7.0°C > 8.0°C: Another day with much low cloud. Some spells of mainly light drizzle. Almost calm start with light NNE breeze developing. Moderate visibility: good later.
Sunrise: 06:16 GMT
* = a photo today
With earlier sunrise a reversion to "summer schedule" with a walk to and around The Flash between separate circuits of the lake
Priorslee Lake: 05:20 - 06:35 // 07:30 - 09:20
(38th visit of the year)
Two bird highlights this morning
- My fourth Little Egret record when one flew SSE high up at 06:15. I am sure the two Lesser Black-backed Gulls over at that time were no really accompanying it.
- A lone Sand Martin flew straight through at 08:45. I am elevating the 'hirundine sp.' record from the 4th March to this species on the basis of the views today's bird (and those seen at Trench yesterday)
Other birds notes:
- My highest count of Black-headed Gulls at the lake was 22, as logged. However there were 31 on the academy playing fields and these probably all visited the lake at some time.
- I was in position to see the Jackdaws (and any Rooks) on their way out of roost - typically around 05:50 at the moment. I heard and saw nothing until a lone bird at 06:10 that seemed unsure where to go.
- Just the two singing Chiffchaffs noted. One of these was still practising - more 'chiff-chiff-chiff-chiff-chaff'
- Many Siskins flying over / around.
Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 10 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound; quintet and single inbound
- 4 Greylag Geese: single outbound; trio inbound
- 4 Wood Pigeons only
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all adults
- 1 Little Egret
- 1 Jackdaw only: see notes
- 1 Sand Martin
Counts from the water:
- 2 Canada Geese: arrived and departed much later
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 19 (11♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 34 Coots
- 1 Little Grebe heard only
- 5 Great Crested Grebes once more
- 22 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all adults
- 1 Grey Heron: departed
Strangely despite the mild and cloudy night there was nothing on the lamp-poles pre-dawn
Of note:
I met someone doing a census of Willow/Marsh Tit habitats (sadly long-gone from here). He happened to also be a botanist and he was able to point me to a new plant for my Priorslee list:
- Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) - a Spring-flowering shrub whose yellow flowers open along stems yet to acquire leaves.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 06:40 - 07:25
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The Flash: 06:40 - 07:25
(26th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- Two eggs noted in the Mute Swan's nest
- Two Chiffchaffs chasing around at the tops of trees near The Priorslee. I could not tell whether both were singing or not. One singing from the island - a different bird?
- A lone Siskin in Alders along the E side
- A Reed Bunting heard calling along the E side. Could not locate it.
Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 3 Canada Geese
Counts from the water:
- 35 Canada Geese
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 3 Mute Swans
- 30 (18♂) Mallard
- 69 (42♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull: departed
- 1 Herring Gull: the usual second year, arrived
Bird notes:
- Two eggs noted in the Mute Swan's nest
- Two Chiffchaffs chasing around at the tops of trees near The Priorslee. I could not tell whether both were singing or not. One singing from the island - a different bird?
- A lone Siskin in Alders along the E side
- A Reed Bunting heard calling along the E side. Could not locate it.
Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
- 3 Canada Geese
Counts from the water:
- 35 Canada Geese
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 3 Mute Swans
- 30 (18♂) Mallard
- 69 (42♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Black-headed Gull: departed
- 1 Herring Gull: the usual second year, arrived
Between Priorslee Lake and The Flash
- Moorhen(s) heard from the upper pool and one seen in the Wesley Brook where it enters the pool - and area now cleared of vegetation cover.
- A Grey Wagtail in the Wesley Brook where it passes underneath Priorslee Avenue.
- Long-tailed Tits and Goldcrest around the lower pool
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day
2020
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here
2013
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
7 Wigeon
2 Gadwall
18 Tufted Ducks
127 Jackdaws
158 Black-headed Gulls
22 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Chiffchaff singing
6 Redwings
1 Siskin
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebe
7 Swans
2 Pochard
1 Greater Scaup
81 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool
1 Chiffchaff singing
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
25 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Cormorant
6 Tufted Duck
2 Goosander
5 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)
2008
Priorslee Lake
2 Sand Martins
(Martin Adlam)
2007
Priorslee Lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorant
22 Tufted Duck
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Green Woodpecker
8 Meadow Pipit
25 Wren
20 Blackbird
5 Redwing
5 Chiffchaff
34 Magpie
8 Greenfinch
8 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
8 Great Crested Grebe
2 Pochard
32 Tufted Duck
1 Chiffchaff singing
(Ed Wilson)