5 Mar 19

Priorslee Lake (with Woodhouse Lane) and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  05:40 – 09:25
[Woodhouse Lane:  07:30 – 08:20]
The Flash:  09:30 – 10:15

1.0°C > 9.0°C:  Clear and just frosted: some clouds later. Light S wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:48 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  05:40 – 09:25

(60th visit of the year)

Bird notes from today
- 2 Mute Swans throughout: unable to check the rings
- 2 Woodcocks seen in flight together at 06:03: my first-ever multiple sighting here
- Coots number restored to a more typical number, though this is still below ‘normal’
- unusual behaviour by a Tree Creeper: it was working along the base of woody vegetation almost at ground level. When I first glimpsed it I assumed it would be a Goldcrest or some such
- 4 Chiffchaffs seen, three of which were singing
- 5 Redwings seen through the fence in to the Ricoh grounds (these in addition to the roosting and fly-over birds)

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 26 Canada Geese (6 groups outbound)
- 12 Black-headed Gulls
- 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 3 Feral Pigeons
- 42 Wood Pigeons
- c.715 Jackdaws
- 50 Rooks exactly
- 3 Redwings
- 3 Pied Wagtails
- 4 Goldfinches
- 1 Siskin

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- [Magpies not counted]
- 1 Starling
- 6 Redwings
- no Reed Buntings

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese (arrived)
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 10 Moorhens
- 28 Coots only
- 31 Black-headed Gulls

Other things
- very small spider on a lamp pole early
- again >110 small flies on just one lamp-pole later: today >125 on another pole. Almost all one species

The colour in the sunrise was more overhead than in the east.

One of the Redwings quite well camouflaged against the leaf litter in the edge of the Ricoh grounds.

The face-pattern, pale base to the bill and red flanks all seen well here.

This tiny spider – I have retained one of the ‘stock numbers’ of the street lamp for scale – remains unidentified.

(Ed Wilson)

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Notes from Woodhouse Lane (07:30 – 08:20)

(4th visit of the year)

Very quiet again
- 1 Pheasant seen
- 1 Sky Lark only: in song. Presumed same heard calling
- 1 party of |Long-tailed Tits
- 3 Song Thrushes: 2 in song
- 1 Redwing in trees
- 1 Chaffinch only: in song
- 5 Yellowhammers, 4 in song
No Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches or Linnets again

A series of view in the Woodhouse Lane area. Here from the concrete farm track looking across the small copse.

Looking south-east down the 3-ply Woodhouse Lane.

Looking up parallel to and to the east of Woodhouse Lane.

My target photo species was Yellowhammer. Until nest sites are established the birds are very wary and fly off on close approach.

Trying to remain invisible and persuade the camera to focus through a network of branches paid off.

We can just about make out the tongue of this singing male.

Singing in profile.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  09:30 – 10:15

(54th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- a cygnet first noted in flight and then landing. Was then hounded by both adults. Cannot determine whether it was the remaining cygnet from last year’s brood or a ‘stray’
- 11 of the 25 Canada Geese flew in
- a / the pair of Gadwall found on the island
- Mallard numbers much reduced as ducks leave the water to find nest sites
- at one stage at least 24 Magpies and 4 Carrion Crows were jumping around in the trees making a big commotion. Could not see any reason. It is the area where I have seen the Sparrowhawks recently, so ...

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Buzzard
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 2 Jackdaws

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1  Mute Swans
- 25 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 12 (9♂) Mallard
- 37 (19♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Moorhen only
- 32 Coots
- 3 Black-headed Gulls

A 2018 immature Mute Swan touches down – the former cygnet from here?

Both the adults seem to think it needs removing.

Having cornered the immature the cob takes off.

And a chase ensues.

The immature seems well able to fly.

No rings on this side to indicate any parenthood.

A Canada Goose adopts an unusual approach angle.

Seems to be sorting the angle out.

And a more or less perfect splash-down.

With the wind head-on this drake Tufted Duck looks smart with its long breeding ‘tuft’.

Even the other way around all looks good.

Cross-wind it is a different story. Reminds me of when I had a comb-over for a while before giving in to the inevitable.

A Coot in fighting mood – but then they usually are.

(Ed Wilson)

Notes
1. A few photos Here taken at RSPB Burton Mere - 2 Mar
2. A few photos Here taken at Belvide - 27 Feb

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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
Horsehay Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
20 Goosander
1 Glaucous Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
(Paul King)

2012
Priorslee Lake
Peregrine
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Pochard
21 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers
4 Great Crested Grebes
8 Pochard
51 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes 
1 Heron 
6 Gadwall
28 Pochard
57 Tufted Duck
c.1000 Black-headed Gulls
55 Magpies
1 Linnet
2 Siskin
12 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
c.200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.10 Herring Gulls
2 Common Gulls
9 Mute Swans
12 Tufted Duck
8 Great Crested Grebe
(Mike Cooper)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
7 Great Crested Grebes
2 Herons
1 Cormorant
11 Pochard
90 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
607 Wood Pigeon
11 Greenfinches
23 Siskins
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)