7 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  05:35 – 08:45
The Flash:  08:50 – 09:30

7.0°C:  Overcast at low level. Light NE wind. Moderate visibility

Sunrise: 06:31 BST

Priorslee Lake:  05:35 – 08:45

(92nd visit of the year)

Very quiet on a grey day – where were all the migrants then? Not here

Bird notes from today
- c.80 Sand Martins first noted high over at 07:20. At least 120 feeding over the lake from 07:55
- Jackdaw(s) heard passing as I arrived at 05:35. Still too dark to see them against the cloud, especially with the glare of the LED street-lights. Where do they go this early? Must be a long way or it will still be too dark to feed when they get there. A small number later when it was light-enough to see
- at least two Redwings in trees alongside Teece Drive: getting to be a late date for this species?

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 2 Greylag Geese (pair outbound)
- 2 Sparrowhawks
- 1 Herring Gull
- 5 Wood Pigeons only
- 26 Jackdaws only (see notes)

Hirundines noted
- >150 Sand Martins

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 9 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Willow Warbler
- 12 (10) Blackcaps

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese (departed)
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 11 (6♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2+ Little Grebes again
- 4 Great Crested Grebes again
- 7 Moorhens
- 23 Coots again

Nothing seen on the lamp poles again: but
- first Cowslip (Primula veris) of the year

First Cowslip (Primula veris) of the year for me in 2019. My logs show I recorded it on 31 January in 2018. What Global Warming?

You have to admit that a Dandelion clock is an amazing piece of construction.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Flash:  08:50 – 09:30

(85th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- I was told the pen Mute Swan is sitting on four eggs now – she was on the nest whenever I looked
- the Canada Geese were making a lot of noise from within the island: likely more birds than I could see
- the saga continues – the pair of Gadwall returns
- first brood of Mallard noted – 13 (I think) small ducklings with mum
- fewer Tufted Duck today – perhaps gone to the lake where there were more?
and
- 1 Grey Squirrel

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

Hirundines noted
None

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

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese (arrived)
- 19+ Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 19 (14♂) + 13? (1 brood) Mallard
- 12 (8♂) Tufted Ducks
- 4 Moorhens
- 29 Coots

Wisely the duck Mallard kept her very new brood up against the bank of the island. The light was awful. We can just about make out 12 ducklings (of what I think were 13 in total) – and a very attractive plastic bottle as a bonus.

This is no better and again shows just 12 ducklings – perhaps there were only 12, though we cannot see mum.

(Ed Wilson)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Snipe
(Ed Wilson, A. Harper)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
34 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
11 Tufted Ducks
12 Sand Martins
1 Swallow
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes 
5 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Cormorants
1 Heron
15 Tufted Ducks 
Woodcock
1 Sky Lark
3 Meadow Pipits
7 Redwings
39 Fieldfare 
149 Jackdaws
Brambling
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Pochard 
48 Tufted Duck 
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Red-legged Partridge
2 Sky Larks 
1 Redwing
1 Linnet
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake 
20+ Sand Martins 
3 Swallows 
1 House Martin 
7 Chiffchaff 
2 Blackcap 
(Martin Grant) 

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Redshank 
(Ed Wilson) 

Nedge Hill 
Common Redstart 
(Observer Unknown) 

2007
Priorslee lake
3 Great Crested Grebe 
1 Pintail x Mallard 
11 Tufted Duck 
1 Ruddy Duck 
2 Buzzard 
2 Sand Martin 
5 Meadow Pipit 
4 Blackcap 
8 Chiffchaff 
1 Willow Tit 
3 Reed Bunting 
(Martin Adlam) 

2006 
Priorslee Lake 
6 Great Crested Grebes 
1 Heron 
3 Cormorants 
4 Tufted Ducks 
2 Ruddy Ducks 
118 Jackdaws 
4 Stock Doves 
3 Sky Larks 
3 Meadow Pipits 
19 Robins 
27 Blackbirds 
1 Redwing 
1 Blackcap 
7 Chiffchaffs 
4 Willow Warblers 
17 Magpies 
3 Jays 
8 Greenfinches 
10 Siskins 
5 Reed Buntings 
(Ed Wilson)