31 Mar 22

No Sightings in today.

Note:

This cold snap has seen quite a few Summer visitors grounded along the south coast. Here are few of them on Portland, recorded on  29 March and 30 March

A male Ring Ouzel on Portland (29 Mar 22).  A few occasionally pass through Telford.

(Martin Adlam Co-founder FoPL)

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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

13 Cormorants

4 Greylag Geese

22 Tufted Duck

5 Sand Martins

6 Redwings

8 Chiffchaffs

>500 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

50 Tufted Ducks

4 Chiffchaffs

4 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)

2013

Priorslee Lake

1 Little Grebe

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Cormorant

7 Wigeon 

2 Gadwall 

1 Pochard 

42 Tufted Ducks 

1 Great Black-backed Gull

Mediterranean Gull.

Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull.

>1500 Black-headed Gulls

2 Redwings

65 Magpies

25 Siskins

2 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes 

6 Swans

2 Pochard 

85 Tufted Duck 

(Ed Wilson)

2010

Priorslee Lake

3 Buzzards

1 Little Grebe 

5 Great Crested Grebe

4 Gadwall

36 Tufted Duck

c.160 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

4 Great Crested Grebe 

3 Greylag Geese 

32 Tufted Duck

Trench

1 Cormorant

43 Tufted Ducks

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

Little Ringed Plover

1 Cormorant

1 Mallard x Pintail

18 Tufted Duck

1 Ruddy Duck

1 Little Ringed Plover

1 Kittiwake

33 Wren

29 Robin

24 Blackbird

3 Chiffchaff

39 Magpie

3 Greenfinch

6 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

8 Great Crested Grebe

2 Pochard

27 Tufted Duck

1 Snipe

3 Chiffchaff

2 Reed Bunting

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

1 Barn Owl

1 Little Grebe

5 Great Crested Grebes

1 Shoveler

30 Tufted Ducks

2 Water Rails

321 Wood Pigeons

2 Sky Larks

5 Meadow Pipits

33 Wrens

21 Robins

21 Blackbirds

1 Fieldfare

3 Redwings

1 Chiffchaff

1 Willow Tit

18 Greenfinches

8 Siskins

1 Linnet

6 Reed Buntings

1 Yellowhammer.

(Ed Wilson)

30 Mar 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 6.0°C: Low overcast with only a few brighter moments. Light ESE wind. Moderate visibility.

Sunrise: 06:50 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:00 – 09:25

(76th visit of the year)

Bird of the day was an *Oystercatcher heard and then seen on the SW grassy area at 06:40. It was still there until 08:30 at least. Bird species #76 for me here this year.

Also worth highlighting were very many Redwings overhead. A party of at least 130 flew E at 06:55. c.75 were then seen flying N a few minutes later with 26 then seen flying S. At 07:10 a group of c.65 flew E. Whether all these were separate groups or whether the original group had split up is hard to say. I cannot recall ever seeing such large groups in Spring when numbers typically just fade away. Three birds were seen in trees around the Teece Drive gate at c.09:10 – a bit of an anti-climax.

And birds that got away. When I first heard the Oystercatcher call in flight I was along the N side in trees. As I got to a clearing which enabled a view of both the lake and the sky six small ducks got up from just in front of me and flew away E along the tree-line not giving me any sort of view. Possibly Teal?

Other bird notes:
- There were certainly three pairs of Great Crested Grebes with two of these having a serious-looking fight. Pairs were seen in four different general areas; as it often seem to be, I could never find all four pairs at the same time.
- Although there were 14 singing Chiffchaffs again one of the 'regulars' was not noted. There was an additional bird along the N side both calling and singing very quietly.
- Four singing Blackcaps now.
- All the Siskins seem to be long-gone as do most of the Goldfinches.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 5 Canada Geese: a pair outbound: a trio undecided
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 9 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Herring Gulls: both immatures flying S
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult? flying W
- 1 Grey Heron
- 4 Jackdaws only
- 2 Rooks
- >130 Redwings: as highlighted

Hirundines etc. noted:

None
They seem very tardy arriving this year.

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler still: noted here since 21st October 2021
- 14 (14) Chiffchaffs: see notes
- 4 (4) Blackcaps

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 (5♂) Mallard
- 6 unidentified small ducks: departed
- 7 Moorhens
- 30 Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard in NE area
- 6 (8?) Great Crested Grebes: see notes
- *1 Oystercatcher
- 3 Herring Gulls: all immatures briefly
- 1 Kingfisher

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- many plumed midges Chironomus plumosus
- many smaller midges, likely Chaoborus crystalinus
- 1 springtail sp.

Later:

Nothing of note

Not much to show today. This is the Oystercatcher as seen in the dull conditions at 07:00. There seems to be the hint of a white chinstrap which suggests that this is a first year bird.

Here later, in slightly better light, though I was having to shoot in to this light. Any remnant white chinstrap is not at all apparent here – just the merest hint below and behind the eye which not be apparent without having seen the previous view.

One more.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:30 – 10:25

(73rd visit of the year)

New for my 2022 bird list for here was Raven. One bird was heard and then seen being 'guided away' by the local Carrion Crows. I was amused to see that when the Raven inverted – as they often do during display – the harassing crow followed suit. Species #56.

Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan was once again on the grass alongside Derwent Drive though he did later enter the water a give half-hearted chase to the 2019 bird. This latter bird had earlier been trying climb in the nest with the brooding pen. The two 2021 cygnets were forced to amuse themselves. All very strange behaviour.
- As from 1st April I will no longer log the 2021 Mute Swans as cygnets and 3 + 2 (1) will become 5.
- The pair of Shoveler seem to have shoved back again. I wonder whether they ever left as they re-appeared only briefly and are presumably spending time inside the island.
- Talking of which I realise I did see the all-white duck yesterday asleep inside the island. At the time I thought it was the third year Herring Gull that had gone for a nap as I could not see the gull elsewhere. The duck was in exactly the same place today.
- Tufted Duck were flying around again. The minimum number was 51 (34♂): perhaps as many as 60 (40♂).
- Both yesterday and today I heard Stock Doves calling from trees in the SE area.
- Definitely a third Great Crested Grebe with all three birds visible at the same time. One was asleep more or less throughout.
- Two Black-headed Gulls again. One was the bird seen the previous two days with adult wings and tail but no black on the head. Today the other bird was a classic a first year individual.
- Two singing Blackcaps again but neither was where I heard them yesterday.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Raven

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 5 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again

On /around the water:
- 27 Canada Geese: of these three arrived as a pair and a single
- 7 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans: number of eggs unknown
- 2 (1♂) Shoveler
- 21 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 51 (34♂) Tufted Duck: see notes
- 12 Moorhens again
- 26 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 2 Herring Gull: one first years and one third year
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: first year

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- *1 Brindled Pug moth (Eupithecia abbreviata): moth species #4 at this site for me in 2022
- *1 plumed midge Chironomus plumosus
- several other unidentified midges

Noted elsewhere:
- 1 Grey Squirrel again

What is this all about? The resident pen is sitting on the eggs. The other Mute Swan here can be identified as the 2019 bird by the absence of rings on its legs. Meanwhile the cob was on the grass beside the road seemingly unconcerned. He did enter the water and paddle in pursuit a bit later.

I have mentioned branches, nay forests, in the way previously. Our ringed male Grey Wagtail is often to be found near the top end.

I almost managed to avoid the twigs. Note here the length of the tail. It is longer than in any other species of wagtail.

Two for the price of one: on the right a Brindled Pug moth (Eupithecia abbreviata). On the left in almost certainly a female and hence non-plumed example of a plumed midge Chironomus plumosus.

(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

1 Little Grebe

4 Great Crested Grebes

3 Cormorants

1 Grey Heron

19 Tufted Duck

4 Meadow Pipits

1 Redwing

1 Blackcap

7 Chiffchaffs

197 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes

1 Cackling Goose

2 Common Teal

42 Tufted Ducks

3 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

2013

Horsehay Pool

Mandarin Ducks

(JW Reeves)

2012

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes

15 Tufted Duck

1 Peregrine Falcon

3 Blackcaps

12 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood )

The Flash 

46 Tufted Duck 

3 Blackcaps

4 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

Raven

(John Isherwood)

2006

Priorslee Lake

7 Chiffchaff

1 Willow Warbler

1 Swallow

14 Tufted Duck

2 Ruddy Duck

1 Sparrowhawk

5 Great Crested Grebe

1 Little Grebe

1 Grey Heron

20 Redwing

4 Siskins

2 Linnet

9 Greenfinch

4 Reed Bunting

10 Meadow Pipit

1 Willow Tit

(Martin R Adlam)

29 Mar 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 8.0°C: A few small areas of high cloud early, Still hazy. Low cloud for a while c.09:45. Light NE wind. Moderate visibility.

Sunrise: 06:52 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 09:05

(75th visit of the year)

Bird of the day was a very early Common Sandpiper on the concrete slipway by 06:55. My first record in March. Bird species #75 for me here this year.

Bird notes:
- Little Grebe(s) were heard calling in both the NE and NW areas. Two pairs here? None seen.
- The Great Crested Grebes were less confusing with 10 birds on the water, all paired and all five pairs visible at the same time.
- A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen bounding in from a long way to the E – a tiny dot when I first saw it.
- A second singing Blackcap now.
- The party of 23 Redwings were heading S. Have they been watching the weather forecast and decided not to head off for Scandinavia just yet?
- One Dunnock was delivering a strange song. In the middle of every one of the usual jaunty jumble of notes there was a single call note of Chaffinch. Most odd.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 5 Canada Geese: a pair and a trio outbound
- 54 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 2 Herring Gulls: both immatures flying S
- 26 Jackdaws
- 8 Starlings: together
- 23 Redwings: together

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler again
- 14 (14) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck again
- 4 Moorhens
- 32 Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard again: see notes
- 10 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: two adults and one first year, all individually and briefly

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- many plumed midges Chironomus plumosus
- many smaller midges, likely Chaoborus crystalinus
No spiders

Species noted later:
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- Grey Squirrel

As the sunrise moves in to the E photos need to be taken from a different vantage point.

Another different perspective.

And the long view. Distinctly hazy.

A surprise was this Common Sandpiper, here rather against the light. Typical first dates for Spring passage are 9th/10th April and this is my first March record.

Considering the light-level at sun-up I was pleased how much detail I could get. Some birds do not have far to migrate, spending the winter around the southern English coast. Most go to Africa and many go to sub-Saharan Africa though they likely go around the coast.

A feature of this species is its constant tail bobbing as demonstrated in this shot taken with a slow shutter speed.

Two male Pied Wagtails on the 'boxing ring' on top of the dam.

A disagreement about which way to go.

Not strictly flowers, though in a way they are. This is a large willow bush covered in catkins.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:10 – 10:05

(72nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan was still on the grass alongside Derwent Drive throughout. I hope he is not unwell.
- The pair of Shoveler seem to have shoved off.
- Two puzzling Black-headed Gulls today. One was yesterday's bird with adult wings and tail but no black on the head. The other had a complete black hood with a deep red bill suggesting an adult. Yet the wing-pattern of brown feathers and an obvious tail band meant it must be a first year bird.
- I heard a Reed Bunting here on March 14 but have not seen or heard one since. One of the residents told me they have one currently coming to their feeders.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 4 Jackdaws

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

On /around the water:
- 34 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans: number of eggs unknown
- 22 (18♂) Mallard
- the all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck) not seen
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 49 (29♂) Tufted Duck
- 12 Moorhens
- 27 Coots again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 2 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 3 Herring Gull: two first years and one third year

Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- many plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus)

Noted elsewhere:
- 1 Grey Squirrel

The 2019 Mute Swan and one of the 2021 first year birds looking 'friendly'. Bottom foreground are the long-staying pair of Teal.

I may need to revise my thinking about the 2019 bird. I had assumed that because the resident cob had, more or less, allowed it to stay it was a female. Here it seems to be the larger of the two birds and has a significant swelling at the base of the bill: this is larger in males. So perhaps it is a cob after all.

 I suppose there is a good evolutionary reason for the Coots' stupid-looking feet.

As noted this Black-headed Gull shows a complete black hood with a deep red bill which suggests it is an adult. Yet the wing-pattern of brown feathers and an obvious tail band means it must be a first year bird.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Avenue underpass

A quick visit here yielded two insects that were not the usual plumed midges. This is my first proper cranefly of the year after a number of the small (unidentifiable by me) 'winter craneflies'. This seems to be Tipula rufina, noted as a Spring-flying species.

This is a distinctive-looking insect. It seems rather fat-bodied and relatively short-winged for a midge. I cannot offer any other suggestion.

(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

2 Little Grebes

3 Great Crested Grebes

4 Cormorants

1 Grey Heron

31 Tufted Duck

3 Redwings

5 Sand Martins

7 Chiffchaffs

1 Willow Warbler

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes

1 Cackling Goose

2 Common Teal

49 Tufted Ducks

3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers

4 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

3 Great Crested Grebes

17 Tufted Ducks

1 Blackcap

2 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool

3 Tufted Duck

3 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

2013

Priorslee Lake

2 Gadwall

7 Wigeon

Iceland Gull

(John Isherwood and et al)

The Flash

1 Shoveler

2 Pochard

(John Isherwood)

Horsehay Pool

2 Mandarin Ducks

(Paul Spear)

2012

Priorslee Lake

3 Great Crested Grebes

16 Tufted Duck 

2 Blackcaps

12 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

4 Great Crested Grebes 

47 Tufted Duck

1 Blackcap

5 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

2 Red-legged Partridges

(Ed Wilson)

2008

Priorslee Lake

Oystercatcher

Blackcap

5 Chiffchaffs

Sand Martins

7 Gadwall

(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill

2 Wheatear

6 Sky Larks

1 Fieldfare

3 Redwings

Lapwing

Green Woodpecker

14 Linnets.

(Ed Wilson) 

2006

Priorslee Lake

 Barn Owl

25 Sand Martins

3 Chiffchaffs

1 Willow Warbler

47 Redwings

4 Meadow Pipits

12 Tufted Duck

4 Jays

433 Wood Pigeons

(Ed Wilson)

28 Mar 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

9.0°C: Early low / medium overcast began to break by 09:00 with a more general clearance after 09:30. Light SW wind. Moderate visibility, becoming good.

Sunrise: 06:54 BST

* = a photo today

Upon leaving I noted Telford and Wrekin Council were demonstrating their ETS (Environmental Tidiness Syndrome) credentials. Their contractors were mowing the verges and chopping the heads off the wild flowers (known as weeds to the council)

Priorslee Lake: 05:55 – 09:20

(74th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The Great Crested Grebes were as confusing as yesterday. There is clearly a lone bird. There seemed to be pairs displaying in three different general areas though try as I might I could only ever see five of these birds at any one time!
- The first of four Lesser Black-backed Gulls that dropped in took exception to the Grey Heron and chased it away.
- The quartet of Cormorants were flying 'the wrong way' – NW: usually I see this species flying between S and W.
- Just a single Blackcap heard singing – and that took some finding.
- Unusually a Tree Creeper was heard singing in two different locations.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound
- 1 Greylag Goose: inbound and immediately outbound
- 25 Wood Pigeons
- 13 Herring Gulls: all immatures once again; and all flying S
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: one flying S, one W, both (near) adults
- 4 Cormorants: together
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 18 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 14 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap only

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens yet again
- 31 Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard only
- 6 (7?) Great Crested Grebes again
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all (near) adults, briefly
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- several plumed midges Chironomus plumosus
- *many smaller midges, likely Chaoborus crystalinus
- *1 juvenile Amaurobius sp. spider
- *3 Clubiona spider sps.
- *1 Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider

Noted later:
- Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris). Several queen-sized individuals looking for nest sites.

I am sure that it is coincidence and this midge has not been sick. It is a female with simple antennae. It may be Chaoborus crystalinus though the body looks rather plump and the antennae rather short.

It was nearly all spiders on the lamp poles this morning. Nigel has identified it as a juvenile Amaurobius sp., a group known as Lace-web spiders. A common member is A. fenestralis that builds its web, as that name implies, around window frames.

Here is a Clubiona spider.

And here is another. The markings on the abdomen are variable and do not enable the species to be determined.

Now a third. This group of spiders are known as foliage spiders. As with so many insects "microscopic examination of the genitalia is necessary to confirm identification". That is only part one. You then have to know what you are looking for to separate them!

Not easy to see but a Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider has a midge in its jaws. The spider runs top right with its front legs bottom left. The unfortunate midge is at right angles.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:25 – 10:25

(71st visit of the year)

The sequence number has been wrong for some days: now corrected.

Bird notes:
- I would have thought it unusual for the geese to still be moving around in so large a group as the 28 that arrived together. I would have expected them to be paired and keeping near nest sites.
- The cob Mute Swan was again on the grass alongside Derwent Drive throughout. His mate briefly left the nest and I was able to photograph the seven eggs.
- A pair of Shoveler again.
- Ageing the Black-headed Gull was a puzzle. The wing and tail patterns were that of an adult but it showed no indication of the dark hood that it should have acquired some weeks ago.
- Only one Blackcap noted again. The migrants are taking their time to arrive.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap again

On /around the water:
- 62 Canada Geese: of these a trio and a party of 26 arrived
- 8 Greylag Geese: of these a pair departed and a pair arrived with the 26 Canada Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans: there are *seven eggs
- *2 (1♂) Shoveler
- 19 (16♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal again
- 46 (30♂) Tufted Duck
- 14 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- *1 Black-headed Gull: see notes
- 1 Herring Gull: second year

Noted on / around the street lamp poles
- *1 Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)

Elsewhere:

Nothing of note

Seven eggs in the Mute Swans' nest.

A pair of Shoveler ducks were present again. The drake looks to be eyeing me suspiciously.

Another view of that extraordinary bill, used to filter food from the water. Has developed rather like baleen plates in whales.

The duck from the other side

In the drake because the bill is all black the shape is not so apparent.

And now the drake from the other side.

Here is the puzzling Black-headed Gull. The wing and tail pattern matches an adult but there is no hint of a dark hood that it should have acquired some weeks ago. A Canada Goose and Coot look on.

Well it was right at the top of the tallest lamp pole around here. It is a Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare), my first of the year. It is a male: females have triangular yellow marks.

This moth was photographed at my house. It joined me for breakfast in my kitchen. It is a Beautiful Plume (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla). I saw my first-ever at the lake late last September. This moth is double-brooded with the later brood hibernating as adults which is what this is.

(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

2 Little Grebes

4 Great Crested Grebes

9+ Cormorants

1 Grey Heron

2 Swans

2 Shoveler

30 Tufted Duck

10 Chiffchaffs

 5 Siskins

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

2 Great Crested Grebes

1 Cackling Goose

51 Tufted Ducks

3 Chiffchaffs

1 Meadow Pipit

2 Fieldfare

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

7 Meadow Pipits

c.150 Fieldfare

c.30 Starlings

1 Chiffchaff

(Ed Wilson)

2013

Priorslee Lake

7 Wigeon

22 Tufted Duck

1 Glaucous Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull

1 hybrid Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull

1 Mediterranean Gull

c.400 Black-headed Gulls

63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

4 Herring Gulls.

(Tom Lowe, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill

2 Lapwing

(Martin Grant)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site

1 Glaucous Gull

Iceland Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull.

(Tom Lowe)

2012

Priorslee Lake

10 Chiffchaffs singing

4 Blackcaps singing

1 Sky Lark

1 Willow Tit

1 Raven flew over

3 Great Crested Grebes

11 Tufted Duck 

(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers

38 Tufted Duck

5 Chiffchaffs singing

(Ed Wilson)

2008

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes 

6 Gadwall

c.15 Tufted Duck

1 Fieldfare

11 Linnets

5 Chiffchaffs

c.40 Sand Martins

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 

4 Great Crested Grebes

30 Tufted Ducks

Siskins

2 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

10 Meadow Pipits

Linnets

Sky Larks

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

7 Great Crested Grebes

2 Cormorants

14 Tufted Ducks

3 Ruddy Ducks

1 Kittiwake

242 Wood Pigeons

4 Stock Doves

2 Buzzards

1 Kestrel

3 Meadow Pipits

3 Grey Wagtails

9 Pied Wagtails

26 Wrens

3 Fieldfare

94 Redwings

2 Swallow

13 Sand Martins

1 Blackcap

1 Willow Warbler

7 Chiffchaffs

18 Magpies

4 Jays

127 Jackdaws

13 Greenfinches

7 Siskins

7 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

27 Mar 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 9.0°C again: Clear early. Low cloud from lifted local mist for a while. Later increasing medium level clouds and eventually overcast. Light and variable wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:57 BST

* = a photo today

Note: all times now BST. With darker mornings for a few weeks it will be back to 'winter' schedule of two laps (at least) of the lake; and The Flash as a later visit.

Priorslee Lake: 06:00 – 09:15

(73rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A Pheasant called once in the distance at 07:00.
- A pair of Canada Geese was present at 06:10. These were presumed to be the pair seen flying off at 07:30. The same, or another pair, was on the water at 08:40.
- As usual the Great Crested Grebes continue to confuse. A pair was displaying in the NW area at 07:00. At 08:10 two pairs were displaying close to a fifth bird in the SE area. At that time I could only see a single bird in the NW area. A few minutes later there were a pair displaying in the NW area but one of the two pairs seen in the SE area was no longer to be seen! Certainly six birds: I suspect a seventh.
- A Mistle Thrush was singing alongside Teece Drive as it often does currently. Two other Mistle Thrushes flushed off the dam in to trees across Castle Farm Way. For many years a single pair has bred in the Ricoh copse. This year I have seen additional birds both here and at The Flash, I have not worked out where there might be different territories.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 5 Canada Geese: a pair and a trio outbound
- 5 Stock Doves: single and two pairs
- 15 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Collared Doves: together
- 8 Herring Gulls: all immatures yet again; all flying S
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: also flying S
- 2 Common Buzzards
- 11 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks again
- 1 Raven
- 5 Meadow Pipits: two groups

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- no Cetti's Warbler
- 14 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again

Counts from the lake area:
- 4 Canada Geese: see notes
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 (5♂) Mallard
- 6 (5♂) Tufted Duck: of these 1 (1♂) flew off
- 7 Moorhens again
- 29 Coots only
- 1 Little Grebe seen: none heard
- 6 (7?) Great Crested Grebes: see notes

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn
- 1 presumed Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea) yet again
- *1 Clubiona spider sp.

Noted later:
- Buff-tailed Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)
- *Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

There was a sunrise...

..and bright sun for a while. The view from the dam with reflections in the water is always a pleasant sight.

One of the many Song Thrushes around the area. When I do my first walk around I can usually hear eight or nine in song. This was one of two together on the ground briefly and much later. At least one has found a mate.

Now this IS a Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) with dark front legs.

This is a species of Clubiona spider. The unusual horizontal pale band across the middle of the abdomen is, Nigel tells me, a parasitic wasp grub. He explains "The grub is slowly consuming the spider and, at the end, will cause the spider to weave a protective cocoon for the grub to pupate in". All life (and death) is here!

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:10

(68th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The Greylag Geese were as three pairs. The lone individual that seemed to be making overtures at a Canada Goose was not obvious.
- The cob Mute Swan was on the grass alongside Derwent Drive throughout while his mate was sitting on the eggs.
- One of 2021 cygnets continues to spend time close to the 2019 bird. The other cygnet is usually on its own.
- I suppose it was predictable that the Teal would reappear today.
- A Great Crested Grebe was by the island when I arrived and also when I departed. A pair was displaying at the top end. I suspect that there are three birds though I could never see them all at the same time.
- Only one Blackcap noted.
- A Mistle Thrush flew low over towards the NE at the same time as another was singing from trees near The Priorslee.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Mistle Thrush: see notes

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 6 (6) Chiffchaffs remain
- 1 (1) Blackcap only

On /around the water:
- 32 Canada Geese: of these a pair flew off
- 6 Greylag Geese
- 3 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans: it was reported that there are seven eggs
- 21 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 46 (27♂) Tufted Duck
- 17 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- 2 (3?) Great Crested Grebes

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 plumed midge, likely Chironomus plumosus.
- *1 Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica) spider

This tiny spider is a Walnut Orb Weaver (Nuctenea umbratica) [or toad spider]. It was tucked in the crease of one of the lamp poles which it was able to do because it is a juvenile. Spiders grow throughout their lives (unlike, say, beetles that emerge fully grown). As they grow they periodically shed their 'old skin' – properly called their exoskeleton – for a larger one.

(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

6 Great Crested Grebes

5+ Cormorants

31 Tufted Duck

1 Kittiwake

7 Fieldfare

6 Chiffchaffs

c.230 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Cackling Goose

2 Teal

49 Tufted Ducks

3 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

2013

Priorslee Lake

2 Little Grebes

7 Great Crested Grebes

7 Wigeon 

2 Gadwall 

1 Pochard 

34 Tufted Ducks 

c.500 Black-headed Gulls

7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

31 Herring Gulls

1 Common Gull

1 Yellow-legged Gull

1 Great Black-backed Gull 

5 Redwings

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 

3 Great Crested Grebes 

1 Pochard 

62 Tufted Duck 

Steppe Gull?

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool

2 Great Crested Grebes 

1 Cormorant 

26 Tufted Duck 

(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool

3 Cormorants

2 Goosander 

(Ed Wilson)

2011

Priorslee Lake

1 Dunlin

1 Raven

(John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash

2 Shoveler

1 Willow Warbler

(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill

4 Wheatear

(John Isherwood)

2010

Priorslee Lake

16 Fieldfares

1 Willow Warbler

4 Great Crested Grebe 

4 Herons 

4 Gadwall

29 Tufted Duck

c.215 Jackdaws

(Ed Wilson)

2007

Priorslee Lake

2 Pochard

27 Tufted Ducks

16 Meadow Pipits

36 Robins

28 Blackbirds

5 Chiffchaffs

1 Redpoll

7 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

5 Great Crested Grebes

1 Pochard

24 Tufted Ducks

2 Ruddy Duck

1 Water Rail

127 Wood Pigeon

21 Wrens

3 Fieldfare

3 Redwing

3 Chiffchaff

2 Willow Warblers

8 Sand Martins

22 Siskin

6 Linnets

4 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam, Martin Grant)