30 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:05 // 06:50 – 09:35
The Flash:  06:10 – 06:45

5.0°C > 11.0°C:  Mainly clear. Mist early and thin high cloud later. Light E wind. Good visibility

Sunrise: 05:40 BST

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:05 // 06:50 – 09:35

(115th visit of the year)

Bird notes from today
- Little Grebe chased by Coot from middle of the N side to the NW reeds. Later two Little Grebes, with some Coot ‘assistance’, swam back
- I give up with the Great Crested Grebes. The four on the water were behaving as a pair and two singles. No real sign of nesting activity
- three Barn Swallows at the W end likely local breeding birds. Another single flew through
- trio of Jays suggests successful breeding here. Several other single birds noted
- non-singing Garden Warbler accidentally flushed from alongside footpath
- non-singing (Common) Whitethroat seen diving in to probable nest area
- Sedge Warbler not located
- fourth singing Reed Warbler confirmed
- at least two juvenile Greenfinches seen with female indicating successful breeding here

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 2 Greylag Geese (outbound)
- 1 Sparrowhawk again
- 1 Grey Heron
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Feral Pigeons
- 10 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks

Hirundines etc. noted
- 1 Sand Martin
- 4 Barn Swallows

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs remain
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers again
- 26 (22) Blackcaps
- 3 (2) Garden Warblers
- 4 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese (singles came and went)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair left)
- 13 (13♂) Mallard
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Little Grebes
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 16 Coots again

On the lamp poles pre-dawn
- 1 Common stretch-spider (Tetragnatha extensa)

Later
- 1 Grey Squirrel
- 1 7 Spot Ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata)
- 1 Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis)
- 1 Red-and-Black Froghopper (Cercopis vulnerata)
- >1 Eristalis tenax (Common Drone-fly)
- >25 Syrphus sp. hoverflies
but no butterflies by the time I left – perhaps still a bit too cold?

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  06:10 – 06:45

(108th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- two broods of Mallard ducklings again: made the numbers four and seven today; still largely hidden though
- single Great Crested Grebe seen at both end of the water: apparently the same (and only) bird here today

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

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff only
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler again
- 7 (7) Blackcaps

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 23 Canada Geese
- 18 (12♂) + 11 (2 broods) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 4 Moorhens
- 27 Coots

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen

At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 2 (1) Blackcaps

(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

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Common Sandpiper
2 Raven
2 Reed Warbler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Whinchat
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 White Wagtail
2 Common Redstart
40 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

Long Lane, Wellington
3 Whimbrel
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Reed Warbler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Common Redstart
15 Wheatear
1 Lesser Whitethroat
2 Raven
(John Isherwood)

The Wrekin
2 Pied Flycatchers
Common Redstart
(Observer Unknown)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Hobby
2 Red-legged Partridge
Lesser Whitethroat
Cormorant
5 Lapwings
6 Reed Warblers
3 Whitethroats
8 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
4 Linnet
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
17 Mute Swans
(Martin Adlam)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Swift
c.20 Sand Martins
1 Swallow
6 House Sparrows
2 Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Kestrel
2 Stock Dove
2 Grey Wagtails
1 Sedge Warbler
4 Reed Warblers
Chiffchaff
126 Jackdaw
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Buzzards
Swallow
Ring Ouzel
2 Common Whitethroat
1 Chiffchaff
2 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
3 Great Crested Grebes
Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
2 Greylag Geese
6 Tufted Ducks
2 Common Sandpiper
1 Cuckoo
1 Sky Lark
c.10 Sand Martins
c.8 Swallows
c.20 House Martins
1 Meadow Pipit
2 Grey Wagtails
32 Wren
26 Blackbirds
2 Sedge Warblers
3 Reed Warblers
2 Lesser Whitethroats
2 Garden Warbler
10 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
1 Jay
11 Chaffinches
8 Greenfinches
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

29 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 05:55 // 06:40 – 08:10
The Flash:  06:00 – 06:35

6.0°C > 10.0°C:  Areas of cloud though often clear. Light E wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 05:42 BST

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 05:55 // 06:40 – 08:10

(114th visit of the year)

Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
88      Swift
about an average date for the first of this always late migrant. After scanning and scanning all around and failing to find any two flew low over my head at 08:00

Other bird notes from today
- another Oystercatcher sighting when one flew low W calling at 08:00. Suggests birds are at least attempting to nest nearby: where I wonder?
- two singing Willow Warblers now
- could not locate the third singing Garden Warbler or the fourth singing Reed Warbler today
- just possible there is a fourth singing Common Whitethroat. Could be that one bird has a large territory at present
- Sedge Warbler singing very sporadically – I thought for a long while it must have gone
- at least 16 Starlings commuting between the football field and nests in the Priorslee estate with food
- Blackbird seen giving chase to a Wood Pigeon and successfully seeing it off. Why would it be a threat?
- Song Thrush also seen carrying food

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 2 Greylag Geese (inbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (outbound)
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Oystercatcher
- 5 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Stock Dove
- 14 Wood Pigeons
- 12 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks

Hirundines etc. noted
- 2 Swifts
- 1 Sand Martin
- 1 House Martin

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers
- 27 (22) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Garden Warblers
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler again
- 3 (3) Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 Greylag Geese (2 pairs and single came and went at different times)
- 6 (6♂) Mallard again
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks again
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Little Grebe heard only
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 2 Moorhens once again
- 16 Coots

On the lamp poles pre-dawn
- 2 spider sp. again, both apparently different species from those seen yesterday
- 1 lacewing sp. probably Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- 1 unidentified caterpillar

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  06:00 – 06:35

(107th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- two broods of Mallard ducklings – six and seven: hard to count as they were hard up against the opposite shore. Also ducklings in one of the broods have learnt to dive for food and pop up and down rather like the moles in the “Whac-A-Mole” arcade game (mispent youth)
- a single pair of Tufted Duck only seen
- no Great Crested Grebes located
and
- 1 dead wasp sp. in a spider’s web in squirrel alley

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Wood Pigeons

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs again
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 8 (7) Blackcaps

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans as ever
- 27 Canada Geese
- 20 (14♂) + 13 (2 broods) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- [no Great Crested Grebes]
- 1 Moorhen only
- 28 Coots

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 1 (1) Blackcap
- 1 (1) Coal Tit

At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen heard
- 1 (1) Blackcap

(Ed Wilson)

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

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Nedge Hill
2 Lesser Whitethroat
10 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Great Crested Grebes 
1 Common Sandpiper 
4 Reed Warblers 
2 Common Whitethroat 
18 Blackcaps 
7 Chiffchaffs 
5 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
1 Pochard 
11 Tufted Duck 
4 Blackcaps 
3 Chiffchaffs 
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Red-legged Partridges 
Swallows
7 Wheatear
2 Common Whitethroats 
3 Blackcaps 
1 Chiffchaffs 
4 Bullfinches 
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake 
3 Common Sandpipers
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood) 

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2010
The Wrekin
1 Wood Warbler
4 Common Redstart
1 Pied Flycatcher
(Paul Rutter)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Common Sandpiper
1 Sand Martin
2 Swallows
6 Reed Warblers
Common Whitethroat
3 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaff
3 Reed Buntings
3 Linnets
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebe
6 Tufted Duck
2 Ruddy Duck
3 Swifts
2 Sand Martins
4 Swallows
4 Cormorants
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
3 Common Sandpipers
2 Grey Wagtail
6 Blackcap
1 Garden Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warblers
5 Chiffchaff
3 Greenfinch
2 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
Common Whitethroat
2 Swallows
(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Flash
2 Greylag Geese
1 Grey Wagtail here
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Common Buzzard
1 Kestrel
1 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
4 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warblers
4 Blackcaps
2 Garden Warbler
5 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warblers
2 Lesser Whitethroat
4 Greenfinches
2 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

28 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:20 // 07:05 – 08:30
The Flash:  06:25 – 07:00

6.0°C > 8.0°C:  Overcast with early light drizzle / rain. Moderate WNW wind. Good visibility

Sunrise: 05:44 BST

Storm Hannah caused no major damage. Lots of leaves and few small twigs blown off but no branches apart from one in to The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:20 // 07:05 – 08:30

(113th visit of the year)

Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
86      Sedge Warbler
a bird singing in the reeds in the NW area. Has bred here but usually sings for a few days and moves on

87      Kittiwake
An adult bird circling to the W then drifting SE at 08:05. A rather strange date for this species. Normally birds are recorded, if at all, between late February and the end of March. These are returning birds presumed to be taking a ‘short cut’ via the Severn Estuary to The Wash that run in to adverse weather and head for the nearest water. Many bird species are known to take this route. This bird perhaps displaced by Storm Hannah?

Other bird notes from today
- not sure what is happening with the Great Crested Grebes in the NW area. There has been limited evidence that any bird is sitting on a nest recently. Today they were displaying again. Perhaps the first attempt failed and they are starting again
- meanwhile the second Great Crested Grebe of the other pair has been ‘missing’ for nearly two weeks – we might be seeing young very soon (assuming there is a bird on a nest!)
- a Stock Dove on the roof of a house in Teece Drive which is unusual for this species, much more retiring than Wood Pigeons. Strictly outside my recording area it nevertheless suggests that birds are breeding very locally and likely accounts for many of my recent ‘fly-over’ logs
- an adult Great Tit seen feeding another – I assume courtship action. This species is no longer singing as I arrive and only starts some 15 minutes later. Presumably the pairs and territories have been established and only need some reinforcement
- the first c.25 Sand Martins arrived overhead 05:55. More later joined by a few Barn Swallows and at least 1 House Martin

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 1 Greylag Goose (outbound)
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Kittiwake
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 1 Wood Pigeon only
- 2 Jackdaws

Hirundines noted
- >40 Sand Martins
- >3 Barn Swallows
- >1 House Martin

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 23 (18) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers again
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats again
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese (came and went)
- 3 Greylag Geese (came and went)
- 6 (6♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons again
- 2 Little Grebes heard only
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 2 Moorhens again
- 12 Coots only

On the lamp poles pre-dawn
- 2 different spider sp.
- 1 millipede
- 6 small and mainly green caterpillars (unidentified)

Later 
- cluster of mushrooms (possibly St. George’s Mushrooms)

A ‘record shot’ of the fast-disappearing Kittiwake. Diagnostic are the black wing tips. Field Guides describe these as looking like having been ‘dipped in ink’ but does anyone know what that means these days? (and why do we dial telephone numbers?).

On one of the roofs in Teece Drive was this Stock Dove. Unusual to see them in such an urban environment.

“Come in #6” Unidentified spider on the lamps.

Another spider. Note that the third pair of legs is much shorter than the others. While this is normal it seems excessively so here.

And yet another spider.

This is a White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger).

One of the six caterpillars on the lamps. This looks like one of the ‘whites’. I do not have any literature to help me ID it.

“Come in #5”. Another unidentified caterpillar. This is a ‘looper’ caterpillar of a geometer moth.

I think this is a fly of the genus Empis, and perhaps E. tessellata.

A quartet of fungus.

This one fell over while I was ‘gardening’ to try and view the underside. I am fairly confident it is a St George's Mushroom (Calocybe gambosa) though I am not about to eat it.

Kept trying to turn this in to a many-legged weevil or a pole-vaulting spider. Actually a seed caught in a web!

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  06:25 – 07:00

(106th visit of the year)

Number perhaps affected by the 24 hour fishing marathon ending 12:00 today

Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
67      Mistle Thrush
A bird singing from tree-tops alongside squirrel alley. I see from my records that the first time I recorded this species here in 2018 was also in April – on the 12th. Strange

Notes from here:
- high count of Canada Geese. Have they already given up on the nests? I assume the eggs were treated again this year to make them infertile
- no broods of Mallard ducklings located

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Canada Geese

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler as ever
- 5 (4) Blackcaps

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 32 Canada Geese
- 14 (11♂) Mallard
- 9 (5♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 6 Moorhens
- 21 Coots

When I saw this I thought the white bits were marks on the lamp pole but clearly they are antenna. Not sure what it is. There is a Long-horned Caddis Fly (Mystacides longicornis) but this is not it as that has pale wings with prominent marks whereas this has all-dark wings, though it does look like a caddis fly.

Here from a different angle we see a hairy head area. The way the wings are held certainly suggests a caddis fly.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
- 2 (1) Blackcaps

At the lower pool lurks this Grey Heron. A full adult showing all the ‘hackles’.

(Ed Wilson)

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

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Nedge Hill
2 Lesser Whitethroat
10 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Cormorants
2 Swans 
5 Greylag Geese
1 Common Sandpiper 
8 Swallows
1 Swift
2 Reed Warblers 
2 Common Whitethroat 
17 Blackcaps 
8 Chiffchaffs 
4 Willow Warblers 
1 Common Redstart
1 Nuthatch
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
1 Pochard 
11 Tufted Duck 
4 Blackcaps 
3 Chiffchaffs 
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
6 Goosanders
6 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck 
6 Goosander 
1 Grasshopper Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
18 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
14 Chiffchaffs
1 Wheatear
1 Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Sand Martin
1 Sky Lark
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson, Phil Walters)

Priorslee Flash
4 Greylag Geese
27 Tufted Duck 
5 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
5 Reed Warblers 
2 Common Whitethroat 
10 Blackcaps 
10 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
3 Blackcaps 
4 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warbler
2 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Whinchat
2 Lesser Whitethroat
18+ Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2007
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebes
6 Tufted Ducks
Ruddy Duck
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Lesser Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warblers
2 House Sparrows
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
2 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Cormorant
1 Stock Dove
3 Sand Martins
10 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtails
5 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warblers
7 Blackcaps
1 Garden Warbler
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
3 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

27 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  10:10 – 11:05
The Flash:  11:10 – 11:45

7.0°C:  Mainly cloudy with some light rain. Very strong / gale-force W wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 05:46 BST

The rain and strong wind suggested an early visit would be unproductive. I had hoped the wind might have brought some early Swifts or passing terns. Not while I was present

Priorslee Lake:  10:10 – 11:05

(112th visit of the year)

bird notes from today
- precise numbers of the hirundines impossible to judge as they swirled around in the very strong wind

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
None

Hirundines noted
- >200 Sand Martins
- >10 Barn Swallows
- >8 House Martins

Warblers noted
None

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 7 (7♂) Mallard
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Moorhen
- 15 Coots

Here we see a House Martin (with the white rump) and a Sand Martin. All these birds’ characteristics depend somewhat on their flight. The House Martin has a more deeply forked tail, is somewhat tubbier and the wings are blunter. The Sand Martin’s collar shows well here.

Two Sand Martins here showing the way the wing tips can look different. Note the almost complete absence of fork in the tail. The right-hand bird has a primary feather missing from the left wing.

A passing Sand Martin.

Plan view of Sand Martin. Here the tail looks slightly forked.

Almost a plan view showing the extent of the white collar not quite over the neck.

Two Sand Martins showing how the white belly ‘gleams’. As the bird twists and turns it can look like a House Martin’s rump. The collar is shown well, and one bird has its tail spread.

This close-up shows the dark around the eye-socket – just like an American baseball player.

Visible here too.

And this one shows best the dark underwing close to the body – this is the same bird with the missing primary.

This does not have a missing primary.

Two Sand Martins, the upper bird holding its tail slightly forked.

Contrast with the deeply forked tail of a Barn Swallow. Note too the white spots in the spread tail and that the back is blue-black and the outer wings dark grey.

Another view of this bird. Can just about make out the red face.

We can see the red on the face and throat here.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  11:10 – 11:45

(105th visit of the year)

Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
66      House Martin
a very small number of hirundines here compared with the lake. Probably mostly passing through. At least two House Martins

Other notes from here:

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

Hirundines noted
- >4 Sand Martins
- >2 Barn Swallows
- >4 House Martins

Warblers noted
None

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 22 Canada Geese
- 21 (15♂) + 6 (1 brood) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 2 Moorhens again
- -- Coots [not counted]

(Ed Wilson)

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Local area
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Greylag Geese
3 Common Sandpipers 
1 Reed Warblers 
1 Common Whitethroat 
11 Blackcaps 
10 Chiffchaffs 
2 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
Wood Warbler
2 Great Crested Grebe 
1 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
16 Tufted Duck 
5 Blackcaps 
Wood Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
6 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin
3 Wood Warblers
1 Redstart
5 Pied Flycatchers
2 Tree Pipits
2 Redpolls
1 Siskin
(Ed Wilson, JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
6 Tufted Duck
6 Swift
50 Swallow
25 House Martin
2 Sand Martin
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Wheatear
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
1 Lesser Whitethroat
26 Wheatear
1 Greenland Wheatear
1 Fieldfare
1 Raven
(John Isherwood)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Wood Sandpiper
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Swift
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Lesser Whitethroat
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
3 Sedge Warblers
6 Reed Warblers
2 Lesser Whitethroats
2 Whitethroats
1 Garden Warbler
9 Blackcaps
9 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
1 Little Grebe
2 Common Sandpipers 
c.10 Sand Martins
c.45 Swallows
1 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 
4 Sand Martins
12 Swallows 
2 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The lane to the E of Priorslee
6 Whitethroats
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler 
2 Linnets 
3 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
9 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
2 Stock Doves
2 Swallows
House Martins
2 Grey Wagtails
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
1 Jay
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Swallows
House Martin
Ring Ouzel
Fieldfare
Common Whitethroat
Blackcaps
Chiffchaff
Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
1 Swallow
6 Willow Warbler
Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
3 Greylag Geese
2 Ruddy Ducks
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Stock Dove
7 Swallows
3 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
17 Robins
30 Blackbirds
9 Song Thrushes
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
8 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
5 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

26 Apr 19

Priorslee Lake [with Woodhouse Lane] and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:15 // 07:05 – 09:15
[Woodhouse Lane:  08:15 – 08:50]
The Flash:  06:20 – 07:00

6.0°C > 10.0°C:  Clear early with mist; then thin low cloud – lifted mist; later more general cloud. Light SE wind increasing. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 05:48 BST

Priorslee Lake:  04:50 – 06:15 // 07:05 – 09:15

(111th visit of the year)

Species added to my 2019 bird log from here
85      Whimbrel
three birds seen flying SW over at 07:05. My only previous sighting here was many years ago before my accessible computer began

Other bird notes from today
- a pair of Mallard seen flying over were presumable the pair seen walking along Teece Drive and jumping in to the Wesley Brook later. Thus included in the lake totals
- although I have logged four Stock Doves as over-flying I saw several more flying around the trees in the area and I suspect all these are in fact local birds. I previous years I have noted only one nest site around the lake and another in the farm area of Woodhouse Lane
- I am still recording improbable numbers of Blackcaps with birds noted most days singing from ‘new’ locations. What is going on?
- now three singing Garden Warblers
- a third singing Common Whitethroat confirmed
- a fourth singing Reed Warbler confirmed
- at least two House Sparrows strayed from the estate on to ‘my’ area in the hedge alongside the academy

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 1 Greylag Goose (from E and circled back))
- 4 Canada Geese (outbound)
- 3 Whimbrel
- 4 Stock Doves
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Jackdaws

Hirundines noted
- >20 Sand Martins
- >3 Barn Swallows

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 8 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 29 (20) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 Greylag Geese (tow pairs and a single came and went)
- 8 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck again
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Little Grebes
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 14 Coots only

Nothing on the lamp poles pre-dawn

Later 
- first Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) in my ‘lake’ recording area
- first Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) I have ever noted inside my ‘lake’ recording area
- Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has taken a bashing from yesterday’s thunderstorms
- Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) visible but no flower as yet
- first rosettes of Common Spotted Orchid (Orchis (Dactylorhiza) fuchsii): no spike or flower as yet
- Wood Avens (Geum urbanum) buds about to open

Probably about half-moon then ... 

A clear and slightly misty start. Great luminosity though.

More mist and colour a bit later ... 

... Then the dreaded low cloud rolled in... 

... And later gave this effect.

One day soon after they are busy nesting Common Whitethroats will allow me closer. Not today for this male.

Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) at the lake – my first at this site.

I think this is either Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) or, perhaps more likely, one of the many commercial culivars. Attractive though.

A rosette of Common Spotted Orchid (Orchis (Dactylorhiza) fuchsii): you can see where the spike will emerge.

(Ed Wilson)

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Notes from Woodhouse Lane (08:15 – 08:50)

(12th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- Stock Doves probably nesting in copse alongside M-way junction
- now a third singing Common Whitethroat
- single Linnet: good news? its mate on a nest perhaps
and
- first flowers of Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca)

Totals of ‘interesting’ species (singing birds)
- 1 Sparrowhawk carrying prey
- 2 Stock Doves
- 3 (3) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) (Common) Whitethroats
- 4 (3) Chaffinches again
- 2 Goldfinch
- 1 (0) Linnet
- 5 (0) Yellowhammers

I know I have done this before but the sunlit sea of yellow contrasting the blue sky cried out to be shown again. Now with more ‘green’ on the trees.

Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) flowers (and a hitherto unnoticed ant sp.).

I have shown this before. However this example almost ‘jumped out of the hedgerow’ at me. What a stunning flower – and there are dozens on each plant of Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:  06:20 – 07:00

(104th visit of the year)

Notes from here:
- I am sure there are unrecorded Canada Geese inside the island
- pair of Gadwall re-appeared
- single brood of 7 Mallard ducklings
- rather misty across the water. Any attempt at a Coot count would have been inaccurate

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
None

Hirundines noted
None

Warblers noted (singing birds)
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs remain
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler remains
- 5 (3) Blackcaps

The counts from the water:
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 16 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 16 (13♂) + 7 (1 brood) Mallard
- 7 (4♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- -- Coots [not counted]

It is many weeks since I photographed a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying here. This display suggests that the current two birds are recent arrivals and still pair-bonding. Wonder what happened to the previous pair? And the odd single seen in the last few weeks.

I remember when these hair-styles were last in fashion.

Not the best of photos but worth noting two things. How can a Wren sit and sing from such a thick wire. And just what is it front of the bird’s eye? Is it another ‘pollen horn’?

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

No warblers seen or heard in this area

At or around the lower pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush

At or around the upper pool (singing birds)
- 1 Moorhen
- 1 (1) Song Thrush
- 1 (1) Nuthatch

(Ed Wilson)

Note: A few photos from Belvide on Tuesday. Click Here

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Cranes
(Observer Unknown)

The Wrekin
3 Wood Warbler
(Damon H, Jim A, Yvonne C)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Cormorant
1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpipers
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Wheatear
3 Reed Warblers 
12 Blackcaps 
7 Chiffchaffs 
2 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
3 Pochard 
7 Tufted Duck 
4 Blackcaps 
2 Chiffchaffs 
4 Willow Warblers
2 Swallows
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes 
28 Greylag Geese 
1 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap 
3 Chiffchaffs 
3 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes 
6 Tufted Duck 
2 Swifts 
c.5 Sand Martins 
c.30 Swallows 
c.40 House Martins 
1 Blackcap 
1 Chiffchaff 
1 Willow Warbler
Sparrowhawk
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
19 Wheatear
Swallows
(Richard Camp)

Long Lane, Wellington
c10 Ringed Plover
c10 Dunlin
Spotted Redshank
(JV Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Swift
12 House Martin
7 Swallow
(Martin Grant)

2011
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatcher
1 Common Redstart
2 Marsh Tit
1 Wood Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Swift
3 Common Sandpipers 
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Reed Warblers
9 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

East of Priorslee Lake
6 Whitethroats
2 Sky Larks
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
7 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
3 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
2 Jays
28 Magpies
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
(Peter Nickless)

Priorslee Flash
1 Cormorant
Swallows
34 Blackbirds
6 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

Lanes to the east of Priorslee Flash
5 Mallard
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
Sky Larks
Blackcaps
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Stock Doves
1 Swift
2 Sand Martins
2 Swallows
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
26 Blackbirds
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
7 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
17 Magpies
1 Raven
7 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings.
(Ed Wilson)