7.0°C > 9.5°C: Early mist clearing gradually, still with areas of low cloud. Calm start with light ESE wind later. Poor / moderate visibility
Sunrise: 06:26 BST
With a very foggy dawn it did seem sensible to get to the lake early and see nothing much. Visited The Flash first as the distance to see across the water is less
The Flash: 10:15 – 11:15
(29th visit of the year)
Notes from today
- the ‘new’ Mute Swan has been confirmed as being Green CF59, ringed on the River Dee in Chester in 2002: a female born in 2001 and one of the group of c.16 birds on Priorslee Lake during the cold weather in January (thanks as ever to Martin Grant). I was told that a pair was seen yesterday. Positive identification of the two seen this morning was not possible
- pair of Sparrowhawks circling high over – well as high as the low clouds would allow
- 3 different Coal Tits seen singing: Not sure I have recorded that number before
- large Willow Warbler count again: most of these were again very active and moving northwards
- pair of Nuthatches seen inspecting a likely nest hole
Birds noted flying over
- 2 Sparrowhawks
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws
Warblers noted: figures in brackets are singing birds (not necessarily all the males seen were noted singing)
- 6 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (8) Willow Warblers
- 2 (2) Blackcaps
The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans (see notes)
- 2 Greylag Geese again
- 29 Canada Geese
- 13 (11♂) Mallard again
- 39 (25♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens again
- 18 Coots
A really misty sky and a pale bird circling high. A male Sparrowhawk here looking rather ‘hooded’.
Well-known for their acrobatic skills here it is the other way up ...
And enjoying the rush of blood to the head.
And at another angle – this time carrying a piece of bark. Now what could that be for?
Ah: a nest hole?
Better check inside.
Looks OK.
Better look for some more nesting material.
(Ed Wilson)
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Priorslee Lake: 11:20 – 12:45
(43rd visit of the year)
Highlight today was a (Common) Ringed Plover heard and then seen overhead. Just possible that this had been on the SW grassy area even though I had not noted it there. This is my first record of this species here for many years. Little Ringed Plover is more expected here but the flight-calls are sufficiently different for me to be positive of the ID. Becomes my 76th species here in 2018
Other notes from today:
- 6 Great Crested Grebes were at the W end. My position was such that I could not see in to the NE bay where two birds had been earlier and where I suspect there is / will be a nest. Perhaps there were 8?
and
- nothing on the lamps – everything gone before my late arrival
- another fly-by of a probable Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- [as a footnote to yesterday’s two Shoulder Stripe moths, I had one on my back-door glass last night]
Today’s bird totals
Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 1 (Common) Ringed Plover
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Stock Doves
- 3 Wood Pigeons only
- 3 Jackdaws only
Hirundines seen today
None
Warblers noted: figure in brackets are singing birds (not necessarily all the males seen were noted singing)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (2) Willow Warblers
- 8 (5) Blackcaps
The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans as ever
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 32 Coots
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day..........
2017Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
12 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
7 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
133 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling-type Goose
29 Tufted Ducks
5 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Sky Lark
1 Meadow Pipit
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
22 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
Little Ringed Plover
8 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Tit
3 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Greylag Goose
1 Cackling Goose
73 Tufted Duck
Brambling
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
6 Redshank
18 Teal
(Martin Grant)
2011
Nedge Hill
Ring Ouzel
4 Common Redstart
7 Wheatear
(John Isherwood,Ed Wilson)
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatchers
2 Common Redstarts
1 Tree Pipit
(JW Reeves)
2007
Priorslee lake
4 Tufted Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Sand Martin
1 Skylark
1 Meadow Pipit
4 Blackcap
2 Willow Warbler
9 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
3 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
Priorslee Village
1 Swallow
(Martin Adlam)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Herons
1 Cormorant
7 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
259 Jackdaw
4 Stock Doves
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
13 Meadow Pipits
21 Wrens
18 Robins
22 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
3 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
4 Jays
6 Greenfinches
2 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)