30 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:30
The Flash:  09:35 – 10:30

6°C:  A few thin high clouds; also a few remnant showers around. Moderate W wind. Excellent visibility.

Sunrise: 07:57 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:30

(166th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- all the Mute Swans together all the time
- small influx of Pochard: more Tufted Ducks as well with 6 ducks seen flying in from the E at 07:15
- back to low numbers of Black-headed Gulls. 110 was my largest count. With (same?) birds coming and going likely more individuals involved
- one of the Wood Pigeon parties – of 58 birds – seemed to have been flushed from trees to the E of Woodhouse Lane. The groups were all going in different directions
- almost uniquely none of the Jackdaws was heard to call

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 10 Greylag Geese: outbound
- 2 Canada Geese: outbound
- 2 geese sp.
- 1 (0♂) Goosander
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Stock Doves
- 161 Wood Pigeons (128 of these in 5 groups)
- 209 Jackdaws
- 25 Fieldfares (2 groups)
- 1 Redwing
- 3 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 1 Greenfinch
- 4 Goldfinches
- 1 Siskin
- 1 Linnet

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 10 Redwings
- 2 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall once again
- 15 (12♂) Mallard
- 10 (8♂) Pochard
- 137 (>56♂) Tufted Ducks
- 6 Little Grebes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 11 Moorhens
- 120 Coots
- >110 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

My log of other things was
- 2 Winter Moths on the same lamp pole
- 1 Mottled Umber moth on a different lamp pole
- 1 Grey Squirrel

At last: the cloud has gone and we can see (half) the moon.

Even a sunrise this morning. Red sky in the morning ... more rain promised.

A different look at the sunrise.

A fine male Bullfinch. Already eating the buds of Hawthorns. Does not seem to affect the abundant flowers in Spring all that much.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:35 – 10:30

(129th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- another good count of Goosander
- a Sparrowhawk shot through between the trees at head height
- 15 Goldfinches in Alders at top end of water
and, on Ivy near Priorslee Academy
- >5 wasp sp.
- >5 Episyrphus balteatus hoverflies
- 1 Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax)
- 5 ‘greenbottle’ flies
- >20 other Muscid flies of at least 3 species

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Cormorant
- 3 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Jackdaw

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 9 Canada Geese
- 32 (20♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 41 (5♂) Goosander
- 1 Cormorant briefly
- 3 Grey Herons
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 4 Moorhens
- 8 Coots
- 52 Black-headed Gulls

A rather distant group of female Goosanders – aren’t they always rather distant (with a duck Mallard getting in the photo as well). Here we see one wing-flapping showing the white extending only half-way across the wing (all the way on a drake). We see another with its ‘saw-bill’ open – too far away to show the serrations that give it that name.

Goosanders have a very distinctive way of taking off. As diving ducks the legs are too far back along the body to allow them to spring in to the air – as Mallard do. So they patter across the surface building up speed. The foreground bird is leaving regular splash marks as it patters away. The bird at the rear is already airborne [not enough light to freeze the action here].

With the sun on the Ivy it was alive with insects this morning: here is a Episyrphus balteatus hoverfly.

Here the Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax).

And one of the many Muscid flies. Would have been good a day later and I could log all these in December.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2012
Priorslee Lake
9 Pochard
3 Gadwall
1 duck Goldeneye
1750 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
370 Black-headed Gulls
76 Herring Gulls
1 adult Great Black-backed Gull
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull
Redpoll
Siskin
Willow Tit
(John Isherwood / Martin Grant)

Holmer Lake
3 Goosander
1 Pochard
(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
11 Yellow-legged Gulls
An adult Caspian Gull
3,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
30-40 Waxwings
2 Common Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2010
Madeley
3 Waxwings
(Pete Nickless)

2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Cormorants
20 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks
6 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
>1050 Black-headed Gulls
451 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
188 Wood Pigeons
18 Blackbirds
166 Fieldfares
62 Redwings
187 Jackdaws
80 Rooks
4 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
1 Wigeon again
3 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
215 Coot
4000 Black-headed Gulls
2500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
3 Herring Gulls
1 Fieldfare
1 Sky Lark
168 Jackdaws
72 Rooks.
19 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

29 Nov 18

Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

Trench Lock Pool:  14:15 – 14:55 // 16:05 – 16:10
Trench Middle Pool:  15:00 – 16:00

10°C > 9°C:  Light showers and some breaks after earlier rain and gales. Moderate SSW wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 07:55 GMT; Sunset: 16:00

Trench Lock Pool:  14:15 – 14:55 // 16:05 – 16:10

(25th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- some Goosanders seen flying off after 14:45. Still a few present at 16:05
- no gull-roost

Birds noted flying over / near here
[excluding the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going]
- 1 Common Buzzard being chased by Crows

The counts from the water
- 6 Mute Swans again: one 7HXA again
- 64 Canada Geese
- 2 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard as usual
- 28 (14♂)Tufted Ducks
- 29 (7♂) Goosanders
- 1 Cormorant once more
- 1 Grey Heron once more
- 4 Little Grebes
- 5 Great Crested Grebes again
- 5 Moorhens again
- 168 Coots
- 11 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool:  15:00 – 16:00

(24th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- now one of the adult Mute Swans is missing
- Teal back again (gone from Trench Lock). I had been present for 45 minutes before they appeared
- drake Pochard still
- at least one of the Goosanders was still present at 16:00
- 174 Black-headed Gulls when I arrived. Perhaps some of these were already preparing to roost here as it is rather more than I usually find during the day. Main arrival after 15:15 with estimated totals: 350 @ 15:20; 650 @ 15:25; 750 @ 15:30; 1100 @ 15:35; 1600 at 15:45; 1800 at 16:00 when most seemed to have arrived. But ... as I walked back to Trench Lock c.300 flew in this direction
- 3 different Lesser Black-backed Gulls appeared on the water. Only one seemed to stay

Birds noted flying over / near here
- 1 Grey Wagtail

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swans: adults Blue 7JLE only
- 2 Greylag Geese again
- 30 Canada Geese
- 3 (0♂) Teal
- 32 (22♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard again
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 6 (0♂) Goosanders
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 13 Moorhens
- 29 Coots
- 174 > 1800+ (2100?) Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
6 Gadwall
2 Pochard
2 Teal
1 Shoveler
Shelduck
1 Yellow-legged Gull
4 Great Black-backed Gulls
(JW Reeves / John Isherwood)

2012
Priorslee Lake
Goldeneye
3 Gadwall
6 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
144 Coots
Woodcock
216 Black-headed Gulls
c.480 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
47 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
c.950 Wood Pigeons
16 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
c.560 Jackdaws
81 Rooks
11 Siskins
3 Redpolls
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(John Isherwood)

2010
Madeley
3 Waxwings
(Pete Nickless)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Drake Pintail
(Martin & Ian Grant)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
28 Pochard
54 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
>1450 Black-headed Gulls
331 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
278 Wood Pigeons
35 Robins
27 Blackbirds
69 Fieldfares
7 Song Thrushes
13 Redwings
1 Siskin
8 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes again
2 Wigeon
2 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
223 Coot
A drake Shoveler
7+ Cormorants
8000 Black-headed Gulls
3500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
7 Herring Gulls
25 Golden Plover
14 Fieldfares
8 Redwings
13 Sky Larks
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

28 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:35
The Flash:  09:40 – 10:25

8°C > 11°C:  Yet another morning of very low cloud with occasional light drizzle in the air. Moderate SSE wind. Good visibility though hills covered in cloud early.

Sunrise: 07:54 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:35

(165th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The two adult Mute Swans seem to have declared a truce and spent most of the time together. It is perhaps possible that the 2nd bird is a different bird – a female (pen)? And yesterday’s was a male (cob) and therefore a threat to the cob swan that has been here some 10 days. The cygnet was keeping close contact again
- the presumed same group of 4 Greylag and 6 Canada Geese as the previous two days: there were certainly 10 geese and both species were involved. Too dark to check exact composition before they left
- after several days with low numbers a bumper total of >750 Black-headed Gulls. Some 250 had arrived by 06:40 when still very dark. Numbers steadily increased until c.07:15 when many started to leave. At least one large gull was heard calling at this time but was not seen. Later a single adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was on a favourite buoy. An adult Herring Gull was also present for a while
- just 10 Starlings came out of the NW reeds
- only 1 Reed Bunting seen flying off from a roost. Four others heard calling

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Stock Dove
- 4 Wood Pigeons only
- 165 Jackdaws
- 31 Redwings (2 groups)

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 4 Redwings again
- 10 Starlings
- 1 Reed Bunting

The counts from the lake area:
again ‘best effort’ in low light-levels, especially with Coots
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans again
- 4 Greylag Geese: presumed – see notes
- 6 Canada Geese: presumed – see notes
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall
- 10 (7♂) Mallard
- 3 (3♂) Pochard
- 111 (51♂) Tufted Ducks
- 5 Little Grebes
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Water Rail
- 8 Moorhens
- 94 Coots
- >750 Black-headed Gulls
- 1? Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Herring Gull

My log of other things was
- 1 Winter Moth on a lamp pole

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:40 – 10:25

(128th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- 8 of the Canada Geese flew in while I was present
- perhaps a 3rd Grey Heron. I rather assume that one of them walked across inside the island though
- the ‘some days they are here; some days they are not’ Moorhens were ‘not’ – well not visible anyway. I am sure they were lurking somewhere
and
- 1 Mottled Umber moth on a different sheltered lamp post

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 5 Starlings

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans still
- 10 Canada Geese
- 37 (20♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 30 (2♂) Goosander
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe as ever
- no Moorhens
- 10 Coots
- 32 Black-headed Gulls

This is the formal council notice about the closure of the footpath while they replace the bridges. I guess the original 2-day plan was just to redo the decking and they then found the whole structure needed to be replaced. Would it be churlish to complain about the incorrect use of the apostrophe in an official notice? Or have us pedants lost that argument? Rather wayward layout of the word ‘a ll’!

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall
7 Pochard
24 Tufted Ducks
1 Goldeneye
c.373 Wood Pigeons
2 Woodcock
17 Redwings
29 Fieldfares
c.490 Jackdaws
56 Rooks
9 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Pochard
48 Tufted Duck
10+ Goosander
(Ed Wilson)

2009
The Wrekin
Firecrest
(Martin & Ian Grant)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
26 Pochard
47 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
64 Coots
895 Black-headed Gulls
48 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
35 Fieldfares
24 Redwings
191 Jackdaws
123 Rooks
53 Starlings
16 Greenfinch
13 Goldfinches
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
A duck Wigeon
Cormorant
c.75 Lapwing
2 Fieldfares
1 duck Pochard
34 Tufted Duck logged.
200 Coot
(Ed Wilson)

27 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:10
The Flash:  09:15 – 09:55

1°C > 2°C:  Very low cloud / fog until c.08:00 when began to lift. Moderate ESE wind. Very poor / poor visibility, becoming good.

Sunrise: 07:52 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:10

(164th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The two adult Mute Swans spent most of the time ignoring each other on opposite sides of the water. Just a brief skirmish when they got too close. The cygnet keeping close contact with one of adults
- presumed same group of 4 Greylag and 6 Canada Geese as yesterday present before dawn: left to the together at E 07:25
- the three Goosanders did their now usual few circuits before deciding not to land at 08:20
- I presume most of the Black-headed Gulls arrived and then left before visibility was good-enough to see most of them. Just c.50 noted
- my strategic positioning to see the Jackdaws was thwarted: the cloud was too low at that time to see anything
- c.80 Starlings flying S seemed to be so low they could only have come from the NW reeds. I neither heard them there or actually saw their departure though

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
[it seems that autumn passage is just about over]
- 3 brownhead Goosander
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 18 Greylag Geese outbound
- 2 Wood Pigeons only!
- Jackdaws heard only
- 3 Skylarks
- 8 Fieldfare
- 3 Redwings

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 4 Redwings
- c.80 Starlings (see notes)

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 4 Greylag Geese again
- 6 Canada Geese again
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall: yawn!
- 14 (10♂) Mallard
- 2 (2♂) Pochard
- 114 (59♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 10 Moorhens
- 106 Coots
- c.50 Black-headed Gulls only
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

My log of other things was empty

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:15 – 09:55

(127th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- another splendid array of Goosanders. Birds all around the water and some moving behind the island meant that a complete count was not possible. Minimum number recorded
- when I arrived a party of brownhead Goosander was fishing under the overhanging vegetation at the S end. Alongside these, but not amongst them, at least 34 of the Black-headed Gulls were spinning in the water amongst the overhanging branches or plunging in alongside. I can only assume they were feeding on morsels stirred up by the Goosanders. Would these be small fry?
and
- 1 Mottled Umber moth had managed to find a sheltered lamp post

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Jackdaw

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans again
- 3 Canada Geese
- 40 (24♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Ducks only
- >56 (>12♂) Goosander
- 2 Cormorants
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 5 Moorhens
- 8 Coots
- 54 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

(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
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls
930+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls
95 Herring Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
Goldeneye
3 Gadwall
6 Pochard
22 Tufted Ducks
146 Coots
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
8 Redwings
151 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

2005
Priorslee Lake
50+ Golden Plover
4 Pochard
39 Tufted Duck
1 duck Wigeon
2 Ruddy Duck
2 Little Grebes
200+ Coot
1 Water Rail
1 Kingfisher
12 Redwing
5 Fieldfare
8 Siskin
5 Reed Bunting
(Martin R Adlam)

26 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake: then Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:20
Trench Lock Pool:  09:30 – 09:50 // 10:45 – 11:15
Trench Middle Pool:  09:55 – 10:40

4°C > 7°C:  Overcast start with light rain showers: clearer for a while with some breaks: then dull and misty until c.10:30 when cleared again. Mainly light N wind. Good visibility but moderate for a while.

Sunrise: 07:51 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:20

(163rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- an unringed adult Mute Swan flew in at 08:40 to join the new resident: did not appear to be welcome
- not sure where the geese on the lake came from: did not notice them before 06:50. Flew off E 07:20
- at least 5 Tufted Ducks flew in after I had done the basic count. Perhaps more, though hard to keep track of as they were diving and flying about

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 21 Canada Geese (2 groups outbound)
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 17 Wood Pigeon only
- 196 Jackdaws
- 2 Pied Wagtails

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 11 Redwings

The counts from the lake area
All numbers affected by low light levels again
- 2 Mute Swans
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 6 Canada Geese
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall
- 12 (9♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Pochard
- 124 (>58♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 6 Moorhens only
- 109 Coots
- c.80 Black-headed Gulls

And other notes

My log today consisted of
        - 2 Winter Moths on lamp poles
        - 2 moths in flight pre-dawn likely also Winter Moths
        - 1 Scarce Umber moth on a different lamp pole to the previous records
        - 2 Mottled Umber moths on lamp poles
        - 1 Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) on another lamp pole
        - 1 Grey Squirrel

Four Tufted Ducks in flight. Three drakes and one duck, the duck being at the top left with the dusky flanks.

From above separation a lot harder: I think top left again.

Three drakes here: the feet just protrude beyond the tail feathers, but not something you could see ‘in the field’.

This Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) was low-down on a lamp post allowing a somewhat better-angled photo.

All flowers are getting rather scruffy now. Just about holding on is this Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris).

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool:  09:30 – 09:50 // 10:45 – 11:15

(24th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- Grey Wagtail here again

No birds noted flying over / near here
[excluding the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going]

The counts from the water
- 6 Mute Swans again: one 7HXA
- 5 (1♂) Teal
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard as usual
- 33 (18♂)Tufted Ducks
- 4 (1♂) Goosanders
- 1 Cormorant again
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 3 Little Grebes again
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 182 Coots
- 3 Black-headed Gulls only
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool:  09:55 – 10:40

(23rd visit of the year)

Notes from here
- now the other cygnet is missing: too immature to fly, so ....
- Teal seem to have gone – see increased number at Trench Lock
- drake Pochard remains
- small hen party of Goosanders today
- record number of Coots
- Grey Wagtail here as well (same bird as at Trench Lock?)
- Pied Wagtail overhead was my 45th bird species here this year
- Siskin overhead was my 46th bird species here this year
and
- 1 Autumnal-type moth (Epirrita sp.) on a lamp pole
- 5 Winter Moths on various lamp pole: new for me at this site

Birds noted flying over / near here
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 1 Siskin

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans: adults Blue 7JLE and 7JLL
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 17 Canada Geese
- 20 (14♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 11 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 (0♂) Goosanders
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 7 Moorhens
- 33 Coots again
- 71 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2012
Priorslee Lake
22 Tufted Ducks
143 Coots
Nuthatch
34 Redwings
1 Fieldfare
228 Jackdaws
98 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
11 Greylag Geese
27 Pochard
70 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
70 Coots
>400 Black-headed Gulls
315 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
221 Wood Pigeons
22 Blackbirds
45 Fieldfares
38 Redwings
264 Jackdaws
71 Rooks
5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
1 Pochard
40 Tufted Duck
1 Goldeneye
2 Ruddy Duck
C.700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
16 Herring Gulls
2 Yellow-legged Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
Caspian Gull
Sparrowhawk
c.628 Jackdaws
c.358 Rooks
(Martin Adlam)

25 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:05
The Flash:  09:10 – 09:55

4°C > 5°C:  Started with broken cloud, light E wind and good visibility. Low cloud rolled in from the SE and became dull again

Sunrise: 07:49 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:10

(162nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- 2 Swans left at 07:20. Still rather dark but seemed to be (near) adults. Not sure whether they just left or whether the new resident chased them. Cygnet not seen
- the Canada Geese arrived after 08:30
- for the second day the first gull to arrive was a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Did not stay long
- a Woodcock flew straight across the lake towards me at 06:55 and then veered off left towards the W of the lake. Did not return so seemed to be going to a different day-roost
- of the three Wood Pigeon flocks the first, of 57 birds, was a very straggly affair and seemed to comprise birds flushed from trees to the E. Later a tight group of 33 flew E, these rather low for migrants, though the cloud was also rather low. Then a loose group of 21 flew E to the N

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
[it seems that autumn passage is just about over]
- 10 Canada Geese outbound: more heard
- 2 Cormorants
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 17 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Stock Dove
- 131 Wood Pigeons (101 of these in 3 groups)
- 263 Jackdaws
- 7 Redwings (1 group E)
- 1 Siskin

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 6 Redwings

The counts from the lake area: light-level slightly better
- 3 Mute Swan
- 7 Canada Geese
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall once again
- 15 (11♂) Mallard
- 2 (2♂) Pochard
- 111 (53♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Little Grebe
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 7 Moorhens
- 115 Coots
- 129 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

As it was a quiet morning with little traffic I noted the times at which various species started calling:
- <06:25 Robins singing
- 07:00 Blackbird
- 07:04 Wren
- 07:07 Reed Bunting
- 07:09 Crow
- 07:10 Magpie
- 07:12 Dunnock
- 07:20 Jackdaws pass
- 07:23 Bullfinch
- 07:24 first gull arrived
- 07:25 Blue Tit
- 07:26 Goldcrest
- 07:26 Long-tailed Tits
- 07:28 Great Tit
The order is pretty consistent: start time varies with the light-levels

And other notes

My log today consisted of
        - 1 Autumnal-type moth (Epirrita sp.) on a lamp pole
        - 1 Mottled Umber moth unmoved for 2 days on its lamp pole
        - 1 spider sp. on a lamp pole
        - Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) still flowering

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:10 – 09:55

(126th visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
- splendid array of Goosanders – unless you are a fish
- when a few of the Goosanders left 2 Cormorants left at the same time. A Cormorant arriving some 15 minutes later assumed to be a 3rd bird
- 2 Goldcrests seen chasing around near the Priorslee Academy
- 2 Nuthatches here as well
and
- 4 Winter moth on 3 lamp posts
- 1 Mottled Umber moth on the same lamp posts as yesterday
- 1 Grey Squirrel

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 5 Feral Pigeons
- 2 Wood Pigeons

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans still
- 17 Canada Geese
- 35 (18♂) Mallard
- 7 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 52 (12♂) Goosander
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 2 Moorhens
- 10 Coots
- 56 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
6 Gadwall 
1 Teal 
2 Pochard 
99 Tufted Duck
225 Coots counted 
1 Woodcock 
6 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Green Woodpecker
231 Fieldfare
66 Redwings 
c.375 Jackdaws
2 Redpolls
5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
31 Greylag Geese
3 Gadwall 
8 Pochard 
23 Tufted Duck
Goosander
143 Coots
1 Yellow-legged Gull
19 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
259 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson / Allan Heath)

2005
Priorslee Lake
206 Starlings going to roost
C.500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow legged Gull
1 Caspian Gull
c.700 Black-headed Gulls
(Martin Adlam)

24 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:25
The Flash:  09:30 – 10:15

7°C:  Not quite as dull as yesterday with visibility somewhat better and cloud somewhat higher. Moderate ENE wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:47 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:25

(161st visit of the year)

Best bird today was the Woodcock that flew past me at 07:00 heading towards one of the oft-used day-roost areas. Within seconds what I assume was the same bird flew the opposite way only for it (or another?) to fly toward the same day-roost some 30 seconds later

Other bird notes:
- the geese on the lake departed to the E at 06:57
- single Rook and Jackdaw flew over at 07:24: the main tight and swirling group of c.275 flew over at 07:26. Just a group of 22 later
- at one stage several Blackbirds starting scolding loudly. After a few minutes they were joined by at least 2 Jays. Now Jays are noisy at the best of times and now they were REALLY upset. What was causing this? A bird of prey? An Owl? I could find nothing at the time. However shortly after I came across a black cat sitting on one of the abandoned fishing platforms. It wasn’t for long. It is distressing how few people realise, or sadly care about, the ecological damage these uncontrolled ‘pets’ cause

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 16 Canada Geese outbound
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 9 Feral / Racing Pigeons (1 group)
- 5 Wood Pigeons (no groups)
- c.300 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook
- 1 Raven
- 3 Fieldfare (1 group S)
- 4 Redwings (1 group N)
- 2 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Greenfinch

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
- 9 Redwings
- 2 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area: light-levels still rather low
- 1 + 1 Mute Swan
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 10 Canada Geese
- 8 (4♂) Gadwall again
- 10 (7♂) Mallard
- 4 (4♂) Pochard
- 131 (>64♂) Tufted Ducks
- 3 Cormorants
- 3 Little Grebes again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 101 Coots
- 73 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

And other notes
My log today consisted of
        - Alucita hexadactyla (Many-plume Moth) found in my car
        - 2 Winter Moths flying around a lamp
        - 1 Scarce Umber moth on a different lamp to yesterday
        - 1 Mottled Umber moth unmoved since yesterday
        - late flowers of Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris)
        - Spindle-tree (Euonymus europaea) fruits still showing

Not sure this really counts as I found it in my car as I arrived at the lake and therefore presumably it came from elsewhere. It is an Alucita hexadactyla (Many-plume Moth), less than half an inch across. Each wing is split in to six segments or plumes. The old vernacular name was, inaccurately, Twenty-plume Moth: the scientific moniker hexadactyla (six fingers) is better.

A head of Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) showing the tight, separated heads of this umbellifer. Also note the pinkish wash.

The Spindle-tree (Euonymus europaea) has a vivid pink fruit with the bright orange seed showing. They form loose clusters and can be seen from late September.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:30 – 10:15

(125th visit of the year)

It now appears that work on the footbridges has turned out to be more difficult than anticipated and notices now state that they will be closed for two three-week periods, one closure each side of Christmas / New Year. How this extended activity will affect the birds on the water remains to be seen

Bird notes from here
- there may have been more Goosanders by the time I left: at least 5 (2 drakes) seen in the air looking as if they might be landing. Whether these were new arrivals or disturbed birds repositioning is impossible to say
and
- 1 Winter moth on a lamp post
- 2 Mottled Umber moths on different lamp posts

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 3 Stock Doves
- 1 Chaffinch

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans again
- 2 Canada Geese again
- 26 (18♂) Mallard
- 3 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 26 (3♂) Goosander
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Moorhen
- 9 Coots only
- 64 Black-headed Gulls

A bit hard to see what is going on here. I saw this Coot climb on to the nest with something in its bill and I thought “I know they are inveterate nest-builders, but in November ...?”. Seems not as it appears it got a fish from somewhere and took it on to the nest to get better access to the meat.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
6 Gadwall 
2 Teal 
3 Pochard 
114 Tufted Duck
228 Coots
1 Snipe 
Tawny Owl
157 Fieldfare
63 Redwings 
208 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
31 Tufted Ducks 
3 Goosander
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
35 Greylag Geese
3 Gadwall 
9 Pochard
19 Tufted Ducks 
157 Coots
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull.
18 Redwings
16 Fieldfares 
4 Siskins
3 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
6 Yellow-legged Gulls
700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(John Isherwood / Tom Lowe)

2007
Priorslee Lake
A male Stonechat
1 Gadwall
(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
Great Black-backed Gull
5 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

East of Priorslee
60 Golden Plover
(John Isherwood)

23 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake: then Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

Priorslee Lake: 06:25 – 09:10
Trench Lock Pool: 09:25 – 09:40 // 10:25 – 10:40
Trench Middle Pool: 09:45 – 10:20

3°C > 4°C: A dull, murky November day. Mainly light SE wind. Moderate / poor visibility

Sunrise(!): 07:46 GMT

Priorslee Lake: 06:25 – 09:10

(160th visit of the year)

VERY little flying around

Bird notes:
the Mute Swan cygnet may have flown off yesterday but was back this morning
4th pair of Gadwall reappeared
probably 4 Great Crested Grebes: even harder to keep track of in the poor light. At least 3, one an immature with remnant head stripes
a lone Black-headed Gulls arrived at 07:04: over 6 minutes before any more landed
my lowest-ever number of Wood Pigeons? Just 1 over and only 2 seen in the trees
two sizeable parties of Jackdaws today, separated by c.3 minutes
a Meadow Pipit seen. Seemed to flush off the SW grass area: it certainly did not seem to know where it was going once it was in the air, suggesting it was not a fly-over

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
1 Wood Pigeon!!
254 Jackdaws
4 Pied Wagtails

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
1 Fieldfare
5 Redwings

The counts from the lake area
all numbers affected by low light levels again
1 + 1 Mute Swan again
8 (4♂) Gadwall
14 (11♂) Mallard
8 (7♂) Pochard again
138 (73♂) Tufted Ducks
3 Little Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
10 Moorhens
91 Coots only
c.145 Black-headed Gulls

And other notes
my log today consisted of
- 1 Winter Moth on a lamp pole
- 1 Mottled Umber moth on the same lamp pole
- 1 Scarce Umber moth on a different lamp pole. New for the year
- Daisy (Bellis perennis) still in flower
- new fungus species noted

After yesterday’s well-marked example of a Winter Moth this is perhaps a more typical specimen.

Just to remind ourselves what a Mottled Umber looks like. But then ...

... Here is a Scarce Umber. Not particularly ‘scarce’, indeed it is formally classified as ‘common’, though less abundant than the Mottled Umber. Identify by the golden ground colour: the dual parallel cross-lines at the base of the forewing: and the less ‘hooked’ shape to the outer cross-line. My previous record was on 28 November last year.

Amongst the leaf-litter was this Daisy (Bellis perennis) still in flower. In fact unless the ground is covered in snow then it is possible to find this species in flower almost every day of the year.

This fungus, found on the stump of a tree cut down some years ago, was a new find this morning. On the face of it the fruits have a very distinctive appearance, and should be easy to identify. On the face of it ....should ....

Very frilly.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 09:25 – 09:40 // 10:25 – 10:40

(23rd visit of the year)

Bird notes from here
further decline in Mute Swan numbers
Kingfisher brightened up the dull morning
and
1 Winter Moth on the wall of the Blue Pig: my first-ever here

Birds noted flying over / near here
None apart from the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going.

The counts from the water
6 Mute Swans
1 (0♂) Teal
7 (4♂) Mallard
1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard as usual
24 (7♂)Tufted Ducks
8 (2♂) Goosanders
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
3 Little Grebes
6 Great Crested Grebes
3 Moorhens
171 Coots
9 Black-headed Gulls only
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Kingfisher

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool: 09:45 – 10:20

(22nd visit of the year)

Notes from here
very few geese – just 2 Greylags
Teal increased to a drake and three ducks
drake Pochard remains
small bachelor party of Goosanders
a Jay calling was bird #43 on my 2018 site list
a Goldcrest was bird #44 on my 2018 site list

Birds noted flying over / near here
None

The counts from the water
2 + 1 Mute Swans: one of the adults Blue 7LEH
2 Greylag Geese
no Canada Geese
4 (1♂) Teal
22 (16♂) Mallard again
1 (1♂) Pochard still
5 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
3 (3♂) Goosanders
1 Great Crested Grebe still
9 Moorhens
24 Coots again
48 Black-headed Gulls

I think this only looks gruesome. It is the cast-off exoskeleton of a spider. All spiders bust out of their old exoskeleton in order to develop a bigger body. For a while the new exoskeleton is soft to accommodate the growth, but it soon hardens. A process repeated many time in the life of a spider, but rarely noted.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall 
2 Pochard 
123 Tufted Duck 
1 Goosander 
2 Water Rails 
15 Moorhens 
227 Coots counted 
1 Snipe
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Great Black-backed Gulls
2 adult hybrid Lesser Black-backed x Herring Gulls
102 Fieldfare
39 Redwings 
266 Jackdaws
Redpolls
Siskins
(Ed Wilson/Tom Lowe)

Trench Middle Pool
22 Swans
6 Shoveler 
14 Tufted Duck 
183 Coots 
61 Black-headed Gulls
14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
17 Herring Gulls
Caspian/Yellow-legged Gull
2 Ravens
1 Redwing
(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
Adult + 1st winter Yellow-legged Gulls
1500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
30 Greylag
3 Gadwall
6 Pochard.
21 Tufted Ducks
3 Goosander
153 Coots 
c.640 Wood Pigeons
8 Redwings again.
453 Jackdaws
61 Rooks logged.
2 Siskins 
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
6 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Andy Latham)

2008
Priorslee Lake
2 Cormorants 
>60 Greylag Geese
14 Pochard
177 Tufted Duck
1 Lapwing
1 Snipe
2 Water Rails
159 Coot
c.1300 Black-headed Gulls
c.100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5+ Herring Gulls
74 Redwings
c.60 Fieldfare
132 Jackdaws
166 Rooks
c.1750 Starlings
c.30 Siskin
(Ed Wilson)

22 Nov 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake: 06:25 – 09:20
The Flash: 09:25 – 10:15

0°C: Thick fog to start. Clear from c.07:30 if somewhat hazy. Clouded after 10:00. Calm. Bad visibility: moderate at best later

Sunrise: 07:44 GMT

Priorslee Lake: 06:25 – 09:20

(159th visit of the year)

The fog surprised me: had been clear when I left Newport. I walked up the concrete road towards Woodhouse Lane to try and see the Jackdaws skimming the fields. Of course they decided on a different course and flew, heard but unseen, over the E end of the lake

All was not entirely lost as I saw the dark shape of a Woodcock flying by as it went to roost for the day somewhere along the E bank of Castle Farm Way. I see a bird most winters somewhere around the lake. On all but the one occasion when I flushed one in snowy conditions my sightings have been well pre-dawn

Other bird notes:
the blue-ringed Mute Swan cygnet (7JNS) flew off E at 09:00
not sure why Tufted Duck numbers lower. Someone was obviously on the water yesterday collecting some of the floating weed and that may have disturbed some of them. However the normally more wary Pochard had increased in number. So ....?
2 Goosanders (1 drake) flew E at 07:40: then 6 (2 drakes) flew W at 07:45
the Cormorant probably came from The Flash – it arrived low from that direction. The other 2 flew S together much earlier
probably more Black-headed Gulls arrived and departed before the visibility was good-enough to see them
the Mistle Thrush flew on to its favourite song perch again: did not sing though
Greenfinches leaving a roost was my first such sighting for a number of year. It seems a long while ago (it is!) since I could log >400 leaving a roost here. Numbers have declined dramatically due to avian pox

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
2 Greylag Geese
4 Canada Geese.
2 (2♂) Mallard
8 (3♂) Goosander
2 Cormorants
7 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
21 Wood Pigeons (no groups)
Jackdaws heard only
3 Redwings (1 group)
1 Pied Wagtail

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
4 Greenfinches only

The counts from the lake area
1 + 1 Mute Swan again
6 (3♂) Gadwall as ever
12 (9♂) Mallard
8 (7♂) Pochard
115 (>58♂) Tufted Ducks
1 Cormorant
4 Little Grebes
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Water Rail heard
7 Moorhens
109 Coots
>130 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

And other notes
my log today consisted only of some late flowers
- 1 Grey Squirrel

All ready for the Christmas cards (don’t mention the C-word).

If you though male Blackbirds were glossy black then .... in detail quite a few pale fringes to the feathers. These will wear away during the winter and come Spring he will indeed be glossy black.

Mistle Thrush on his favourite perch.

Some frost photos from this morning: here is the frosted head of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

This is the frosted dead-head of a willowherb, likely Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) though hard to tell without the leaves.

Not just bramble leaves that are highlighted by frost: these Common or Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves are enhanced as well.

Certainly something you do not expect to see – frost on the flowers of Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris).

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:25 – 10:15

(124th visit of the year)

Despite notices to the contrary the footbridges remain open and there was no sign of any workmen or their equipment

Bird notes from here
The man was banging his walking stick loudly again and most, but not all, the Goosanders left. The Tufted Duck did not though this disturbance may be why there are many fewer so far this winter. I doubt it has had any effect on the geese numbers
Redwing(s) heard but not located: in the trees or flying over?
colourful flock of 18 Goldfinches in Alders at the top end

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Herring Gull
1 Jackdaw

The counts from the water
2 + 1 Mute Swans
2 Canada Geese
30 (18♂) Mallard
10 (4♂) Tufted Duck
27 (5♂) Goosander
1 Great Crested Grebe still
2 Moorhens again
7 Coots only
33 Black-headed Gulls

More Goosander shots I am afraid. This is a great looking duck – we can tell it is not a juvenile by the extensive shaggy mane.

‘The man with the stick’ made his usual attempt to get rid of all the Goosanders. Here are some leaving – not all of them did so. The leading bird is a drake with the white across the width of the wing, as is the lower bird in the middle.

Later this pair seen leaving.

I never discovered what was causing all the commotion amongst the Black-headed Gulls, most unusually at the top end of the lake. Here they demonstrate that the have great ability to avoid collisions. Not sure about the bird(s) at the top right. Must be two birds I am sure – either that or a species new to science.

A Trio.

A typically noisy individual.

And one with its mouth shut ....

Getting in to contortions to dive for something

Another passes by.

After all that exercise time for a rest

There were 18 Goldfinches attacking the cones of the Alders at the top end of the water. Here is one of them.

(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

2013
Priorslee Lake
8 Wigeon
6 Gadwall
4 Teal
2 Shoveler
2 Pochard
116 Tufted Duck
2 Water Rails
222 Coots
1 Snipe
c.90 Lapwing over
4 Yellow-legged gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
A Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrid
134 Fieldfare
22 Redwings
171 Jackdaws
3 Ravens
3 Siskins
3 Redpolls
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood/JW Reeves)

Horsehay Pool
Caspian Gull
1  Yellow-legged Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
1 Kingfisher
12 Goosander
Raven
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall
8 Pochard
24 Tufted Ducks 
152 Coots 
8 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
8 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
56 Greylag Geese
12 Pochard
187 Tufted Duck
1 Goosander
2 Water Rails
149 Coot
c.800 Black-headed
c.2200 Lesser Black-backed
<20 Herring Gulls
1st winter Common Gull
50 Redwings
8 Fieldfare
1 Treecreeper
c.1000 Starlings left a roost
c.20 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
23 Greylag Geese
27 Pochard
55 Tufted Ducks
3 Buzzards
>1650 Black-headed Gull
>4022 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
246 Wood Pigeons
1 Kingfisher
26 Robins
27 Blackbirds
4 Fieldfares
34 Redwings
male Blackcap
1 Willow Tit
246 Jackdaws
160 Rooks
8 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)