25 Feb 24

The Flash only

2.0°C > 5.0°C: Mist and fog beginning to lift and break with some sunny spells. Light easterly breeze. Moderate visibility.

[Sunrise: 07:09 GMT]

* = a species photographed today

I delayed my start until the mist and fog seemed about to clear. I only had time to visit The Flash today.

The Flash: 09:05– 10:30

(43rd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- a mixed party of about 50 Goldfinches and Siskins was flying around but never settled in view.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Black-headed Gull
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Jackdaw

Noted on / around the water:
- *12 Canada Geese: of these three pairs departed and one pair arrived
- Greylag Geese: heard only from inside the island
- *2 + 4 Mute Swans
- Gadwall not seen
- *20 (13♂) Mallard
- the all-white feral duck not seen
- 58 (31♂) Tufted Duck
- 11 Moorhens
- 44 Coots
- no gulls

Of note.

Nothing else

I mentioned yesterday that the cob Mute Swan had started chasing the geese. He has singled out one of the Canadas here.

No mistaking his intention.

This goose is making a noisy escape.

A picture of contentment as the duck Mallard suns herself on a roof.

"I wonder if there is anyone at home". A Great Tit surveys a possible nest site. Although the usual Nuthatches inspected this hole last year and were seen clearing detritus I do not think they nested. So the Great Tit may be in with a chance. Note the King Alfred's Cakes Daldinia concentrica alongside.

"I wonder?"

"Nothing to see in there".

 A quizzical Long-tailed Tit.

I needed this friendly Robin to brighten up the misty start.

And this one.

A Goldfinch attacking the Alder cones. This bird was not part of the flock of c.50 Siskins and Goldfinches flying around.

(Ed Wilson)

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Sightings from previous years

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 Skylark
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)