Priorslee Lake: 04:20 – 05:45 // 06:35 – 08:25
The Flash: 05:50 – 06:30
9.0°C – 12.0°C: Low overcast again – the Telford ‘hat’: it was clearer under the cloud in many directions. Moderate, even fresh, SSW wind. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 04:44 BST
Priorslee Lake: 04:20 – 05:45 // 06:35 – 08:25
(153rd visit of the year)
Bird notes from today
- A pair of Tufted Duck flew W at 04:45: a pair was on the water c.05:00 only: and a pair flew E at 05:20. Same?
- A Common Tern flew straight over S at 05:20
- The Swifts were late arriving today with the first bird at 04:40
- A surprise was at least one Sand Martin with the other hirundines. Normally this species is only here on passage. I would have expected these birds to have gone at least two weeks ago.
- I arrived too late to see most of the passing Jackdaws and Rooks
- Yesterday’s Reed Warbler was still singing from near the S end of the dam: and today another new site with a bird singing along the S side. The first time since the arrivals started looking for breeding sites.
- A trio of juvenile Pied Wagtails on the sailing club pontoons.
Bird totals:
Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake.
- 11 Greylag Geese (six outbound; five inbound)
- 6 Canada Geese (outbound)
- 4 (2♂) Tufted Duck (see notes)
- 2 Cormorants
- 1 Common Tern
- 2 Stock Doves
- 1 Wood Pigeon only
- 1 Collared Dove
- 10 Jackdaws
- 4 Rooks
Hirundines etc. noted:
- >40 Swifts
- 1+ Sand Martin
- >5 Barn Swallows
- >5 House Martins
Warblers noted (singing birds):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaff
- 13 (11) Blackcaps
- 3 (2) Garden Warblers
- 2 (2) (Common) Whitethroats
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 6 (6) Reed Warblers
Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 6 (1 brood) Mute Swans as usual
- 6 (5♂) + 2 (1 brood) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck (see notes)
- 5 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 22 + 20 (7 broods) Coots
On the lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 Square Spot moth (Paradisa consonaria): my 27th species of moth here in 2019
- 1 Silver-ground Carpet moth
Seen later:
- >10 presumed Timothy Tortrix moths (Zelotherses paleana) flushed from grass when too dark to check
As they would say on the BBC “another chance to see” a Plum Tortrix moth (Hedya pruniana).
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 05:50 – 06:30
(146th visit of the year)
Notes from here:
- Usual caveat over separation of duckling / duck Mallard.
- Better Coot juvenile count but brood(s) still missing / incomplete?
and
- Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) larva on a lamp pole.
Birds noted flying over / near here.
None
Hirundines etc. noted.
None
Warblers noted (singing birds):
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 3 (2) Blackcaps
Counts from the water:
- 3 + 4 Mute Swans per usual
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 97 Canada Geese
- 25 (16♂) + 6? (1 brood) Mallard
- 6 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes as usual
- 3 Moorhens again
- 27 + 11 (4 broods) Coots
Here we see the larva of a Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis).
(Ed Wilson)
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Between the lake and The Flash:
At or around the lower pool (singing birds):
- 2 Moorhens: adult seen and another calling
- 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
and
- flowers of Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum).
At or around the upper pool (singing birds):
- 1 Moorhen calling
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day..........
2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2010
Priorslee Lake
5+ Willow Tits in the trees alongside the M54 slip-road
(J W Reeves)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Just 2 Mute Swan cygnets remaining, possible Mink in the area
(Martin Adlam)
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2010
Priorslee Lake
5+ Willow Tits in the trees alongside the M54 slip-road
(J W Reeves)
2006
Priorslee Lake
Just 2 Mute Swan cygnets remaining, possible Mink in the area
(Martin Adlam)