31 Dec 21

Best wishes to everyone for

2022

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

12.0°C > 13.0°C again: Very mild again. Mainly overcast with broken low cloud and occasional light drizzle. A few brighter, even sunny, spells later. Light SW wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:22 GMT still

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:50 – 09:20

(301st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The whole family of Mute Swans went for a fly-about. Perhaps the adults are making sure the cygnets stay in trim for when they get chased away!
- The first three Black-headed Gulls arrived at 07:50, quickly followed by two large groups, settling immediately in the middle of the water. I reckoned c.550 in total.
- No large gulls were noted at this time with just two immature Herring Gulls dropping in briefly at 08:35. It was almost 09:00 before any gulls started passing overhead and then there were, unusually, more Herrings than Lesser Black-backs.
- I relocated what I assume is the same Cetti's Warbler in the SW area. It sang just once and then called several times before 08:00 but I did not hear it later.
- Five Song Thrushes were singing this morning.
- I spent some time by the usual Reed Bunting roost area at the W end. I only heard one bird calling and saw none leaving.

Overhead:
- 4 Canada Geese: outbound, together
- 11 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves: together
- 17 Herring Gulls
- 15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 170 Jackdaws
- 1 Redwing
- no Pied Wagtails

Birds seen leaving roost sites around the lake:

None

Warblers noted:
- 1 Cetti's Warbler

Counts from the lake area:
- *2 + 3 (1) Mute Swans
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 12 (5♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 38 Coots
- 1 Little Grebe
- c.550 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- no Lesser Black-backed Gulls again
- 3 Cormorants: arrived singly

On the lamps:
In more damp and mild conditions:

Moths:
- *1 female Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)

Also:
- *1 small ichneumon wasp.
- *1 leafhopper, probably Eupteryx urticae
- 1 cranefly sp.
- *1 blow-fly type
- 1 plumed midge
- several different small flies
- *several barkflies of at least two species

Spiders / Harvestmen:
- *1 Paroligolophus agrestis harvestman

Elsewhere:
- 1 male Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) beside a security light at a house in Teece Drive.

The resident cob Mute Swan and one of his off-spring in flight.

This was one of three Cormorants that flew in. Here it is in the process of hauling itself out to dry. Note that while the small amount of white in the breast suggests this could be the bird seen at The Flash two days ago this individual is showing a hint of the white thigh patch acquired by adults in breeding condition. So it is probably a different bird.

Two for the price of one again: top left is a Paroligolophus agrestis harvestman. Bottom right a female moth...

Here is the moth in more detail (a struggle to make it stand out from the moss/lichen-spattered lamp pole). There are three species of more or less wingless female moths likely at this time of year: Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria) has no wings; Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) has tiny vestigial wings; and Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata) has very small but obvious wings. This individual with a few 'fluffy shoulders' is therefore a female Winter Moth.

A leafhopper, probably Eupteryx urticae. A sharper photo today as I took a different camera, one better suited to close work. It does not have as much flexibility at longer range and with flying birds: all photography is a compromise at my level.

This small plumed midge was a challenge against the moss/lichen and I had to resort to cross-lighting from a torch to make it stand out. The plumes on the antennae are still difficult to see. This is a much thinner bodied species than many. Unlike yesterday's example the body is (just) longer then the folded wings.

Large flies are unusual on the lamp poles other then sunning themselves later in the day. One of the many 'blow fly' species I suspect.

Two barkflies here: the more usual brown species (whatever that might be) at the top right; and a dark-bodied individual with a green thorax at bottom left.

Another brown barkfly here in company with a small ichneumon – note the long antennae. It looks rather odd as its hind-legs are stretched out behind it and are accentuated by casting shadows on to the background.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:25 – 10:20

(278th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A drake Pochard reappeared
- The Tufted Duck were moving about again, probably spooked by the submarine Cormorant.
- Rather more Moorhens than yesterday but still fewer than a week ago.
- A few more Coots: I made a special effort to count them this morning. I usually log them 'in passing'.
- I could only ever find single Great Crested Grebes but as they were at opposite ends of the water it is likely there were still two present.
- Strange behaviour from the Magpies with up to eight birds flying around chasing and flying higher than typically.
- Two Song Thrush noted singing.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 13 Wood Pigeons: one group SW
- 5 Herring Gulls
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 8 Jackdaws
- 5 Siskins

On /around the water:
- 8 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 38 (25♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck) again
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- *68 (34♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 (0♂) Goosander again
- 10 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- *1? Great Crested Grebe
- 41 Black-headed Gulls again
- 1 Cormorant

On one of the street lamps:
- *1 Neriene montana spider

Around the Ivy.

Warm enough but no direct sun so..
- a few flies of at least three species.

In my narrative I noted that the Tufted Ducks seemed very jumpy, probably because of the submarine Cormorant swimming about. Here ten (three drakes) get together for protection (with a Great Crested Grebe looking on)

Not a very good photo of a Buzzard overhead, the interest being in the bird chasing it. It is a Carrion Crow! Some crows show variable amounts of white in the wings, usually only when in flight. There has been a family of crows in the area for some years with this trait in their genes. This is the first time I have been able to photograph one. It is a rather scruffy-looking bird, likely because white feathers wear more quickly than black ones. It is worth noting that while a very few Jackdaws can show similar white areas in the wings it is unheard of in Rooks – which are also our only 'crow' with a glossy plumage.

One of the eight high-flying Magpies that were chasing around. Clearly visible here is the extent of the white in the wing tip. I have no idea why this bird seems to have a crest!

A Neriene montana spider about to disappear in a crack in a street lamp pole. My logs suggest this is my first record at this site.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

12.0°C > 13.0°C: Very mild. Mostly low cloud with early light drizzle. A few brighter spells to the E for a while. Calm start with light SE wind developing. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:22 GMT again

* = a photo today

A Parish Notice:

For those of you who read this on the internet at: http://friendsofpriorsleelake.blogspot.com/ you will

probably notice that this comes up as 'Not Secure' on your browser.
The site is being changed to a https: secure site – exactly when the change will take place is unclear. Once the change is made you may need to find the new URL by searching again for "Friends of Priorslee Lake" in your browser and then updating any bookmark.

Another very quiet morning. Very mild – warmer than on most of my early visits in June / July!

Priorslee Lake: 06:55 – 09:15

(301st visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- 'Our' Mute Swans are back, complete with cygnets. I was told they were not seen yesterday morning at least. I saw them asleep at 07:10.
- Very low number of Tufted Ducks and seven of these seen flying off. Perhaps all the rain has washed mud in to the lake and covered the underwater vegetation upon which this species feeds?
- A pair of Goosanders flew E at 08:55 – an unusual direction for this species.
- The first 100+ Black-headed Gulls arrived at 07:40 taking a long while to settle which they eventually did, unusually in the extreme SW area near the concrete ramp and the boat piers. Numbers built up and up in a dense group which I think was at least 1000 strong.
- Only one Herring Gull joined the throng and there were no other large gulls on the water later with very few flying over – just like mid-summer!
- Three Song Thrushes were tempted in to song by the mild weather. Another heard calling at dawn.

Overhead:
- 2 (1♂) Goosanders
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 186 Jackdaws
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 3 Siskins

Birds seen leaving roost sites around the lake:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 + 3 (1) Mute Swans
- 8 (6♂) Mallard
- no Pochard
- 21 (?♂) > 14 (8♂) Tufted Duck: seven flew off
- 3 Moorhens
- 46 Coots
- >1000 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- no Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Around the lamps

A big haul in damp but mild weather:

Moths:
- 1 presumed male Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata) [on size]
- 3 male Winter Moths (O. brumata)

Also:
- 2 different leafhoppers, perhaps Eupteryx urticae and *Ribautiana tenerrima
- 1 cranefly
- *1 plumed midge
- *several different small flies
- 1 barkfly
- *1 'green larvae'?
- *1 weevil sp., just possibly Trichosirocalus troglodytes

Spiders:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider (Larinioides sclopetarius)
- *1 Xysticus cristatus crab spider
- 1 money spider sp.

A plumed midge but which species? The abdomen looks thinner than most specimens I see. Also the wings extend beyond the abdomen which is unusual. It will have to stay unidentified.

One of those tiny flies that walks about waving its wings. Here it is taking a break and waving its antennae.

If the last fly was tiny then this was less than half its size.

And another but this one with bulging red eyes.

This leafhopper may well be Ribautiana tenerrima which is associated with Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) which is abundant in the area. There are many species of mainly green leafhopper and many are not always separable from photos.

A weevil sp. with its snout (rostrum) held bent.

A side-on view showing the antennae emerging from near the tip of the snout and with a 90° bend. There are many brown weevils and identification is not straightforward. One I have found on the web, Trichosirocalus troglodytes, overwinters as an adult and is associated with Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) which certainly grows in the area. But...

I am stumped with this. I suppose it has legs as it was several feet up a lamp pole, though it could just be a slime trail angling away from its rear end. Are they wings I can see perhaps developing in a translucent green larva. But a larva of what?

A spider I can identify without Nigel's help! This is a Xysticus cristatus crab spider.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:15

(277th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The Tufted Duck number is 'best effort': they were moving about all the time.
- So where were all the Moorhens?
- Three Song Thrush noted singing and another non-singing bird seen.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws

On /around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 45 (28♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- no Teal
- 74 (34♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 (0♂) Goosander
- 4 Moorhens only
- 24 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 23 Black-headed Gulls again
- no Grey Heron

On the street lamps:

Nothing on any of them

Also noted:
- *Yellow Brain fungus (Tremella mesenterica).

I think this fungus I found growing on a dead branch is Yellow Brain (Tremella mesenterica). I am not too sure my brain looks like this.

A different fungus growing on an adjacent dead branch. I am unclear as to whether the accompanying green growth is lichen or one of the lichenous fungi.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 21

The Flash only

12.0°C: Thin high cloud and watery sun after early rain. Fresh WSW wind. Good visibility/

[Sunrise: 08:22 GMT]

* = a photo today

The morning was a washout (as was the whole of yesterday). I managed a quick look at The Flash only

The Flash: 13:55 – 14:55

(276th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- There were already many more Tufted Duck than on Monday before a party of 26 (17♂) flew in from somewhere.
- The low number of Moorhens probably due to the world and his wife (with children and dogs) out for a walk. The Moorhens were likely wisely hiding.
- One of the locals told me had seen a Cormorant catch a Bream – c.2 lb. he thought. I went back to try for a photo only to have five Goosanders appear. I had seen none during my earlier circuit.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Herring Gull
- 1 Common Buzzard

On /around the water:
- 22 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 44 (27♂) Mallard
- no all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- no Teal
- 90 (49♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 (3♂) Goosander
- 7 Moorhens only
- 25 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 23 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron

On or around the street lamps:

Nothing

On around the Ivy:
- c.5 various Muscid flies

Black and white? Well not really: the Cormorant glosses mauve and green; and the drake Goosanders have a bottle-green head.

And here is that Cormorant. Not sure what it has on the tip of its bill preventing the rather lethal-looking hooked-tip from showing clearly. I guess it is not a full adult as it still shows a few white feathers on its breast.

On the lookout for scraps is this male Pied Wagtail.

This is the view that is needed when the migrant Continental race, known as White Wagtail, is suspected. That race would show a grey rump. No point looking for one at this time of year – mid-March onwards.

Wagging its tail of course.

Looking rather battered is this remnant White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album). Will it last in to 2022?

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 21

No Sightings in today.

Note:
While the rain was persisting in Priorslee, Here on Portland there wasn't much rain, but it was very windy, with gusts in excess of 50mph.. (Martin Adlam)

Chesil Beach this afternoon (Martin Adlam)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

6.0°C: More low cloud descending to mist from time to time. Calm start with light E wind developing. Good visibility early; becoming moderate / poor.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT again

* = a photo today

Yet another dull morning though amazingly a few glimpses of the moon early and good horizontal visibility for a while.

Priorslee Lake: 07:00 – 09:10

(300th visit of the year!!

Best today in often limited visibility were four Lapwings circling overhead for a while c.08:20

Other bird notes:
- Similar number of c,500 Black-headed Gulls had arrived by c.07:50.
- Again fewer large gulls both early and flying over.
- Two overflying Common Buzzards today. Both emerged from over the M54 and probably from the Nedge area. One of these was probably the bird seen on the academy playing field much later.
- A big party of c.220 Jackdaws flew outbound from their roost at the currently typical time of 07:55. One or, very probably, more heard at 07:25 when I was not in a position to see them (it was still very dark anyway). Just a single later. But where are all the Rooks at the moment?
- A Mistle Thrush was singing from remnant trees in the new housing estate. The contractors building the final phase in close proximity were not working today.
- There seem to be no roosting Reed Buntings at the moment. The only one I heard this morning was at the W end. It flew off at 08:45 which can hardly be described as roost departure!

Overhead:
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- no Wood Pigeons!!
- 1 Collared Dove
- 2 Common Buzzards
- 4 Lapwings
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- >220 Jackdaws
- 2 Pied Wagtails heard
- 2 Siskins

Birds leaving roost sites around the lake:
- 6 Redwings

Warblers noted:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- no Gadwall
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 49 (26♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 47 Coots
- >500 Black-headed Gulls once more
- 7 Herring Gull
- 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant

Around the damp lamps:

Moths:
- *1 presumed male Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata) [on size]
- 3 male Winter Moths (O. brumata)
If correctly identified the Northern Winter Moth is moth species #124 for me at the lake in 2021

Also:
- **various unidentified tiny insects: see photos

Spiders:
- *1 Neriene montana

This is the moth I have provisionally identified as a male Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata). It was obviously larger than a typical Winter Moth (O. brumata) such that my initial impression was that it would be a Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria). As it was many feet up a lamp pole there is no real way to illustrate its size. The other identification feature of males is a paler underwing. Well yes!

Certainly a cranefly but which species I have no idea.

My suggestion is that this is a female midge. With the banded abdomen it could be a Plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus) - only males have the plumed antennae.

A tiny creature that I suspect is a barkfly. I did wonder about a red spider mite but they have short antennae and eight legs. I have no idea what the mark on the right is if indeed it is not a mark on the lamp pole.

Another tiny critter. I am not even certain whether this is a bug or a beetle.

Did I say tiny? This fly was about half the size of the big / beetle and waving one of its wings about. There is a family (Ulidiidae) of wing-waving flies that are generally larger and have distinctively patterned wings. Which means I am stumped about this insect.

A smart specimen of a Neriene montana spider. The abdomen markings are very variable: the radiating lines on the cephalothorax are the key identification feature.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:15 – 10:05

(275th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A pair of Teal reappeared
- Fewer Tufted Duck – perhaps they had gone to swell the numbers at the lake? And taken the drake Pochard with them?
- Milder weather = Song Thrush singing at the top end.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Siskin

On /around the water:
- 5 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 43 (29♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- no Pochard
- 20 (9♂) Tufted Duck only
- *16 (5♂) Goosander: 2 (1♂) flew off
- 13 Moorhens
- 24 Coots again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 36 Black-headed Gulls
- *2 Herring Gulls: both first-winter birds
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron again

On various street lamps: (same number of winter moths as at the lake!)
- 1 presumed male Northern Winter Moth (Operophtera fagata) [on size]
- 3 male Winter Moths (O. brumata)
- 1 male Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria)
If correctly identified the Northern Winter Moth is moth species #51 for me at The Flash in 2021

Also noted:
- 1 Grey Squirrel

"I see no fish". One of two duck Goosanders on the hunt.

Another duck Goosander. I am sure that the very full crest precludes it being a late moulting first-winter drake.

And another. This shows some white between the bill and the eye indicating it is a first-winter. Again the extent of the crest suggests a duck. Note the bright foot visible underwater.

Yet again. I see Goosanders have not yet invented handkerchiefs.

I couldn't fit it all in and it flew off before I could zoom out. A rather handsome first-winter Herring Gull.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 21

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

4.0°C: Low cloud descending to become mist and eventually fog . Light E wind. Moderate visibility, becoming poor.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT

* = a photo today

Another depressingly dull morning with most of yesterday's changes having gone

Priorslee Lake: 07:10 – 09:15

(299th visit of the year)

All the rain meant the entry sluices from under the academy and the housing development were all running brown, tainting almost half of the water. Possibly the reason why the Pochard and some of the Tufted Duck had departed. As usual the Wesley Brook itself

Bird notes:
- The Black-headed Gulls had a Sunday / Boxing Day lie-in and only arrived at 07:44. Again at least 500 arrived.
- Many fewer large gulls arrived early. The cloud and mist meant very few were noted later even if the were there.
- Two Blackbirds were seen having a real scrap, tumbling over and over as a spinning ball of feathers looking intent on murder.
- A party of 28 Siskins flew E over the dam. Probably some / all of the birds in the W end Alders earlier.

Overhead:
- 2 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 3 Herring Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 77 Jackdaws
- 3 Pied Wagtails heard
- 28 Siskin: see notes

Birds leaving roost sites around the lake:

None

Warblers noted:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 1 (1♂) Gadwall
- 6 (5♂) Mallard again
- 35 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 49 Coots again
- >500 Black-headed Gulls again
- 3 Herring Gull
- 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Around the lamps:

After a very wet night.

Nothing

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:05

(274th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan was, for a time, being aggressive toward the 'spare' adult
- The all-white duck gave better view today. I am sure there is drake Mallard in its genes and similar to what is often known as Aylesbury Duck.
- Four Siskins in Alders along the E side.

Birds noted flying over here:

None

On /around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 39 (24♂) Mallard
- *1 (?♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 34 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 (3♂) Goosander
- 8 Moorhens only
- 24 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 28 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron again

On a street lamps:
- *1 Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus): moribund or dead?

A good view of the all-white feral duck. Well it is almost certainly a drake and has a Mallard somewhere in its lineage – the curled tail-feather is the give-away. It is rather strange that it is somewhat smaller than a typical Mallard. I read that the feral form of Mallard with a yellow bill is typically called 'Aylesbury Duck'.

I found this spider on a lamp pole. I is a Garden Spider (Arameus diadematus). It seemed to be 'hanging by a thread'. I could not tell whether this was by accident or design. It was not moving and may well have been either moribund or dead.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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)

25 Dec 21

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******** MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS *********

****************************************************

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 4.0°C: Low cloud with light drizzle. Moderate / fresh E wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT

* = a photo today

After two days of fog some changes to note:
- at the lake new in were a duck Teal and two drake Pochard
- at The Flash the largest party of geese I have seen for many months arrived: these included paired Canada and Greylag Geese and their three hybrid offspring. There was also a drake Shoveler and a rather small all-white duck with a yellow bill. I could not find any Teal or Pochard.

Priorslee Lake: 06:45 – 09:15

(298th visit of the year)

Other bird notes:
- The first Black-headed Gulls arrived at 07:27. Two blue-light ambulances probably ruined their wash and brush up just as much as the ambulances were probably ruining a few people's Christmas. Eventually at least 500 arrived.

Overhead:
- 1 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 4 Herring Gull
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 75 Jackdaws
- 1 Raven
- 8 Pied Wagtails heard
- 1 Linnet

Birds leaving roost sites around the lake:

None

Warblers noted:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall again
- 8 (6♂) Mallard again
- 1 (0♂) Teal
- 2 (2♂) Pochard
- 54 (26♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 49 Coots
- >500 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull
- 27 Herring Gull
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull
- 41 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Around the damp lamps:

Moths:
- 1 male Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
- 1 male Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria): mostly eaten!

The only photo I took on this very dull morning before I put the camera away in the dry. A slightly better view of the male Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria) that is being / has been eaten.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:00

(273rd visit of the year)

Other bird notes:
- The three off-spring of the paired Canada and Greylag Geese were presumably this year's immatures. I doubt the quartet of off-spring seen in 2020 would still be closely accompanying their parents.
- The all-white duck (presumed feral) was lurking on the island not giving clear views. The light was too poor to try a photo.
- Many fewer Tufted Ducks: perhaps they were at the lake?
- At least three Siskins were drinking from puddles in the path between the two footbridges.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Herring Gull
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

On /around the water:
- 70 Canada Geese: 61 of these flew in
- 3 Greylag Geese: flew in
- 3 Greylag x Canada Geese: flew in
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 44 (30♂) Mallard
- 1 (?♂) all-white duck
- no Teal
- no Pochard
- 22 (11♂) Tufted Duck only
- 9 (2♂) Goosander
- 9 Moorhens only
- 23 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 38 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 1 Grey Heron

On / around various street lamps or around the Ivy.
Nothing

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

2013

Priorslee Lake

1st-winter female Great Scaup

Horsehay Pool

Kittiwake

2012

Priorslee Lake

4 Gadwall

14 Pochard

29 Tufted Ducks

3 Goosanders

178 Coots

2 Redwings

4 Siskin

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

3 Pochard

44 Tufted Duck

28 Goosanders

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

30 Mute Swans

40 Tufted Duck

1 Goosander

161 Coots

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

1 Black-necked Grebe

18 Swans

4 Gadwall

41 Pochard

75 Tufted Ducks

2 Water Rails

311 Coots

600 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

2 Yellow-legged Gulls

12 Goldfinches

10 Siskins

(Ed Wilson/Dawn Balmer/Peter Wilson)

2006

Priorslee lake

2 Great Crested Grebe

3 Cormorants

32 Pochard

24 Tufted Ducks

1 Water Rail

64 Coots

c.100 Black-headed Gulls

23 Redwing

(Martin Adlam)

2005

Priorslee lake

10 Pochard

15 Tufted Duck

c.400 Black-headed Gulls

c.100 Lesser Black-backs

1 Water Rail

20 Pied Wagtails

365 Rooks

325 Jackdaw

1 Kingfisher

51 Siskin

7 Redpoll

13 Greenfinch 13

12 Reed Bunting

(Martin Adlam)

3 Redwing

c.50 Siskin

7 Redpoll

8 Reed Bunting

1 Willow Tit

(Martin Adlam)