31 Mar 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

2.5°C > 3.5°C: Intermittent rain, heaviest early on. Moderate N wind. Good visibility, though a very dull start

Sunrise: 06:47 BST

Small passage of Tufted Ducks seems likely with three at the lake and an increase at The Flash

Priorslee Lake: 05:55 – 07:40 // 08:25 – 09:40

(36th visit of the year)

A Willow Warbler heard briefly in song along the N side at c.07:30 (but not thereafter) was new for me this year and brings my 2018 site total to 73

After all the recent rain the lake is about as full as I recall and the paths around the lake a horrendous muddy mess from which they seem unlikely to recover. The water itself was >50% mud-stained. Looking at the Wesley Brook inflows near the Teece Drive gate most of the mud was not coming down the Wesley Brook itself from The Flash but from the drains under the school and fields

Other notes from today:
- all the Mute Swans seem to have come to some sort of accommodation as to where they should be without upsetting any of the others. Only the ‘new’ cygnet occasionally gets any agro. It is noticeable that this bird’s bill is still black whereas the resident cygnets’ bills all have a slight orange tone
- the ‘resident’ pair (‘pair 1’) seem likely to be building their nest at the moment in the NW reeds. The pair in the NE area (‘pair 2’) are busily building their nest in the reeds here. The other pair (‘pair 3’) are still in the SE / S area but seem to have nowhere to build
- Coots are becoming hard to census as birds disappear in to the reeds, sitting on nests
- two Goldcrest territories noted today with another non-singing bird present
- singing Chiffchaffs are already disputing territory around the Wesley Brook bridge
- at least 1 Redwing heard in trees at the W well pre- the non-dawn this morning
- a lone Mistle Thrush over the football field and then in trees in the Ricoh copse: still no song
and
- nothing on the lamps

Today’s bird totals – all affected to some degree by the rain and dull conditions

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 7 Wood Pigeons only
- 31 Jackdaws

Hirundine count
none

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans as is now usual
- 2 Canada Geese
- 4 (3♂) Mallard again
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 56 Coots

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:50 – 08:20

(22nd visit of the year)

Notes from today
- two Treecreepers low down at point-blank range in the NW area: sadly much too dark (and wet!) to get the camera out. My first at The Flash this year– my 47th species

Birds noted flying over
None

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 3 (2) Chiffchaff

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 17 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose
- 14 (12♂) Mallard again
- 61 (39♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- 6 Moorhens
- 20 Coots

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake only

3.0°C > 4.0°C: Very low overcast started to clear from the E c.08:00. Light SE wind. Moderate / poor visibility

Sunrise: 06:49 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 08:35

(35th visit of the year)

Notes from today:

Best sighting today was a rare glimpse of a Water Rail in flight. I was on the Wesley Brook foot bridge trying in vain to get a photo of a pair of wing-waving Dunnocks when the Water Rail, presumably hiding under the bridge, could stand the suspense no longer and broke cover and flew down the brook before diving in to the reeds. It is many weeks since I have even heard this species here and I assumed that the hard weather had moved the birds on. Perhaps it had and this is a returning bird?

I may have partially solved the recent absence of Rooks. A friend who lives in Kynnersley tells me that when they moved in to the village there were 100s of Rooks in the trees but they have all gone in the last year, The question arises as to why and to where they have gone. It may explain why so few are seen over the lake

Other notes:
- single drake Gadwall back
- three pairs of Great Crested Grebes today
- a single adult Black-headed Gull flew high N
- count of the Jackdaw passage was hampered by low cloud and poor visibility: first group was 62 birds at the late time 06:24: no more until 12 birds at 06:35. Very few thereafter. All to the E of the water
and
- nothing on the lamps

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 2 Canada Geese again
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 11 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 33 Wood Pigeons
- 79 Jackdaws
- 4 Rooks
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 3 Redwings
- 2 Siskins

Hirundine count
none

Warblers noted: figure in brackets refers to singing birds
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans again
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 6 Canada Geese
- 1 (1♂) Gadwall
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Water Rail
- 9 Moorhens
- 60 Coots

A Wren caught shouting out from between the brambles. You can almost see what it had for breakfast

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

1.5°C > 6.0°C: Broken cloud becoming scattered: recent sleet shower as I arrived. Light SE wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:52 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 07:00 // 07:55 – 10:25

(34th visit of the year)

My extended visit this morning was devoted to litter picking – thanks to Paul in the catering vehicle in the Castle Farm lay-by for the loan of a picking tool. With the vegetation flattened by the snow all manner of junk has been exposed and I have gradually been removing it before the Spring growth hides it again. Managed to fill three containers with plastic bags, plastic and glass bottles and sweet wrappers from otherwise inaccessible places in the brambles this morning. You would hope that people wanting to enjoy the lake would take their litter home with them. Not so apparently. A distressingly high proportion was close to the Telford Yacht Club hut and shelter. Litter control not high on their agenda perhaps?

A Barn Swallow flew through at 08:05: my 72nd species at the lake this year

A footnote to the Mute Swan showing BTO ring W41365: we have data from the BTO. The bird was ringed just over 2 years ago at Bewdley, in Worcestershire on the River Severn when the bird was immature – likely born in 2014. It was also given the Orange Darvic ring 65S but that has evidently been lost along the way. Its sex was not noted. It seems possible that this bird is making its first attempt to nest

I was told of a Red Kite seen over Priorslee on Monday (16th)

Other notes from today:
- the geese are no longer flying obviously outbound (E) early to feed; and then returning inbound later. They are just flying around more or less at any time
- 2 Common Buzzards seen standing on the ‘football’ field: an unusual sighting. Were these the same as the two birds seen flying from a roost to the S of the M54 and across the lake much earlier?
- a tight group of c.75 adult Black-headed Gulls flew low W at 08:25, obviously going somewhere
- big number of Wood Pigeons flying over: most of these were birds from the fields and the trees to N / NNE which were flushed off and flew W over and to the N of the lake
- Jackdaw passage again started with two early birds at 06:13 today. Thereafter 131 more birds in 21 pairs / groups, all to the E of the lake
- 3 male Pied Wagtails on the dam-top this morning. At this time of year there will be passage birds and we need to check for the paler European allies species White Wagtail
and
- nothing on the lamps
- first Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) flowers noted: a very common plants of gardens and all waste places

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 Common Buzzards
- c.75 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Stock Doves
- >140 Wood Pigeons
- 137 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 1 Redwing
- 1 Siskin

Hirundine count
- 1 Barn Swallow

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 7 (5) Chiffchaffs again

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 2 Cormorants
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 57 Coots

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 07:45

(21st visit of the year)

Notes from today

Birds noted flying over
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws again

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose
- 24 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose as usual
- 14 (12♂) Mallard
- 52 (33♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 7 Moorhens
- 16 Coots

Seen between the lake and The Flash
- 2 Canada Geese on the lower pool
- 1 Moorhen on the lower pool
- a male Siskin in trees near the upper pool

This male Siskin found looking for feeders in the back gardens between the lake and The Flash

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 3.5°C: Lowering cloud with spots of rain after 08:35 and heavier rain (and soft hail!) at 09:00. Very light NW wind. Very good visibility but rather poor in rain

Sunrise: 06:54 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 07:00 // 07:55 – 09:20
(33rd visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- the extra cygnet was present early and later. When I arrived back from The Flash c.08:00 the three resident cygnets were flying around without their usual companion. It returned at 08:30 from the W
- 2 drake Tufted Ducks in very different parts of the lake. Nevertheless they flew off high W together at 08:15
- in addition to the Wood Pigeons overhead >100 were noted in trees to the N having been flushed from fields. They tend to ignore the bird-scarer cannons
- Jackdaw passage much larger today. Two early birds at 06:19. Two large groups followed 11 minutes later with birds to the E of the water today, most in parties of c.90 and c.220 birds
- Treecreeper seen and another heard this morning
- one of the non-singing Chiffchaffs is a rather strange bird that I first saw last Saturday. It has a dark crown and when I first saw it I thought it a female Blackcap. It was quickly obvious that it was too small for that species, indeed it seems rather small for a Chiffchaff. Its behaviour and body tone is correct for Chiffchaff and I am sure that is what it is
- at least 4 male Chaffinches seen around the lake: only one was singing. Two is my usual count of singing males during breeding season
- at least 11 Greenfinches chasing and calling with at least 3 giving their wheezy song and one of these see doing its bat-like display-flight
- a lone and rather late Siskin
and
- what seemed to be a White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) found on one of the lamps

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 4 Greylag Geese (2 pairs outbound)
- 4 Canada Geese (also 2 pairs outbound)
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 26 Wood Pigeons
- c.318 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 7 (5) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans once again, but see notes
- 4 Greylag Geese briefly
- 5 (3♂) Mallard once again
- 2 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens again
- 63 Coots

A Coot nest. Seems to be ‘a building project’.

Not a stunning shot but the best I could manage in the dull weather: a Treecreeper of course.

This seems to be a White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) found on one of the lamps this morning. There are several small all-black millipedes but this is the only species with the pointed tail. The white legs are not that obvious on this ‘plan view’. I logged my first on a very similar date last year (07 April): it occurs year-round though.

Severn-Trent’s Emergency work seems to be finished. We may get some Daffodils yet.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 07:45

(20th visit of the year)

A Goldcrest heard singing and then seen at the top end of squirrel alley was my first here this year: my species count for 2018 now stands at 46

Other notes from today
- the Mute Swan on the water was again the pen. Managed to find an angle to see the cob on the nest inside the island. Martin Grant had suggested to be that it is not unusual for the cob to be deputed to keep the eggs warm while the clutch is incomplete (for the pen to build up her reserves for egg-laying and then the long brooding process?)
- some of the Canada Geese were still leaving while I was walking around
- one of the Chiffchaffs still learning – more of a ‘chiff-chiff-chiff-chiff-chaff’!

Birds noted flying over
- 7 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 37 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose as usual
- 13 (11♂) Mallard
- 49 (30♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 6 Moorhens
- 18 Coots

Seen between the lake and The Flash
- 1 (1♂) Mallard on the lower pool
- 2 Moorhens around the upper pool
- a Siskin singing – well wheezing – from trees near the upper pool

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 7.0°C: Mainly cloudy after overnight rain. Spells of light rain / drizzle. Moderate S wind. Good visibility becoming poor at times in rain

Sunrise: 06:56 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:55 – 07:05 // 07:50 – 09:35

(32nd visit of the year)

A very quiet morning: nothing ‘brought down’ by the low cloud – was hoping for some Sand Martins: however despite staying until well after their usual post 09:00 arrival nothing seen

Notes from today:
- the extra cygnet seemed to attract attention from all the adults today but it largely ignored them!
- Gadwall now gone
- Tufted Ducks also gone, though still good numbers at The Flash
- an extra pair of Great Crested Grebes seen at c.06:45: gone by 08:00?
- in addition to the Wood Pigeons overhead some 200 were noted being flushed from fields to the NNE in to the trees
- Jackdaw passage much as yesterday. In the dull conditions the 2 early birds were nine minutes later at 06:23. 4 groups followed again 8 minutes afterwards
- am somewhat surprised not to have heard Mistle Thrush song so far this year. A few birds were seen in their normal area around the Ricoh copse earlier in the year, but not recently
and
- a March Moth found on one of the lamps

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 3 Canada Geese (pair and single outbound)
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Stock Doves
- 18 Wood Pigeons
- 89 Jackdaws

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 3 (2) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans once again
- 3 Canada Geese again
- 5 (3♂) Mallard again
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 55 Coots

Something you can only really do with a camera and an editing package to magnify the result: one Mute Swan of the ‘new’ pairs has a BTO ring and no ‘easy-to-read’ Darvic ring. Wait till it upends and snap away hoping to catch the ID – W41365. I hope Martin Grant will be able to shed some light on this bird’s origin. Watch this space.

The first character was none to clear on the last shot – this confirms the W.

Not a stunning view of a rather scruffy March Moth. Just about the end of the flight-season for this species.

Well there goes the ice display of Daffodils. “Essential Works’ by Severn-Trent the label says.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:15 – 07:45

(19th visit of the year)

Notes from today
- yet again only 1 Mute Swan
- numbers of Tufted Ducks holding up well: notably these are much more scattered around the water and more mobile making accurate counts rather difficult

Birds noted flying over
None

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan only again
- 21 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose as usual
- 10 (9♂) Mallard
- 47 (28♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 17 Coots

Nothing of note seen between the lake and The Flash

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash: then Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

1.5°C > 8.5°C: Just a few scattered clouds. Frosty start. Very light and variable wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:59 BST

Highlight today was a Marsh Tit heard and then seen making its way quickly N along the W side of Trench Lock Pool. Very many years since I have seen this species in the Priorslee area and only my second record in Shropshire in the last two years. By amazing coincidence the previous record was just yesterday on the woodland feeder at the Venus Pool SOS Reserve

Other general comments about today
- almost all the gulls have now left
- with clear nights many migrants seem to have moved on. Against this trend an entirely unexpected Blackcap was heard and then seen singing at The Flash. At this date I would judge it to be a bird that has wintered in the area and had been tempted to sing by the early warm sunshine

Priorslee Lake: 05:55 – 07:00 // 08:00 – 09:20

(31st visit of the year)

Highlight here was a Meadow Pipit in the trees in the SW area. It is not that unusual to see this species perch in trees on Spring passage – I have never seen them do so on Autumn passage. New for me at this site this year – my 71st bird species here

The reduced duck numbers likely as a result of Sunday disturbance from the Telford Sailing Club’s boats.

Other notes from today:
- all the cygnets went for a fly together as they have done several days recently. The resident birds left the environs of the lake for the first time I can recall. They did not go far and were soon back
- arrived in good time for the early Jackdaw passage and was disappointed. 2 birds at the early time of 06:14. 5 groups followed some 8 minutes later with 32 the largest party. Just a few singles / pairs later. A much reduced total. Still no sign of any Rooks
- a Tree Creeper heard in song: my first here for some weeks
and
- nothing on the lamps
- Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) seen growing on the old Celestica site
- as yet unidentified fungus on dead wood

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 1 Greylag Goose (outbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair outbound)
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 31 Wood Pigeons
- 99 Jackdaws
- 2 Redwings

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans still
- 3 Canada Geese
- 5 (3♂) Gadwall
- 5 (3♂) Mallard as well
- 2 (2♂) Tufted Ducks only
- 1 Grey Heron
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens
- 59 Coots

A pre-dawn silhouette view of a Grey Heron in breeding plumage – note the head streamers.

Some fungus on a stem broken-off by the weight of snow. Not had a chance to look at species ID as yet.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 07:50

(18th visit of the year)

The Blackcap (see main highlights) was new for me here this. Also new here were two Meadow Pipits seen overhead. My species count this year here now stands at 45

Other notes from today
- still only 1 Mute Swan seen: this is blue 7HJJ. I need to check but I recall this is the pen. If so where is the cob?
- two pairs of Mallard were doing their ‘sitting on roofs’ trick today – they only ever seem to do this at the start of the breeding season
- small but significant Wood Pigeon passage: birds flying in various directions
- 2 Song Thrushes in song: two other seen fighting

Birds noted flying over
- 34 Wood Pigeons (9 singles / groups)
- 2 Meadow Pipits

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Blackcap

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan only
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 28 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose as usual
- 14 (12♂) Mallard
- 43 (28♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 6 Moorhens
- 19 Coots

A duck Mallard ‘roof sitting’.

The drake with her.

And a different pair also ‘roof-sitting’. These two were the only duck Mallard seen here today.

This Great Crested Grebe has caught a whopper.

After some while trying to get to grips with it – diving with it and coming with the fish at a different angle – it seemed to decide that it was too big and dropped it.

And ended up looking rather dishevelled for its efforts.

Talking of dishevelled ... a Wood Pigeon of course.

These will soon be hidden by leaves: it is a Magpie nest, probably being reused and refurbishes rather than having been constructed this year.

The colours and reflections in the almost still water make it look like a scene from a painting of a French along a canal.
Seen between the lake and The Flash
- a Moorhen by the upper pool

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 09:30 – 09:50 // 10:30 – 10:55

(11th visit of the year)

Work has been done to coppice trees along the N-side dam-face and in the NW corner. Whether it was at the behest of The Canal and River Trust (who manage this water) or the local Council no-one I spoke to seemed to know. I appreciate that the integrity of the dam is vital but just coppicing the trees seems unlikely to prevent the roots moving the stones. And the large willow in the NW corner could not have affected the dam at all. So why? What is more it is now glaringly obvious just how much plastic rubbish has collected near the outflow. Money might have been much better spent on removing this

Other notes from here
- the cob Mute Swan was raising its wings in threatening posture at some of his brood, but not others. Perhaps just the males?
- 6 Jays at least – perhaps 8. Flying around in noisy pairs making Buzzard-like noises as well as the usual murderous calls
- 1 Chiffchaff in song as I was leaving
with Jay, Chiffchaff and highlighted Marsh Tit all new for me in 2018 at this site my species total becomes 48.Indeed the Marsh Tit is my first-ever at this site

Birds noted flying over here [apart from the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going]
- 3 Common Buzzards
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the water
- 1 + 6 Mute Swans
- 5 Canada Geese
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard again
- 21 (12♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens
- 29 Coots
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull briefly

Here we see the cut willow in the NW corner of the water, with another cut at the start of the dam and the Hawthorn hedge behind fiercely trimmed. Why?

And a zoom-in on the plastic and other rubbish that no-one thought to clear.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool: 09:55 – 10:25

(11th visit of the year)

The work to restore the brown-stained area to the NW of the lake was featured on last night’s edition of Country File on BBC1

Other notes from here
- one of last year’s cygnets seemed to be missing – they were scattered about and hard to be 100% certain as you can never see ‘behind the island’
- Grey Wagtail seen: sometimes breeds (near?) here. My 38th bird species here this year

Birds noted flying over here
- 1 Wood Pigeon

The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 22 Greylag Geese
- 48 Canada Geese
- 16 (14♂) Mallard
- [no obvious ‘feral’ Mallard noted]
- 9 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Cormorants
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 28 Coots

‘Handsome’ is a very appropriate word for this Greylag Goose.

A gang of Long-tailed Tits passed by. Here we see one ‘clutching at straws’ – nest material.

Trying to get the straw at the right angle to take away.

I do like Long-tailed Tits.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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 18

Priorslee Lake only

2.5°C > 5.0°C: Mainly clear with a few areas of thin med/high cloud. Light but rather keen NW wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 07:01 BST

Priorslee Lake: 06:20 – 09:20

(30th visit of the year)

Amazingly the same three Goldeneyes present for their third morning

Other notes from today:
- more Gadwall today: rather restless with birds flying around
- also more Tufted Ducks today: also very restless with birds both chasing and flying around
- the 2 Sparrowhawks over at 06:35 both seemed to be females: no display noted
- Coots also particularly noisy and chasing and fighting
- several small groups of Wood Pigeons on presumed passage flying very high – one group of 10 birds flying S(!) only noted because they flew through my binoculars as I was watching the Cormorant over. Much too high to see with the (well my) unaided eye
- a rather small Jackdaw passage this morning with birds over and to the E of the lake: none seen to the W
- 5 Redwings noted in trees with one giving a few song notes – rarely heard in England
- the quieter traffic of a weekend allowed me to hear a Yellowhammer in song from the fields to the E
and
- nothing on the lamps

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Greylag Geese (pair circled then outbound)
- 15 Canada Geese (4 groups)
- 1 Cormorant
- 2♀ Sparrowhawks
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 11 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 52 Wood Pigeons
- 70 Jackdaws
- 1 Starling
- 2 Goldfinches

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 6 (3) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans remain
- 9 Canada Geese
- 7 (4♂) Gadwall
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 24 (20♂) Tufted Ducks
- 3 (1♂) Goldeneyes again
- 1 Little Grebe
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 7 Moorhens
- 67 Coots
- 8 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Some of the restless Tufted Ducks go for a fly. Mainly drakes.

As noted the Coots were being aggressive: five birds take up positions.

One of the Coots is on the warpath.

The battles are mainly posturing otherwise those claws ....

Not to be taken lying down!

I noted two female Sparrowhawks over the lake this morning. This is neither! It is one that flew over my house later in the day. Female Sparrowhawks are significantly larger than the males though on a lone bird this can be hard to judge. The marking distinguish the sexes with the male showing orange-brown wash and less barring on the upper breast.

Always hard to get a clear shot of a Jay – a rather wary species. This bird is calling mimicking a Buzzard’s mewing sound.

And a rather better portrait.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

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)