31 May 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

c.15.0°C > c.16.0°C: Another visit with a very low overcast and with drizzle for a while c.08:15. Light E wind. Moderate visibility, poor in drizzle

Sunrise: 04:52 BST

Priorslee Lake: 07:30 – 09:20

(65th visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- the pair of Mute Swans in the NE area now have just 3 cygnets
- 6 Great Crested Grebes today: possibly more as visibility poor much of the time
- low Coot numbers at least in part due to this poor visibility
- 1 Common Tern arrived c.08:50
- Green Woodpecker heard and seen in N side copse on most days recently. Suspect there is a nest in the area – as well as the Great Spotted Woodpecker known to be nesting near here
- a 3rd (Common) Whitethroat in song today. Perhaps they are between broods and re-establishing their territories

and
- at least two Silver-ground Carpet moths flushed
- a Blood-vein moth found in the vegetation
- despite (because of?) the damp weather many damselflies seen emerging and flying off: Common Blue and Red-eyed Damselflies specifically identified
- Common stretch-spiders (Tetragnatha extensa) again
- at least one Black Snipe fly (Chrysopilus cristatus)

New species of flowering plants noted today
None

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 5 Wood Pigeons again
- 4 Starlings

Hirundines seen today
- 2 Common Swifts again
- 4 House Martins

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (10) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers still
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroat
- 7 (7) Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 8 (2) Mute Swans
- 1 Canada Goose
- 7 (6♂) Mallard
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- no Moorhens again
- 15 Coots
- 1 Common Tern

The original brood of Mute Swans with one of the long-term residents.

The other brood of Mute Swans: they seem to have lost one of the cygnets since yesterday.

A tern sp. turned at c.08:50. There had been reports of a small and late passage of Arctic Terns through the Midlands yesterday so it needed to be checked out. It stayed well away from my side of the water but enlarging a photo clearly shows the dark wedge on the primaries and is therefore a Common Tern.

A male Blackbird of course. A few white specs in the feathers as so often with this species. A photo I could only have taken while the academy – the background here – is on half-term. Pointing a camera at an occupied school is unwise these days.

A splendid Blood-vein moth in the vegetation. One of a number of moth species that are commonly found resting or are easily flushed in daytime.

I think this damselfly was partially trapped in a spider-web, hence its splayed wings. Clearly a Red-eyed Damselfly.

This is a female (or teneral) Common Blue Damselfly.

As is this.

This is a female Black Snipe fly (Chrysopilus cristatus).

Flowers that are difficult (and potentially painful) to see – these is a flower-head Common or Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Another plant with flowers that are small and hard to see. This is Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius). Handily it was growing close to the nettles in case I got stung. Mind you I do wonder whether any plant sap rubbed on nettle stings would ameliorate the itching or whether it has to be dock leaves.

This spider lurking inside a buttercup seems to another Larinioides sp., and best fits Larinioides sclopetarius.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 07:25 // 09:25 – 09:40

(48th visit of the year)

I see that on Google Maps this is called Hangman’s Pool. I will continue to call it The Flash

Notes from today
- the duck Mallard with her ducklings was under vegetation on the opposite side of the water: I noted at least 6 ducklings, there could well have been all 7 still
- three broods of Coots in the water again. The nest alongside Derwent Drive apparently empty / deserted
- 2 Barn Swallows on wires in Ashley Road, in St Georges just N of the water
also
- a probable Common Pug moth in the tunnel under the A5 (Telford Way)

Birds noted flying over
None

Hirundines etc. seen today
- 2 Common Swifts
- 2 Barn Swallows to N again
- 2 House Martins

Warblers noted: figures in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 1 (0) Willow Warbler
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan still
- 26 Canada Geese
- 10 (8♂) + 6? (1 brood) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe still
- 2 Moorhens
- 23 + 8 (3 broods) Coots

On the wires of Ashley Road, in St Georges just N of the water here are two Barn Swallows – hard to get colour against the drab overcast. These birds seem to be (interested in) nesting in the smallholding here.

Often hard to specifically identify this seems most likely to be a Common Pug.

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling. Probably one of the birds from the nest-site in Ricoh copse

(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
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Long Lane, Wellington
13 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
(JW Reeves)

30 May 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake: 07:35 – 09:00
The Flash: 07:10 – 07:30 // 09:05 – 09:25

c.13.0°C > c.14.0°C: Yet again a complete low overcast. Light N breeze. Poor visibility, moderate later.

Sunrise: 04:53 BST

Transport difficulties meant I was consigned to the mercies of Mr. Arriva and the times and routes of his buses. A late start and an abbreviated watch

Priorslee Lake: 07:35 – 09:00

(64th visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- the pair of Mute Swans in the NE area put 4 new cygnets in the water this morning. We will see how the two breeding pairs get on
- where do they all come from: another two Great Crested Grebes today
- no Common Terns
- new juvenile Blue Tits heard but not seen
- my later and shorter visit this morning was probably responsible for fewer Blackcaps heard singing
- probably a 2nd (Common) Whitethroat in song today. This was singing at a site where a bird was singing when this species first arrived. However it was not that far from the long-term bird and that bird remains rather restless and continues to sing, suggesting it has no mate
- Tree Creepers have been heard several days recently: today I saw an obvious adult and heard at least one other possible begging juvenile
- no Starlings around this morning: they do seem to leave the nesting areas for the countryside very soon after juveniles fledge. Against this I heard juveniles calling from nests in St. Georges

and
- at last: a moth on the lamps: my first-ever Grey Birch
- at least two Silver-ground Carpet moths flushed
- the usual horde of Common stretch-spiders (Tetragnatha extensa)
- two Larinioides cornutus spiders
- at least one Dusky Slug (Arion subfuscus)

The following plants added to previous sightings this month
- a single yet-to-open spike of an orchid: possibly an Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata)

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 5 Wood Pigeons only

Hirundines seen today
- 2 Common Swifts
- 7 House Martins high over estate to NW

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 7 (7) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers again
- 2 (2) (Common) Whitethroat
- 6 (6) Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 9 (2) Mute Swans
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 7 Great Crested Grebes
- no Moorhens
- 18 + 1 (1 brood) Coots

This Silver-ground Carpet moth had the decency to land somewhere where I could photograph it. Not only that it was about as pristine a specimen as you could find.

I am fairly certain this is a Grey Birch moth – a new species for me, so I am not familiar with it.

Rather easier to see features of this stretch-spider against the background of a lamp-post than when amongst the nettles. However it reveals a different pattern on the back from the Common stretch-spider (Tetragnatha extensa) so it will have to remain spider sp.

A close-up of this spider which appears to be another Larinioides cornutus.

Damp conditions mean slugs and snails: here is a Dusky Slug (Arion subfuscus).

Positive ID of this orchid sp. will have to wait a few days until the spike opens. My first this year.

I spoke to the driver of this vehicle parked in the entrance to the lake. Seems that the drains under the academy and adjacent fields that drain in to the Wesley Brook (and hence the lake) at this point need some work. The driver was still awaiting further instructions. There was a pollution incident here some years ago though there is no obvious smell to suggest any further contamination.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 07:30 // 09:05 – 09:25

(47th visit of the year)

Notes from today
- the yellow-ring cob Mute Swan in the water today. Try as I might I cannot spot any mate on a nest inside the island
- duck Mallard still with 7 ducklings
- three broods of Coots in the water today. Still several birds sitting with the adult on the nest alongside Derwent Drive brooding protesting juveniles in a 4th brood
- >10 Swifts overhead with 4 House Martins above them – I think would have expected Swifts above the House Martins
- 2 Barn Swallows seen to N: in previous years this species seems to have bred in the smallholding alongside the A5 but I did not note them last year. Perhaps they are back

Birds noted flying over
- 1 Cormorant

Hirundines etc. seen today
- >10 Common Swifts
- 2 Barn Swallows to N
- 4 House Martins

Warblers noted: figures in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 2 (1) Willow Warblers
- 1 (1) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan again
- 31 Canada Geese
- 10 (8♂) + 7 (1 brood) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- no Moorhens again
- 17 + >8 (4 broods) Coots

Now the breeding season for them is more or less at the end these drake Mallard were loafing on the grass. Note that the left-most bird has already started to moult in to its ’eclipse’ plumage – a more cryptic plumage worn for a short while when it moults all its flight-feathers simultaneously and is therefore flightless.
Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 2 House Martins overhead
- 2 Blackcaps singing again: one at the lower lake; one above 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
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Long Lane, Wellington
13 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
(JW Reeves)

29 May 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

13.5°C > 14.5°C: Another morning with a low overcast and occasional dampness in the air. Moderate ENE wind. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 04:54 BST

Priorslee Lake: 04:30 – 05:35 // 06:30 – 08:10

(63rd visit of the year)

Highlight today was the Hobby that flashed NE across the football field at 05:30 scattering Wood Pigeons and Starlings. Almost worth the early start ... however it, or another, flew W at medium height over the lake at the more civilised time of 07:40. My 87th bird species this year here

Notes from today:
- the pair of Mute Swans in the NE area still declined to introduce any cygnets to the water
- an extra pair of Great Crested Grebes today. One bird from the two resident pairs was unseen again
- a single Common Tern arrived at 05:10 and was seen throughout thereafter
- 1 Swift over at 05:10 briefly; 3 equally briefly at 08:00
- 3 House Martins over at 07:35 were the only true hirundines today
- a Jay seen making off with a nestling pursued by a protesting group of Blackbirds
- after much walking between the singing birds I am now happy that there are three singing Garden Warblers after all. They all seem to move around their territories a lot which has caused me confusion ‘around the edges’
- the Mistle Thrush singing around the Teece Drive gate again. Later two birds on the football field both collecting food and flying off

and
- once more nothing on the lamps: a major disappointment this year so far
- at least three Silver-ground Carpet moths flushed: several other unidentified moths similarly flushed
- several Common Crane-fly (Tipula oleracea) again
- the crane-fly Limonia phragmitidis was new for me
- the now usual horde of Common stretch-spiders (Tetragnatha extensa) in the nettles

The following plants added to previous sightings this month
- Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 or 2 Hobbies (see notes)
- 6 Wood Pigeons again
- 2 Jackdaws

Hirundines seen today
- 4 Common Swifts
- 3 House Martins

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 12 (11) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers
- 1 (1) (Common) Whitethroat again
- 7 (6) Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + >5 (2?) Mute Swans again
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Moorhen
- 17 + H (1 brood) Coots
- 1 Common Tern

My first sighting of Hobby today was too brief to even be able to raise the binoculars. This second sighting was slightly longer and here is a record shot as it flew away fast W. The narrow pointed wings are obvious even at this range

Taken in poor light early on is this Mistle Thrush on the football field looking to collect food for its brood. More contrast than a Song Thrush would ever show; larger and more upright with bolder spotting; smaller-headed; and with pale edges to the flight feathers.

This striking Crane-fly is Limonia phragmitidis. It has no vernacular name – perhaps ‘Red-headed Cranefly’ or, following its scientific name, ‘Reed Cranefly’? My first record of this species.

My first Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) of the year here. I read that this species is not truly native to the UK and all specimens have escaped / been introduced at some time.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 05:45 – 06:25

(46th visit of the year)

Notes from today
- duck Mallard still with 7 ducklings – this brood first seen by me on 24th May
- I saw none of very new juvenile Coots alongside Derwent Drive – they could well have been in the largely hidden nest being brooded by the sitting adult. Just 1 well-grown juvenile along the E side
- no Swifts overhead today and none visible towards their breeding area in St Georges
- two Chiffchaffs singing this morning after several days with one / none
- only one Blackcap heard from around the primary academy entrance today with two more around the pool

Birds noted flying over
- 1 Jackdaw again

Hirundines etc. seen today
None

Warblers noted: figures in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler again
- 3 (3) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan again
- 40 Canada Geese
- 8 (6♂) + 7 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Ducks again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- no Moorhens
- 21 + 1 (1 brood) Coots

These had got too close to a nesting Coot and were being chased off: the duck Mallard with her 7 ducklings.

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 1 Moorhen on grass around 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
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Sedge Warbler
5 Reed Warbler
(John Isherwood)

Long Lane, Wellington
2 Dunlin
1 Sanderling
(Andy Latham)

2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Tufted Ducks
Ed Wilson

2007
Priorslee Lake
Swifts
Kestrel
Great Black-backed Gull
(Martin Adlam)

28 May 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

12.0°C > 13.5°C: Low overcast occasionally threatening to break but never did. Calm with light E wind picking up. Poor visibility, becoming moderate as cloud lifted somewhat

Sunrise: 04:55 BST

Priorslee Lake: 04:40 – 05:40 // 06:35 – 08:25

(62nd visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- 3 first year Mute Swans had arrived during yesterday’s storms and initially seemed to be being tolerated. They were eventually chased away and the locals then had a scrap with the non-nesting pair without any real conclusion. The pair in the NE area still declined to introduce any cygnets to the water
- the Pheasant heard calling again
- single quite well-grown juvenile Coot in the NW area again; also 4 very new juveniles from a nearby breed
- an unexpected Oystercatcher flew low E at 07:30
- a single Common Sandpiper
- no Common Terns at 04:45: a lone bird by 06:50 and throughout thereafter
- 2 Barn Swallows briefly only
- 6 singing Reed Warblers: perhaps we have had a few late arrivals taking advantage of the new growth in the reeds that were flattened by the snow. This species can be a late migrant as it needs aphids on the new growth to feed
- still >20 Starlings on the ‘football field’ with both adults and juveniles

and
- still nothing on the lamps
- another Yellow-faced Bell (Notocelia cynosbatella) moth flushed from the vegetation
- at least one grass moth flushed – my first record of Crambus lathoniellus (aka Hook-streak Grass-veneer) here
- several Common Crane-fly (Tipula oleracea)
- dozens of Common stretch-spiders (Tetragnatha extensa) in the nettles
- small hatch of damselflies despite the damp conditions with at least one Red-eyed Damselfly
- a Mirid bug, likely an Orthops sp., possibly Orthops basalis
- I can attest to the presence of mosquito sp. I did not specifically identify it!

The following plants added to previous sightings this month
- Shiny Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum)
- Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis)

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 5 Canada Geese
- 1 Oystercatcher
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 1 Stock Dove
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Jackdaws

Hirundines seen today
- >15 Common Swifts
- 2 Barn Swallows

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 10 (10) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Garden Warblers
- 1 (1) (Common) Whitethroat
- 7 (6) Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 9 > 6 + >5 (2?) Mute Swans (see notes)
- 7 (6♂) Mallard
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 18 + 5 (2 broods) Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Common Tern

Typically with its mouth open and calling: an Oystercatcher passes by.

The sun threatened to break through but never did. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITH YOUR EYES. I can get away with it using the camera. Unusually we cannot see any sign of sun-spots.

A grass-moth – my first of the year: but which? It is Crambus lathoniellus (aka Hook-streak Grass-veneer), one of the earliest grass moths. Surprising I note that this seems to be my first-ever record here. Perhaps I am often away during its short flight-season.

Another view of a Yellow-faced Bell (Notocelia cynosbatella) moth.

I helped this struggling damselfly to emerge from its rather damp exuvia. I am fairly sure this is a female Red-eyed Damselfly – there is a hint of red in the eyes, the body yet to acquire its proper colour.

The short wing (case?) suggests this small insect is a Mirid Bug rather than a beetle sp. I think it might be an Orthops sp., possibly Orthops basalis.

Can someone tell me what these black things are? Found on the underside of a grass stem over-hanging the water.

I think this is Shiny Crane’s-bill (Geranium lucidum), mainly from the leaves just visible.

This seems to be Perennial Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis) about to open.

Fall on sword time: been unable, in time available, to sort this small blue flower out.

One of the results of the heavy rain and thunderstorms from yesterday: a lot of debris jammed against the Wesley Brook bridge and signs that the bridge was ‘topped’ with the vegetation at the side also flattened by the force of the water flowing in to the lake.

This is where various drains discharge in to the Wesley Brook at the Teece Drive gate: more vegetation flattened by the rushing flood-water.

Much of the blossom has been washed off the trees – mainly Hawthorn here. Hope it has been on the trees long-enough for fertilisation to have occurred here.

Also washed off the trees were these vestigial sycamore (Acer sp.) keys. Obviously an effect of the rain: however many trees over-produce fruit/seed and have a ‘drop’ to discard an excess and maximise the chance of ripening more than enough for the species survival.

This is a different Acer sp. tree, but we plenty of keys remaining.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 05:50 – 06:25

(45th visit of the year)

Notes from today
- the recent ‘extra’ Mute Swans all gone (via the lake?). Only one of the residents seen
- the Great Crested Grebes seemed to be hiding and were only heard displaying behind overhanging vegetation
- 2 quite well-grown juvenile Coots were seen on the island; 2 very new juveniles alongside Derwent Drive; 1 between-sized juvenile along the E side. Lots of adults on the water. Strangely there seem to be more birds here than at the lake this year
- 3 of the Blackcaps could be heard from around the primary academy entrance, with only one other around the water itself

Birds noted flying over
- 1 Jackdaw
- 1 Starling

Hirundines etc. seen today
- 4 Swifts

Warblers noted: figures in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler still
- 4 (4) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan (see notes)
- 34 Canada Geese
- 13 (11♂) + 0 Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- Great Crested Grebes heard only
- 1 Moorhen
- 25 + 5 (3 broods) Coots

To me very ugly: a really new Coot juvenile gets fed.

On the roof of the tunnel under Priorslee Avenue was this Red-green Carpet moth. My first record of this species for many years in this area.
Noted between the lake and The Flash
- at least 6 House Martins above Priorslee Avenue: these not seen / heard at either the lake or The Flash
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again
and
- Red-green Carpet moth in the tunnel under Priorslee Avenue

(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

2007
Priorslee Lake
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
Cuckoo
(Martin Adlam)

27 May 18

Priorslee Lake only

11.5°C > 13.5°C: Mainly cloudy: hazy high cloud to start before thunder-clouds from the S and SE. Gusty moderate NNE fell away and rather variable for a while. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 04:58 BST

Had intended to make a very early start today. This was thwarted by heavy rain and thunder at 04:00. By 05:30 the rainfall radar suggested that the storms had moved off N with remnant rain over the Welsh border moving W. Not quite so: soon after I arrived thunder could be heard to the SW and this gradually encroached on the lake from the S / SE with dramatic lightning and rain driving me away

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 07:25

(61st visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- I was told that the Mute Swan nest in the NW area contains 4 cygnets and 1 unbroken egg: the adults have yet to put the cygnets in the water
- 2 sub-adult Mute Swans came from the W at 06:45 and circled awhile, inspecting the arched feathers on the residents and headed off S
- a Pheasant heard calling from the brownfield area to the N: my first log since 01 April
- 2 similarly-sized Sparrowhawks seen sparring over the SW area 06:15. I suspect one pair is again nesting in its usual area as Blackbirds can often be heard scolding loudly from the general area
- the same(?) two Common Terns present throughout with the presumed female almost stuck to her buoy and calling to be fed when the flying, presumed male, catches a fish
- a single Barn Swallow flew E at 06:50
- Long-tailed Tit juveniles seen being fed
- the male Pied Wagtail briefly on the dam again

and
- nothing on the lamps apart from a few damselfly exuvia
- no longer any Alder flies (likely Sialis lutaria) on the sluice entrance
- most of the now desiccated exuvia seemed to have been blown / washed off of the sluice entrance

The following plant added to previous sightings this month
- Red Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) [noted as early as 09 May in 2017]

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 2 Sparrowhawks
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Jackdaw

Hirundines seen today
- 4 Common Swifts
- 1 Barn Swallows
- 2 House Martins

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds (not all the males seen might have been singing)
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 11 (10) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Garden Warblers still
- 1 (1) (Common) Whitethroat still
- 5 (5) Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 9 (2) Mute Swans (see notes)
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 2 (1) Tufted Ducks
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- no Moorhens again
- 17 Coots
- 2 Common Terns remain

Well after dawn the rather angry-looking sky between the thunderstorms.

The camera reveals what I did not note at the time: some brown in the plumage of the two Mute Swans that thought better of landing suggests they are sub-adults. Likely 1st year birds and perhaps the two present at The Flash this week.

One of the Common Terns passing. Likely the male if indeed that is the bird doing all the fishing. There are no plumage differences between the sexes.

Here one bird brings a fish for the bird sat on the buoy.

The food-pass.

And the transfer is complete. They were some way away and the pictures are necessarily rather over-enlarged.

The male Pied Wagtail paid a brief visit to the dam-face, calling as it did so.

A bird as dark as this is unlikely to be a White Wagtail. That species is normally seen only on passage in Spring and Autumn. All White Wagtails show a grey rump contrasting with the black back – no hint of that here so no doubt about it being a regular male Pied Wagtail.

The Yellow Flags (Iris pseudacorus) here are now fully open here.

This morning was the first time this year I recorded Red Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) flowers on the dam-top.

(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
Today's Sightings Here

2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Little Egrets
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
Little Ringed Plover
(John Isherwood)