30 Nov 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 8.0°C: Yet another 'not as forecast' morning. Started low overcast, soon lifting somewhat. Unexpected rain after c.08:00 and then blue sky for a while before cloud lowered and more light rain. Calm start with light / moderate WNW breeze developing. Good visibility

Sunrise: 07:58 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:22 – 09:18

(266th visit of the year)

A quiet morning with very little flying over

Bird notes:
- When, as this morning, the light-level is low I count birds on the lake in sections as I move around the area. There is obviously the possibility of missing birds and / or duplicate counting.
- The drake Red-crested Pochard still present.
- The Tufted Duck were very mobile especially at first. They seemed more settled by the time I attempted the count.
- *A pair of Mistle Thrushes was seen in trees alongside the lake end of Teece Drive. The male was in intermittent song. My first song from this species this season at a traditional nesting site.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 7 Cormorants (duo, quartet and singleton)
- 2 Common Buzzards
- 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 24 Wood Pigeons
- 297 Jackdaws
- 161 Rooks
- 1 Pied Wagtail

Birds seen / heard leaving roosts around the lake:
- 6 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 10 (6♂) Gadwall
- 8 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Red-crested Pochard
- 6 (4♂) Pochard
- 61 (34♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Grey Herons
- 10 Great Crested Grebes again
- 10 Moorhens again
- 168 Coots
- >550 Black-headed Gulls
- 21 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: 16 pre-dawn; five later
- 3 immature Herring Gull-types pre-dawn: too murky to positively ID
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull: third winter later
- 1 Caspian Gull: second winter also later - seemed to be the usual bird

On / around the street lights etc.

Pre-sunrise: a good haul on a reasonably mild overcast night - good conditions for moths to be around.
- 1 November Moth agg. (Epirrita sp.)
- *8 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)
- *1 Feathered Thorn moth (Colotois pennaria)
- 1 Scarce Umber moth (Agriopis aurantiaria)
- *1 plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)
- 1 Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis)
- *1 other spider sp.
- *1 Leiobunum rotundum-type harvestman
- *1 Paroligolophus agrestis harvestman

Later:
Nothing of note

A pair of Mistle Thrushes with the male on the right. The sexes are visually inseparable and it is only because it has its beak open and it was in song when I took the photo that I know it is the male. The spots on the breast of this species are less dense than on the smaller Song Thrush. The song is very different. Another dull morning to try and take photos.

This is one of eight Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata) that I noted this morning. I am on the lookout for a Northern Winter Moth (O. fagata) which typically rests with the wings held slightly open, as here. However the hindwing of that species is whiter than this specimen so I will have to try again. The almost wingless females are easy to separate: I have yet to come across any of the females so far this season as they crawl up tree trunks and lamp poles.

My idea for this photo: a different take on a Scarce Umber moth (Agriopis aurantiaria), this one with wings akimbo showing the pattern on the underwings and the markings on the body. Wrong! It is a Feathered Thorn moth (Colotois pennaria) and they typically rest like this. My excuse is that this is a female: in females the antennae are not 'feathered'.

None too easy to ID and apparently not easy for the camera to lock-on to anything. I think a plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus) covered in dew.

Not sure about this spider. Looks fearsome.

A Leiobunum rotundum-type harvestman. Many species of harvestmen have legs that look as if they plug in to sockets in the abdomen.

This Paroligolophus agrestis harvestman shows clearly the disparity in leg-length between, in particular, pairs two and three.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash: 09:21 – 10:28

(248th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- At least 80 Jackdaws and 20 Starlings were put up by something in St. Georges - not the Sparrowhawk that flew over here. Soon after 42 Jackdaws flew S, followed some five minutes later by 32 flying SW and then 10 more flying W. Whether these were some / all of the St. Georges birds was unclear.
- In addition six single Jackdaws and a Starling had already flown over.
- The / a Grey Wagtail here yet again. Seems to have deserted the main lake and moved here.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Feral Pigeons
- 3 Wood Pigeons: together
- >100 Jackdaws: see notes
- >20 Starlings: see notes
- 1 Fieldfare
- 2 Redwings

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 7 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 9 Greylag Geese
- 21 Canada Geese
- 40 (25♂) Mallard
- 65 (30♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 (0♂) Goosanders
- 2 Grey Herons
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 10 Moorhens
- 33 Coots
- 42 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: the same floating mortal remains.

On the lamp poles and around the Ivy or elsewhere

Nothing of note

(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

2012

Priorslee Lake

9 Pochard

3 Gadwall

1 duck Goldeneye

1750 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

370 Black-headed Gulls

76 Herring Gulls

1 adult Great Black-backed Gull

1 adult Yellow-legged Gull

Redpoll

Siskin

Willow Tit

(John Isherwood / Martin Grant)

Holmer Lake

3 Goosander

1 Pochard

(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

11 Yellow-legged Gulls

An adult Caspian Gull

3,000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

30-40 Waxwings

2 Common Gulls

(Tom Lowe)

2010

Madeley

3 Waxwings

(Pete Nickless)

2006

Priorslee Lake

3 Cormorants

20 Pochard

56 Tufted Ducks

6 Buzzards

1 Kestrel

>1050 Black-headed Gulls

451 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

188 Wood Pigeons

18 Blackbirds

166 Fieldfares

62 Redwings

187 Jackdaws

80 Rooks

4 Siskin

6 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee Lake

1 Wigeon again

3 Pochard

47 Tufted Duck

215 Coot

4000 Black-headed Gulls

2500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

3 Herring Gulls

1 Fieldfare

1 Skylark

168 Jackdaws

72 Rooks.

19 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

29 Nov 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

7.0°C: Misty / foggy. Calm. Very poor visibility, gradually improving to poor at The Flash later.

Sunrise: 07:57 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:21 – 08:52

(265th visit of the year)

Very misty here and impossible to see across, let alone along, the water.

Bird notes:
- I did not locate the drake Red-crested Pochard though in the conditions it might well have still been present and impossible to see - if I could not see the calling Canada Geese what chance with this?
- Perhaps my worst-ever count of Wood Pigeons. Two seen and one heard in the trees.
- Four Song Thrushes in song. My highest count this season.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 36 Jackdaws
- 4 Starlings
- 1 Redwing
- 5 Pied Wagtails

Birds heard leaving roosts around the lake:
- 3 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- ? Canada Geese: heard only
- 7 (4♂) Gadwall
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Pochard
- 52 (28♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Great Crested Grebes
- 10 Moorhens
- Coots not counted
- >300 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all pre-dawn
- 1 immature Herring Gull-type

On the football fields later:
- 38 Black-headed Gulls
The academy playing fields not visible

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- *1 November Moth agg. (Epirrita sp.)
- 6 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)
- 1 Scarce Umber moth (Agriopis aurantiaria)
- 1 Limonia nubeculosa cranefly

Noted later:
- 1 Grey Squirrel

Too big to be a Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) this moth, just dappled in droplets from the mist, is one of the November Moth group (Epirrita sp.). One of the better marked specimens I have seen. Specific identification is not reliable using the markings and genitalia examination is required.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash: 08:55 – 09:58

(247th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Two different Goldcrests were good to see.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 4 Wood Pigeons: together
- 5 Jackdaws

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 7 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 18 Canada Geese
- 38 (22♂) Mallard
- 49 (21♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 (0♂) Goosanders
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 12 Moorhens
- 29 Coots
- 33 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: still the floating mortal remains linger.

On various lamp poles:
- *1 November Moth agg. (Epirrita sp.)
- 2 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)
- *1 Paroligolophus agrestis harvestman

Around the Ivy or elsewhere:

Nothing of note 

This too is one of the November Moth group (Epirrita sp.) and even more boldly marked than the one at the lake suggesting it has recently emerged. The literature indicates that it is Autumnal Moth (E. autumnata) that is the last to emerge. The records on the Norfolk Moths web site do not entirely support this so Epirrita sp. it stays.

I usually recognise Paroligolophus agrestis harvestmen by their smallish size and the thicker basal part of the legs. From this angle another feature shows - the pale brown stripe down the centre of the abdomen.

(Ed Wilson)

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

On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2017

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

6 Gadwall

2 Pochard

2 Teal

1 Shoveler

Shelduck

1 Yellow-legged Gull

4 Great Black-backed Gulls

(JW Reeves / John Isherwood)

2012

Priorslee Lake

Goldeneye

3 Gadwall

6 Pochard

33 Tufted Ducks

144 Coots

Woodcock

216 Black-headed Gulls

c.480 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

47 Herring Gulls

2 Great Black-backed Gulls

c.950 Wood Pigeons

16 Redwings

2 Fieldfares

c.560 Jackdaws

81 Rooks

11 Siskins

3 Redpolls

(Ed Wilson)

2011

Priorslee Lake

3 Yellow-legged Gulls

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(John Isherwood)

2010

Madeley

3 Waxwings

(Pete Nickless)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Drake Pintail

(Martin & Ian Grant)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

28 Pochard

54 Tufted Ducks

1 drake Ruddy Duck

>1450 Black-headed Gulls

331 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

278 Wood Pigeons

35 Robins

27 Blackbirds

69 Fieldfares

7 Song Thrushes

13 Redwings

1 Siskin

8 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes again

2 Wigeon

2 Pochard

47 Tufted Duck

223 Coot

A drake Shoveler

7+ Cormorants

8000 Black-headed Gulls

3500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

7 Herring Gulls

25 Golden Plover

14 Fieldfares

8 Redwings

13 Sky Larks

7 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

28 Nov 20

Priorslee Lake only

5.0°C > 6.0°C: Rain starting. Low cloud. Light SE wind. Poor visibility.

Sunrise: 07:55 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:20 – 07:05

(not recorded as 'a visit of the year')

The rain was starting as I arrived. This was not forecast when I checked last night. After searching the lamps I waited a while and then abandoned the visit.

Just on / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- 4 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)
- *2 Scarce Umber moths (Agriopis aurantiaria)
- 1 Limonia nubeculosa cranefly

Also noted

Nothing

The pair of cross-lines toward the base of the wings identify this as a Scarce Umber moth (Agriopis aurantiaria).

A rather differently marked moth which I puzzled over. It seems to be the same individual that I photographed on 15th November. Now, as then, I agonised over the similar Dotted Border moth which normally only flies after the turn of the year. With climate change ....? It was only after checking the photo gallery of examples on the Norfolk Moths web site that I was finally convinced I had been correct. It was then, and is now, a Scarce Umber moth (Agriopis aurantiaria).

The only non-moth on the lamp poles was this cranefly - Limonia nubeculosa. This species can be seen flying in almost every month of the year.

(Ed Wilson)

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

On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2017

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2012

Priorslee Lake

3 Gadwall

7 Pochard

24 Tufted Ducks

1 Goldeneye

c.373 Wood Pigeons

2 Woodcock

17 Redwings

29 Fieldfares

c.490 Jackdaws

56 Rooks

9 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Pochard

48 Tufted Duck

10+ Goosander

(Ed Wilson)

2009

The Wrekin

Firecrest

(Martin & Ian Grant)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

26 Pochard

47 Tufted Ducks

1 drake Ruddy Duck

1 Water Rail

64 Coots

895 Black-headed Gulls

48 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

35 Fieldfares

24 Redwings

191 Jackdaws

123 Rooks

53 Starlings

16 Greenfinch

13 Goldfinches

7 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes

A duck Wigeon

Cormorant

c.75 Lapwing

2 Fieldfares

1 duck Pochard

34 Tufted Duck logged.

200 Coot

(Ed Wilson)

27 Nov 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 6.0°C: Barely broken medium-level cloud. Calm. Mainly good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:54 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:19 – 09:27

(264th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The drake Red-crested Pochard was present though more mobile. It visited the NE, S and W areas before I lost track of where it was.
- What seemed to be the semi-regular Caspian Gull dropped in for a few minutes. I did not get close-enough to be 100%.
- A tight group of c.90 Wood Pigeons flew W to the N c.08:15. Otherwise just a few local birds flying around.
- Rather fewer Jackdaws as there has been for several days.
- Bumper number of Rooks by recent standards.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 22 Canada Geese: outbound in three groups
- 3 Tufted Duck: too dark to sex
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 28 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Stock Doves: duo
- c.114 Wood Pigeons
- 164 Jackdaws
- 114 Rooks
- 16 Starlings: two groups
- 4 Redwings: with Rooks!

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake:
- no Starlings
- 3 Redwings
- no Reed Buntings
Note: I flushed c.15 Magpies out of their roost area in the NW trees when it was too dark to see them properly. An historic roost site that was much reduced in number last year, perhaps because of the new houses and / or building work.

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 8 (5♂) Gadwall
- 11 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Red-crested Pochard
- 7 (5♂) Pochard
- 41 (24♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Cormorants: all arrived and departed singly
- 1 Grey Heron
- 9 Great Crested Grebes
- 10 Moorhens
- 190 Coots
- >175 Black-headed Gulls
- *25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: just eight pre-dawn; 17 later
- 3 Herring Gulls: all (near) adults later
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull: third winter, briefly
- 1 Caspian Gull: second-winter, briefly
- *1 Kingfisher

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- *4 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)
- *>5 winter crane-flies (Trichocera sp.)
- *>5 plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus)
- *1 very small spider sp.

Noted later:
Nothing

The forecast was wrong yet again. There was no fog, the cloud was not especially low and a few breaks threatened to give a red sky in the morning. This was as good as it got.

"Shall we dance?" An adult (on the left) and second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull consider the options.

"Bless you both". Another immature Lesser Black-backed Gull does the anointing honours.

The low light-level necessarily means there is quite some 'noise' to the photo. Unmistakeably a Kingfisher.

I tried a different camera setting but the result was not really any better.

The speckled form of a Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) - speckled with dew that is. Plan view.

Side-elevation of a different Winter Moth. They do not usually rest with wings closed, as here.

One of this morning's plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus). Only the males have the plumed antennae shown here.

I have been calling these as winter gnats but from the close-up that I managed of this specimen it is clear from the 'separated head' that it is a species of small crane-fly in the genus Trichocera. The shadow was cast by my torch.

Another torch-light special. A tiny spider - alongside a bead of dew for scale. Attractive markings on the abdomen. Not been able to ID this.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash: 09:30 – 10:35

(245th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The / a Grey Wagtail put in an appearance again.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all single adults
- 4 Feral Pigeons: together
- 3 Wood Pigeons: together
- 2 Jackdaws: together

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 7 (1 brood) Mute Swans
-*24 Canada Geese: six of these arrived
- *25 (14♂) Mallard
- 45 (18♂) Tufted Duck
- *8 (>3♂) Goosanders
- 2 Grey Herons
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens
- 36 Coots still
- 37 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: the floating mortal remains linger on.

On various lamp poles:
- *2 Winter Moths (Operophtera brumata)

Around the Ivy.

Nothing

Elsewhere
- 2 Grey Squirrels

Whatever it is that flows through their veins, I want some. How could this Canada Goose take a bath in such cold water?

"Like water off a duck's back": or in this case a goose's back.

Oh very clever.

Seems to be setting a trend. A drake Mallard takes the plunge.

And this really is water off a duck's back.

And now a brownhead Goosander is joining the communal bath. I was NOT tempted.

This is the quickest way to dry the wings. The white secondaries with grey coverts indicate this is a duck rather than an immature drake which would have whiter secondary coverts.

This drake Goosander is well in to breeding plumage with the bottle-green head and white flanks - these still a bit blotchy.

This drake is moulting out the brown head and the flanks are starting to get some white feathers.

Doing is best to hide in a fold in a lamp pole is another Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata). I am not often able to get this close to these, especially in daylight. One of the best-marked specimens I have seen - the fringes on the wing-edges suggest this is a very recently emerged individual.

(Ed Wilson)

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

On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2017

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2014

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls

930+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls

95 Herring Gulls

(Tom Lowe)

2012

Priorslee Lake

Goldeneye

3 Gadwall

6 Pochard

22 Tufted Ducks

146 Coots

2 Great Black-backed Gulls

8 Redwings

151 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

2005

Priorslee Lake

50+ Golden Plover

4 Pochard

39 Tufted Duck

1 duck Wigeon

2 Ruddy Duck

2 Little Grebes

200+ Coot

1 Water Rail

1 Kingfisher

12 Redwing

5 Fieldfare

8 Siskin

5 Reed Bunting

(Martin R Adlam)

26 Nov 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Early: 0.0°C: Fog rolled in and I abandoned the visit.

Later: 4.0°C > 5.0°C: Still some mist over the lake initially: otherwise fine and sunny. Almost no wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:52 GMT

* a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:18 – 06:54 // 10:30 - 11:41

(263rd visit of the year)

It is 19 years and 15 days (11 November 1991) since I saw my previous and only Red-crested Pochard here (or indeed anywhere else in the UK). A splendid drake suitably wary of anyone getting too close to suggest its likely to be a genuine wild bird rather than an escape from a wildfowl collection. Bird species #109 for me at the lake in 2020. Perhaps 'bird of the year'.

The only sightings from my first visit was a single moth on the lamps.

Bird notes:
- All the Mute Swan cygnets flew with their parents. The adults and two of the cygnets did a three-quarter flight around the lake. Another 'ran out of steam' after another part lap at paddled to join the others. Two completed the extra lap strongly.
- Rather few gulls at this time of day.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 15 Canada Geese: inbound together
Nothing else of importance.

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans

- 5 Canada Geese
- 11 (7♂) Gadwall
- 12 (8♂) Mallard
- 1 (1) Red-crested Pochard
- 7 (5♂) Pochard
- 47 (26♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Little Grebe
- 11 Great Crested Grebes
- 12 Moorhens
- 207 Coots
- 48 Black-headed Gulls
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull: adult

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- 1 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata): presumed this species - small plain-looking moth with wings closed.

Noted later:
Nothing

A once in a decade or two sighting so no apologies for the plethora of photos of the splendid drake Red-crested Pochard. Also no apologies for starting with this species rather than putting it in systematic order as I usually do. My first sighting was of him tucking in to weed.

Most birds look like Mr. Angry from the front. Note the yellow tip to the bright red bill.

Like the 'regular' Pochard the drakes have a red eye.

A unique head shape.

You can just about see the white area over the shoulder.

Another look at that unique head shape

Little and large!

More weed please.

Last one from me

Two of the Mute Swan cygnets on lap two of their morning exercise.

Passing close. Note the front bird is just dipping its left wing-tip in the water

I keep telling them they are supposed to be mute.

Yes: still telling us it is flying.

Splashdown under the watchful gaze of a parent.

Not to be eclipsed by a gaudy drake Red-crested Pochard: a fine drake Gadwall.

The brown-tipped back feathers show even better from this angle.

This pair of Great Crested Grebes were not dissuaded from displaying despite their relative lack of head-plumes at this date. 

(Ed Wilson)

More images of the Red-crested Pochard at Priorslee Lake

And here are a few more wonderful photos of Red-crested Pochard courtesy of Phil Nock, Mark Williams and David Tromans. Thank you all.

News soon got out and Phil Nock brought his 'big Bertha' DSLR to produce this splendid image.

I went down the sailing lake earlier and got a photo of Red Crested Pochard at about 4pm (Mark Williams)

 What a cracker!!!!.......Cheers Ed for the tip off. 

Red-crested Pochard (David Tromans)

Red-crested Pochard (David Tromans)

Red-crested Pochard (David Tromans)

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

The Flash: 11:46 – 12:33

(244th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Mallard seen mating. Rather few noted though several food opportunities made it hard to keep track of them.
- Coal Tit heard singing again

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Feral Pigeons
- 7 Jackdaws
- 1 Siskin

A note about my Feral Pigeon fly-over logs. There has been a flock of Feral Pigeons on the roofs in St. Georges and I have always excluded these birds when they fly around. Recently another(?) flock has taken up residence in the Derwent Drive / Priorslee Avenue area. I am also ignoring these. I only log birds that cross from one end of the water to the other.

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 7 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 34 Canada Geese
- 24 (14♂) Mallard
- 50 (20♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 (0♂) Goosanders
- 1 Grey Heron
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 12 Moorhens
- 36 Coots
- 24 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: still just the floating mortal remain
- 1 Kingfisher

On the lamp poles:

Nothing

The Ivy

Not visited.

(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

2012

Priorslee Lake

22 Tufted Ducks

143 Coots

Nuthatch

34 Redwings

1 Fieldfare

228 Jackdaws

98 Rooks

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

11 Greylag Geese

27 Pochard

70 Tufted Ducks

1 drake Ruddy Duck

70 Coots

>400 Black-headed Gulls

315 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

5 Herring Gulls

221 Wood Pigeons

22 Blackbirds

45 Fieldfares

38 Redwings

264 Jackdaws

71 Rooks

5 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee Lake

1 Pochard

40 Tufted Duck

1 Goldeneye

2 Ruddy Duck

C.700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

16 Herring Gulls

2 Yellow-legged Gull

2 Great Black-backed Gulls

Caspian Gull

Sparrowhawk

c.628 Jackdaws

c.358 Rooks

(Martin Adlam)