeks now. First chance to catch them in sunshine.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 09:35 – 09:55
Location

(32nd visit of the year)

Notes
Another uninspiring morning
- not entirely sure why Tufted Duck numbers increased: birds making their way back NE to breed?
- the gulls stayed a matter of minutes

The only bird noted flying over
- 1 Buzzard

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 24 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 16 (10♂) Mallard
- 41 (24♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 2 Moorhens again
- 14 Coots
- 5 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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Devil's Dingle: 07:30
Location

2 Oystercatcher
6 Teal

(John Isherwood)

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River Severn, Buildwas and Leighton: 08:30
Location

1 Red Kite
1 drake Mandarin
12 Goosander
1 Common Sandpiper, presumably over-winterer
1 Green Sandpiper
2 Oystercatcher
1 Snipe

(John Isherwood)

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On this day in .....................

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
7 Cormorants
2 Gadwall
18 Tufted Duck
1 Kittiwake
1 Sand Martin
7 Chiffchaffs
158 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Kittiwake
(John Isherwood)

Trench Lock Pool
2 Little Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Ducks
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
2 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebe
7 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
34 Tufted Ducks
c.450 Black-headed Gulls
c.350 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.50 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull.
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Great Crested Grebes
7 Swans
2 Pochard
73 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebe
4 Gadwall
27 Tufted Duck
c.210 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Great Crested Grebe
36 Tufted Duck
2 Siskins
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
3 Cormorant
2 Shoveler
27 Tufted Duck
1 Green Woodpecker
29 Wren
22 Robin
21 Blackbird
5 Fieldfare
9 Redwing
6 Chiffchaff
36 Magpie
99 Jackdaw
8 Greenfinch
7 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe
1 Mallard x Pintail
2 Pochard
17 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaff
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Barn Ow
1 Little Grebe
6 Great Crested Grebes
1 Shoveler
26 Tufted Ducks
2 Water Rail
532 Wood Pigeon
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
2 Sky Larks
15 Pied Wagtails
26 Wrens
34 Blackbirds
6 Redwings
1 Willow Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
17 Magpies
4 Jays
1 Brambling
13 Greenfinches
4 Siskins
1 Linnets
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

24 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake:  07:15 – 09:55

Location

Sunrise: 06:01

6°C > 8°C: High overcast, scattered below, lowering with rain after 08:45; moderate SW wind; very good visibility, becoming good at onset of rain

(47th visit of the year)

Nothing to highlight this morning. A slightly extended stay to see if the onset of the rain brought anything to visit: it didn’t!

Notes

- an additional drake Gadwall today

- [one of the fishermen reported seeing the Little Grebe yesterday so I expect it is still around but usually keeping in cover]

- with fishermen occupying the SW grass there was no obvious area for the Moorhens to feed in the open: so they were hard to see and count this morning

- none of the gulls ever looked like landing on the water, with a few of the Herring Gulls pausing to have a closer look before continuing

- 20 of the Wood Pigeons flying over were in small groups very high up and flying N – an unusual direction and the obverse to the large parties that fly high over in early November

- at least 14 Crows seen together on the wires to the ESE

- in addition to the 16 Redwings over there were at least another 5 in trees around the lake

- the Cetti’s Warbler had relocated to the E end of the N side today

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)

- 1 Cormorant

- 2 Black-headed Gulls

- 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

- 7 Herring Gulls

- 2 Feral Pigeons

- 2 Stock Doves

- 41 Wood Pigeons

- 3 Jackdaws again

- 5 Rooks

- 16 Redwings

- 4 Pied Wagtails

- 5 Meadow Pipits

- 6 Greenfinches

- 5 Goldfinches

- 3 Siskins

Singing warblers around the lake

- 1 Cetti’s Warbler again

- 3 Chiffchaffs again

The counts from the lake area

- 2 Mute Swans

- 6 (4♂) Gadwall

- 4 (3♂) Mallard again

- 12 (8♂) Tufted Ducks

- 1 Cormorant again

- 13 Great Crested Grebes

- 10 Moorhens

- 68 Coots

I spent some time with this Willow Tit around the lake this morning. Between spells of searching for food it calls incessantly – not the buzzy nasal call or the sad Wood Warbler-like notes, but what seems to be an advertising call rather than a territorial call. At no time did I see or hear any indication of another bird with it. I suspect that this is a lone male of this rapidly declining species and that he has so far failed to find a mate – and probably failed to do so last year as well.

Here he is calling. Not easy to capture this active bird against the light and in rather poor conditions. At least it was before the rain started.

Here he attacks the end of a broken and lichen-covered twig. This may well be the only bird of this species in Shropshire other than a few(?) pairs on The Wrekin.

And is typically acrobatic in doing so

This shows the rather diffuse and large bib of this species – smaller and neater on Marsh Tit

I include this one only to point out how obvious the pale panel in the wing can be – when it was hardly noticeable in the previous shots.

My last word on the subject (until we get better light).

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Woodhouse Lane: 08:45 – 08:55
Location

Some notes:
Very quiet again but only a quick visit as the rain started

- 1 additional singing Chiffchaff

- 2 Sky Larks in song again

- 1 Reed Bunting: a male flew in to trees around the sluice calling. Birds have bred in the rape fields here for the last few years. As yet the crop is too small for breeding activity

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in .....................

2014
Priorslee Lake

7 Chiffchaffs
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
3 Buzzard
30 Fieldfares
5 Redwings
7 Chiffchaffs
>700 Jackdaws
1 Raven
1 Marsh Tit
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
2 Common Teal
50 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
3 Great Crested Grebe
7 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
37 Tufted Ducks
c.180 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.50 Herring Gulls
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
11 Pied Wagtail
2 Redwings
Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaffs singing
12 Linnets
1 Siskin
4 Great Crested Grebe
2 Gadwall
28 Tufted Duck
c.225 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
3 Wheatears
(Ian Grant)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
46 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebe
25 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Sky Lark
1 Sand Martin
28 Wren
20 Robin
33 Blackbird
1 Redwing
3 Chiffchaff
32 Magpie
117 Jackdaw
4 Greenfinch
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Village
Raven
Blackcap
(Martin Adlam)

Nedge Hill
3 Sky Lark
1 Chiffchaff
3 Greenfinch
6 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
6 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
22 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaff
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

23 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake:  07:15 – 09:30

Location

Sunrise: 06:03

50°C > 70°C: Overcast again. Calm. Good visibility

(46th visit of the year)

Highlight today was certainly 2, probably 3 and just possibly 4 Kittiwakes
- after checking the W end bushes I first looked at the lake at c.07:30 when there were two Kittiwakes circling over the far E end. These had left by 07:45 when I was at that end
- at 08:20 a Kittiwake and 5 Herring Gulls appeared from the SW area, circled for a few minutes, and then flew off to the W. I would surmise that as only one bird was involved this was likely a different individual
- at 08:25 a large party of gulls appeared high from the N with most of the 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading straight through. Most of the 78 Herring Gulls started circling over the lake, but then after a few minutes began to spiral up higher and drifting off SE. At this point I noted a Kittiwake moving away from this spiral and heading N. Was this a different bird? Hard to say as all the birds were full adults
- no gulls on the water at all
However many there were this is my first sighting of multiple birds here; and only the 2nd year I have seen the species more than once on Spring migration

Other notes
- the 4 geese flew straight overhead at 09:10 without calling and therefore could not be reliably identified

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 4 geese sp. (1 party)
- 2 – 4 Kittiwakes (see notes)
- 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 83 Herring Gulls
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 62 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 1 Sky Lark
- 6 Starlings
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 4 Greenfinches
- 7 Goldfinches again
- 6 Siskins
- 1 Redpoll again
- 1 Yellowhammer

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler
- 3 Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 (3♂) Gadwall remain
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 21 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 12 Great Crested Grebes
- 20 Moorhens
- 69 Coots

These are the first two Kittiwakes photographed at the ‘other end’ of the lake at 07:35. Rather distant but sufficient to see the solid black wing-tip.

Here is the bird that arrived with 5 Herring Gulls at 08:20.

This was the Kittiwake heading high N overhead at 08:28.

The start of Spring with these flowers seen alongside the Wesley Brook, an area disturbed when the roadway was reconstructed for the new Academy. They are Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). The leaves of this plant only open after the flowers have been pollinated and the seed set.

A close-up of one of the flower heads

Another early-flowering plant: two spikes here of what seems to be Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) though I am not quite sure why the leaves are red. Certainly the stems were square which fits this family and this is the first member to flower.

A close-up of a better specimen

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Priorslee Flash: 09:40 – 09:55
Location

(31st visit of the year)

Notes
A very uninspiring morning

Birds noted flying over
None

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 21 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 19 (14♂) Mallard
- 21 (11♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 2 Cormorants
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 15 Coots
- no gulls here either

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

1 Meadow Pipit 
1 Woodcock
7 Wigeon 
2 Gadwall 
33 Tufted Ducks
c.45 Black-headed Gulls
c.20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
 c.30 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Nedge Hill
15 Golden Plover
(John Isherwood)

2010

Priorslee Lake
Teal
2 Redpoll
1 Siskin
1 Little Grebe 
2 Gadwall
24 Tufted Duck
c.160 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Great Crested Grebe 
28 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebe
13 Cormorant
6 Greylag Geese
29 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Kestrel
1 Lapwing
3 Stock Dove
242 Wood Pigeon
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Meadow Pipit
29 Wren
27 Robin
24 Blackbird
2 Redwing
3 Chiffchaff
50 Magpie
6 Greenfinch
6 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
9 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
22 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
3 Buzzard
1 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

3 Little Grebes
6 Great Crested Grebes
2 Herons
1 Cormorant
1 Pochard
26 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
700 Black-headed Gulls
125 Jackdaws
474 Wood Pigeons
1 Meadow Pipit
3 Grey Wagtails
20 Wrens
20 Robins
20 Blackbirds
7 Fieldfares
27 Redwings
9 Greenfinches
7 Siskins
3 Linnets
1 Redpoll
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

22 Mar 16

Priorslee Lake: 07:15 – 09:55
Location

Sunrise: 06:05

4°C > 7°C: Overcast with a few brighter bits. Calm, light and variable, mainly NW. Very good visibility

(45th visit of the year)

I am restarting my summary report of singing warblers around the lake

Notes
- no gulls on the water until 09:40. Apart from 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls together all the others were singles
- in addition to 44 Wood Pigeons seen flying over at 09:45 something put up a big party of Wood Pigeons to the E and at least 150 flew W over the lake, a few of them descending in to the trees around the lake
- Kingfisher seen leaving the lake and powering away S over M54
- just 4 Linnets this morning but joined briefly by 2 Redpolls (with another Redpoll over)

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose
- 2 Canada Geese (1 party)
- 1 (1♂) Mallard again
- 2 Black-headed Gulls
- 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls
- 4 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- c.200 Wood Pigeons (see notes)
- 9 Jackdaws
- 8 Rooks
- 3 Starlings
- 2 Pied Wagtails
- 2 Meadow Pipits
- 1 Chaffinch
- 7 Goldfinches
- 3 Siskins
- 1 Redpoll

Singing warblers around the lake
- 1 Cetti’s Warbler
- 2 Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 (2♂) Gadwall again
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 19 (13♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Cormorants
- 14 Great Crested Grebes
- 21 Moorhens
- 64 Coots
- 7 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls

A Lesser Redpoll doing what it says on the tin and showing its red poll. Note the neat ‘V’ of the closed tail, shared with many finches but it really only Lesser Redpoll and Linnet in our area that show this so strongly, even Siskin is less pronounced. Twite would be similar but would start a local twitch as the species breeds well north of here and winters on the E coast.

Woodhouse Lane (08:20 – 08:40)

Some notes:
Very quiet
- 2 Sky Larks in song was all I could find
 

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On this day in .....................

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2011

Priorslee Lake

5 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
24 Tufted Duck
9 Meadow Pipits
4 Redwings
4 Chiffchaffs singing
2 Brimstone butterflies
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant)

The Flash 
43 Tufted Ducks 
1 Sky Lark
2 Chiffchaffs singing
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
8 Lapwings
3 Redwings
1 Chiffchaff singing
(Ed Wilson)

Trench 
2 Little Grebes 
30 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2010

Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe 
2 Gadwall
23 Tufted Duck
4 Sand Martins
1 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaffs singing
8 Linnets 
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
7 Wheatear
1 Green Woodpecker
1 Sky Lark
1 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebe
43 Tufted Duck
2 Sparrowhawks
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake

4 Cormorant
33 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Kittiwake
31 Wren
24 Robin
23 Blackbird
1 Redwing
4 Chiffchaff  singing
34 Magpie
176 Jackdaw
7 Greenfinch
5 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
10 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
23 Tufted Duck
1 Chiffchaff singing
1 Willow Tit
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes
6 Great Crested Grebes
49 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Water Rail
2 Lapwings
c.950 Black-headed Gulls
509 Wood Pigeon
6 Stock Doves
613 Wood Pigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
13 Pied Wagtails
24 Wrens
19 Robins
22 Blackbirds
5 Redwings
1 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Tits
17 Magpies
17 Greenfinches
4 Siskins
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)