28 Feb 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

7.0°C > 8.0°C: Mainly medium-high overcast with a few breaks early and late. Rain between 07:15 and 08:25, sometimes heavy. Moderate / fresh S wind. Good visibility; very good after rain.

Sunrise: 07:00 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:00 – 09:10

(47th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The pair of Canada Geese on the dam top were not happy when another lone bird arrived. They took to the water and soon ensured it knew it was not welcome.
- The single Mute Swan cygnet was again present when I arrived but was soon seen off again.
- Each of the two single Stock Doves was, strangely, flying with a Wood Pigeon. Later a pair seen. All flew E.
- The pair of Great Crested Grebes were moving all around the lake inspecting their territory.
- Just eight Black-headed Gulls arrived at the late time of 07:01. My maximum count was just 14 though there were probably more birds involved.
- No large gulls stopped off – not that there were many passing in the rain anyway.
- Eventually three Cormorants were fishing in the lake. Somehow I managed not to see any of these fly in!
- There were at least 30 Redwings on the football field at 08:55 until a dog-walker arrived.
- Just six Song Thrushes heard singing today. Perhaps the rain put them off. Four non-singing birds were seen though some could have been birds heard singing earlier.
- A Goldfinch was seen apparently pursuing a Redwings in to trees: most odd.
- The usual two Reed Buntings were seen and heard singing on territory. Another calling from a usual location. Oddly five other birds were seen to fly off from the SW / W area after 08:30 – a bit late for roost dispersal!

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound
- 4 Stock Doves: a duo and two singles again: see notes
- 14 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 29 Black-headed Gulls
- 8 Herring Gulls: seven of these first year birds
- 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 20 Jackdaws only
- 5 Rooks
- 2 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese: pair throughout; one arrived and chased away
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans again: see notes
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 21 (13♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 36 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes: pair
- 14 Black-headed Gulls only
- no large gulls
- 3 Cormorants: arrived?
- 1 Grey Heron

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 springtail sp., perhaps Entomobrya intermedia
- 1 small black beetle sp.

It seemed to be overcast so the sudden appearance of a red sky caught me by surprise and standing in the wrong area to get the best photo.

Luckily my Wellington boots allowed me to get to a slightly better vantage point.

Compare and contrast the size of a Coot, and its white shield; with a Moorhen and its red shield (with rain drops on its back).

Whilst keeping out of the rain in the sailing club shelter I was able to examine the various stages of head-moult on the adult Black-headed Gulls. This individual has yet to show any sign of breeding plumage.

One starting its moult.

The back bird here is more advanced with a well-defined rear edge.

And one in more or less full breeding plumage. Note that the dark area is a hood and not, as the species name implies, a head. In good light it is also apparent that the hood is a dark chocolate brown rather and not black.

At least thirty Redwings flew off the football field, mostly flying in to the tall trees in the Ricoh copse. This is one of the few that stopped in smaller bushes alongside Teece Drive.

Here looking quizzically at me. I am always surprised at the head-shape shown by many species when viewed front-on.

A springtail and seemingly differently marked from any I have seen previously. The best match I can find on the NatureSpot web site is Entomobrya intermedia. This species is noted as common and to be found all year.

I think I have seen this one of these small black beetles with their swollen hind femur previously. There are just too many small mainly black beetles for me to home in on an identity though I would think it is in one of the leaf beetle families.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:15 – 10:10

(45th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The pair of Teal again went for a fly around. They probably went inside the island somewhere as I could not find them later.
- No Great Crested Grebes located.
- A Jay seen in trees at the top end. Only my second record here this year.
- At least two Redwings were in trees near the top end.
- A Mistle Thrush was singing again from trees around The Priorslee when I arrived, but not later. Later it, or another, was heard singing distantly beyond the top end.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws

On /around the water:
- 14 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 31 (22♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 1 (1♂) Pochard again
- 71 (38♂) Tufted Duck
- 15 Moorhens
- 26 Coots
- no Great Crested Grebes
- 12 Black-headed Gulls only

On /around the street lamp poles or of interest elsewhere:

Nothing.

The dull conditions gave the best neutral light on this sleeping drake Pochard. With a slight photo-editing tweak the delicate flanks and back markings are visible for a change.

I had to shoot this singing Dunnock against the light. As a result it is does not show all its delicate plumage features to full advantage. They are most attractively marked despite their name being derived from 'dun-coloured bird'.

A mixture of shades of brown and grey.

Another 'branch in the way' photo. A male Siskin eating Alder seeds.

Not just a branch: I had a whole forest to negotiate to photograph this female Siskin.

(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

2014

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

2 Iceland Gulls

(Observer Unknown)

2013

Priorslee Lake

31 Wigeon 

7 Gadwall 

5 Pochard 

18 Tufted Ducks 

1 Greater Scaup

2 Lapwings

c.1600 Black-headed Gulls

c.800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

c.100 Herring Gulls

1 Iceland

1 Glaucous Gull

1 Caspian Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull

38 Redwings

2 Fieldfare

15 Siskins

(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant, Tom Lowe)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe

10 Pochard 

123 Tufted Duck 

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

21 Tufted Duck 

1 Goosander 

(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool

1 Yellow-legged Gull

(Tom Lowe)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

(Tom Lowe)

2012

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes

3 Pochard

32 Tufted Duck

4 Curlew

2 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock

26 Tufted Duck 

9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

13 Herring Gulls

1 Yellow-legged Gull

(Ed Wilson)

2010

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe as noted 

6 Great Crested Grebes

4 Gadwall

39 Pochard

57 Tufted Ducks

99 Coots 

29 Blackbirds

4 Redwing

8 Song Thrushes

22 Siskins

3 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Common Gull

6 Ravens

(Ed Wilson)

Woodhouse Lane

Stonechat

(John Isherwood)

2007

Priorslee Lake

4 Cormorant

2 Pochard

15 Tufted Duck

1 Ruddy Duck

1 Peregrine Falcon

26 Robin

11 Redwing

63 Magpie

196 Jackdaw

12 Greenfinch

10 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes

6 Great Crested Grebes

2 Cormorants

7 Pochard

35 Tufted Ducks

1 Water Rail

800 Wood Pigeon

142 Starlings

14 Pied Wagtails

18 Robins

20 Blackbirds

11 Fieldfare

10 Song Thrushes

2 Willow Tits

15 Greenfinches

11 Siskins

7 Reed Buntings 

(Ed Wilson)

27 Feb 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

2.0°C > 3.0°C: Almost clear skies. A keen moderate / fresh SE wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:02 GMT

* = a photo today

Back after a few days away.

Priorslee Lake: 06:10 – 09:05

(46th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Only a single Mute Swan cygnet was present when I arrived. When the cob woke up he spent his time chasing this and the Canada Geese. The cygnet left to the E at 07:30 and the Canada Geese went out of reach on the dam top.
- Two Great Crested Grebes were along the N side more or less throughout and displayed once. A third bird, a first year, moved around for a while and then went to sleep in the middle of the water.
- c.150 Black-headed Gulls were on the water and flying up and down at 06:10. They soon all settled until c.06:30. Whether they had been disturbed from roosting here or were just arriving when I first saw them is unclear. Later 78 were noted overhead, all flying S. These were likely different birds as those on the water had mainly headed off S or E.
- Just two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls dropped in briefly while the Black-headed Gulls were present. Later two more single adults visited briefly and then a lone first year Herring Gull.
- When the Grey Heron departed it revealed missing feathers on its wing identifying it as the same bird I photographed departing on 8th February.
- Siskins were back in some number today but very mobile and it was impossible to get an accurate count.


Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two singles outbound; duo inbound
- 13 Feral Pigeons: two groups
- 4 Stock Doves: a duo and two singles
- 63 Wood Pigeons
- 78 Black-headed Gulls
- 4 Herring Gulls: all first year birds
- 45 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Cormorants: together
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 24 Jackdaws only
- 6 Rooks
- 3 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: see notes
- 7 (6♂) Mallard
- 30 (21♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 35 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- >150 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 1 Herring Gull: first year bird
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

Street lamp poles:

Not checked:

Note:
Feedback from Nigel about the small spider with an all dark body and pale orangey legs that I photographed on Wednesday confirmed two things: it is one of the several hundred species of money spiders; and it cannot be specifically identified from a photograph!

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:10 – 10:00

(44th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The pair of Teal went for a fly around but soon returned to their frequent location alongside the island.
- I could only locate a single drake Pochard.
- Likewise only a single Great Crested Grebe.
- A few Siskins giving their wheezy calls from the trees. I have recorded no Lesser/Common Redpolls with them this winter.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

On /around the water:
- 15 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 24 (16♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal still
- 1 (1♂) Pochard only
- 73 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 14 Moorhens
- 25 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- 28 Black-headed Gulls

On /around the street lamp poles or of interest elsewhere:

Nothing.

The very brisk wind made it rather too cold to be active with the camera. This male Pied Wagtail was happily mopping up crumbs alongside Derwent Drive, allowing me to take a few photos out of the car window.

A few ruffled feathers in the breeze. It will soon be time to check all these wagtails for migrant White Wagtails. The males are relatively easily separated as they have contrasting grey rumps, though that can be tricky to see. Females of both species look very similar, being greyer on the back. Both sexes of White Wagtails have very white flanks unlike Pied Wagtails that, as we see here, are sullied grey.

One more.

(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

2014

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

2 Iceland Gulls

1 Caspian Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2013

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Greater Scaup

26 Wigeon

4 Gadwall 

33 Tufted Ducks 

84 Coots 

c.800 Black-headed Gulls

c.450 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

c.60 Herring Gulls

1 Great Black-backed Gull 

(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool

1 Glaucous Gull

(J W Reeves )

2012

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes

1 Shelduck

4 Pochard

30 Tufted Duck

35 Robins

24 Wrens

15 Dunnocks 

(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash

3 Great Crested Grebes

9 Pochard

53 Tufted Duck 

(Ed Wilson)

2010

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe 

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron 

4 Gadwall

35 Pochard

51 Tufted Ducks

1 Water Rail

103 Coots 

c.700 Black-headed Gulls

c.225 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

27 Herring Gulls

Common Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

2 Willow Tit

124 Jackdaws

86 Rooks

1 Linnet

14 Siskins

2 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

1 Glaucous Gull

1 Iceland Gull

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

4 Pochard 

19 Tufted Duck

1 Ruddy Duck

600 Black-headed Gulls

100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

1 Herring Gull

1 Great Black-backed Gull

36 Wren

28 Robin

7 Redwing

20 Magpie

134 Jackdaw 

8 Greenfinch

4 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

2006

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron

2 Cormorant

2 Gadwall

7 Pochard

42 Tufted Ducks

110 Coots

150 Starlings

23 Pied Wagtails

21 Wrens

15 Robins

17 Blackbirds

2 Redwings

1 Willow Tit

16 Greenfinches

38 Siskins

1 Redpoll

4 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

26 Feb 22

No Sightings in so far today..............

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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

2014

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes 

3 Cormorants 

1 Grey Heron 

8 Pochard 

4 Tufted Duck 

164 Black-headed Gulls

78 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

9 Herring Gulls

1 Yellow-legged Gull

16 Fieldfare

18 Redwings

c.800 Jackdaws

 >250 Rooks

20 Siskins

(Ed Wilson, Gary Crowder)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe 

185 Tufted Ducks

(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

2 Iceland Gulls

3 Caspian Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2013

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes 

33 Wigeon 

1 Common Teal 

4 Gadwall 

33 Tufted Ducks 

89 Coots 

c.650 Black-headed Gulls

c.410 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

41 Herring Gulls

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe

9 Pochard 

89 Tufted Duck 

1 Greater Scaup

(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

2010

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes 

18 Swans 

4 Gadwall

35 Pochard

44 Tufted Duck

96 Coots 

c.650 Black-headed Gulls 

c.220 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 

12 Herring Gulls 

1 other 'strange gull'!

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Iceland Gull

2 Curlew

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Water Rail

2 Sky Larks

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron

1 Cormorant

2 Gadwall

6 Pochard

45 Tufted Ducks

96 Coots

c.1000 Black-headed Gulls

274 Wood Pigeon

135 Jackdaws

111 Rooks

78 Starlings

45 Pied Wagtails

20 Robins

17 Blackbirds

10 Song Thrushes

4 Redwings

2 Willow Tits

20 Greenfinches

6 Siskins

5 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

25 Feb 22

No Sightings in today.

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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

2014

Priorslee Lake

8 Pochard 

5 Tufted Duck

5 Cormorant

1 Kittiwake

1 Great Black-backed Gull.

1 Iceland Gull

1 Caspian Gull

23 Redwings

c.800 Jackdaws

 >300 Rooks

 9 Siskins

(Ed Wilson, J. Reeves, P. Jordan, John Isherwood, Gary Crowder)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe

215 Tufted Ducks

2 Goosanders

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool

11 Tufted Duck

(Ed Wilson)

Telford Crematorium

Cackling Goose

300 Lesser Black-backed Gull

c.20 Herring Gull

500 Black-headed Gull 

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(Gary Crowder)

Nedge Hill

1 Stonechat

(John Isherwood)

2013

Priorslee Lake

3 Great Crested Grebes

25 Wigeon

4 Gadwall

17 Tufted Ducks

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

Greater Scaup

50 Tufted Duck

12 Pochard

(Jim Shannon)

2012

Priorslee Lake

5 Redpoll

Priorslee Flash

1 Goosander

Nedge Hill

8 Lapwing

(John Isherwood)

2010

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe 

5 Great Crested Grebes

4 Gadwall

47 Pochard

55 Tufted Duck

c.550 Black-headed Gulls

c. 800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls 

56 Herring Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

7 Pochard

7 Tufted Duck

1 Ruddy Duck

2 Kestrel

1 Peregrine Falcon

1 Lapwing

3 Grey Wagtail

26 Wren

28 Robin

21 Blackbird

15 Redwing

53 Magpie

14 Greenfinch

6 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

6 Great Crested Grebes

2 Gadwall

9 Pochard

56 Tufted Ducks

5 Cormorants

121 Coot

1 Mediterranean Gull

c.1100 Black-headed Gulls

211 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

33 Herring Gulls.

741 Wood Pigeon

289 Jackdaws

108 Rooks

290 Starlings

21 Reed Bunting

1 Sky Lark

11 Greenfinches

6 Siskins

23 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

29 Pied Wagtails

23 Blackbirds

6 Greenfinches

17 Siskins

1 Redpoll

6 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

24 Feb 22

No Sightings in today.

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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

2014

Priorslee Lake

5 Cormorants

3 Grey Herons

8 Pochard

8 Tufted Duck

1 Water Rail

1 Kingfisher

6 Redwings

391 Jackdaws

217 Rooks

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

201 Tufted Ducks

2 Goosanders

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

4 Great Crested Grebes

(Ed Wilson)

Hortonwood

21 Redwings

(Dave Tromans)

2013

Priorslee Lake

Glaucous Gull

(Observer Unknown)

The Flash

Drake Scaup

(Richard Vernon)

2012

Priorslee Lake

1 Glaucous Gull

1 Caspian Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2010

Priorslee Lake

2 Wigeon

55 Pochard

104 Tufted Duck

1 Common Gull

2 Ravens

22 Linnets

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Iceland Gull

200 Black-headed Gulls

400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

20 Herring Gulls

1 Yellow-legged Gull

Glaucous Gull

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

2008

Priorslee Lake

Iceland Gull

(Pete Nickless)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

3 Cormorant

5 Pochard

9 Tufted Duck

2 Kestrel

556 Wood Pigeon

27 Robin

23 Blackbird

1 Fieldfare

14 Redwing

47 Magpie

100 Jackdaw 

96 Rook

16 Greenfinch

3 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron

2 Cormorants

9 Pochard

36 Tufted Ducks

3 Water Rails

c.420 Wood Pigeon

c.60 Starling

29 Pied Wagtails

23 Blackbirds

6 Greenfinches

17 Siskins

1 Redpoll

6 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

23 Feb 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 9.0°C:  Early broken cloud with a light shower. Clearer after 08:00 with cloud developing again after 09:00. Moderate SW wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise:  07:10 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake:  06:10 – 09:15

(45th visit of the year)

A depressing day on two counts. Their remains fewer birds around than in previous years. Then as I was leaving I met contractors working for Severn Trent who were preparing to cut down yet more trees "that might fall on people walking round the lake". They explained they would not be leaving all the dead wood because "people might interfere with it". A chipper was being brought in. What can I say? No wonder nature is in crisis. In my youth when I went in the woods I was clearly trespassing on private land – which the lake is – and if I had an accident that was my problem. Whatever happened to "personal responsibility"?. I blame the lawyers: "somebody must be sued (and we will take a hefty percentage)". I am surprised Severn Trent don't drain the lake in case someone falls in. And then concrete it over to avoid anyone getting stuck in the (alleged) deep mud. Pah! Rant over.

Bird notes:

- Four single Stock Doves flew over at widely separate times. A trio was seen displaying overhead a traditional nest site around the garden centre to the far NE. How these three birds relate to those seen overhead is unclear.

- Yesterday's two Great Crested Grebes behaving as a pair were along the N side reeds (again no display seen). A pair was also seen displaying in the usual NW area. Try as I might I could never see more than three birds at any one time! I am almost certain there were four birds.

- The first Black-headed Gulls I noted were four flying E. Shortly afterwards 13 dropped in to the lake: most did not stay. A group of 42 was seen flying S to the W: these may have come off the Ricoh fields though I have logged them as overflying. Later 66 were noted on the water – where did they come from?

- All the Herring Gulls seen, both overhead and on the water, were first year birds. All bar one of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls were adults.

- Strangely I have only seen or heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker on three mornings so far this year. They are usually noisy both calling and drumming at this time of the year. I had plenty of records in November and December so where are they?

- The Cetti's Warbler was not heard.

- A mixed group of 4 Fieldfare and 36 Redwings flew E to the N. Four Redwings were noted leaving a roost in the NE area.

- For the first time for many weeks I neither heard nor saw a Siskin.

Birds noted flying over here:

- 8 Canada Geese: three duos and two singles outbound

- 3 (2♂) Mallard

- 4 Stock Doves: singles: see also notes

- 17 Wood Pigeons

- 1 Collared Dove again

- 49 Black-headed Gulls

- 5 Herring Gulls: first year birds, together

- 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

- 1 Sparrowhawk again

- 1 Common Buzzard

- 158 Jackdaws

- 4 Fieldfares: with...

- 36 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:

- 2 Canada Geese: throughout

- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Mute Swans

- *11 (9♂) Mallard

- 18 (10♂) Tufted Duck

- 3 Moorhens again

- 36 Coots

- 4 Great Crested Grebes: see notes

- >66 Black-headed Gulls: see notes

- 3 Herring Gulls: first year birds

- no Cormorant

- no Grey Heron

On the street lamp poles:

- *1 small red-eyed fly

- 1 springtail sp.

- *1 small spider

Otherwise noted:

- *several small and rather hairy flies sunning on a lamp pole.

When the moon is cross-lit the craters always show up well. Here at just about half-moon.

The early dawn did not look too inspiring.

This meant I was in the wrong place – on the dam top – when colour suddenly appeared and I had to make do with the Castle Farm Way trees as a foreground.

All was not quite lost as it did mean I could attempt to photograph the rainbow.

It is that time of year when Mallard are flying around, the ducks looking for somewhere to nest with drakes in close attendance. As usual drakes outnumber ducks.

A bit too far away. One Long-tailed Tit from one of the two groups that I noted this morning.

"Say ah!" A male Reed Bunting declaiming his territory.

He makes up in gusto for his rather nondescript utterings.

Meanwhile a female Reed Bunting in a different part of the lake demolishes one of the Greater Reedmace (Typha latifolia) [aka Bulrush].

At this date I assume she is after the seeds to eat rather than collecting nest lining.

The small red-eyed fly on a lamp pole pre-dawn. Looks to have a reddish or orange-toned body.

With the sun shining on one of the sheltered lamp poles there were four of these rather hairy flies getting some warmth. I cannot identify the species. The 'rainbow effect' in the wings is light interference patterns and not the colour of the wing structure.

Not much to characterise this small spider: all dark body and pale orangey legs. One for Nigel.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:25

(43rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:

- Just four drake Pochard all together by the island.

- The two Great Crested Grebes asleep together by the island for a while. They then disappeared.

- *A Grey Wagtail was singing from a small tree alongside the path around the lake.

Birds noted flying over here:

- 2 Black-headed Gulls

On /around the water:

- 26 Canada Geese again

- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans

- 34 (21♂) Mallard

- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)

- 2 (1♂) Teal again

- 4 (4♂) Pochard

- 71 (36♂) Tufted Duck

- 13 Moorhens

- 24 Coots

- 2 Great Crested Grebes

- 18 Black-headed Gulls: 12 of these arrived

- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, briefly

On /around the street lamp poles:

Nothing noted

Of interest elsewhere:

- *several Common Drone Flies (Eristalis tenax)

- *several Muscid flies

- *a few Daisies (Bellis perennis) in full bloom

Singing away here is what I assume is a male Grey Wagtail. The black bib that both males and older females acquire in the breeding season is not yet fully developed. Note however that this bird has one (or more) rings on its legs. It is not possible to see the whole suite of rings but it is almost certainly the male that was ringed as a juvenile at Heysham in Lancashire in September 2020, first noted here in November 2020 and which bred in the area last year.

"Who are you?"

Just a Daisy (Bellis perennis). This species can be seen in flower at almost all times of the year. Until today when the warmth of the sun perked a few up most were rather sad-looking.

This one must have been producing nectar. A Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) is taking advantage. My first hoverfly of the year.

The same drone fly in close-up. Note the shade in the wings which it shares with the similar Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax). This latter species has pale yellow front and mid-tarsi.

Another unidentified fly species. This has rather more markings in the wings than many I see.

One of the regularly seen Muscid flies resting on the Ivy bank. The black area under the left leg is I think entirely co-incidental.

What seems to be the same Muscid species here resting on "The Priorslee" sign which provides a contrast to show its hairy bum (am I allowed to say that these days? Or am I being 'bummist?')

(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

2014

Priorslee Lake

5 Cormorants

3 Grey Herons

8 Pochard

8 Tufted Duck

1 Water Rail

1 Kingfisher

6 Redwings

391 Jackdaws

217 Rooks

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

201 Tufted Ducks

2 Goosanders

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

4 Great Crested Grebes

(Ed Wilson)

Hortonwood

21 Redwings

(Dave Tromans)

2013

Priorslee Lake

Glaucous Gull

(Observer Unknown)

The Flash

Drake Scaup

(Richard Vernon)

2012

Priorslee Lake

1 Glaucous Gull

1 Caspian Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2010

Priorslee Lake

2 Wigeon

55 Pochard

104 Tufted Duck

1 Common Gull

2 Ravens

22 Linnets

(Ed Wilson)

2009

Priorslee Lake

Iceland Gull

200 Black-headed Gulls

400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

20 Herring Gulls

1 Yellow-legged Gull

Glaucous Gull

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

2008

Priorslee Lake

Iceland Gull

(Pete Nickless)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

3 Cormorant

5 Pochard

9 Tufted Duck

2 Kestrel

556 Wood Pigeon

27 Robin

23 Blackbird

1 Fieldfare

14 Redwing

47 Magpie

100 Jackdaw 

96 Rook

16 Greenfinch

3 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron

2 Cormorants

9 Pochard

36 Tufted Ducks

3 Water Rails

c.420 Wood Pigeon

c.60 Starling

29 Pied Wagtails

23 Blackbirds

6 Greenfinches

17 Siskins

1 Redpoll

6 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

22 Feb 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

7.0°C > 10.0°C: Broken cloud under high overcast. Some breaks developed after 08:00 then some showery rain c.09:30 for a while. Moderate SW wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 07:12 GMT

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:10 – 09:20

(44th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- 17 is my highest count of Tufted Duck this month. This was rather surprising because after all the rain the whole lake is very muddy which must make their food – weed at the bottom of the lake – rather unappetizing.
- Two Great Crested Grebes, behaving as a pair (although no display seen), were inspecting the N side reeds. No sign of the pair seen 10 days ago in the NW area.
- A Woodcock flew low across the water at the rather late time of 06:45.
- No large gulls stopped off on the lake and very few overhead.
- The Cetti's Warbler was very vocal for over 10 minutes after 06:50 though the song was strangely muffled somehow.
- A mixed group of c.5 Fieldfare and c.10 Redwings were in trees near the Teece Drive gate.
- 13 Song Thrushes heard in song between the pedestrian crossing in Teece Drive and all around the lake. This seems to be a consistent number on fine days. Still only two Blackbirds in song early.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 6 Canada Geese: three duos outbound
- 4 Greylag Geese: two duos outbound
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 6 Feral Pigeons: single, duo and trio
- 4 Stock Doves: two duos
- 6 Wood Pigeons only again
- 1 Collared Dove
- 10 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 173 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook
- 1 Raven
- 5 Redwings: together
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 1 Greenfinch

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 + 3 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 17 (10♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens
- 39 Coots again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 33 Black-headed Gulls
- no large gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived and departed
- 1 Grey Heron

On the street lamp poles:
- 1 barkfly sp.
- 1 springtail sp.
- 1 Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

Otherwise noted:
- Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) flowers

 "Red sky in the morning". Luckily there was rather little rain and the wind was no more than fresh.

Attractive for a while.

It is just about possible to separate the spots on the wing of this barkfly from the random markings on the lamp pole. It may be Ectopsocus briggsi agg. (three species that cannot be separated from photos).

Yet another attempt to get a satisfactory photo of one of the springtail sp. Probably Dicyrtomina saundersi.

A Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) in typical pose with the two front pairs of legs held together.

My first Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) flowers of the year. Looks as if the flowers have been open for a few days. My earliest date for flowers remains 3 February 2016.

And an about to open 'pussy willow' - flowers of one of the many willow bushes around the lake.

In the foreground a cleared area of bushes and small trees. I was told that this has been done by the sailing club in order to increase the wind in the area around the slipway and the piers where they launch and retrieve their boats. I was assured that the planned task had been completed and no more vegetation will be touched.

Rather to my surprise this male Reed Bunting was still singing away in the area.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:25 – 10:15

(42nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- All the geese are now obviously paired. The cob Mute Swan has taken to chasing them.
- The pair of Teal still here
- Back to five drake Pochard with four together at the top end and one at the bottom end.
- Just one Great Crested Grebe noted.
- Very few gulls here as well.

Birds noted flying over here:

None

On /around the water:
- 26 Canada Geese: two of these flew off
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 29 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 5 (5♂) Pochard
- 69 (40♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens only
- 22 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebes only
- 11 Black-headed Gulls only

On /around the street lamp poles:

Nothing noted

Of interest elsewhere:
- Daffodils in flower
- First Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) flowers just opening.

I am still trying to show the delicate vermiculations on the back and flanks of drake Pochard. Not too great here.

My best to date.

"Name that flower". "Daffodil". "Correct".

Rather too gloomy to get a sharp picture of these flowers. They are of Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris). This is the earliest umbellifer to flower in our area. It is characterised by umbels and individual flowers that are well-separated. My previous earliest date here is 29 March!

(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

2014

Priorslee Lake

3 Great Crested Grebes 

5 Cormorants 

1 Grey Heron 

7 Pochard 

3 Tufted Duck

11 Redwings

>800 Jackdaws

127 Rooks

9 Ravens

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Little Grebe 

1 Greylag x Canada x ? Goose 

172 Tufted Ducks 

3 Goosanders 

(Ed Wilson)

Telford Crematorium

Iceland Gull

(Observer Unknown)

2013

Priorslee Lake

23 Wigeon

4 Gadwall

(Martin Grant)

The Flash

Drake Scaup

(JW Reeves)

Horsehay Pool

Iceland Gull

(Jim Almond)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

2 Iceland Gulls 

2 Glaucous Gulls

(Tom Lowe)

2012

Priorslee Lake

1 Great Black-backed Gull

(Martin Grant)

2010

Priorslee Lake

2 Teal

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

1 Mallard x Pintail

2 Shoveler

4 Pochard

4 Tufted Duck

2 Buzzard

1 Common Gull

5 Fieldfare

6 Redwing

41 Magpie

197 Jackdaw

13 Greenfinch

7 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

7 Great Crested Grebes

2 Herons

4 Cormorants

6 Pochard

21 Tufted Ducks

116 Coots

1 Water Rail

627 Wood Pigeon

13 Pied Wagtails

28 Blackbirds

4 Willow Tits

10 Greenfinches

133 Siskins

1 Linnet

6 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)