13.0°C: Low overcast with some mainly light drizzle yet again. Light NE wind. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:23 BST
Most of today was spent at an air event at Sywell in Northants so this abbreviated report has no insect data and no pictures. The same will prevail tomorrow.
Priorslee Lake: 04:50 – 08:35
(194th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- A drake Gadwall was calling at the W end at 05:40 and was later seen there. Two more drakes flew in c.07:30. Shortly afterwards I noticed a duck with the three drakes: I did not see where she came from.
- Two Little Grebes were flushed in the NW area and promptly disappeared. From the briefest of views I think both were adults. I do not think this species bred here this year.
- There is the beginnings of an early post-roost arrival of large gulls - c.50 this morning. Last year they were roosting on a factory roof in Halesfield, dropped in for a quick drink and bathe before moving on. Some fly also directly over without stopping.
Overhead:
- 51 Canada Geese: all outbound in four groups
- 7 Greylag Geese: all outbound in three groups
- 15 Feral / Racing Pigeons: two groups
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 276 Wood Pigeons
- 6 Black-headed Gulls
- 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Hirundines etc., noted:
- At least one House Martin heard over the football field at 05:45
Warblers noted:
- 12 Chiffchaffs: two in song
- 1 Blackcap again
Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 4 (3♂) Gadwall
- 14 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 (2♂) Tufted Duck again
- 8 Moorhens again
- 68 Coots
- 2 Little Grebes
- 10 + 5 (3 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 51 Black-headed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls; all briefly
- 59 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; all briefly
- 1 Grey Heron
(Ed Wilson)
Bird notes:
- A drake Gadwall was calling at the W end at 05:40 and was later seen there. Two more drakes flew in c.07:30. Shortly afterwards I noticed a duck with the three drakes: I did not see where she came from.
- Two Little Grebes were flushed in the NW area and promptly disappeared. From the briefest of views I think both were adults. I do not think this species bred here this year.
- There is the beginnings of an early post-roost arrival of large gulls - c.50 this morning. Last year they were roosting on a factory roof in Halesfield, dropped in for a quick drink and bathe before moving on. Some fly also directly over without stopping.
Overhead:
- 51 Canada Geese: all outbound in four groups
- 7 Greylag Geese: all outbound in three groups
- 15 Feral / Racing Pigeons: two groups
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 276 Wood Pigeons
- 6 Black-headed Gulls
- 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Hirundines etc., noted:
- At least one House Martin heard over the football field at 05:45
Warblers noted:
- 12 Chiffchaffs: two in song
- 1 Blackcap again
Count from the lake area:
- 2 + 4 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 4 (3♂) Gadwall
- 14 (?♂) Mallard
- 5 (2♂) Tufted Duck again
- 8 Moorhens again
- 68 Coots
- 2 Little Grebes
- 10 + 5 (3 broods) Great Crested Grebes
- 51 Black-headed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls; all briefly
- 59 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; all briefly
- 1 Grey Heron
(Ed Wilson)
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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.
2011
Priorslee Lake
103 Greylag Geese
314 Canada Geese
14 Tufted Ducks
1 Herring Gull
1 Kingfisher
1 Dunnock
1 Mistle Thrush
5 Blackcap
13 Chiffchaff
28 Greenfinch
40 Linnet