6.0°C: Another promising start that went rapidly downhill with low overcast and, after 08:30, soaking drizzle for a while. Light north-east breeze. Very good visibility except in drizzle.
Sunrise: 06:43 BST
* = a species photographed today.
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:45 – 08:55
(78th visit of the year)
As I was returning from my walk along what remains of Woodhouse Lane (see below) I heard and then saw two Oystercatchers flying West out from the lake area. I do not know whether these had pitched in and been flushed from their usual feeding area on the south-west grass or perhaps just circled and moved on. My 82nd bird species here this year.
Other bird notes:
- The Pheasant was heard calling from the Ricoh copse again.
- One of the presumed resident pair of Canada Geese might well have been sitting on eggs for a while.
- A Mistle Thrush called from the North side copse. I did not see it either in the trees or flying away. They could be breeding in these trees.
- There seems to be five Goldcrest territories this year. I noted only four last year.
Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Stock Doves: as two pairs
- 22 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Oystercatchers: as highlighted
- 2 Herring Gulls: adults
- 1 Cormorant
- 3 Jackdaws
- 1 Pied Wagtail
Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 15 (15) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps
Hirundines etc., noted
None
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 39 Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Black-headed Gulls: all first years, together briefly
- 2 Cormorants: arrived separately; one departed
Noted on the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 March Tubic moth (Diurnea fagella)
- 1 Common Flat-body moth (Agonopterix heracliana)
- 1 male plumed midge
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- several different species of springtail
- *2 White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- 1 species of spider: jumped off!
Frustratingly a larger species of moth was flying around but did not settle.
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:
Nothing of note
Noted later
- Flowers of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
Counts from the lake area:
- 3 Canada Geese
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 39 Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Black-headed Gulls: all first years, together briefly
- 2 Cormorants: arrived separately; one departed
Noted on the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 March Tubic moth (Diurnea fagella)
- 1 Common Flat-body moth (Agonopterix heracliana)
- 1 male plumed midge
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea)
- several different species of springtail
- *2 White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- 1 species of spider: jumped off!
Frustratingly a larger species of moth was flying around but did not settle.
In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel pre-dawn:
Nothing of note
Noted later
- Flowers of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
"I can see you". A Jay peers at me as I peer at it.
This male plumed midge is certainly well-plumed on its antennae.
For a change a Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperia carnea) in its green Summer garb.
One of the two White-legged Snake Millipedes (Tachypodoiulus niger).
(Ed Wilson)
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Woodhouse Lane: 08:05 – 08:35
(1st visit of the year)
I steeled myself to visit and see the changes all the continuing house-building had made, running the gauntlet of the alarm system triggered by CCTV as I approached the security fence. The lower part of the lane is much as before: probably quieter as it is no longer a through route. I noted:
- *3 calling Pheasants one of which was seen
- 5 Skylarks, four singing
- *"Pied Wagtails": from photos one of these a male White Wagtail.
- to groups of Linnets comprising at least 15 birds
- *4 Yellowhammers, three males
also noted
- *Flowers of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
- *3 calling Pheasants one of which was seen
- 5 Skylarks, four singing
- *"Pied Wagtails": from photos one of these a male White Wagtail.
- to groups of Linnets comprising at least 15 birds
- *4 Yellowhammers, three males
also noted
- *Flowers of Dog's Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
It is a bizarre evolutionary path that creates this male Pheasant!
Strutting his stuff!
Another view. My first confirmed record of this (sub)species [authorities differ!] for many years.
An annoying twig in the way of this male Yellowhammer.
A different male flew ahead of me along the hedge. The best I could manage!
A female for comparison. She would show a rusty-looking rump but the wings are covering it.
(Ed Wilson)
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(72nd visit of the year)
Bird notes:
- A Jay flew across at the top end.
- One of the Willow Warblers is in the same place as when this species was first noted this year on 24 March. It is some years since this species bred here and for the last few years birds have moved through quickly.
Birds noted flying over here:
None
Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- *4 (4) Willow Warblers
- 10 (10) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again
Hirundines etc., noted
Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- *4 (4) Willow Warblers
- 10 (10) Chiffchaffs again
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again
Hirundines etc., noted
None
Noted on / around the water
- 22 Canada Geese
- 5 Greylag Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: eggs not visible
- 18 (16♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 24 (17♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Cormorants again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 un-plumed midge
Of interest elsewhere:
- *Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) flowers.
Noted on / around the water
- 22 Canada Geese
- 5 Greylag Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: eggs not visible
- 18 (16♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 24 (17♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Cormorants again
Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 un-plumed midge
Of interest elsewhere:
- *Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) flowers.
Another in my series of photos of Willow Warblers that show none of the identification features!
Only marginally better. Too yellow-toned to be a Chiffchaff.
Perhaps if we ever get some sun...
I think these flowers are Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) but I do not pretend to know much about botany (either).
(Ed Wilson)
Sightings from previous years without links are below
(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 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
7 Greylag Geese
14 Tufted Duck
4 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
229 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
6 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
52 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
3 Greylag Geese
12 Tufted Ducks
1 Little Gull
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Trench Middle Pool
33 Greylag Geese
10 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Water Rail
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
2 Little Grebe
Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting.
(John Isherwood)
The Flash
1 Brambling
1 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
>100 Fieldfare
> 50 Redwing
6 Lapwing
Meadow Pipit
Yellowhammer
(John Isherwood)
2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
9 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck
1 Curlew
1 Peregrine
4 Blackcaps
13 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
48 Tufted Duck
2 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
1 Curlew
5 Skylarks
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
2011
Priorslee Lake
2 Curlew
Wheatear
> 50 Sand Martin
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
1 male Common Redstart
21 Wheatear
(John Isherwood, Ian Grant)
2010
Priorslee Lake
White Wagtail
Wheatear
3 Sand Martin
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Willow Tit
(John Isherwood)
Nedge Hill
Common Redstart
6 Lapwing
(John Isherwood)
2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebe
17 Tufted Duck
2 Willow Tit
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Bullfinch
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash
25 Tufted Duck
2 Shoveler
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)
Nedge Hill
2 Lapwing
2 Curlew
1 Blackcap
1 Sparrowhawk
4 Meadow Pipits
4 Skylarks
4 Chiffchaffs
8 Goldfinches
5 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)
2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
146 Jackdaws
1 Stock Dove
192 Wood Pigeons
2 Skylarks
1 Meadow Pipit
27 Blackbirds
31 Fieldfares
3 Swallow
53 Sand Martins
4 Swallow
3 Blackcaps
2 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Jays
22 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant)