31 Mar 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  05:45 – 08:45
The Flash:  08:50 – 09:40

6.0°C:  Strange weather – clear but hazy to the N; cloudy to the S. Moderate E wind. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 06:47 BST

Priorslee Lake:  05:45 – 08:45

(85th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
77      Barn Swallow
after searching and searching through the myriad Sand Martins a single Barn Swallow appeared briefly but could not be relocated

And ‘one that got away’. At 05:55 (BST) I heard a quiet ‘creaky’ call over my head and just caught sight of a medium-sized bird gliding in to the copse along the S side. Only a glimpse in the dark but seemed too large for the Woodcock that sometimes roosted in winter – would it still be here anyway? My other thought was Tawny Owl, but the call was wrong and the flight is supposed to be silent. Mystery

Other bird notes from today
- 3 Canada Geese present at dawn. Later three arrived. These then left as three pairs
- Little Grebes heard calling in NW and NE areas again: single bird (one of these?) seen
- only four Great Crested Grebes seen but I suspect the fifth was in the reeds
- what I presume were the first few Sand Martins were seen at 06:35 when it was still too dark to make them out from ‘the other end’. At least 40 birds by 07:00 and later at least 60. How many birds were involved is hard to say – were they quickly moving through or had they stopped off to feed for a while?
- no fewer than five singing Goldcrests with another non-singing bird seen

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 4 Greylag Geese (pair outbound; pair inbound)
- 10 Canada Geese (pair and party of 8 all outbound)
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Stock Dove
- 32 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 56 Jackdaws
- 2 Linnets (singles)

Hirundines noted
- >60 Sand Martins
- 1 Barn Swallow

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 6 (6) Blackcaps

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 Canada Geese (see notes)
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 8 (5♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron once again
- 2 Little Grebes at least
- 4+ Great Crested Grebes
- 7 Moorhens
- 24 Coots only

Nothing on the lamp poles early and nothing seen later

There were >60 Sand Martins zooming around this morning. As I have noted before Bridge cameras are not at their best on flying birds, especially those as small and speedy as this species. What I have done is select a few of those that at least highlight the identification feature. Here we see the dark breast band, from this angle looking as much like a white collar as a breast band.

The ‘white collar’ effect here too. Note the uniform upper side – House Martin has a bright white rump as well as looking ‘tubby’ overall.

The underwing here: all dark and darker – black really – on the inner wing.

Also showing the underwing but here also showing the hint of a darker band at the base of the belly.

The underwing contrast again.

‘Chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’: singing its name for me. 

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  08:50 – 09:40

(78th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- the Gadwall reappeared – last noted 23 March
- a Grey Heron was seen circling very high to the W
- a Stock Dove was heard calling from trees between The Priorslee and the Priorslee Academy. Perhaps my first non fly-over record here?
also noted
- the Lunar Marbled Brown moth unmoved on its lamp pole from yesterday

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 3 Feral Pigeons
- 1 Wood Pigeon
- 5 Jackdaws

Hirundines noted
- 1 Sand Martin

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 6 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 16 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 16 (13♂) Mallard again
- 24 (16♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens
- 27 Coots

The Mute Swans were getting amorous again. Note the pen had raised her tail.

“What I am I supposed to do now?” The cob looks puzzled. 

Drowning time for the pen.

So the Gadwall pair are back – where have they been? Here having a preen after been ‘seen off’ by a territorial Coot.

The duck needs a handkerchief!

A Chiffchaff here was lower down and, eventually, more cooperative than the singing bird at the lake. I suspect this is a female as there was a singing male close-by and this bird was silent throughout. Plumages of males and females are identical to our eyes As usual a few twigs strategically placed to hide bits of the bird.

And now hiding behind a different twig.

A bit of waiting and starts coming in to the open .... 

And, finally, a real pose. Note the weak supercilium only reaching as far as the back of the eye: and the black-legs with dark-red feet. Note too the dark alula (the feathers at the bend of the wing when open).

Sideways-on we see the rather thin bill – thicker on Willow Warbler which would also show a brighter base to the lower mandible. Here we also see a really important separation from Willow Warbler. The tail here is being dipped as the bird works through the vegetation. Chiffchaffs do this all the time they are on the move: Willow Warblers almost never do. This habit can be seen at long distance when birds are silent and other features hard to see.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
15 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
139 Jackdaws
5 Redwings
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
47 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin
Mallard
Coot
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Green Woodpecker
Meadow Pipit
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Goldcrest
Marsh Tit
Treecreeper
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Bullfinch.
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
c.100 Fieldfare
(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Lake
c.15 Sand Martin
1 House Martin
Green Woodpecker
2 Brambling
2 Linnets
2 Redpolls
3 Great Crested Grebes 
15 Tufted Duck
6 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Great Crested Grebes 
1 Heron 
6 Greylag Geese
48 Tufted Duck 
3 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
8 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
8 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warbler
1 Blackcap
(Martin Grant) 

2008
Priorslee Lake
3 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
7 Redwing- 1 singing
33 Tufted Duck
7 Gadwall
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
16 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
7 Sand Martin
2 Swallow
7 Redwing
6 Chiffchaff
2 Willow Tit
2 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Flash
Shoveler
4 Snipe
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
6 Great Crested Grebes
10 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
183 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
19 Sand Martins
1 Kestrel
3 Buzzards
4 Jays
2 Stock Doves
270 Wood Pigeons
1 Sky Lark
3 Meadow Pipits
3 Grey Wagtails
15 Robins
20 Blackbirds
5 Fieldfare
13 Redwings
2 Willow Warblers
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Tits
8 Greenfinches
5 Siskins
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

30 Mar 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  07:25 – 09:10
The Flash:  09:20 – 10:05

3.0°C > 5.0°C:  Fog suggested a late start. Remained misty and worse throughout. Almost calm. Poor / very poor visibility

Sunrise: 05:49 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  07:25 – 09:10

(84th visit of the year)

Bird notes from today
- Little Grebes heard calling in NW and NE areas again
- an additional Great Crested Grebe present

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
None

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 6 (6) Blackcaps

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans as ever
- 2 Canada Geese
- 5 (3♂) Mallard
- 6 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron still
- 2+ Little Grebes
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens (partial count)
- 26 Coots

Other things
- first Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) flowers

Here is a flower of Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa) – this species only flowers in shady places. Here I have propped the flower up so we can see inside. The leaves you see are from still-growing Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) ....

Here is a flower in its ‘natural’ surroundings showing the leaves of the plant.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:20 – 10:05

(77th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
in the mist nothing flying over
- failed to locate any Blackcaps again
also noted
- 1 Lunar Marbled Brown moth on a lamp pole
- new White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album) flowers

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the water: *** all totals minima in poor visibility
- 1 + 1 Mute Swans (unable to see inside the island)
- 25 Canada Geese
- 16 (13♂) Mallard
- 25 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens again
- = Coots: no meaningful count possible

Something to lift my spirits on a misty morning – the daily Long-tailed Tit.

Looking skyward for inspiration? I have no idea what this Jay was doing or why.

This is a Lunar Marbled Brown moth. It is a new moth for me in Shropshire and #6 in 2019 at this site. ‘Lunar’ because of the dark crescent marking in the middle of the wing that separates it from the similar Marbled Brown, though this latter species tends to fly later in the year.

Here again. This was on a lamp pole that I regularly check though today was the first occasion I have ever found a moth on it –persistence rewarded.

So we’d better celebrate with another shot.

This is White Deadnettle (Lamium album). These are new flowers – last year’s flowers were still evident on 1st January. Non-stinging of course.

A real close-up of a single flower in one of the whorls.

(Ed Wilson)

Note
Here are a few images from Belvide on 26 Mar Here

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
19 Tufted Duck
4 Meadow Pipits
1 Redwing
1 Blackcap
7 Chiffchaffs
197 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
42 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Horsehay Pool
Mandarin Ducks
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Tufted Duck
1 Peregrine Falcon
3 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )

The Flash 
46 Tufted Duck 
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
Raven
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
1 Swallow
14 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Sparrowhawk
5 Great Crested Grebe
1 Little Grebe
1 Grey Heron
20 Redwing
4 Siskins
2 Linnet
9 Greenfinch
4 Reed Bunting
10 Meadow Pipit
1 Willow Tit
(Martin R Adlam)

29 Mar 19

Priorslee Lake [with Woodhouse Lane] and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 09:20
[Woodhouse Lane:  05:45 – 06:30]
The Flash:  09:25 – 10:20

3.0°C > 9.0°C:  Clear start with mist over water soon gave way to foggy conditions. Frost again. Almost calm. Good visibility, soon poor and very poor; good after 08:00

Sunrise: 05:52 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 09:20

(83rd visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
75      Brambling
I was looking for summer visitors not winter visitors! A male was a very welcome addition. I had already concluded that I would have to wait until Autumn passage to log this species here this year. No longer
76      House Sparrow
most years a small gang of birds from around the estate encroach on my recording area. Today it was a single female on top of a tree by the Sailing Club hut – most unusual and not so much ‘encroaching’ as right in my recording area

Other bird notes from today
- Little Grebes heard calling in NW and NE areas with two birds together in NE area, these now in full breeding plumage
- all four Great Crested Grebes present (as was the pair at The Flash)
- two first-summer Black-headed Gulls present as the fog thinned enough to see that far. They soon left
- two big parties of Jackdaws went out at 05:11 before the mist and fog rolled in
- four male Blackcaps for certain. One bird along the S side was seen to fly off high W and may have been the ‘fifth’ bird seen singing at the W end later

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
**fog and mist affected
- 3 Greylag Geese (one outbound; two singles inbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair outbound)
- 1 Stock Dove
- 10 Wood Pigeons only
- c.300 Jackdaws

Hirundines noted
- 2 Sand Martins at 08:10, briefly

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps (see also notes)

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese (pair throughout)
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 6 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 3 Little Grebes
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens yet again
- 27 Coots
- 2 Black-headed Gulls

Also: on the lamp poles early
- 1 March Tubic moth (Diurnea fagella)
- 1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)

In the circumstances – the mist, the camera lens fogging up and the insistence of this male Brambling to hide I was well pleased with this view even if it really only qualifies as a record shot. We see the white belly, the orange shoulders and wing-bars and the dark head with obvious yellow bill – the latter leaving no doubt that it is a male.

This caused me some confusion: I thought I was still chasing the Brambling and then this appeared. What is a female Reed Bunting doing on top of a tree? It a Reed Bunting not a tree bunting.

Another rather uncooperative bird on top of a tree. A female House Sparrow, most unusually alone.

This, believe it or not, is a March Tubic moth (Diurnea fagella). It looks like this because it is covered in dew – perhaps even frost!

This is frost thawing in to small water droplets on the Blackthorn blossom. I know it looks like the photo has pixellated but, trust me, it hasn’t. It really did look like this.

Did I miss Summer and we are in to Autumn already?

(Ed Wilson)

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Notes from Woodhouse Lane (05:45 – 06:30)

(7th visit of the year)

In fog much of the time
notable were two fly-over Linnets – though it could have been the same bird flying to & fro. My first this year at a usually reliable site
also
- first Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) of the year for me

Some totals (singing birds)
- 3 (3) Pheasants
- 2 (1) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Goldcrest
- 2 (2) Chiffchaff
- 2 (2) Song Thrushes
- 2 (1) Chaffinch
- 4 (4) Yellowhammers

A ‘punk’ male Yellowhammer. Note the rusty rump.

I was fighting both mist and condensation forming on the camera lens for this singing Yellowhammer. Perhaps I’ll patent heated camera lenses – I guess the heater-wires might be a problem though.

Lone flowers this early are probably more prone to attack by insects – not much else to eat. This Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) definitely the worse for wear.

Some atmospheric shots as the mist began to clear.

Another.

And sunrise behind the copse between Castle Farm Way and Woodhouse Lane.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:25 – 10:20

(76th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
very quiet with nothing flying over:
- just possible there were 29 (17♂) Tufted Ducks, but I think 6 (3♂) had scooted around the back of the island
- Coots very quarrelsome. It is clear that there are too many for all of them to hold territory. Some sorting out is surely needed. There are more here than at the lake
also noted
- 1 Peacock butterfly
- 1 Bee-fly (Bombilius major)
- 1 probable Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans still
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 36 Canada Geese
- 14 (10♂) Mallard
- 23 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 2 Moorhens
- 38 Coots

Here are the two resident adult Mute Swans. You don’t doubt me do you ....?

The pen coming up for air.

Well it is Spring.

Didn’t we do well? Note the cob’s bill is a brighter red than the pen’s more orange-toned bill.

“Right now you go off and chase those nasty geese and I’ll get my feathers sorted out”.

I am fairly sure this small bee is an Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa). They like dandelions.

.. As is evident here as it get stuck in. Probably after nectar though it is making a good job of pollen collecting.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
4 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
31 Tufted Duck
3 Redwings
5 Sand Martins
7 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
2 Common Teal
49 Tufted Ducks
3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
Iceland Gull
(John Isherwood and et al)

The Flash
1 Shoveler
2 Pochard
(John Isherwood)

Horsehay Pool
2 Mandarin Ducks
(Paul Spear)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
16 Tufted Duck 
2 Blackcaps
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes 
47 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Red-legged Partridges
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Oystercatcher
Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
Sand Martins
7 Gadwall
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
6 Sky Larks
1 Fieldfare
3 Redwings
Lapwing
Green Woodpecker
14 Linnets.
(Ed Wilson) 

2006
Priorslee Lake
 Barn Owl
25 Sand Martins
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
47 Redwings
4 Meadow Pipits
12 Tufted Duck
4 Jays
433 Wood Pigeons
(Ed Wilson)

28 Mar 19

Priorslee Lake [with Woodhouse Lane] and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:40 – 06:40 // 07:40 – 10:05
[Woodhouse Lane:  08:45 – 09:10]
The Flash:  06:40 – 07:30

4.0°C > 10.0°C:  Mainly sunny with an area of cloud 06:20 – 07:30. Just frosted as temperature dipped pre-dawn. Almost calm. Mostly very good visibility, hazy to S and E

Sunrise: 05:54 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  04:40 – 06:30 // 07:40 – 10:05

(82nd visit of the year)

My ‘bird of the day’ was my second Oystercatcher of the year here. Flushed off by walkers at c.08:15

Other bird notes from today
- Little Grebes heard calling in NW and NE areas; seen off NW, NE reeds and along S side. How many birds involved unclear, but three seen at same time
- only two Great Crested Grebes seen. The same pair passed both putative nest sites without any others coming to chase them away (c.f. pair displaying at The Flash today)
- single Black-headed Gull flew through W at 08:35 and presumed same back E two minutes later
- 198 of the 226 Wood Pigeons flying over were flying high N / NW in 23 small groups, mainly to the E of the lake and mainly before 06:20
- eight of the 147 Jackdaws logged possibly came out of a roost around the lake: still not 100% sure
- two Blackcaps again – neither was where birds have been singing in the last three days. I assume this species is still moving through
- 13 finch-type birds in 4 groups flying along the same track as most Wood Pigeons. Far too distant to ID – would possibly have been able to hear them from Woodhouse Lane, but I was in the Teece Drive area at the time

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 4 Greylag Geese (pair outbound and pair inbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair inbound)
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 3 Feral Pigeons
- 226 Wood Pigeons
- 147 Jackdaws
- 3 Goldfinches
- 13 unidentified finch-types (see notes)

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps (see notes)

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 Canada Geese (pair throughout; trio and single visited)
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 8 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 3+ Little Grebes
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens again
- 1 Oystercatcher
- 29 Coots

Also: nothing on the lamp poles early but seen later
- 1 Common Wasp (Vespula (Paravespula) vulgaris)
- >2 Bee-flies (Bombilius major)
- 1 probable Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)
- 1 Common Drone-fly (Eristalis tenax) hoverfly

A great morning to be up. The sleeping Mute Swans just about visible.

Sun-up: must be 05:54.

This Blackcap is full of the joys of Spring.

He looks rather ‘sway-backed’ here, not entirely due to the shadows. Note how both mandibles almost ‘hook’ at the tips.

Common Drone-fly (Eristalis tenax). One of the earliest hoverflies on the wing – and one of the latest too. Indeed in sunny weather in winter these are sometimes active.

I think this an Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa). I would like to have been able to see the ‘tail’ more clearly to eliminate Tree Bumblebee.

Full frontal of a Common Wasp (Vespula (Paravespula) vulgaris).

One of my favourite insects – a Bee-fly (Bombilius major). These harmless critters are great. They are a beautiful furry foxy red, they hover with a characteristic loud buzz, they have patterned wings and a long proboscis for feeding on nectar. The shadow shows the proboscis well. The wing marks are harder to see here.

Better here, certainly on the left wing.

And here the furry body.

And here with wings-a-blur as it hovers in the grass.

(Ed Wilson)

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Notes from Woodhouse Lane (08:45 – 09:10)

(6th visit of the year)

Not a full visit – mainly to check for warblers around the sluice area, though I did walk up to the lane and then north, unusually, for a short distance
some totals (singing birds)
- 2 (2) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 1 (1) Chaffinch
- 1 (1) Blackcap
- 6 (4) Yellowhammers
Still no Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches or Linnets in the area

Apart from searching for migrant warblers a target for my time here was splendid breeding-plumage male Yellowhammers – like this.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  06:45 – 07:35

(75th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- the cygnet may need to be taken away by Cuan Wildlife Rescue: the cob had it pinned against one of the fishing platforms for a while this morning
- Great Crested Grebes returned – and a pair displaying at both ends of the water
- just as the one bird seen at the lake yesterday the two Sand Martins were here and then they weren’t

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 6 Feral Pigeons
- 1 Stock Dove
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws

Hirundines noted
- 2 Sand Martins

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese (departed)
- 25 Canada Geese again
- 14 (11♂) Mallard
- 25 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens
- 29 Coots

They had to do this in the darkest part of the water – record shot only really.

Yep! More Long-tailed Tit photos.

Look no tail!

And one with a short tail [not true of course: it is the angle foreshortening the tail].

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- 2 (2♂) Mallard on the lower pool
- single Moorhens on both the upper and lower pools still
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff beside the upper pool

A Moorhen metaphorically wading through the fallen pussy willow blossoms.

I know I have done this before, but the light on this singing(?) male Starling was superb. Throat all puffed out with effort.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
9+ Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
2 Shoveler
30 Tufted Duck
10 Chiffchaffs
 5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling Goose
51 Tufted Ducks
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Fieldfare
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
7 Meadow Pipits
c.150 Fieldfare
c.30 Starlings
1 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
7 Wigeon
22 Tufted Duck
1 Glaucous Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 hybrid Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Mediterranean Gull
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
4 Herring Gulls.
(Tom Lowe, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
2 Lapwing
(Martin Grant)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Glaucous Gull
Iceland Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull.
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
10 Chiffchaffs singing
4 Blackcaps singing
1 Sky Lark
1 Willow Tit
1 Raven flew over
3 Great Crested Grebes
11 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
38 Tufted Duck
5 Chiffchaffs singing
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes 
6 Gadwall
c.15 Tufted Duck
1 Fieldfare
11 Linnets
5 Chiffchaffs
c.40 Sand Martins
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 
4 Great Crested Grebes
30 Tufted Ducks
Siskins
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
10 Meadow Pipits
Linnets
Sky Larks
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
2 Cormorants
14 Tufted Ducks
3 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kittiwake
242 Wood Pigeons
4 Stock Doves
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
3 Meadow Pipits
3 Grey Wagtails
9 Pied Wagtails
26 Wrens
3 Fieldfare
94 Redwings
2 Swallow
13 Sand Martins
1 Blackcap
1 Willow Warbler
7 Chiffchaffs
18 Magpies
4 Jays
127 Jackdaws
13 Greenfinches
7 Siskins
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)