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)