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On this day..........
30 Jul 17
Priorslee Lake, The Flash
12.0°C > 15.5°C: Some mist to start with variable cloud. Light WSW wind after calm start again. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:24 BST
Best today was a Green Woodpecker calling at The Flash – my first record here for several years. It became my 67th species at The Flash in 2017
Priorslee Lake: 04:35 – 06:10 // 07:00 – 08:25
(87th visit of the year)
One of the dog-walkers report an ‘owl with a flat face’ – so presumably a Barn Owl – over the playing field alongside Teece Drive late last evening
Talking of this field: I was also told that the Holy Trinity Academy have informed the council that they no longer wish to use the facility and have handed back their share of the lease. It is presumed that as the field is not fenced and is used by dog-walkers, not all of whom are punctilious about clearing up, there are health and safety issues. The council plan to use it as two junior football pitches – as there are no changing facilities there is limited scope for its wider use
A consequence of this is some positive news of a community-led plan, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, to plant several hundred trees to replace those that were unnecessarily felled ahead the building work. There is also an outstanding requirement for the council to plant trees in a smaller area where felling was done without proper authorisation
It will take some years for any trees to have any significant wildlife benefit but it is welcome news
Notes from today:
- largest movement of geese since the breeding season. Most of these birds seemed to originate from ‘beyond’ The Flash – Trench area?
- cannot explain the variability in Coot numbers counted
- just 1 Common Sandpiper today
- two Common Terns again
- many fewer Black-headed Gulls than in recent days
- the 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls likely a family party: an adult a two juveniles
- no Swifts: likely most have now left us until next May
- at least 2 Kingfishers today: being very noisy. Fledged family? Not seen to perch to enable me to check the age of the birds
- today the first Jackdaws of the week
and
- a Common Marbled Carpet moth on one of the lamps this morning
- a caddis fly sp. was also on the same lamp: possibly Oecetis ochracea
- just 2 pipistrelle-type bats seen again
- the usual Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed
- at least 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly
- a Grey Squirrel [or North America Gray Tree Rats, as I prefer to call them] eating the Hazel nuts already
- the Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) is no more – the vegetation growing under the fence around the Holy Trinity Academy has been ‘treated’ with weed-killer
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 66 Greylag Geese (12 groups): 65 of these outbound
- 151 Canada Geese (18 groups): 135 of these outbound
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Stock Doves
- 30 Wood Pigeons
- 8 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 32 Starlings
- 4 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Linnet
Hirundine etc. seen
- >9 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 8 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Garden Warbler
- 3 (0) Common Whitethroats
- 8 (1) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese again
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes remain
- 4 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
- 47 + 16 (14 broods) Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 2 Common Terns
- >45 (>11 juveniles) Black-headed Gulls
Talk about opportunistic. This juvenile Chiffchaff – the greenish cast on the back contrasting with the grey wings tells us it is a juvenile – was feeding on spiders and trapped insects in the security fence around the Holy Trinity Academy.
Here we can glimpse the yellowish wash on the flanks. A juvenile Willow Warbler would like very yellow in comparison.
The warbler was rather unhelpful in staying buried though in fact its sluggish behaviour also provided a clue. It is a Garden Warbler – the warbler without any real plumage features. It is a rather stout bird with a relatively thick and all-black bill, both features supporting Garden Warbler. The pale edges to the wing feathers suggest this is a juvenile – adults should not have moulted their wing feathers yet.
This can be a pitfall if you do not hear it and / or see its companions. It is a juvenile Goldfinch with the bold marks in the wing the easiest plumage ID. These birds will not acquire the red face of adults until well in to October or even November.
The Common Marbled Carpet moth was found on one of the street lamps. A very variable species and not too easy to separate from Dark Marbled Carpet. Here the projection at outer edge of the cross-band seems not pointed enough to be that species.
This caddis fly sp. was on the same lamp as the moth. I think it may be Oecetis ochracea, noted as having exceptionally long antennae. The habitat and date support the ID, but ....
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult with 3 juvenile Moorhens seen alongside the upper pool
- 1 Chiffchaff heard calling here again
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:20 – 06:55
(68th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- Swans with cygnets all present today
- the 5 Mallard ducklings also seen. And an influx of Mallard contained an usual high percentage of ducks
Birds noted flying over
None
Hirundine etc. noted
None again
Warblers noted
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 6 Greylag Geese
- 44 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 23 (13♂) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
- 3 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes again
- 4 Moorhens
- 11 + 5 (5? broods) Coots
Who has been eating the fish? When I showed the photo to the fishermen they suggested Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) as the most likely culprit. Otters just eat the bits they find tasty; and a fox would make more of a mess of the structure. Having seen rats here this week it is probably a good call.
(Ed Wilson)
12.0°C > 15.5°C: Some mist to start with variable cloud. Light WSW wind after calm start again. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 05:24 BST
Best today was a Green Woodpecker calling at The Flash – my first record here for several years. It became my 67th species at The Flash in 2017
Priorslee Lake: 04:35 – 06:10 // 07:00 – 08:25
(87th visit of the year)
One of the dog-walkers report an ‘owl with a flat face’ – so presumably a Barn Owl – over the playing field alongside Teece Drive late last evening
Talking of this field: I was also told that the Holy Trinity Academy have informed the council that they no longer wish to use the facility and have handed back their share of the lease. It is presumed that as the field is not fenced and is used by dog-walkers, not all of whom are punctilious about clearing up, there are health and safety issues. The council plan to use it as two junior football pitches – as there are no changing facilities there is limited scope for its wider use
A consequence of this is some positive news of a community-led plan, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, to plant several hundred trees to replace those that were unnecessarily felled ahead the building work. There is also an outstanding requirement for the council to plant trees in a smaller area where felling was done without proper authorisation
It will take some years for any trees to have any significant wildlife benefit but it is welcome news
Notes from today:
- largest movement of geese since the breeding season. Most of these birds seemed to originate from ‘beyond’ The Flash – Trench area?
- cannot explain the variability in Coot numbers counted
- just 1 Common Sandpiper today
- two Common Terns again
- many fewer Black-headed Gulls than in recent days
- the 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls likely a family party: an adult a two juveniles
- no Swifts: likely most have now left us until next May
- at least 2 Kingfishers today: being very noisy. Fledged family? Not seen to perch to enable me to check the age of the birds
- today the first Jackdaws of the week
and
- a Common Marbled Carpet moth on one of the lamps this morning
- a caddis fly sp. was also on the same lamp: possibly Oecetis ochracea
- just 2 pipistrelle-type bats seen again
- the usual Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed
- at least 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly
- a Grey Squirrel [or North America Gray Tree Rats, as I prefer to call them] eating the Hazel nuts already
- the Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare) is no more – the vegetation growing under the fence around the Holy Trinity Academy has been ‘treated’ with weed-killer
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 66 Greylag Geese (12 groups): 65 of these outbound
- 151 Canada Geese (18 groups): 135 of these outbound
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Stock Doves
- 30 Wood Pigeons
- 8 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 32 Starlings
- 4 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Linnet
Hirundine etc. seen
- >9 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 8 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Garden Warbler
- 3 (0) Common Whitethroats
- 8 (1) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese again
- 19 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes remain
- 4 + 3 (3 broods) Moorhens
- 47 + 16 (14 broods) Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 2 Common Terns
- >45 (>11 juveniles) Black-headed Gulls
Not much of a sunrise today.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult with 3 juvenile Moorhens seen alongside the upper pool
- 1 Chiffchaff heard calling here again
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:20 – 06:55
(68th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- Swans with cygnets all present today
- the 5 Mallard ducklings also seen. And an influx of Mallard contained an usual high percentage of ducks
Birds noted flying over
None
Hirundine etc. noted
None again
Warblers noted
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 6 Greylag Geese
- 44 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 23 (13♂) + 5 (1 brood) Mallard
- 3 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes again
- 4 Moorhens
- 11 + 5 (5? broods) Coots
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day..........
29 Jul 17
Priorslee Lake, The Flash, Trench Lock Pool, Trench Middle Pool
11.5°C > 14.0°C: Clear start with some mist; clouded later. Light SW wind after calm start. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 05:23 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:35 – 06:00 // 06:50 – 08:20
(86th visit of the year)
Best here today
- 4 Common Sandpipers this morning – multiples are unusual on Autumn passage
- 1 Kestrel flew high E at 07:45: only my 2nd record of this species here this year
Other notes from today:
- much better proportion of juvenile Black-headed Gulls (c.30 out of c.170)
- a single Swift at 05:05 briefly; 2 powered W 06:55; then 14 to NE of dam feeding with House Martins after 07:40
- amazingly the first Rooks of the week
and
- 4 pipistrelle-type bats seen again
- very few Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed from very wet grass
- Volucella pellucens (Pellucid Fly) hoverfly the only insect on the lamps this morning
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 43 Greylag Geese (6 groups) outbound
- 33 Canada Geese (7 groups) all outbound
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 25 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Rooks
Hirundine etc. seen
- 17 Common Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 23 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 3 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese
- 27 (25?♂) Mallard
- 4 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 3 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 33 + 13 (12 broods) Coots
- 4 Common Sandpipers
- >170 (>30 juvenile) Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
This juvenile Black-headed Gull is showing off its wing-pattern as it checks out what is on the surface of the water. I could not tell whether it was a dead fish or debris – the latter I suspect as the gulls left it alone.
These 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls dropped in for a while: the two birds on the left look like 2nd summer birds about to start moult into 3rd winter plumage – the middle bird looks especially worn and faded. I would have expected their eyes to look paler though their heads are unspotted so I think my ageing is correct.
The Volucella pellucens (Pellucid Fly) hoverfly sitting on the ‘numbers’ of a street-lamp. Note the wear in the wings.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult Moorhen seen alongside and juvenile(s) heard at the upper pool
- 1 Chiffchaff heard calling here
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:05 – 06:40
(67th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- cob Swan and cygnets not seen today again
- neither were the Mallard ducklings
- no idea where many of the Coots were
- 3 different Coal Tits in song – and at least another near the upper pool just S of The Flash
- 2 Bullfinches seen, one of these a juvenile
Birds noted flying over
- 24 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. noted
None
Warblers noted
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan again
- 13 Greylag Geese
- 39 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 6 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes remain
- 5 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 8 + 2 (1 brood) Coots only
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool: 08:25 – 08:40 // 09:20 – 09:45
(22nd visit of the year)
Notes from here
- one of the original cygnets ‘missing’ (but then so was one of the adults)
- Mallard numbers usually increase at this time of year but 29 is a good count
- unexpectedly high number of Tufted Ducks: just 1 drake – c.f. Middle Pool totals below
- Kingfisher here
- House Martins included juveniles
- 2 Bullfinches: a new species for me here this year
and on the wall of the Blue Pig
- 2 Red Underwing moths: new for me this year
see below for new species of flower
Birds noted flying over here
- 2 Canada Geese
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- >75 Feral Pigeons in tight group (Racing Pigeons I assume)
Hirundine counts
- 8 House Martins: some juveniles
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
The counts from the water
- 2 + 7 Mute Swans
- 29 (26) Mallards [also 1 ‘feral’ bird]
- 8 Tufted Ducks (1 drake)
- 2 + 2? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 + 4 (3 broods) Moorhens
- 23 + 13 (? broods) Coots
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
And new species of flower here: in no particular order:
- White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
- Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris formerly Senecio jacobaea)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum)
- Common (or Black) Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
- Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
High up on the wall of the Blue Pig pub, outside lights still burning, I found two of these moths – they are Red Underwing moths.
This specimen at not quite so helpful angle though we also see a Chironomus plumosus (plumed midge sp.).
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool: 08:45 – 09:15
(18th visit of the year)
Notes
- as far as I can remember this is the first time I have known Mute Swans to breed here
- not sure of the number of broods of Canada Geese were involved – indeed some birds hard to distinguish from adults
- surprising number of Tufted Duck – and almost all drakes in contrast with Trench Lock Pool
- the Grey Heron was my first of the year here
- 4 Great Crested Grebes juveniles is a good brood size
- the broods of Coots were of all ages – some almost fledged whilst at least 2 broods very new
- a Racing Pigeon – it was wearing rings on both legs – was amongst the geese and was hard to avoid treading on at times: also new for me here this year
Birds noted flying over here
None
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 2 + 6 Mute Swans
- 5 Greylag Geese
- 69 Canada Geese: (>17 goslings?)
- 27 (25♂) Mallard [also 2 ‘feral’ birds]
- 14 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 13 + 12 (8 broods) Coots
Plants not checked here
This extremely ‘leggy’ Canada Goose gosling seemed to be the only one of its brood – unless it is just a weakling and not developing properly.
Here an adult stands over two almost full-grown goslings drinking from a rainwater pool. The edges of the white chin-strap are slightly ‘fuzzy’ otherwise they would be hard to separate from adult. Very slightly smaller but then adults vary in size, the females typically smaller.
Two of the 4 Great Crested Grebe chicks with an adult. To get a full brood of four to this stage is not common.
The Racing Pigeon that seemed determined to get trodden on. Seems to be an English bird from the cross of St. George on the ring.
The web tells me EFTU means English Flying Tippler Union. Apparently tipplers are a variety of domestic pigeon bred mainly for flying.
11.5°C > 14.0°C: Clear start with some mist; clouded later. Light SW wind after calm start. Excellent visibility.
Sunrise: 05:23 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:35 – 06:00 // 06:50 – 08:20
(86th visit of the year)
Best here today
- 4 Common Sandpipers this morning – multiples are unusual on Autumn passage
- 1 Kestrel flew high E at 07:45: only my 2nd record of this species here this year
Other notes from today:
- much better proportion of juvenile Black-headed Gulls (c.30 out of c.170)
- a single Swift at 05:05 briefly; 2 powered W 06:55; then 14 to NE of dam feeding with House Martins after 07:40
- amazingly the first Rooks of the week
and
- 4 pipistrelle-type bats seen again
- very few Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed from very wet grass
- Volucella pellucens (Pellucid Fly) hoverfly the only insect on the lamps this morning
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 43 Greylag Geese (6 groups) outbound
- 33 Canada Geese (7 groups) all outbound
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 25 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Rooks
Hirundine etc. seen
- 17 Common Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallow
- 23 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 3 (0) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat
- 2 (0) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese
- 27 (25?♂) Mallard
- 4 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes again
- 3 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 33 + 13 (12 broods) Coots
- 4 Common Sandpipers
- >170 (>30 juvenile) Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Mist rising.
Another mid-hover view.
A Song Thrush rooting about in the grass.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult Moorhen seen alongside and juvenile(s) heard at the upper pool
- 1 Chiffchaff heard calling here
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 06:05 – 06:40
(67th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- cob Swan and cygnets not seen today again
- neither were the Mallard ducklings
- no idea where many of the Coots were
- 3 different Coal Tits in song – and at least another near the upper pool just S of The Flash
- 2 Bullfinches seen, one of these a juvenile
Birds noted flying over
- 24 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. noted
None
Warblers noted
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 2 (0) Blackcaps
The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan again
- 13 Greylag Geese
- 39 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 6 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes remain
- 5 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 8 + 2 (1 brood) Coots only
(Ed Wilson)
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Trench Lock Pool: 08:25 – 08:40 // 09:20 – 09:45
(22nd visit of the year)
Notes from here
- one of the original cygnets ‘missing’ (but then so was one of the adults)
- Mallard numbers usually increase at this time of year but 29 is a good count
- unexpectedly high number of Tufted Ducks: just 1 drake – c.f. Middle Pool totals below
- Kingfisher here
- House Martins included juveniles
- 2 Bullfinches: a new species for me here this year
and on the wall of the Blue Pig
- 2 Red Underwing moths: new for me this year
see below for new species of flower
Birds noted flying over here
- 2 Canada Geese
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- >75 Feral Pigeons in tight group (Racing Pigeons I assume)
Hirundine counts
- 8 House Martins: some juveniles
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 2 (0) Chiffchaffs
The counts from the water
- 2 + 7 Mute Swans
- 29 (26) Mallards [also 1 ‘feral’ bird]
- 8 Tufted Ducks (1 drake)
- 2 + 2? (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 + 4 (3 broods) Moorhens
- 23 + 13 (? broods) Coots
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
And new species of flower here: in no particular order:
- White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
- Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris formerly Senecio jacobaea)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum)
- Common (or Black) Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
- Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
The tight flower-heads of Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare).
(Ed Wilson)
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Trench Middle Pool: 08:45 – 09:15
(18th visit of the year)
Notes
- as far as I can remember this is the first time I have known Mute Swans to breed here
- not sure of the number of broods of Canada Geese were involved – indeed some birds hard to distinguish from adults
- surprising number of Tufted Duck – and almost all drakes in contrast with Trench Lock Pool
- the Grey Heron was my first of the year here
- 4 Great Crested Grebes juveniles is a good brood size
- the broods of Coots were of all ages – some almost fledged whilst at least 2 broods very new
- a Racing Pigeon – it was wearing rings on both legs – was amongst the geese and was hard to avoid treading on at times: also new for me here this year
Birds noted flying over here
None
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 2 + 6 Mute Swans
- 5 Greylag Geese
- 69 Canada Geese: (>17 goslings?)
- 27 (25♂) Mallard [also 2 ‘feral’ birds]
- 14 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 13 + 12 (8 broods) Coots
Plants not checked here
The Swans with their cygnets: my first record of breeding here.
28 Jul 17
Priorslee Lake and The Flash
12.5°C > 15.0°C: Variable cloud with passing light rain showers. Light / moderate SW wind. Very good visibility
Sunrise: 05:22 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:30 – 06:05 // 06:55 – 08:25
(85th visit of the year)
Notes from today:
- the two Grey Herons were, unusually, happy with each other’s company
- another adult Great Crested Grebes today. One of the two well-grown juveniles was seen flying today and these two spent only a limited time together
- now 2 Common Sandpipers
- no sign of the Common Terns today
- the Sand Martin seemed to fly out of the NW reed bed – had it been roosting here?
- party of c.26 House Martins high over estate to NW of lake
- Kingfisher seen several times and on at least one occasion carrying food
- juvenile Grey Wagtail seen again
and
- 4 pipistrelle-type bats seen
- a Leiobunum rotundum (a harvestman) on the lamps
- a few Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed
- possible ID for a dagger fly as Empis nigritarsis
- Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade hoverfly) the only hoverfly logged
- Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) flowers seen for first time this morning – the smell of the plant has been obvious for some days
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 45 Greylag Geese (1 group) outbound
- 57 Canada Geese (5 groups) all outbound
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 29 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. seen
- 1 Sand Martin (see notes)
- 3 Barn Swallows
- c.26 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (1) Blackcaps
- 4 (0) Common Whitethroats
- 4 (0) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 1 Canada Goose
- 25 (?♂) Mallard
- 4 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes (see notes)
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 39 + 9 (7 broods) Coots
- 2 Common Sandpipers
- >100 (>7 juvenile) Black-headed Gulls
The sunrise today: looked a bit threatening as well it might with showers on the way ahead of rain in the evening.
This Grey Heron – standing behind one of the boating platforms – has just had a good shake and it now about to rearrange its feathers.
One of the Common Sandpipers present: this is an adult – a juvenile would show more extensive pale fringes to its feathers.
A juvenile Common Whitethroat – note the white on the mantle. Otherwise juveniles and immatures are hard to separate from females (and many males!).
After several at The Flash yesterday here is a Leiobunum rotundum (a harvestman) at the lake – at least I think it is: the palps look rather longer than any image I can find on the web.
This is a Tetragnatha spider: the exact species requires detailed examination under a microscope: likely Tetragnatha montana.
This seems to be the dagger fly Empis nigritarsis. I am somewhat perplexed though that the body looks ‘waisted’ like a wasp sp. so this must be regarded as a provisional ID.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult and juvenile Moorhens alongside the upper pool
- no warblers heard here today
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:10 – 06:45
(66th visit of the year)
The water seemed much higher than recent days here
Notes from here
- cob Swan and cygnets not seen today
- Mallard ducklings not seen today again
Birds noted flying over
- 3 Feral Pigeons
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Goldfinches
Hirundine etc. noted
None
Warblers noted
- 1 Chiffchaff
The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan
- 9 Greylag Geese
- 63 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 15 (12♂) Mallard
- 4 (1♂?) Tufted Duck
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 2 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 10 + 4 (2 broods) Coots only
(Ed Wilson)
12.5°C > 15.0°C: Variable cloud with passing light rain showers. Light / moderate SW wind. Very good visibility
Sunrise: 05:22 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:30 – 06:05 // 06:55 – 08:25
(85th visit of the year)
Notes from today:
- the two Grey Herons were, unusually, happy with each other’s company
- another adult Great Crested Grebes today. One of the two well-grown juveniles was seen flying today and these two spent only a limited time together
- now 2 Common Sandpipers
- no sign of the Common Terns today
- the Sand Martin seemed to fly out of the NW reed bed – had it been roosting here?
- party of c.26 House Martins high over estate to NW of lake
- Kingfisher seen several times and on at least one occasion carrying food
- juvenile Grey Wagtail seen again
and
- 4 pipistrelle-type bats seen
- a Leiobunum rotundum (a harvestman) on the lamps
- a few Pearl Veneer (Agriphila straminella) grass moths flushed
- possible ID for a dagger fly as Empis nigritarsis
- Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade hoverfly) the only hoverfly logged
- Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) flowers seen for first time this morning – the smell of the plant has been obvious for some days
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 45 Greylag Geese (1 group) outbound
- 57 Canada Geese (5 groups) all outbound
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 29 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. seen
- 1 Sand Martin (see notes)
- 3 Barn Swallows
- c.26 House Martins
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 6 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (1) Blackcaps
- 4 (0) Common Whitethroats
- 4 (0) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 1 Canada Goose
- 25 (?♂) Mallard
- 4 (0♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 7 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes (see notes)
- 7 + 2 (2 broods) Moorhens
- 39 + 9 (7 broods) Coots
- 2 Common Sandpipers
- >100 (>7 juvenile) Black-headed Gulls
Another view complete with many black dots – these are all Black-headed Gulls arriving.
The Great Crested Grebe family growing up.
A Black-headed Gull showing extensive wing-moult. As gulls moult from the first (inner primary) we see that only the outer primaries remain to be replaced, all the other primaries are regrowing. The secondaries moult the ‘other’ way – from the outer to the inner – hence the ‘gap’ mid-wing.
Another view: most males would show a more distinct eye-ring and a reddish iris.
This is Greater (or Large) Bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus). My first record of this plant here.
Another view of the same plant.
These are the flowers of Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- adult and juvenile Moorhens alongside the upper pool
- no warblers heard here today
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:10 – 06:45
(66th visit of the year)
The water seemed much higher than recent days here
Notes from here
- cob Swan and cygnets not seen today
- Mallard ducklings not seen today again
Birds noted flying over
- 3 Feral Pigeons
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Goldfinches
Hirundine etc. noted
None
Warblers noted
- 1 Chiffchaff
The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan
- 9 Greylag Geese
- 63 Canada Geese
- 1 white feral goose
- 15 (12♂) Mallard
- 4 (1♂?) Tufted Duck
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 2 + 1 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 10 + 4 (2 broods) Coots only
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2012
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
17 Mistle Thrush including several juveniles
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Common Terns
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Lake
Grasshopper Warbler
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
17 Mistle Thrush including several juveniles
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Common Terns
(Ed Wilson)
27 Jul 17
Priorslee Lake and The Flash
11.0°C > 12.5°C: Areas of medium cloud with lower cloud and light rain shower later. Light SW wind. Very good visibility
Sunrise: 05:20 BST
Highlight today was my first-ever Fox at The Flash – and a very scruffy individual it was too. My attention was drawn to it by a pair of Crows making a lot of fuss as they followed it across the grass at the N end. Amazingly the 3 Greylag and 16 Canada Geese stood transfixed on the grass and watched the Fox go by
Priorslee Lake: 04:30 – 05:55 // 06:45 – 08:05
(84th visit of the year)
Notes from today:
- the additional pair(?) of adult Great Crested Grebes were present again: I suspect they are early-brood juveniles as they have very few head plumes, though they have lost the head-stripes
- the Common Sandpiper seen pre-dawn only
- the (same?) pair of Common Terns arrived from the E very noisily at 07:27
- group of at least 130 Black-headed Gulls swooped in at 05:15 to join the c.45 already present. Proportion of juveniles remains low
- a relatively new brood of Great Tits was a surprise: however unlike Blue Tits this species is sometimes double-brooded; so a 2nd brood
- one of the two parties of Long-tailed Tits contained at least 13 birds
- at least 3 juvenile Goldfinches today – my first this year
and
- several Tetragnatha web spider on the lamps again
- at least 6 Pipistrelle-type bat sps. along the N side pre-dawn: my highest-ever count
- first Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) of the year noted
- Red Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) in bloom again along the base of the dam after having been strimmed earlier
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 11 Greylag Geese (2 groups) all outbound
- 59 Canada Geese (8 groups) all outbound
- 39 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. seen
- 1 Swift at 05:50 only
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 4 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat again
- 5 (2) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 4 Canada Geese again
- 28 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 6 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 34 + 8 (7 broods) Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper yet again
- 2 Common Terms arrived at 07:27
- c.175 (>6 juveniles) Black-headed Gulls
A shot of the Common Tern in flight today (taken in dull conditions and enlarged somewhat so some ‘noise’ in the background).
A number of different immature Black-headed Gulls. When they first fledge they are very ginger-brown but this soon fades and they moult some feathers – here we see extensive pearl-gray in the greater coverts.
This bird has more extensive retained ginger-brown on the nape and a few 1st winter pearl-grey feathers on mantle and scapulars.
A juvenile Great Tit showing rather indistinct markings and yellowish tone to what would be much whiter areas in an adult.
As a postscript to yesterday’s spiders here we see a male (at the top) with a female Tetragnatha web spider, probably T. montana (I hope you are viewing this after the watershed ...)”.
The small, flat and tight flower cluster and the feathery leaves identify this umbellifer as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). My first this year.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- juvenile Moorhens calling from reeds in the upper pool
- Kingfisher flying through along the like of the Wesley Brook
- single Chiffchaff and Blackcap calling around the lower pool
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:40
(65th visit of the year)
Other notes from here
- Mallard ducklings not seen today
and
- several specimens of the harvestman Leiobunum rotundum on the lamps. Sometimes called Daddy longlegs spider, even though it is not a true spider
Birds noted flying over
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 3 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Pied Wagtail
Hirundine etc. noted
- House Martin heard only
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 14 Greylag Geese
- 56 Canada Geese (also 1 dead bird in the water)
- 1 white feral goose
- 18 (12♂) Mallard
- 3 (1♂?) Tufted Duck
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Grey Heron
- 3 Moorhens
- 12 + 3 (2 broods) Coots only
The harvestman Leiobunum rotundum, sometimes called Daddy longlegs spider, even though it is not a true spider. Note the very small spider / mite in the foreground.
(Ed Wilson)
11.0°C > 12.5°C: Areas of medium cloud with lower cloud and light rain shower later. Light SW wind. Very good visibility
Sunrise: 05:20 BST
Highlight today was my first-ever Fox at The Flash – and a very scruffy individual it was too. My attention was drawn to it by a pair of Crows making a lot of fuss as they followed it across the grass at the N end. Amazingly the 3 Greylag and 16 Canada Geese stood transfixed on the grass and watched the Fox go by
Priorslee Lake: 04:30 – 05:55 // 06:45 – 08:05
(84th visit of the year)
Notes from today:
- the additional pair(?) of adult Great Crested Grebes were present again: I suspect they are early-brood juveniles as they have very few head plumes, though they have lost the head-stripes
- the Common Sandpiper seen pre-dawn only
- the (same?) pair of Common Terns arrived from the E very noisily at 07:27
- group of at least 130 Black-headed Gulls swooped in at 05:15 to join the c.45 already present. Proportion of juveniles remains low
- a relatively new brood of Great Tits was a surprise: however unlike Blue Tits this species is sometimes double-brooded; so a 2nd brood
- one of the two parties of Long-tailed Tits contained at least 13 birds
- at least 3 juvenile Goldfinches today – my first this year
and
- several Tetragnatha web spider on the lamps again
- at least 6 Pipistrelle-type bat sps. along the N side pre-dawn: my highest-ever count
- first Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) of the year noted
- Red Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) in bloom again along the base of the dam after having been strimmed earlier
On with the bird totals
Birds noted flying over the lake:
- 11 Greylag Geese (2 groups) all outbound
- 59 Canada Geese (8 groups) all outbound
- 39 Wood Pigeons
Hirundine etc. seen
- 1 Swift at 05:50 only
Warblers counts: number in brackets = singing birds
- 4 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (0) Blackcaps
- 1 (0) Common Whitethroat again
- 5 (2) Reed Warblers
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans
- 4 Canada Geese again
- 28 (?♂) Mallard
- 3 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 6 + 6 (2 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 34 + 8 (7 broods) Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper yet again
- 2 Common Terms arrived at 07:27
- c.175 (>6 juveniles) Black-headed Gulls
All the signs of a repeat of yesterday’s “shepherds’ warning”
Eventually even better.
At its best.
And long after the red had faded still an interesting sky.
Mum (I assume) Great Crested Grebe with a full load (there are 4 if you look really hard).
The young beginning to take note of their surroundings, peering out.
And the other bird just about to lift off from a buoy.
Another bird with extensive ginger-brown on the nape but with no new feathers on the mantle.
Between the lake and The Flash alongside the path
- juvenile Moorhens calling from reeds in the upper pool
- Kingfisher flying through along the like of the Wesley Brook
- single Chiffchaff and Blackcap calling around the lower pool
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 06:00 – 06:40
(65th visit of the year)
Other notes from here
- Mallard ducklings not seen today
and
- several specimens of the harvestman Leiobunum rotundum on the lamps. Sometimes called Daddy longlegs spider, even though it is not a true spider
Birds noted flying over
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 3 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Pied Wagtail
Hirundine etc. noted
- House Martin heard only
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 14 Greylag Geese
- 56 Canada Geese (also 1 dead bird in the water)
- 1 white feral goose
- 18 (12♂) Mallard
- 3 (1♂?) Tufted Duck
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Grey Heron
- 3 Moorhens
- 12 + 3 (2 broods) Coots only
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On this day..........
2006
Priorslee Lake
Redshank
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Lake
Redshank
(Ed Wilson)