7.0°C > 8.0°C: A promising start with a few breaks in a medium overcast soon deteriorated in to another low overcast morning. Light north-east breeze. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 06:45 BST
* = a species photographed today.
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:40 – 09:05
(77th visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- Two Pheasant were heard calling: one from the Ricoh copse; and one from the remnant wooded area between the academy and the new houses.
- In addition to the presumed resident and potentially breeding pair of Canada Geese another pair and a trio visited briefly before being chased away: as did a pair of Greylag Geese.
- A party of at least 10 Jackdaws flew low South at roost dispersal time – my first such party for some weeks. They were flying behind trees and I was not able to make an accurate count.
- For the first time this year I noted more singing Blackbirds (13) than singing Song Thrushes (10) pre-sunrise.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 8 Canada Geese: pair outbound; three pairs inbound
- 1 (♂?) Tufted Duck
- 7 Wood Pigeons
- 4 Herring Gulls: all adults
- 3 Cormorants: a duo and a single
- >10 Jackdaws: see notes
- 2 Rooks
Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 4 (4) Willow Warblers
- 16 (16) Chiffchaffs
- 5 (5) Blackcaps
Hirundines etc., noted
None
Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese: see notes
- 2 Greylag Geese: briefly
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- *2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck: arrived
- 5 Moorhens only
- 42 Coots
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- *1 Grey Heron: departed
Noted on the damp street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 plumed midge likely the very common Chironomus plumosus
- 1 small red-eyed fly sp.
- *2 Common Green Lacewings (Chrysoperia carnea)
- *probably 4 different species of springtail
- *2 White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- *1 Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede (Cylindroiulus punctatus)
- *3 different species of spider
Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:
- *two species of cranefly
- *several plumed midges
Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese: see notes
- 2 Greylag Geese: briefly
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- *2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck: arrived
- 5 Moorhens only
- 42 Coots
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- *1 Grey Heron: departed
Noted on the damp street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 plumed midge likely the very common Chironomus plumosus
- 1 small red-eyed fly sp.
- *2 Common Green Lacewings (Chrysoperia carnea)
- *probably 4 different species of springtail
- *2 White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- *1 Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede (Cylindroiulus punctatus)
- *3 different species of spider
Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:
- *two species of cranefly
- *several plumed midges
The pair of Gadwall still here. The drake closest to me.
A male plumed midge and likely the very common Chironomus plumosus.
One of two Common Green Lacewings (Chrysoperia carnea) still in its brown winter garb.
This looks to be one of the Pogonognathellus longicornis-type springtails.
One of two White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger) I noted.
My first Blunt-tailed Snake Millipede (Cylindroiulus punctatus) of the year.
One of the three species of spider noted. A male by the look of the 'boxing gloves' (palps).
(Ed Wilson)
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The Flash: 09:10 – 10:25
(71st visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- *There were two additional first year Mute Swans when I arrived. They were sent on their way by the resident cob and the first year resident. The pen was on the nest throughout.
- More late-date Goosanders with two presumed ducks arriving – I did not see them that well before they moved to the other end.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw
Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- *5 (5) Willow Warblers
- 10 (10) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps
Hirundines etc., noted
None
Noted on / around the water
- 32 Canada Geese
- 4 Greylag Geese: departed as two pairs
- *2 + 3 Mute Swans: eggs not visible: also see notes
- 22 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- *25 (18♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (0♂) Goosanders: arrived
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- *4 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Cormorants
Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 plumed midge
Of interest elsewhere:
- 2 Grey Squirrels
Noted on / around the water
- 32 Canada Geese
- 4 Greylag Geese: departed as two pairs
- *2 + 3 Mute Swans: eggs not visible: also see notes
- 22 (18♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- *25 (18♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (0♂) Goosanders: arrived
- 5 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- *4 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Cormorants
Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 plumed midge
Of interest elsewhere:
- 2 Grey Squirrels
The youngster leading the charge.
The cob was really angry with...
...these two visiting first year Mute Swans...
...who wisely decided to leave.
Two of the four Great Crested Grebes I noted. As far as I know the sexes have identical plumage.
I assume these are a pair though I did not see any display
At last. A decent photo of a Willow Warbler.
"Are you pointing that camera at me?"
In this shot the longer and wider supercilium of this species is apparent.
Identification quiz. The white rump is a clue to it being a....
...female Bullfinch munching buds.
With the male in close attendance.
(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 Sand Martin
4 Great Crested Grebes
9 Tufted Duck
2 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
127 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
1 Sand Martin
2 Teal
45 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Woodhouse Lane
1 Chiffchaff
2 Linnets
4 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Kittiwake
5 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Willow Tit
(John Isherwood, Jim Almond, Arthur Harper)
Horsehay Pool
2 Mandarin Ducks
(Jim Almond)
2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebe
8 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
Trench
2 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorant
32 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)
Priorslee Flash
33 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler
2007
The Flash
1 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)
2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
9 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
184 Wood Pigeons
2 Stock Doves
1 House Martin
5 Sand Martins
1 Curlew
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Skylark
2 Meadow Pipits
25 Wrens
20 Robins
27 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
2 Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Tit
10 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)