1.0°C > 7.0°C: Slight frost. Mostly broken medium-level cloud with a few clearer spells. Almost calm. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:17 BST
* = a photo today
Slightly fewer warblers singing today. Some no doubt moved on - especially the Willow Warblers. Others perhaps now paired and nest-building.
Priorslee Lake: 05:15 - 06:45 // 07:55 - 09:50
(62nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- A lone Canada Goose throughout. I am inclined to think that the pair noted earlier as semi-resident are now nesting here and that this bird's partner is tucked up in the vegetation somewhere on eggs.
- I had noted six drake Mallard scattered around the water - no longer in the single bachelor gang of a few weeks ago. Just as I was leaving five appeared overhead. I was not in a position to see whether the birds I had seen previously were still where they had been.
- 14 of the 31 Wood Pigeons noted flying over were in a single group flying high NE at c.06:30. Migrants?
- At c.09:30 I noted two Little Grebes in the middle of the water. These moved slowly off to disappear in the reeds in the NW area from where I had heard the usual calls much earlier. Were these new arrivals or the residents going for an explore?
- Clear skies to the E enabled me to see the outbound Jackdaws. All now in small groups (max. six birds) and passing over a protracted period.
- A Chiffchaff seen feeding another. Probably entirely politically incorrect these days but I assume a male bonding with his partner.
Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 10 Canada Geese: single, two pairs and quartet outbound; single inbound.
- 3 Greylag Geese: trio outbound
- 14 Racing Pigeons - tight group
- 31 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 70 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- 1 Siskin
Count of hirundines etc. noted:
- 4 Sand Martins
- 1 Barn Swallow
Count of warblers noted (the number in brackets is singing birds)
- *8 (8) Willow Warblers
- 16 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 15 (11) Blackcaps
Counts from the water:
- 1 Canada Goose: see notes
- 2 Mute Swans: pen sitting throughout
- 6 (6♂) Mallard - perhaps 11 (11♂)
- 4 Moorhens
- 26 Coots again
- 2 Little Grebe: together - see notes
- 6 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull: first year, briefly
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all adults, more or less together, briefly
- 1 Grey Heron
Also noted:
- 1 Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
- 1 Grey Squirrel again
Not quite such a good sunrise as yesterday.
I will nail a Willow Warbler here one day. Not really today though.
Perhaps I'll stick to Long-tailed Tit photos. They are easier.
Always cute.
(Ed Wilson)
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- One Moorhen in the upper pool again
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
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(12th visit of the year)
Later than usual I made a quick visit to the 'top of the hill' somewhat curtailed by suspicious-looking van in the lane - I did not want to get involved with anyone fly-tipping.
Notes:
- At least 15 Meadow Pipits that flushed out of the fields and in to trees along the lane was most unexpected. These then moved away N but whether this was because that was the way I was walking along the lane or whether they were migrating that way is hard to say. My best-ever year for this species around here.
Some numbers:
- 3 (2) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs
- *15 Meadow Pipits at least
- 2 Linnets in the hedges.
- 1 Lesser Redpoll over
- 2 (1) Yellowhammers.
Later than usual I made a quick visit to the 'top of the hill' somewhat curtailed by suspicious-looking van in the lane - I did not want to get involved with anyone fly-tipping.
Notes:
- At least 15 Meadow Pipits that flushed out of the fields and in to trees along the lane was most unexpected. These then moved away N but whether this was because that was the way I was walking along the lane or whether they were migrating that way is hard to say. My best-ever year for this species around here.
Some numbers:
- 3 (2) Skylarks
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 2 (1) Chiffchaffs
- *15 Meadow Pipits at least
- 2 Linnets in the hedges.
- 1 Lesser Redpoll over
- 2 (1) Yellowhammers.
Rather less so on #2 here
And here is #3. The usually difficult to observe buff throat shows well here. You will be pleased to know that the other 12 got away.
(Ed Wilson)
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(51st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- What was presumably the regular second year Herring Gull was back again. It must like it here!
Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
None
Hirundines etc. noted.
None
Count of warblers noted (the number in brackets is singing birds)
- *10 (8) Willow Warblers
- 4 (3) Chiffchaffs
- *4 (2) Blackcaps
Counts from the water:
- 17 Canada Geese
- 7 Greylag Geese
- 3 + ? eggs Mute Swans
- 29 (22♂) Mallard
- 38 (23♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens only
- 26 Coots again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- *1 Herring Gull: second year
Also noted
- 1 Grey Squirrel again
... looked quizzically at what I was doing.
It eventually emerged and was then rather skittish. Did I mention there is always a branch in the way?
Did I mention .....?
And now Mrs, Blackcap has come to see what the fuss is.
(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
2015
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here
2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Herons
2 Greylag Geese
1 Common Sandpiper
c.10 Sand Martins
>6 Barn Swallows
1 House Martin
2 Tawny Owls
2 Meadow Pipits
8 Blackcaps
8 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warbler
276 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
1 Greylag Goose
1 Cackling-type Goose
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Swallow
5 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
3 Little Ringed Plover
>20 Willow Warbler
(John Isherwood)
The Flash
2 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
2 Common Redstart
8 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
Long Lane, Wellington
47 Black-tailed Godwit
6 Ringed Plover
3 Redshank
1 Dunlin
3 Swallows
(Andy Latham)
2011
Priorslee Lake
2 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
7 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)
2008
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
4 Gadwall
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
12 Swallow
23 Sand Martin
1 House Martin
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Water Rail
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Fieldfares
3 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
6 Willow Warblers
2 Greenfinches
1 Siskin
1 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)