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.
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
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..........
2018Priorslee 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)