Priorslee Lake: 06:30 – 09:30
The Flash: 09:35 – 10:25
Trench Lock Pool: 10:35 – 11:25 // 12:10 – 12:20
Trench Middle Pool: 11:30 – 12:05
6°C > 10°C: Early broken cloud cleared away to the E leaving only a few remnant mist patches. Very light mainly NW wind. Good visibility
Sunrise: 07:40 BST
Priorslee Lake: 06:30 – 09:30
(127th visit of the year)
A Tawny Owl was calling by the Teece Drive gate at 06:45. This is only my 4th record of this species here. For several years the residents and dog-walkers have reported bird(s) calling from the Ricoh copse at the top end of Teece Drive. In the last few months fishermen have told me they have heard birds calling from both the SW copse and along the N side. I have always wondered whether the habitat is suitable around the lake. While owls have much better eye-sight than humans – as do almost bird species – most of their hunting is done by listening for the sounds of their prey in the undergrowth. They navigate just as restricted-sight humans do around their own house by being totally familiar with their territory. With the M54 and busy main roads close-by I wondered how they could hear their prey. Whatever: it becomes my 98th bird species here this year
Many fewer birds over this morning probably only partly because the clear but hazy sky made finding flying birds difficult
Other bird notes:
- when I arrived there was a party of three extra Mute Swan cygnets present. The adults chased them off twice but then peace broke out for a while. Later 5 cygnets went for a fly together making several circuits. The third of the resident cygnets again failed to fly. Later still the cob was chasing the visitors again [see also comments about this species at The Flash]
- a lone Lapwing flew around high up and then moved away
- just 79 of the Wood Pigeons in 5 groups were, I judged, migrating
- more different behaviour by the departing Jackdaws. The first party of c.120 flew over after the street-lights went out – usually c.5 minutes earlier. Then another party, also of c.120 birds, flew on the same track some 15 minutes later. Just a scatter thereafter. No Rooks noted at all
- a group of 7 Raven flew N with 4 Carrion Crows. Later another(?) Raven flew E
- no Chiffchaffs seen or heard. The clear night may have tempted the final few to leave, though sometimes birds stay a few weeks longer. Probably different birds over-winter
- no Starlings seen leaving the reeds today: three small parties over
- a few more finches seen today with a party of 6 Greenfinches. The three Chaffinches included a singing bird: cannot recall having heard this species sing in the Autumn before – usually the last few days of January if the weather is fine
Bird totals
Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Lapwing
- 4 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls again
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 109 Wood Pigeons
- c.278 Jackdaws
- no Rooks
- 8 Ravens
- 25 Starlings (3 groups)
- 5 Skylarks (singles)
- 2 Fieldfares
- 8 Redwings
- 3 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 1 Siskin again
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 6 (? broods) Mute Swans (see notes)
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall again
- 8 (6♂) Mallards
- 67 (23♂) Tufted Ducks
- 3 Little Grebes
- 3 + 1 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Water Rail heard again
- 8 Moorhens
- 127 Coots
- 39 Black-headed Gulls
And other notes
- my log today consisted of
- 12(!) Autumnal-type moths (Epirrita sp.) on the lamp poles
- 1 harvestman on a lamp pole
- 1 crane-fly, likely Tipula pagana, on a lamp pole
- >1 Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade hoverfly)
Early broken cloud moving away as the sunrises.
From another vantage point.
The visiting trio of Mute Swan cygnets.
One of them.
And here they are with the two resident cygnets that are now flying strongly.
Seem to have mastered the landing OK.
A quick patter and down we land.
This is one of the visitors being pursued.
How could I resist?
And another of the group of Long-tailed Tits.
And another.
Not as bright as in the breeding season but still a handsome bird – a male Greenfinch.
There were 12 Autumnal-type moths on the lamp posts this morning: here are four of them snuggling up.
This harvestman was also on the lamp posts: I think it is a female Mitopus morio (no vernacular name).
The Episyrphus balteatus (Marmalade hoverfly).
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 09:35 – 10:25
(104th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- one of the locals reported that 2 stray cygnets had arrived yesterday and been viciously attacked by the resident cob – he is very aggressive and has reportedly killed 8 Canada Geese recently. They did not know whether the cygnets had managed to escape. I could see no sign of any piles of feathers or bodies
- as at the lake none of the Sky Larks could be seen and there may have been more birds involved
and
- 2 Grey Squirrels
- >50 wasp sp. at the ivy alongside Priorslee Academy
- >5 Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) [hoverflies] here too
- a few greenbottle sp. also nectaring
Bird noted flying over The Flash
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 2 Feral Pigeons again
- 2 Wood Pigeons
- 5 Sky Larks
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 2 + 3 Mute Swans again
- 27 Canada Geese
- 31 (18♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant again
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 3 Moorhens
- 9 Coots
- 23 Black-headed Gulls again
This Cormorant spent a while fishing and then hauled out to stand wings akimbo.
In sunny spots there were plenty of insects: here is a greenbottle fly, likely Lucilia caesar.
The shadow makes this wasp sp. look a bit odd. Another species that welcome the Ivy nectar.
And here it is working away at the Ivy.
(Ed Wilson)
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Trench Lock Pool: 10:35 – 11:25 // 12:10 – 12:20
(15th visit of the year)
Water level has risen somewhat. I spent some while talking to the contractors who were gathering all the garbage blocking the sluice exit – old bicycles, wheelbarrows and apparently “more empty beer cans than I’ve ever seen”. Who does this vandalism?
A few men were working on the small housing development by the Blue Pig pub
It seems it is still just possible to circumnavigate the pool but only via some slippery and muddy sections in the trees behind the Blue Pig
Bird notes from here
- the Cormorants were coming and going: perhaps more individuals involved
- the Teal were my first here this year
- a Kingfisher was also a new species for me here this year
and
- 2 Autumnal-type moths found on the wall of the Blue Pig
Birds noted flying over here [apart from the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going]
- 13 Starlings (2 groups)
Warblers noted
None
The counts from the water
- 15 Mute Swans
- 17 Canada Geese
- 3 (0♂) Teal
- 9 (6♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard
- 1 (0♂) Shoveler again
- 6 (0♂)Tufted Ducks
- 5 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 4 Little Grebes
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 15 Moorhens
- 171 Coots
- 22 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls again
- 1 Kingfisher
A typical view of a Moorhen as it moves away pumping its tail to show the white under-tail.
A Pied Wagtail being reflective!
(Ed Wilson)
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Trench Middle Pool: 11:30 – 12:05
(14th visit of the year)
Notes from here
- very good count of Goosanders. Mainly ‘brownheads’ – females / immatures – but several birds showing some male-type plumage features
- the over-flying Starlings were, surprisingly, the first I have recorded here this year
and
- harvestman found on one of the lamps: probably Opilio canestrinii
Birds noted flying over here
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 4 Starlings
The counts from the water
- 2 + 2 Mute Swans again
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 29 Canada Geese
- 22 (17♂) Mallard
- 1 (0♂) ‘feral’ Mallard
- no Tufted Duck
- 26 (?♂) Goosander
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 9 Moorhens again
- 23 Coots
- 17 Black-headed Gulls
The local Buzzard went for a fly in the sunshine. All the birds totally ignored it.
A dark specimen. Buzzards have very variable plumage tones.
One of the many ‘brownhead’ Goosanders present today.
And one nicely in sunlight.
And one with a winter adult Black-headed Gull for scale.
And two with the same gull. Again the bird in the foreground is showing white in the wing.
Another harvestman: the very long legs suggest it is Opilio canestrinii.
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day..........
2017Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2008
Priorslee Lake
992 Redwings
203 Fieldfare
Siskins
Redpolls
6 Pochard
c.150 Tufted Duck
Water Rail
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
18 Pochard
98 Tufted Ducks
1 duck Goldeneye
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Kingfisher
20 Pied Wagtails
18 Wrens
46 Robin
20 Blackbirds
6 Song Thrushes
42 Redwings
1 Chiffchaff
12 Starlings
52 Greenfinches
9 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)