31 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  11:10 – 12:30
The Flash:  10:25 – 11:05

-1.0°C > +1.0°C:  Fine after fog and hoar frost: clouding from SW. Light E wind. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 07:54 GMT

With mist and fog around there was little point in an early start

Priorslee Lake:  11:10 – 12:30

(30th visit of the year)

Almost iced over: just two holes along the N side

Bird notes
- a pair of Mute Swans now. I am confused
- Shelduck again. Stayed asleep so could not see the face marking to age it
- no sign of the 3rd pair of Gadwall again: however with many birds crammed together it was easy to overlook birds
- one of my largest-ever counts of Mallard from here
- just a single Great Crested Grebe and that, unlike any of yesterday’s five birds, looked like the long-term juvenile raised here last year
- did the extra Coots come from The Flash (q.v.)?
- good number of large gulls for these days: other than a 1st winter Herring Gull all these were (near) adults

Birds noted flying over / near the lake
- 4 Canada Geese
- 2 Ravens

Bird counts from the lake area
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 Shelduck again
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall again
- 21 (15♂) Mallard
- 10 (6♂) Pochard still
- 48 (26♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- 1 Moorhen only
- 58 Coots
- 46 Black-headed Gulls
- 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls

The sleeping Shelduck (with a Coot).

And from the other side. Unable to say whether this is the same bird as was here yesterday – for a while at least. Note also the nails on the Coot’s feet. Normally you only see the rather stupid-looking webbed toes and do not realise the weapon they have in their claws.

Not too often that Pochard allow close approach. Three splendid silver-backed adult drakes and a typically browner duck with them, all asleep. This species is noted as being a nocturnal feeder (on underwater vegetation) so they are often sleeping during the day. They do however also feed in daytime – they clearly have not read the books about how to behave.

A bunch of gulls: at the front all Black-headed Gulls; two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls back left; two Herring Gulls back right. On the right-most bird the extent of the black on the bill, especially the upper mandible, suggests this is a 4th winter bird – the plumage looks full adult otherwise. The immature Herring Gull has extensive pale at the base of the bill which might suggest a 2nd winter bird: however the dark eye and rather few grey-toned feathers limited to the upper back indicate this is likely a 1st winter bird well-advanced toward 1st summer.

So often when trying to photograph Long-tailed Tits as they whizz about results in an empty frame. This sort of view is also typical.

Then just occasionally, only occasionally, one stays still long-enough ...

And a perky Wren (with new-growth nettles alongside it).

Some views of the area: this is bridge over the Wesley Brook.

The NE corner.

And the SE corner.

Along the S side looking W.

From the SW area looking to the NW reed bed.

The reeds with hoar frost.

I photographed an umbel laden with snow last week. Here is a frosted umbel from last year’s Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium).

And a small twig covered in frost.

On the Wesley Brook bridge the frost was just beginning to melt off of the moss.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  10:25 – 11:05

(27th visit of the year)

Almost iced over: hole beside SW part of island

Notes from here
- difficult to census things as they were all crammed together with others hauled out of sight inside the island
- Gadwall not located
- Moorhens not located
- there were more Coots at the lake and fewer here. Tempting to conclude they could moved. Perhaps just as likely they were hiding in the island (or with the Moorhens, wherever they were)

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull again

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 22 Canada Geese
- 33 (20♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 41 (17♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 22 Coots only
- 71 Black-headed Gulls

Some kind souls had been feeding the birds – not bread I am pleased to say. The cygnet joining 12 Canada Geese and 15 Mallard here.

This drake Mallard sliding about in his haste to get to the food ahead of the duck.

Rather them than me! The Black-headed Gulls seemed happy to stand or sit on the ice. Some were in the remaining water as well which seems an even colder option.

And now for some views of the hoar frost here. The island from Derwent Drive.

The wooded area in the NW part.

The N end.

Looking N along the E side ....

.... again.

The island from the S end: the drake Shoveler is just about identifiable in the open water.

Probably the heads of Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) covered in hoar frost.

Last Autumn was very poor for frosted spider webs. Here is one, belatedly. Several midges caught in the web, probably not from last night (though they were dancing in my garden yesterday afternoon).

Another web. I am sure experts could ID the spider species responsible by the web design. I am not an expert.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2012
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebes
22 Greylag Geese
19 Pochard
42 Tufted Duck
c.390 Black-headed Gulls
c.350 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
32 Herring Gulls
1 Common Gull
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
69 Redwings
25 Greenfinches
4 Linnets
(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
Tundra Bean Goose
8 Greylag Geese
37 Tufted Ducks
c.1000 Black-headed Gulls
246 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
35 Herring Gulls.
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Trench Pool
8 Pochard
50 Tufted Ducks
79 Coots
(Ed Wilson)

Holmer Lake
50 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

30 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  11:40 – 12:15
The Flash:  11:05 – 11:30

2°C:  Fine after snow showers. Light WNW wind. Excellent visibility

(Sunrise: 07:56 GMT)

Wimped out of an early start

Priorslee Lake:  11:40 – 12:15

(29th visit of the year)

Again only a very small amount of ice in the NE area

One bird species added to my 2019 log from here
59      Shelduck

Other bird notes
- apparently back to a single Mute Swan. I suppose it is just possible the pen is tucked away on a nest (site) somewhere. I think it unlikely
- the Shelduck even paddled over to see what the Model Boat Club was up to before deciding to fly off. I record this species most years and pre-Spring records are quite normal as birds are returning from their annual post-breeding moult in the Heligoland Bight and looking for potential nest site. They are unusual birds as they not infrequently nest in old rabbit burrows so long as water is close-by
- I suspect the 3rd pair of Gadwall was lurking on tree roots along the N side but they would not come out to show themselves and I did not want to disturb all the other birds just to prove a point
- now 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes in the NE area with the lone adult still in the NW area
- very few gulls at this time of day

Bird totals: counts from the lake area only:
- 1 Mute Swan
- 1 Shelduck
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 10 (6♂) Pochard again
- 70 (29♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 3 Little Grebes again
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens only
- 44 Coots again
- 28 Black-headed Gulls only

The Shelduck today was not at all cooperative. On the water it was right down the far end and when if left it stayed well away from me. So records shots only. Here we cam just about make out white on the face indicating it is a first-year bird.

And this shot shows the wing pattern rather better.

Three sleeping Great Crested Grebes in typical pose – the bird tail-on on the left is a duck Tufted Duck. The closest two grebes have well-developed head plumes: the back bird less so – likely a first year bird. (the 4th bird of these two pairs had temporarily drifted off left somewhere).

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  11:05 – 11:30

(26th visit of the year)

c.60% ice: only thin but enough to deter birds from using it

Notes from here
Not much change again
- Cormorant and Heron missing
- more Tufted Duck: likely due to their restricted feeding area making the count easier and more accurate

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

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 6 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall still
- 35 (21♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler still
- 46 (22♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe still
- 2 Moorhens again
- 32 Coots
- 35 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Cormorants 
1 Teal 
7 Pochard 
66 Tufted Duck 
3 Greater Scaup 
1 Velvet Scoter 
91 Coots 
1 Woodcock 
50 Herring Gulls 
33 Redwings 
c.495 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
106 Tufted Ducks 
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
7 Pochard 
25 Tufted Duck 
4 Goosander 
44 Coots
(Ed Wilson)

Park Pool, Chetwynd near Newport
31 Shoveler
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
29 Wigeon 
10 Gadwall 
8 Pochard 
59 Tufted Ducks 
1 Scaup
169 Coots
 >300 Starlings
13 Redwings
46 Fieldfare 
211 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

The Flash
9 Pochard 
54 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
2 Goosander
Sparrowhawk
(John Isherwood)

Holmer Lake
1 Gadwall
9 Goosander
1 Little Grebe
Goldcrest
Nuthatch
(John Isherwood)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
21 Pochard
42 Tufted Duck
c.190 Black-headed Gulls
48 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
8 Herring Gulls
Glaucous Gull
75 Redwing
16 Bullfinch 
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant) 

Priorslee Flash
1 Pochard
43 Tufted Ducks
282 Black-headed Gulls
3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
 1 Water Rail
4 Gadwall
2 Willow Tit
(John Isherwood)

2009
Priorslee Lake
A female Ruddy Duck
500+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Herring & Black-headed Gulls.
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

29 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

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

+0°C > 2°C:  High cloud lowering with sleety rain after 10:00. Light S wind. Good visibility

Sunrise: 07:58 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:35 – 09:25

(28th visit of the year)

Very small amount of ice against the NE side

Bird notes
- the (new) resident Swan now has a mate. She has a BTO metal ring and though I managed a clear shot of the ring despite the low light-level it was the wrong part of the ring – the part with the BTO address! Try again tomorrow
- the gang of 10 geese (3 Greylag and 7 Canadas) flew outbound much later at 07:40: another 6 Canadas later still
- three Great Crested Grebes came out of the N side reeds together at 07:15. Thereafter 2 birds stayed close whilst the 3rd seemed to vanish (back in to the reeds?). All three had significant head plumes and thus none of these was the long-term resident that was likely one of last year’s brood from here. I have not noted that bird for several days
- the first Black-headed Gulls did not arrive until 07:15. Eventually >600 for a while. By 08:30 almost all had gone
- after the bumper Jackdaw total yesterday just 4 today. I suspect that with the wind in the S this morning they went low across the fields to the E, though I did not hear this usually noisy species
- at one of my N-side vantage points a Dunnock called pre-dawn from a location where I had not heard any for many weeks. This bird then called again and flew E and away over the dam. So I have logged it as roosting here

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 3 Greylag Geese [1 group outbound]
- 13 Canada Geese [2 groups outbound, one group with the Greylags]
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 11 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Jackdaws only
- 1 Redwing
- 2 Pied Wagtails

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 1 Redwing again
- 1 Dunnock – see notes
- 5 Reed Buntings only

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall
- 13 (10♂) Mallard
- 10 (6♂) Pochard
- 42 (18♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 3 Little Grebes
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 8 Moorhens
- 48 Coots again
- >600 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Despite the cold night on the lamp poles
- 1 Early Moth
- 1 Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:30 – 10:10

(25th visit of the year)

Some slushy ice at the top end

Notes from here

Not much change – just the drake Pochard missing
- the Cormorant was a different individual to that recorded yesterday
- Stereum Rugosum, or Bleeding Broadleaf Crust, fungus found
I was told that the Ring-necked Parakeet has been heard calling in St George’s. I did not see or hear it here again today
I was also told that during the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch over the weekend one of the houses between the water and the wooded area alongside the A5 recorded a Blackcap

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 34 (23♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 29 (17♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant again
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 2 Moorhens
- 26 Coots
- 36 Black-headed Gulls

Able to shoot between branches and get a close view of this Grey Heron. Note how the long breeding feathers (‘plumes’ or ‘aigrettes’) are developing on the back. Appears to be staring blankly in to the distance!

Found on a section of fallen trunk was this fungus. It seems to be Stereum Rugosum. Known also as Bleeding Broadleaf Crust because it bleeds red if scratched. Common and occurring all year.

In close-up.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

2. Click Here for a few photos from Belvide - 26 Jan 19

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
14 Pochard
71 Tufted Duck
3 Greater Scaup
1 Velvet Scoter
103 Coots
1 Yellow-legged Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
141 Redwings
502 Jackdaws
383 Rooks
2 Ravens
(Ed Wilson, Gary Crowder)

The Flash 
89 Tufted Ducks
2 Goosander
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
Drake Scaup
26 Wigeon 
12 Gadwall 
12 Pochard 
60 Tufted Ducks 
181 Coots
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
246 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
34 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
21 Redwings
147 Jackdaws
c.30 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, Unknown Observer)

Trench Lock Pool
18 Swans
8 Pochard 
45 Tufted Duck 
1 Goosander 
99 Coots counted
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
21 Pochard
51 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
c.2000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
109 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
c.250 Black-headed Gulls.
1 Buzzard
1 Merlin
(Martin Adlam)

2007 
Priorslee Lake
1 Goldeneye
(Ed Wilson)

28 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:40 – 09:25
The Flash:  09:30 – 10:20

+0°C > 2°C:  Mainly clear and frosty. Light WNW wind. Excellent visibility

Sunrise: 07:59 GMT
wheee – sunrise before 08:00!

Priorslee Lake:  06:40 – 09:25

(27th visit of the year)

Small amount of ice against the NE side out of the wind

Bird notes
- the gang of 10 geese (3 Greylag and 7 Canadas) flew outbound at 07:21
- c.150 Black-headed Gulls were circling over by 06:55. Eventually c.300
- Water Rail seen again. Not heard it recently: I am of the opinion that the squealing calls are usually given when one bird encounters another and at the moment only a single bird is present
- a good (these days) count of 8 Greenfinches at the W end
- 2 Reed Buntings leaving the W end roost seemed to go only a short distance to the SW bushes. 5 more left to the S; then 7 more to the SE. At least 3 then still calling at the W end (and another along the N side)

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 3 Greylag Geese [1 group outbound]
- 7 Canada Geese [with the Greylags]
- 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 16 Wood Pigeons
- c.350 Jackdaws
- 6 Pied Wagtails
- 1 Greenfinch

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 1 Redwing
- 14 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area:
- 1 cob Mute Swan still
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall still
- 8 (6♂) Mallard
- 10 (7♂) Pochard
- 57 (25♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 3 Little Grebes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Water Rail
- 6 Moorhens
- 48 Coots
- c.300 Black-headed Gulls

A cold night so nothing on the lamp poles

About half-moon at the moment.

And the pre-sunrise glow.

Drake Mallard in splendid light and for once in an almost natural-looking location – upstream of the bridge over the Wesley Brook.

No good complaining: I’m perfectly entitled to walk across the bridge.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:30 – 10:20

(24th visit of the year)

Enough breeze to keep the ice away

Another bird species added to my 2019 log from here
44      Green Woodpecker

Notes from here
- rather surprised that the lone drake Shoveler is still around after 5 days
- I saw a Cormorant flying from the lake towards here: however the bird seen here was not the bird that was at the lake earlier – different amount of pale on the belly
- a Great Crested Grebe back: from plumage neither of the birds from the lake even though one of these was missing this morning
- no ice and no workmen so the Coots have retreated to all their usual lurking places and are harder to census. Did genuinely seem to be fewer around
- the Ring-necked Parakeet not seen or heard
- Green Woodpecker allowing a rare viewing as it bounded over the water. So often all I note is the loud distant ringing call
- Nuthatch inspecting holes in the dead Alder near the Priorslee Academy again

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Jackdaws

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans as ever
- 4 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall still
- 39 (24♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler still
- 1 (1♂) Pochard still
- 29 (13♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 5 Moorhens again
- 25 Coots
- 46 Black-headed Gulls again

The drake Shoveler was tucked up near the island again, in better light but only a slightly closer position.

I think this first-winter Black-headed Gull must have been watching feeding Gannets.

Was that exactly what was intended?

A Robin giving a great profile opportunity.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

2. Click Here for a few photos from Belvide - 26 Jan 19

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
12 Pochard
63 Tufted Duck
3 Greater Scaup
Velvet Scoter
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
16 Redwings over
555 Jackdaws
345 Rooks
(Ed Wilson, Gary Crowder)

The Flash
120 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Pochard
34 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
2 Goosanders
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
31 Wigeon 
10 Gadwall 
11 Pochard 
44 Tufted Ducks 
1 Greater Scaup 
177 Coots again 
38 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
9 Redwings
52 Magpies
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Shoveler 
4 Pochard 
57 Tufted Duck 
1 Goosander 
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
21 Pochard
38 Tufted Duck
150 Wood Pigeons
57 Redwings 
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
36 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool 
7 Pochard
33 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

27 Jan 19

No sightings in today.

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

2. Click Here for a few photos from Belvide - 26 Jan 19

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
13 Pochard
63 Tufted Duck
2 Greater Scaup
1 Velvet Scoter
101 Coots counted
31 Herring Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
7 Redwings
522 Jackdaws
335 Rooks
71 Magpies
4 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
111 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
26 Wigeon 
10 Gadwall 
14 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks 
1 Greater Scaup
177 Coots
4 Redwings
30 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, Dave Tromans)

The Flash
1 Little Grebe
4 Goosander
(Dave Tromans)

26 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake only

7°C:  Mostly overcast and with some light drizzle at times. Mainly light SW wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 08:02 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:55 – 09:25

(26th visit of the year)

Highlight this morning was 2 Little Egrets that flew E at 08:10 – and not even new for the year here!

Other bird notes
- I read the ring on the lone Mute Swan this morning and confirmed it is the cob that successfully raised the three cygnets last year. Another Mute Swan arrived c.08:30 but was soon dismissed – I assume it was another cob looking for a territory
- the frequent gang of 10 geese not seen: 3 Greylags were on their own today. None of the subsequent Canada Geese groups numbered seven birds
- Tufted Duck particularly mobile and hard to get an accurate count
- a second Grey Heron was chased away
- just 14 Jackdaws at the normal outbound time: a small group and two singles later
- 6 singing Song Thrushes today
- Chaffinch heard giving partial song – often the last few days of January sees this species start to sing occasionally

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 3 Greylag Geese [1 group outbound]
- 22 Canada Geese [6 groups outbound]
- 2 Little Egrets
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 6 Wood Pigeons only
- 21 Jackdaws only

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- >31 Magpies (incomplete)
- 7 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swan
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall still
- 9 (6♂) Mallard again
- 5 (3♂) Pochard
- 40 (24♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Water Rail
- 10 Moorhens
- 49 Coots
- c.325 Black-headed Gulls

Still mild but the lamp poles were empty
- a few Winter Gnats, likely Trichocera regelationis, flying about

Perhaps my worst photo (so far!). A record shot of the two Little Egrets flying over. There is just about enough here to dismiss thoughts of Great White Egret (too small) and Cattle Egret (bill too dagger-like with no jowl underneath). Well it was still quite dark at 08:10 on a dull morning ....!

The largely white crown, the almost wholly pink bill and the ‘aigrettes’ hanging down on both the breast and down the back all indicate this is an adult Grey Heron in breeding condition. This species nests as early as February in colonies – ‘heronries’.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
Velvet Scoter
2 Scaup
(Martin and Ian Grant)

2013
Priorslee Lake
39 Wigeon
8 Gadwall 
24 Pochard 
74 Tufted Ducks 
1 Greater Scaup 
173 Coots
169 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
18 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Iceland Gull
(Observer Unknown)

25 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:50 – 09:30
The Flash:  09:35 – 10:20

9°C:  Broken cloud to start; later lower cloud and occasional light drizzle. Moderate W wind. Good visibility

Sunrise: 08:03 GMT

Another very quiet morning

Priorslee Lake:  06:50 – 09:30

(25th visit of the year)

Bird notes
- the Mute Swan is certainly on its own at the moment, sleeping in the middle of the lake. It went for a short fly-around
- the gang of 10 geese (3 Greylag and 7 Canadas) flew over shortly after a group of 7 Greylag Geese
- some of yesterday afternoon’s Pochard and Tufted Duck seem to have decamped to The Flash
- I specifically counted the Black-headed Gulls as they arrived from the W this morning
- where were the Jackdaws? Neither heard nor seen. I hope they have found another feeding site
- 5 singing Song Thrushes confirmed it was a milder morning
- sounded like more Reed Buntings at the W end than I logged leaving the roost. However today those I saw left to the W and I may have missed some: they usually leave to the E / SE and that was where I was looking for them

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 10 Greylag Geese [2 groups outbound]
- 7 Canada Geese [with 3 of the Greylags]
- 8 Wood Pigeons only
- no Jackdaws!!
- 1 Redwing
- 6 Siskins

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 51 Magpies
- 5 Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area:
- 1 Mute Swan
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall again
- 9 (6♂) Mallard
- 7 (3♂) Pochard
- 33 (17♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 11 Moorhens
- 56 Coots
- 362 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

With the milder weather my log from the lamp poles increased
- 1 Dotted Border moth
- 2 stretch spiders, Tetragnatha sp.
- 1 Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis)
- 1 fly sp., likely a Long-horned Black Legionnaire (Beris geniculata)
- 2 very small unidentified presumed Mirid bugs
with lots of Winter Gnats, likely Trichocera regelationis, flying about.

A Dotted Border moth. The wavy outer cross-line is very similar to that of the Mottled Umber but Dotted Border lacks the dark spot in the wing, shows a very straight median cross-line and – a dotted border.

I seem to remember a song about a spider and a fly. When I tried another shot the spider, a Nursery Web spider (Pisaura mirabilis), had shot off, obviously not liking the camera flash – they do not usually seem bother. Perhaps I saved the fly – probably a Long-horned Black Legionnaire (Beris geniculata) – from becoming breakfast.

Yes well: the width of the photo is the width of the lamp pole so the insect is rather small to say the least. I think it is the same species of very small unidentified, presumed Mirid, bug that I photographed on 20th January.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:35 – 10:20

(23rd visit of the year)

Small amount of slushy ice remained in the most sheltered spots

Notes from here
- I presumably overlooked the pair of Gadwall yesterday: they are still here
- the drake Shoveler still present but tucked up asleep against the island
- see also notes from the lake: a Pochard and some of the Tufted Duck seem to have decamped here overnight
- the Ring-necked Parakeet still about
- an unusual count of 24 Crows sparring with Magpies over the hill on the SE side

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 5 Jackdaws

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 6 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 35 (21♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 45 (20♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 5 Moorhens
- 34 Coots
- 46 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
11 Pochard
61 Tufted Duck
2 Greater Scaup
1 Velvet Scoter
98 Coots
4 Redwings
c.735 Jackdaws
c.257 Rooks
4 Siskins
1 Redpoll 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
92 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
Peregrine
6 Pochard
54 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
31 Wigeon 
12 Gadwall 
1 Greater Scaup
>700 Black-headed Gulls
7 Common Gulls
>1500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
>300 Herring Gulls
7 Great Black-backed Gulls.
(Ed Wilson, (John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Peregrine
1 Little Grebe 
30 Swans
4 Gadwall
28 Pochard
86 Tufted Ducks
1 Buzzard 
296 Coots
5 Redwings
27 Greenfinches
c.30 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
Goldeneye
1 Water Rail
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
c.1300 Black-headed Gulls
c.120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.45 Herring Gulls
10 Great Crested Grebes
2 Gadwall
24 Pochard
22 Tufted Ducks
152 Coot
1 Water Rail
c.48 Siskins
1 Redpoll
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

24 Jan 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  14:55 – 15:50
The Flash:  14:15 – 14:45

5°C:  Mainly cloudy with just a few breaks. Almost calm. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 08:05 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  14:55 – 15:50

(24th visit of the year)

Small amount of ice all along the N and E sides

Another late start. Only birds on the water logged again

Bird notes
- only 1 Mute Swan again and this seen moving around. I am fairly sure that it is on its own at the moment
- eventually managed to track down a single Little Grebe diving through the slushy ice
- the Lapwing were a nice surprise. They were on the SW grass for a while and then, amazingly, they settled on the dam-top and dam-face for a while, unusually unconcerned about the traffic and people out of their cars in the lay-by

Bird totals

The counts from the lake area:
- 1 Mute Swan only
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall again
- 10 (6♂) Mallard
- 9 (6♂) Pochard
- 54 (31♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Little Grebe
- 2 Great Crested Grebes yet again
- 11 Moorhens
- 55 Coots
- 43 Lapwings
- 159 Black-headed Gulls

About the only hope of counting Lapwing groups is from a photo – 43 here, including a laggard.

Part of the group swirling past.

Here we 16 settled on the dam-top. Note the bird slightly left of centre with its back to us shows obvious pale fringes to the back feathers. All Lapwings get pale fringes after the autumn moult but this bird also has an obviously shorter crest than most of the other birds and is likely a first-winter bird. The birds standing at the back on the left and on the extreme right both show how these pale fringed wear away for the breeding plumage, well-deserving their country name of Green Plover.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  14:15 – 14:45

(22nd visit of the year)

>25% ice mainly at S / W end

Another bird species added to my 2019 log from here
43      Shoveler

Notes from here
- Gadwall not located
- drake Shoveler my first here since 30 March 2017
- high count of Coots – the ice helps as they cannot easily hide

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans again
- 2 Canada Geese again
- 43 (26♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 12 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 4 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- 33 Black-headed Gulls

The drake Shoveler was being typically unhelpful, spinning around with its bill underwater, sifting for goodies and in the very middle of the water, as far from land as possible. A record shot!

This Grey Heron look none too happy.

 I’ll get my head down! A typical one-legged stance when resting.

A first-winter Black-headed Gull complete with reflection ...

... not quite a perfect reflection! 

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

1. Click Here for a Summary of the 2018 Priorslee Lake Report.

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

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
12 Pochard
56 Tufted Duck
1 Velvet Scoter
108 Coots
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
95 Tufted Ducks
4 Goosanders
9 Bullfinches
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
31 Wigeon 
8 Gadwall 
26 Pochard 
99 Tufted Ducks 
1 Greater Scaup 
>1200 Black-headed Gulls
>2200 large gulls
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
23 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
1 Cormorant 
16 Swans 
2 Gadwall 
1 Shoveler 
5 Pochard 
37 Tufted Duck 
1 Goosander 
117 Coots
96 Black-headed Gulls
42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
38 Herring Gulls
4 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool
1 Caspian Gull
(Jim Almond)

2010
Priorslee Lake
>300 Jackdaws
36 Swans
4 Gadwall
26 Pochard
64 Tufted Ducks
315 Coots 
>300 Black-headed Gulls
39 Lesser Black-backed
28 Herring Gulls
11 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Iceland Gull
(Jason Buckley)

2008
Priorslee Lake
120 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
16 Herring Gulls
50 Black-headed Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
3 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
14 Pochard
23 Tufted Ducks
151 Coot
370 Jackdaws
118 Rooks
250 Wood Pigeon
15 Robins
14 Blackbirds
47 Siskins
3 Redpolls
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)