31 Dec 20

Priorslee Lake, The Flash, Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

0.0°C > 3.0°C: Mainly clear with only a few clouds at times. Light W wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:22 GMT

* = a photo today

Best wishes to all my readers. Here's to a less challenging 2021.

One of my better mornings with several highlights
- A pair of Wigeon dropped in to the lake where there was an adult Great Black-backed Gull and also two passing Ravens.
- A Chiffchaff was calling and then seen along the W end track (Silkin Way) at Trench Lock Pool.
- A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylag Geese at Trench Middle Pool.

Priorslee Lake: 06:50 – 09:32

(293th visit of the year)

- c.5% thin ice

Bird notes:
- The pair of (Eurasian) Wigeon spent about five minutes circling round and round checking out where to land before eventually settling c.08:15.
- Increased number of Pochard and Tufted Ducks. Likely some were from The Flash which had much more ice.
- A Sparrowhawk was patrolling the area much of the time. I record this species much less frequently here than at The Flash.
- A Water Rail was calling in the NE area. Many years since I logged one in this part of the lake. A tree fell in the drainage ditch that this species sometimes frequented and I saw them no more.
- c.125 Black-headed Gulls on the water by 07:10 - some roosted? Eventually at least 330 birds before they started to disperse.
- Usual remarkably diverse collection of large gulls considering the relatively small number of birds involved. An adult Great Black-backed Gull was good to see.
- I note that so often the passing Lesser Black-backed Gulls follow exactly the same line. I assume that from their height they can see landmarks to aim at?
- Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming again.
- Just one big group of c.130 Jackdaws. Scattered singles, small groups later. No Rooks.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- *41 Greylag Geese: three concurrent groups, loosely inbound
- 1 (0♂) Goosander
- 2 Cormorants: singles
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 7 Black-headed Gulls
- 61 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 17 Wood Pigeons
- c.150 Jackdaws
- 2 Ravens
- 2 Fieldfare
- 1 Redwing
- 1 Linnet

Apart from uncounted Magpies no birds were seen / heard leaving roosts around the lake:
Reed Buntings heard calling from the N side reeds pre-dawn: these too were not seen to leave though they were not heard calling or seen later

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose: departed
- 4 Canada Geese: departed with the Greylag
- *2 (1♂) (Eurasian) Wigeon: arrived
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 10 (6♂) Mallard: 5 (3♂) departed
- 6 (5♂) Pochard
- 73 (48♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Cormorants: arrived separately
- 2 Grey Herons
- 2 Little Grebes
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Water Rail
- 5 Moorhens
- 128 Coots
- c.330 Black-headed Gulls
- 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls: adult and immature
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull: (near?) adult
- *1 Caspian Gull: second winter
- *1 Great Black-backed Gull: adult

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
Nothing

Of note later:

Nothing

A chilly sunrise.

A little colour later.

One of the three skeins of Greylag Geese that passed over more or less at the same time.

In amongst them was this strange individual with white outer part to its wings. The feet, as much as can be seen, look just like a Greylag's feet. I cannot think of any other goose species that it might be crossed with so it seems it is an aberrant Greylag. I have counted as such.

Difficult to 'freeze' the action of flying birds before sunrise. However the white in the wing of this drake (Eurasian) Wigeon is diagnostic.

The pair eventually settled on the water a long way away. Just visible is the yellow crown on the drake - the left-hand bird. They don't seem to be on speaking terms.

Makes a change from Coots on the sunrise-tinged water. A pair of Tufted Ducks.

I take photos of 'odd-looking gulls' and then have to try and identify them. I think an adult Caspian Gull. The mantle seems slightly too dark; and the head too white and too rounded for a Herring Gull. Large gulls start to loose the winter head-streaking soon after Christmas, some very quickly. It then becomes even more of a challenge ....

This adult Great Black-backed Gull was an early, brief visitor. Note its bulk, its white head (adults of this species do not have head streaking in winter) and the 'very black' back. A trio of drake Tufted Ducks in the background with one duck just about discernible.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:35 – 10:24

(275th visit of the year)

- c.40% ice

Bird notes:
- Perhaps a second duck Goosander. I thought I saw two ducks tucked up against the island but later could only find a pair.
- Grey Wagtail seen again but not close enough to see whether it had rings.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:

None

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 5 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 18 Greylag Geese: 10 of these arrived
- 19 Canada Geese
- 26 (15♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 69 (35♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (1♂) Goosander
- 1 Grey Heron
- no Great Crested Grebes
- 6 Moorhens
- 33 Coots
- *110 Black-headed Gulls

On the lamp poles, around the Ivy or elsewhere.

Nothing of note

Many Black-headed Gulls seem quite happy to stand on the ice.

I dared not move otherwise this Jay would have flown. So it comes, branches and all.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 10:34 – 11:05 // 11:45 - 11:54

(41st visit of the year)

- c. 70% ice

Bird notes:
- The recent single Greylag Goose back amongst the Canadas.
- Highlight here was the calling Chiffchaff, later also seen. One of these last over-wintered here many years ago. It is unusual for birds to call in mid-winter - say from late October until late-February. Needless to say it is my latest-ever record in any year.
- A female Bullfinch seen: a species I do not see very often here.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
[The local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws not included]
- >50 Greylag Geese: presumed en route to Middle Pool
- 3 Cormorants: together
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult

Counts from the water:
- 2 Mute Swan: as usual
- 1 Greylag Goose
- *129 Canada Geese
- 15 (11♂) Mallard
- 8 (3♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (1♂) Goosander again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 16 Coots
- 12 Black-headed Gulls only
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly
- 2 Herring Gulls: adults briefly, together

Two Canada Geese on noisy departure over the ice.

Somebody has provided food on a fence post near the Blue Pig. This Robin has found it.

It is too late for a Christmas Robin but snow on the post would have been good.

Its best side?

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool: 11:10 – 11:40

(41st visit of the year)

c.30% ice

Bird notes:
- A Pink-footed Goose found amongst the mass of Greylag Geese. I last saw this species here in January when up to four birds were present, usually with Greylags.
- Many of the Greylags flew over Trench Lock en route here and more arrived while I was walking around. Some birds were already inside the island so the total number is likely higher than those I counted.
- There were possibly also more Canada Geese and Coots lurking inside the island. Space on the open water was rather limited.

Birds noted flying over / near here:

None

Counts from the water:
- 2 Mute Swans
- *1 Pink-footed Goose
- *>125 Greylag Geese
- 37 Canada Geese
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 25 (17♂) Mallard
- 22 (13♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 (2♂) Goosander
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 9 Moorhens
- 36 Coots
- *>150 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

The Pink-footed Goose found here, usually with the Greylags but here in its own. Obviously the pink feet are not visible. Identify by the white-edges to the blue-grey back feathers and the pink mark on a rather short bill.

The pink on the bill often shows as a band, as here, though it can be more smudgy.

It was already packed with Greylag Geese when I arrived. Here another 24 about to join them.

Coming in for ....

 ... what might be termed 'splash-down'.

As at The Flash there were Black-headed Gulls standing on the ice.

(Ed Wilson)

Note: Click here for a few images from the Wirral - 30 Dec 20

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On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2014

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

Two 1st-winter female Scaup

(Ian Grant)

2012

Priorslee Lake

Drake Scaup

(Jim Almond and Paul Spear)

2010

Priorslee Lake

c.1500 Black-headed Gulls

1 Common Gull

1 Great Black-backed Gull

Water Rail

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee lake

11 Great Crested Grebes

31 Pochard

48 Tufted Duck

237 Coot

Golden Plover

1 Water Rail

700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

c.1250 Black-headed Gulls

300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

1 Yellow-legged Gull

37 Herring Gulls

6 Great Black-backed Gull

374 Jackdaws

178 Rooks

1 Kingfisher

1 Willow Tit

2 Redpolls.

2 Redwings

14 Robins

19 Blackbirds

13 Greenfinches

5 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

30 Dec 20

 No sightings in today.....................

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On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2014

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

2 female Scaup

1 Yellow-legged Gull

3 Great Black-backed Gulls

7 Gadwall

(John Isherwood/Dawn Balmer)

The Flash

5 Goosander

(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

Yellow-legged Gull

(Dawn Balmer)

Horsehay Pool

12 Goosander

(Dawn Balmer)

2012

Priorslee Lake

4 Yellow-legged Gulls

(Jim Almond/Chris Ballance)

2011

Priorslee Lake

1 adult Yellow-legged Gull

9 Great Black-backed Gulls

Water Rail

(John Isherwood)

2010

Priorslee Lake

Yellow-legged Gull

Redpoll

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Caspian Gull

(Jason)

2006

Priorslee lake

2 Great Crested Grebes

19 Pochard

34 Tufted Ducks

>300 Black-headed Gulls

>298 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

12 Herring Gull

33 Robins

13 Blackbirds

10 Fieldfares

45 Redwings

3 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee lake

2 Little Grebes 

11 Great Crested Grebes 

1 Cormorant 

2 Mute Swans 

35 Pochard

84 Tufted Duck

243 Coot

c.250 Black-headed Gulls 

c.700 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 

1 Yellow-legged Gull 

32 Herring Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

29 Dec 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

0.0°C: Initially a few breaks in medium overcast. Later low cloud and snow. Light NW wind. Good visibility; poor in snow.

Sunrise: 08:22 GMT

* = a photo today

Another Met Office triumph. Forecast was for fog and low cloud: no snow until late morning.

Priorslee Lake: 06:51 – 09:30

(292nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- All the Mute Swans flew the length of the water at 07:20 when still dark.
- Gadwall gone again.
- A splendid pair of Goosanders present by 07:30 - perhaps they were here over-night. Departed to the E at 08:00
- Four of the five Great Crested Grebes spent time in close proximity and even more time as two pairs.
- Many of the Coots were spooked out of their roost area in the NW reeds c.07:15. Cound not see any reason.
- Large gulls were all in before 07:30. Too dark to specifically identify the five paler Herring-types.
- Just one group of c.175 Jackdaws. After that three singles seen
- Big group of c.150 Starlings seen flying E to the S on roost dispersal - from where?
- The weather seemed have quelled the Song Thrushes.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 2 Canada Geese: duo outbound
- 1 Cormorant
- 19 Black-headed Gulls
- 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 15 Wood Pigeons
- 2 (or 4) Collared Doves
- c.175 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks only
- c.150 Starlings
- 1 Redwing
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 1 Linnet

Birds seen / heard leaving roosts around the lake:

None

The Magpie roost is proving a challenge to count at the moment as many birds are not using any of the usual post-roost gathering trees.

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- no Gadwall
- 8 (5♂) Mallard
- 2 (2♂) Pochard
- 63 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (1) Goosander: departed
- 1 Grey Heron
- Little Grebe heard
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 9 Moorhens
- 119 Coots
- <60 Black-headed Gulls
- 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Herring-type Gulls

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- 1 winter gnats
- 1 flea beetle.

Noted later:

Nothing

Before the snow. The forecast was low cloud / fog. A rather uninspiring view.

This seems to be a different tiny 'flea-beetle' from those I photographed recently. This looks striped black and brown (though that may be partly due to my brighter new torch). It also looks more elongated and lacks the swollen rear femur of a typical flea-beetle. Cannot provide an ID

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:36 – 10:08

(274th visit of the year)

A rather quick canter around in the snow. All totals 'best effort' in poor conditions

Bird Notes:
- The first-winter ringed Grey Wagtail with the colour rings traced to Middleton Nature Reserve near Heysham in Lancashire was seen again. No chance of a picture in the snow

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- Jackdaw(s) heard

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 5 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 6 Canada Geese
- 42 (24♂) Mallard
- 6 (5♂) Pochard
- 68 (38♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 (0♂) Goosander
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens only
- Coots not counted
- 84 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Also noted.

Nothing else

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2012

Priorslee Lake

Drake Scaup

2 Yellow-legged Gulls

3 Great Black-backed Gulls

(Martin Grant)

2011

Priorslee Lake

4 Yellow legged Gull

22 Great Black-backed Gulls

(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash

Tundra Bean Goose

(John Isherwood)

Holmer Lake

9 Goosander

(John Isherwood)

2009

Priorslee Lake

1 Black-necked Grebe

4 Gadwall

2 Water Rail

2 Caspian Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Ring-billed Gull

(John Isherwood/Richard Vernon/Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Cormorant 

3 Wigeon

30 Tufted Duck

4 Pochard

180+ Coot

3 Yellow-legged Gulls

4000+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls

65 Herring Gulls

1000+ Black-headed Gulls

(Martin Adlam)

2006

Priorslee lake

1 Little Grebe

3 Pochard

10 Tufted Ducks

1 Lapwing

>550 Black-headed Gulls

>108 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

1 Great Black-backed Gull

c.40 Redwings

(Ed Wilson)

2005

Priorslee lake

c.3200 Lesser black-backed Gulls

c.1700 Black-headed Gulls

c100 Herring Gulls

8 Great Black-backed Gulls

4 Yellow-legged Gull

(Martin Adlam/Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

28 Dec 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

1.0°C: Mainly overcast with a few brief blue patches. Light N breeze. Good visibility.

[Sunrise: 08:22 GMT]

* = a photo today

Brief visits after the snow ceased and the roads cleared.

Priorslee Lake: 13:20 – 13:45

(291st visit of the year)

Plenty of people walking around the water probably meant some birds had flown (Mallard?) and other hiding were away (Moorhens).

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Gadwall
- no Mallard
- 3 (3♂) Pochard
- 60 (31♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 122 Coots
- 57 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults
- 1 Herring Gull: immature

Of note:

Nothing

Most birds were too far away for photos. This male Pied Wagtail was an exception. Not sure why its forehead is yellow (in bird terminology this area is known as the 'front'). Must be from what it has been eating.

A side-elevation view.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 12:33 – 13:15

(273rd visit of the year)

Families our snow-balling and building snowmen no doubt had some effect on the number and variety of species present.

Bird notes:
- It is believed that ingestion of lead is what caused the death of both the cygnets taken in to care. There are many learned papers on the web about lead poisoning and its effects on animals and birds. This extract would seem likely to explain the symptoms shown: "anaemia, lethargy, muscle wastage and loss of fat reserves". I assume that the source of the lead is from the fishermen. It is legal to use certain lead weights in the UK. The EU was working towards banning its use - Denmark already does.
- Some Pochard seem to have returned from the lake while some of the Tufted Duck have apparently gone the other way.

Noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 1 unidentified drone - taking photos of the snow?

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 5 (1 brood) Mute Swans:
- 9 Canada Geese
- 37 (20♂) Mallard
- 6 (4♂) Pochard
- 55 (34♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 (0♂) Goosander
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 7 Moorhens
- Coots not counted
- *78 Black-headed Gulls

Of note.

Nothing

When I arrived at The Flash the snow was starting to melt away. Nevertheless a few snowy images to start. Here from Derwent Drive looking towards The Priorslee pub.

From the same vantage point looking past the island - where another tree has fallen down. I wonder how long the island will survive being worn away by a combination of wave action and swans and geese climbing on and off.

The path where it passes through the NW wooded area.

Here looking down what I was told to call 'squirrel alley'. There are indeed usually Grey Squirrels to be seen here.

Food was being provided. A scrum of Black-headed Gulls. Probably not the correct collective noun for this species but it will do.

It does get crowded.

The first-winter birds are those with neat black tail-bands.

No table manner at all.

One in the centre emerging with what looks like half a slice of brown bread (I hope it is wholemeal). Everyone else seems to be shouting and complaining.

As usual it took some while for my brain to engage (I blame the cold) and take a video of the action. The most aggressive feeding was over but this gives a flavour.

And another short clip.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2016

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2015

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2014

Priorslee Lake

Today's sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

7 Gadwall

10 Pochard

64 Tufted Ducks

1 Scaup

1 Goosander

218 Coots

28 Redwings

386 Jackdaws

209 Rooks

(Ed Wilson)

2012

Priorslee Lake

1 drake Scaup

4 Gadwall

19 Pochard

1 Peregrine

(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash

4 Goosander

1 Pochard

(John Isherwood)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

1 Caspian Gull

2 Yellow-legged Gulls

15+ Great Black-backed Gulls

(Dawn Balmer & Pete Wilson)

Horsehay Pool

1 Yellow-legged Gull

(Kriss Webb)

2011

Priorslee Lake

1 Caspian Gull 

9 Yellow-legged Gulls

(Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson/David Fairhurst)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Black necked Grebe

4 Gadwall

1 Water Rail

(John Isherwood)

2008

Priorslee Lake

1 Peregrine

 2 Wigeon

(John Isherwood)

Trench Pool

1 Yellow-legged Gull

1 Great Black-backed Gull 

1 Gadwall

(John Isherwood)

2007

The Flash

11 Goosander

(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Village

9 Siskins

7 Redwing

(Martin Adlam)

2006

Priorslee lake

1 Great Crested Grebe

1 Pochard

15 Tufted Ducks

13 Lapwings

c.100 Black-headed Gulls

c.1100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

26 Herring Gulls

2 Yellow-legged Gulls

1 Great Black-backed Gull

12 Pied Wagtails

6 Redwing

1 Fieldfare

160 Jackdaws

97 Rooks

20 Chaffinches

5 Reed Buntings

(Martin Adlam)

2005

Priorslee lake

30 Pochard 30

32 Tufted Duck

6 Great Crested Grebe

200+ Coot

1 Water Rail

c.3000 Black-headed Gulls

c.2000 Lesser Black-backs

4 Herring Gulls

21 Pied Wagtails

247 Rooks

172 Jackdaw

5 Redwing

5 Fieldfare

46 Siskin

19 Reed Bunting

(Martin Adlam)

27 Dec 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 2.0°C > 5.0°C: VERY heavy shower c.07:00 otherwise clear skies. Squally W breeze flee light on clearance. Very good visibility after shower.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT once more

* = a photo today

Santa brought me a belated present of my first Little Egret for two year at The Flash. Some compensation for getting soaked and chilled in the earlier shower.

Priorslee Lake: 06:45 – 09:36

(290th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The Greylag x Canada Goose was a very noisy bird. Its rather strangulated Greylags calls suggested to me that it might have been one of the previous days recorded single Greylag fly-overs.
- Gadwall gone again
- I had a better view of the Coots today: it is clear that a significant number of them have departed.
- All the gull species were few in number and late arriving. I had hoped that Storm Bella might blow something interesting in. It seems to have blown many of them out.
- Two Collared Doves flew N over the water. About 10 minutes later two flew S. Same pair?
- No sign of any Rook passage.
- Mistle Thrush seen around their usual nest area. No song heard.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 2 Canada Geese: duo inbound
- 5 Cormorants: together
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 49 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 20 Wood Pigeons
- 2 (or 4) Collared Doves
- c.275 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks only
- 10 Redwings: one group
- 4 Greenfinches: singles
- 2 Linnets

Birds seen / heard leaving roosts around the lake:
- 2 Starlings
- 2 Reed Buntings

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose: arrived and departed
- 2 Canada Geese: duo arrived and departed
- no Gadwall
- 4 (2♂) Mallard
- 6 (4♂) Pochard
- 48 (31♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 2 Grey Herons
- 2 Little Grebes
- 5 Great Crested Grebes again
- 10 Moorhens
- 125 Coots
- c.80 Black-headed Gulls
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 1 Caspian Gull: second winter

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- *>5 winter gnats
- *2 unidentified small flies
- *1 Tetragnatha stretch spider sp.

Noted later:

Nothing

The heavy (as in HEAVY) rain shower moving away just about sunrise time.

Today's winter gnat. Note that unlike the one I photographed yesterday there do not seem to be any spurs on the legs. Note also the banded antennae. Species? Pass.

Two small red-eyed flies with hairy legs. The left-most fly shows reddish and greenish hue. I am not sure whether that is light-interference on the wing or the body colour showing through the wing. Cannot venture any identification for these either.

'Stretch spider' would seem to be an apposite name. This one may think it is camouflaged on a leaf (as they often are): it is on moss growing on a street lamp pole. Has to go down in the log as Tetragnatha sp. as there are several species with the usual need to examine their genitalia.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:40 – 10:50

(272nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- I was told that the local Facebook feed reported one of the cygnets taken in to care had died. Apparently of starvation. The surviving cygnets all went for a short flight with all three adults and were taking part in the feeding frenzy whenever food was in the offing.
- The Little Egret is bird species #77 for me at The Flash in 2020. My previous record of this species here was on 24th December 2018.
- The Little Grebe seen again - in yet another different location. I am sure it has been here all along being typically shy.
- *Two Coal Tits were having a singing competition near the medical centre.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- *1 Sparrowhawk
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all single adults
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Starling

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 5 (1 brood) Mute Swans: the new normal
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 10 Canada Geese yet again
- 35 (20♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 81 (46♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (0♂) Goosander
- *1 Little Egret
- 2 Grey Herons again
- *1 Little Grebe
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens only
- 36 Coots
- 39 Black-headed Gulls only

On the lamp poles

Nothing

Around the Ivy:
- 1 unidentified fly sp. tempted out by the sun

Two drake Mallards have spied where the food is.

Another ready for splash-down.

The Little Egret was hiding behind branches from any direction other than head-on when apart from a white bird it was difficult to make out any features. From this angle the long black bill. Seems to have been busy prodding with the bill - it needs a clean. Just possible to make out the yellow feet.

The Little Grebe briefly popped out of cover.

I grabbed a few shots of a circling Sparrowhawk. With barring up to the throat this an adult. Males are barred rufous; females are barred grey. This seems to be a mixture. I guess it is more likely that it is a first-year male rather than it is exhibiting LGBT tendencies.

And away it goes.

Two Coal Tits were having a singing contest. Here is one of them.

Really shouting and with feathers raised on the crown.

The occasional pause to grab some food. Just visible is the white nape. Some Field Guides use this as an ID feature though beware: the much larger Great Tit also has a white nape though of a different shape.

(Ed Wilson)

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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

1 Little Grebe

7 Gadwall

7 Pochard

101 Tufted Ducks

1 Scaup

210 Coots

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe

69 Tufted Ducks

(Ed Wilson)

2012

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

1 Caspian Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull.

(Dawn Balmer & Pete Wilson)

2011

The Wrekin

Flock of Crossbills near summit

(Maurice Baker)

2010

Priorslee Lake

2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Black-necked Grebe

4 Great Crested Grebes

18 Mute Swans

59 Canada Geese

4 Gadwall

29 Pochard 

92 Tufted Ducks 

2 Water Rails

327 Coots

2 Redwings

16 Goldfinches

13 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee lake

2 Great Crested Grebe

22 Tufted Ducks

86 Coots

2 Great Black-backed Gulls

3 Buzzards

20 Pied Wagtails

c.200 Redwing

4 Mistle Thrush

c.500 Fieldfare

1 Willow Tit

3 Brambling

14 Chaffinches

13 Greenfinches

2 Redpoll

1 Siskin

3 Reed Buntings

(Martin Adlam)

26 Dec 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 7.0°C: Some clear spells; some light rain; some low cloud. Calm start; light WSW breeze later . Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT still

* = a photo today

Another triumph for the Met Office: "low overcast with 10% chance of rain all morning" was the forecast when I checked at 06:30. As I stepped outside I could see stars. By the time I got to the lake it was raining.

Priorslee Lake: 06:52 – 09:33

(289th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Searched specifically at / for the Gadwall. Pre-dawn I heard the rather Teal-like calls that I associate with duck Gadwall as well as the rather creaky calls of drakes. I was unable to find any duck Gadwall. Recourse to the xeno-canto site failed to resolve the issue with the calls.
- Five Great Crested Grebes: I only noted three yesterday so did I overlook two?
- I think many Coots were probably hidden from my view on the SW grass, obscured behind the boat piers, when I did the count.
- Big arrival of c.400 Black-headed Gulls after 07:30
- In contrast there were rather few large gulls. No obvious separate early arrival with a small number wandering in throughout. As yesterday Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls dropped in. Today a second-winter Great Black-backed Gull also arrived.
- Caution over the split between Jackdaws and Rooks. A mixed group of c.100 birds flew very high well to the East. As far as I could tell there were about equal numbers of each. This is what I have included in the totals.
- A Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming again

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 1 (?♂) Goosander
- 7 Cormorants: together
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- c.250 Jackdaws
- c.94 Rooks

Birds seen / heard leaving roosts around the lake:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 2 (2♂) Gadwall
- 6 (3♂) Mallard
- 5 (4♂) Pochard
- 45 (28♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant: arrived again
- 1 Grey Heron
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 11 Moorhens again
- >117 Coots (see notes)
- c.400 Black-headed Gulls
- 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull: second winter?
- 1 Caspian Gull: second winter
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull: second winter

On / around the street lights etc. pre-sunrise:
- 1 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
- >5 winter gnats
- 1 ant sp.: possibly a Myrmica sp.
- 1 Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis)
- 1 probable Larinioides cornutus (orb-web spider)

Noted later:

Nothing

Here is the view of the forecast low overcast. I think I'll send the Met. Office some sea-weed.

I think my best photo so far of a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis).

This Larinioides spider, probably L. cornutus, has caught a midge - one wing in its mouth. It seems to have only seven legs - one missing on the right side.

One of the midges I noted today. Note all the spurs on its legs.

Seen from an angle it seems to have an unusually deep-sided thorax. No idea of its identity.

A different variety of midge showing long legs. No idea of this identity either.

Obviously an ant. Probably one of the Myrmica genus.

Another strange insect, also with spurs on its legs. What is the white at the sides of the head? Could it be feathered antennae. This was just too high on the lamp pole to get a better photo.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:38 – 10:36

(271st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Cuan Wildlife Rescue were obviously successful in capturing a second Mute Swan cygnet: there were only five present this morning. Just one of these cygnets is ringed - 7JUB.
- The only Goosander was the drake fly-over.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 1 (1♂) Goosander
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 17 Racing(?) Pigeons

Counts from the water:
- 3 + 5 (1 brood) Mute Swans: see notes
- 10 Canada Geese again
- 30 (18♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Pochard
- 86 (52♂) Tufted Duck
- no Goosander
- 2 Grey Herons
- 2 Great Crested Grebes still
- 10 Moorhens again
- 38 Coots
- 49 Black-headed Gulls only
- 1 Kingfisher

On the lamp poles and around the Ivy

Nothing

Also noted:
- 1 Grey Squirrel

I think this is a different Grey Heron to the one I photographed yesterday. It does not seem to have any breeding plumes.

Here setting off to look for breakfast.

I doubt I can really claim credit for the camera focussing on this male Bullfinch's eye through many layers of twigs.

Almost as sharp.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day

2019

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2018

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2017

Priorslee Lake

Today's Sightings Here

2013

Priorslee Lake

Two 1st-winter female Scaup

(Unknown)

2012

Priorslee Lake

A drake Scaup

4 Gadwall

10 Great Black-backed Gull

(Kriss Webb)

2009

Priorslee Lake

1 Black-necked Grebe

5 Great Crested Grebes

4 Gadwall

26 Pochard

97 Tufted Ducks

3 Goosander

327 Coots

5 Redwings

4 Fieldfare

10 Goldfinches 

14 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)