11 Feb 24

The Flash only

6.0°C: Initially sunny after earlier mist. Then low cloud again. Light mainly westerly wind. Good visibility.

[Sunrise: 07:36 GMT]

* = a species photographed today

Thick mist precluded an early start. Later commitments meant time for The Flash only.

The Flash: 10:10– 10:55

(34th visit of the year)

New Bird Species
A Stock Dove calling from the wooded area along the East side became my 51st bird species recorded here this year.

Other bird notes:
- *a Jay was seen at the top end. I often hear their raucous calls: they are less frequently seen.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:

None

Noted on / around the water:
- 20 Canada Geese: of these five flew off together
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 36 (25♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white feral duck
- *5 (4♂) Pochard
- *72 (33♂) Tufted Duck
- 13 Moorhens
- 42 Coots
- *1 Great Crested Grebe
- 3 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Asleep in the sun is one of the drake Pochard.

All four were out in the open at reasonably close range. I deliberately underexposed this one to highlight the vermiculations on the side and back that 'blow out' on a normal sunlit exposure.

Later the sun went in. The flat lighting was good-enough for some shots of the Tufted Ducks. Two ducks here both still showing some white around the base of the bill suggesting they may be first winter birds.

One of them trying to stare me out.

It may (or may not) be a first winter: it sure has an impressive tuft for a duck.

Less white around the base of this duck's bill.

A pair: the duck trying to make herself look taller. Just a hint of mauve gloss on the neck of the drake.

The combination of the Great Crested Grebe and the texture on the water attracted my attention.

The grebe came closer and gave great views of the progress of the development of breeding plumage.

It does look very different from its almost monochrome winter plumage.

Always a twig in the way but then Jays typically hide from view so seeing one this well is a bonus.

 "Who is that staring back at me?" A Goldfinch comes down for a drink. Like many seed eaters they need water to help their digestion.

(Ed Wilson)

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Sightings from previous years

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
3 Greater Scaup
7 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
(Gary Crowder)

2013
St Georges
5 Waxwings
(Observer Unknown)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Iceland Gull
3 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Caspian Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
(Observer Unknown)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
12 Pochard
1 Goldeneye
15+ Redwing
33 Fieldfare
1 Willow Tit
4 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
11 Great Crested Grebes
12 Cormorants
24 Pochard
102 Tufted Ducks
131 Coots
2 Water Rails
1 Kingfisher
c.1500 Black-headed Gulls
88 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
56 Herring Gulls.
598 Wood Pigeons
210 Starling roost
16 Robins
1 Willow Tit
13 Greenfinches
19 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)