Friends of Priorslee Lake Wildlife Site: December 2024

11 Dec 24

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

4.0°C > 5.0°C: Overcast. Light / moderate easterly wind. Good visibility.
Sunrise: 08:12 GMT

* = a species photographed today

Mainly mid-Winter doldrums under the high pressure.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:25 – 09:25

(269th visit of the year)

Bird Notes
Tawny Owl(s) were heard giving both types of call from the Ricoh area c.06:35.

Other bird notes:
- another two adult Mute Swans. When the resident swans did some chasing of these visitors the cob and the pen worked together today. Over recent days the pen has seemed content to let the cob get on with it.
- a drake Gadwall was heard calling pre-dawn. None was seen later.
- all gulls were late in and when they did arrive they settled down as a mixed group making counting even more difficult. Normally the Black-headed Gulls mostly stay at the West end and the large gulls are in the middle of the water.
- the Great (White) Egret was present more or less throughout.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- >80 Greylag Geese: inbound in seven concurrent parties
- 13 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Herring Gull
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 46 Jackdaws
- 89 Rooks

Counts from the lake area:
- 7 Canada Geese
- 23 + 2 Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Gadwall: see notes
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 18 (11♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- *255 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- >350 Black-headed Gulls
- >45 Herring Gulls
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull
- >325 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 2 Grey Herons: arrived and departed separately
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Noted on the street lamps poles pre-dawn:

Flies:
- 1 winter cranefly Trichocera sp.

Beetles:
- 2 Orange Ladybirds Halyzia sedecimguttata: same as yesterday

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis

Telford Sailing Club

Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:

Moths:
- 1 female Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

Barkflies:
- *1 barkfly Ectopsocus briggsi agg.
- *5 barkflies Valenzuela flavidus

Springtails:
- 2 globular springtails from the genus Dicyrtomina group.

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 4 spiders, not identified

Some of the 120 or so Coots that are now feeding in the north-east area while the north-west area is now more sparsely populated than it has been. I did wonder whether silt brought down the Wesley Brook from the sluices had perhaps covered the vegetation that these birds feed on but the Mute Swans seem happy-enough there. Perhaps the Coots don't like mixing with the swans.

On one wall of the Telford Sailing Clun HQ I found this female Winter Moth Operophtera brumata. She has only vestigial wings and therefore cannot fly. She climbs up trees (or similar) and gives of pheromones to attract a male. Females of this species are easier than males to separate from Northern Winter Moths O. fagata as with that species the vestigial wings are significantly larger.

A small male midge with very fuzzy plumed antennae. No idea as to species.

This is a barkfly from the Ectopsocus briggsi aggregate, separable only by examination of the genitalia. Males of this group always have wings longer than the abdomen but so too do some females of all the species.

A barkfly Valenzuela flavidus with, at the bottom of the photo, another cluster of what look like eggs. Are they related? I am not sure: I recall the 'eggs' I noted some 10 days ago were on a different wall of the Telford Sailing Club HQ from where I usually find the barkflies.

Aircraft #1. This is an Airbus Helicopters-built Eurocopter EC135 T3H known to the RAF as a Juno HT.1. There are 30 based at RAF Shawbury operated as #1 Flying Training School and used by all our forces – Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy. The helicopters are supplied and maintained by the private company Affinity Flying Training Services.

Aircraft #2. Its companion. These were using call-signs Ironman1 and Ironman2 and flying to Airbus Helicopters maintenance airfield at Oxford. On return they flew via both Gloucester and Shobdon, Hereford airfields.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

Pre-dawn:

Flies:
- *1 Wood Gnat Sylvicola sp.
- *8 small midges

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 spider Metellina merianae

Later:

Nothing of note

This is one of the Wood Gnats Sylvicola sp. Separate from craneflies by the smaller size, the round head being less-separated from the thorax and the antennae being more prominent. Which species though? The arrangement of the wing spotting, difficult to ascertain here, is critical but not always completely diagnostic.

This is a spider Metellina merianae.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:30 – 10:40

(271st visit of the year)

Bird Notes
Most notable was a Water Rail that I flushed at the top end. Unusually it briefly took to the air as it went back in to cover. Have I previously ever seen one fly?

Other bird notes:
- as I arrived 49 Greylag Geese were also just flying in. There were many already present, some inside the island. It is likely that the groups of c.80 birds that I noted at the Balancing Lake and headed this way were already here.
- no Shoveler found.
- a Little Grebe was noted at the top end. With all the geese there was nowhere to hide around the island.
- 1 heard a Great Tit in full song. Seems somewhat premature?

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Jackdaws

Noted on / around the water:
- 8 Canada Geese
- >100 Greylag Geese: see notes.
- *1 Greylag x Canada Goose
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 34 (21♂) Mallard
- 11 (9?♂) Pochard
- 62 (37?♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Water Rail
- 17 Moorhens
- 97 Coots
- 1 Little Grebe
- *38 Black-headed Gulls
- 8 Herring Gulls: two adults; four second winters; two first winters
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly

Around The Flash:

Nothing else noted

The Canada x Greylag Goose hybrid. There are a number of hybrids in the area. This one has more Canada Geese genes: it sports more white on its cheeks and chin and less orange on its bill than many of the others.

An adult winter-plumaged Black-headed Gull dares me to walk the bridge on which it has chosen to rest.

(Ed Wilson)

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2013
Priorslee Lake
Scaup imm/fem
4 Yellow-legged Gull
(Gary Crowder)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Yellow-legged Gull
8 Great Black-backed Gulls
1 duck Gadwall
3 Goosander
4 Teal
1 Wigeon
1 Redshank
8 Pochard.
55 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
172 Coots.
4 Great Black-backed Gulls .
36 Redwings
42 Fieldfares
453 Jackdaws
64 Rooks
(John Isherwood/Roger Clay/Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
35 Mute Swans
1 drake Wigeon
1 duck Goldeneye
2 drake Shoveler
40 Tufted Duck
1 Common Gull
6 Herring Gull
163 Lesser Black-backed Gull
128 Black-headed Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
165 Coot
Lesser Black-backed Gull with a Dark Blue ring with Orange [red] numbers 567. This bird bred in Germany.
(Martin Grant/Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
Adult Caspian Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black necked Grebe
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Cormorants
18 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks
27 Robins
23 Blackbirds
3 Fieldfares
2 Redwings
1 Willow Tit
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
Water Rail
750 Black-headed Gulls
1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Little Grebes
5 Great Crested Grebes
15 Pochard
27 Tufted Duck
2 Redpolls
25 Siskins
15 Pied Wagtails
2 Redwings
32 Fieldfares
5 Reed Buntings
13 Robins
18 Blackbirds
11 Greenfinches
(Ed Wilson)

10 Dec 24

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 6.0°C: Overcast. Moderate north-easterly wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:11 GMT

* = a species photographed today

Other things to do later so a quick look around. In the dull conditions accurate numbers not always possible. I did my best.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:25 – 09:00

(268th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- many fewer Coots probably in part due to low light-level. That said for some reason the largest number had moved from the West end to the north-east area so perhaps some had departed rather than relocate.
- the larger Rooks easier to see than Jackdaws as they passed over high on roost dispersal
- the over-flying Mistle Thrush was my first here since I heard and saw one singing on the most unusual date of 13 October.
- at least one Lesser Redpoll heard among a small group of Siskins and Goldfinches at the West end.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 (1?♂) Goosanders
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 26 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 26 Jackdaws
- 52 Rooks
- 1 Mistle Thrush
- 2 Redwings at least: heard pre-dawn

Counts from the lake area:
- 10 Canada Geese: four of these departed
- 21 + 2 Mute Swans
- 3 (1♂) Gadwall
- 9 (6♂) Mallard
- 19 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Water Rail: heard only
- 6 Moorhens
- 232 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- c.175 Black-headed Gulls
- 10 Herring Gulls
- 2 Yellow-legged Gulls
- c.175 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Kingfisher

Noted on the street lamps poles pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 male Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

Bees, wasps, etc.:
- *1 ant sp.

Springtails:
- 3 globular springtails from the genus Dicyrtomina group.

Beetles:
- *2 Orange Ladybirds Halyzia sedecimguttata

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 1 Bridge Orb-web Spider Larinioides sclopetarius
- 1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.
- 1 harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis

Telford Sailing Club
Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:

Moths:
- 1 male Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

Flies:
- *1 Muscid fly, likely a Phaonia sp. and perhaps P. fuscata

Barkflies:
- *1 barkfly Ectopsocus briggsi agg.
- 4 barkflies Valenzuela flavidus

Springtails:
- 5 globular springtails from the genus Dicyrtomina group.

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 4 spiders, not identified apart from
*1 Amaurobius sp. probably A. fenestralis

Later:

Nothing of note

Not much to show from another dank and dreary morning. This is a male Winter Moth Operophtera brumata. As previously noted only males are fully-winged.

The bulge in the leading edge of the wing indicates this is a Muscid (House) fly. The dark cross line suggests it is a Phaonia species and the dark spot means it may be P. fuscata. As usual "there are similar species".

A barkfly of Ectopsocus briggsi aggregate.

A trio here. Two Orange Ladybirds Halyzia sedecimguttata and an unidentified species of ant – well that is what Google Lens confirmed. Obsidentify's best suggestion was a species of pipistrelle bat! Neither of these creatures I would expect to see at this date.

An Amaurobius species of spider. Species in this genus require microscopic examination to positively identify, habitat being a good clue. So as it was well away from habitation it is probably A. fenestralis.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:05 – 10:10

(270th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- amazing sight (and sound) of >150 Greylag Geese arriving. Apart from one Greylag x Canada Goose nothing unusual with them. I wonder where the basically white feral geese that were with Greylags a month or so ago have gone.
- the Goosander only seen as they were lifting off to depart

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Noted on / around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese
- 162 Greylag Geese: arrived together with...
- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 28 (19♂) Mallard
- 12 (9?♂) Pochard
- 50 (>31♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 (3?♂) Goosander: departed
- 14 Moorhens
- 96 Coots
- 11 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls: one (usual?) adult; one second winter

Noted around The Flash:

Springtails:
- *2 springtails of different species

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.

A Springtail. This looks different from any species I have seen previously, shorter and tubbier. There are more than 250 species known (by whom?) in the UK and very little information about identification on the internet.

Not exactly an exciting photo but there wasn't much to see. A Long-jawed Orb-web Spider Tetragnatha sp.

(Ed Wilson)

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2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Yellow-legged Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
6 Gadwall
4 Pochard
2 Teal
4 Raven
(John Isherwood)

The Flash
3 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

Horsehay Pool
Caspian Gull
(Jim Almond)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe.
3 Gadwall.
6 Pochard.
46 Tufted Ducks
1 Goosander
1 Water Rail
155 Coots
23 Redwings
6 Fieldfares.
151 Jackdaws
63 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1st-winter Yellow-legged Gull
2 adult Great Black-backed Gulls
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Caspian Gull
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
c20 Herring Gulls.
(J W Reeves)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
Yellow-legged Gull
An adult Little Gull
(Jason/Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
9 Pochard
53 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
1 Merlin
3 Buzzards
>500 Black-headed Gulls
234 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
24 Robins
22 Blackbirds
122 Fieldfares
178 Redwings
1 Willow Tit
139 Jackdaws
66 Rooks
12 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson / Martin Adlam)

2005
Priorslee Lake
160 Golden Plover
1500 Black-headed Gulls
400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Little Grebes
13 Pochard
34 Tufted Duck
239 Coot
1 Water Rail
142 Jackdaws
251 Rooks
2 Redpolls
47 Siskins
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

9 Dec 24

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 6.0°C: Broken cloud becoming more scattered. A light shower c.06:45. Fresh north-easterly wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:10 GMT

* = a species photographed today

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:30 – 09:40

(267th visit of the year)

A more detailed examination of the wooded areas shows at least five other trees had been uprooted by Storm Darragh. Only one – in the south-east area – impacts the very muddy paths.

Bird Notes:
A very quiet morning albeit with two highlights:
- a Chiffchaff was calling as it made its way along the North side. While I am sure that over-wintering birds are usually around I rarely see them. It is also most unusual for them to call later than mid-October after which they tend to fall silent until any sunny days in late February raise the testosterone.
- *among the very small number of large gulls were three very large gulls – adult Great Black-backed Gulls

Other bird notes:
- more Coots today: perhaps just better conditions allowing a more accurate count?
- as yesterday many Jackdaws passing over were heard only.
- once again the Grey Heron spent a while fishing in the Wesley Brook above the bridge. This despite the brook still being fast-flowing and discoloured from water emerging from the sluices near the Teece Drive gate.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 15 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- >3 Jackdaws
- 10 Rooks

Counts from the lake area:
- 12 Canada Geese: eight of these departed; three others(?) arrived
- 21 + 2 Mute Swans
- 1 (0♂) Gadwall
- 9 (7♂) Mallard
- 28 (>11♂) Tufted Duck: five of these departed before I could sec them
- 7 Moorhens
- 276 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- *3 Great Black-headed Gulls
- c.250 Black-headed Gulls
- *4 Herring Gulls
- *33 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Grey Heron

Noted on the street lamps poles pre-dawn:
The rain shower did not help.

Flies:
- *2 possible fungus gnats

Springtails:
- 3 globular springtails from the genus Dicyrtomina group.

Telford Sailing Club
Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *2 Winter Moths Operophtera brumata

Flies:
- 1 winter cranefly Trichocera sp.

Barkflies:
- 1 barkfly Ectopsocus briggsi agg.
- *3 barkflies Valenzuela flavidus

Springtails:
- 4 globular springtails from the genus Dicyrtomina group.

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- 5 spiders, not identified
- *1 harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis

Later:

Nothing of note

Well before sunrise and before the shower-cloud covered the sky.

Four gulls here. From the left: adult Great Black-backed Gull; first winter Herring Gull; another adult Great Black-backed Gull; an adult winter Lesser Black-backed. Note the larger size if the Great Black-backs, the very white head and also how they are more solidly black-backed than the Lesser Black-back.

Both the Winter Moths Operophtera brumata on the walls of the Telford Sailing Club HQ were resting with wings closed. Also neither of them were on walls that are vaguely illuminated by the distant street lamps down the West end footpath. It seems strange to find them here.

I think this must be a species of fungus gnat. None of those in this large group of insects that are illustrated in the NatureSpot web site show the legs with spurs. Both Obsidentify and Google Lens suggest "fungus gnat" without being more specific.

This seems to be another fungus gnat. On the face of it the dark spot in each wing suggests it should be easier to identify. Neither of the apps came up with a suggestion.

One of three barkflies Valenzuela flavidus that were on the wall of the Telford Sailing Club HQ.

This had me perplexed. Superficially a harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis but at first glance it seem to have long forked pedipalps indicating it might be a Dicranopalpus species. Closer inspection reveals that it is the way the camera flash casts a shadow of the front legs.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:45 – 10:50

(268th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- I am sure there were more Pochard than I eventually managed to count. They started in several groups and were chasing around, with the males doing their head-tossing display. Later when I was able to see all the areas they were using some seemed to have left / hidden.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 2 Jackdaws

Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- *2 (2♂) Shoveler
- 30 (19♂) Mallard
- *>9 (>6♂) Pochard
- 64 (37?♂) Tufted Duck
- 18 Moorhens
- 106 Coots
- 22 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull: (usual?) adult
- 2 Cormorants

Noted around The Flash:

Moths:
- 1 Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

One of the two immature drake Shovelers present today.

The paleness of the back suggests to me this is an immature drake Pochard.

Here is an adult drake Pochard. To correctly expose the chestnut head and neck tends to 'blow-out' the fine vermiculations of the back feathering, so...

...here he is again with the exposure 'wound down' to show those markings more clearly.

Coal Tit is always a tricky species to photograph usually in the tops of trees and constantly on the move. This one was more cooperative as it searched the moss and lichen. The small tree is showing where a branch was broken off by Storm Darragh.

This view illustrates the white streak down the nape and the white spotting on the wing coverts.

Warm buff on the flanks.

(Ed Wilson)

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2012
Priorslee Lake
2 Wigeon
3 Gadwall
9 Pochard
41 Tufted Ducks
3 Goosanders
166 Coots
Peregrine Falcon
118 Black-headed Gulls
>500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.40 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
43 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
c.469 Jackdaws
53 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
33 Swans
31 Pochard
70 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
308 Coots
c.1300 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Gull
c.300 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull
102 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
225 Jackdaws
3 Siskins
2 Redpolls
(Ed Wilson)

Trench
2 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
8 Pochard
60 Tufted Ducks
drake Mallard x Pintail
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull
6 Herring Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
12 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks
1 drake Ruddy Duck
2 Goosanders
3 Lapwings
1 Snipe
>1700 Black-headed Gulls
865 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
22 Robins
22 Blackbirds
6 Redwings
243 Jackdaws
133 Rooks
22 Chaffinches
1 Brambling
12 Greenfinches
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
Water Rail
6 Pochard
27 Tufted Duck
247 Coot
402 Jackdaws
483 Rooks
37 Siskins
1 Redpoll
21 Fieldfares.
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

8 Dec 24

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 4.0°C: Broken cloud. Gusty and fresh northerly wind. Very good visibility.
Sunrise: 08:09 GMT

* = a species photographed today

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:35 – 09:20

(266th visit of the year)

After Storm Darragh there were very many twigs and small branches on the ground. A large double-trunked tree in the north-east area had been uprooted and had fallen in to the reed bed. *In the north-west area a tree had snapped half-way, the broken part hanging but not in danger of falling on the path. Otherwise the area seems to have escaped.

Bird notes:
- storms seem to blow things, especially large gulls, out of the lake rather than in!
- the roost-dispersal Jackdaws had a strong tail-wind and as a result were flying very high and difficult to see. More birds were heard calling and not located.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 37 Wood Pigeons: 28 of these flew north-west together
- 5 Herring Gulls
- 23 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Common Buzzard
- >27 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks
- c.75 Starlings: one group
- 1 Raven
- 2 Redwings
- 10 Goldfinches: did not seem to be the local birds

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: one of these arrived
- 21 + 2 Mute Swans
- 3 (1♂) Gadwall
- 6 (4♂) Mallard
- 28 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Water Rail: heard only
- 7 Moorhens
- 240 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- c.500 Black-headed Gulls
- 6 Herring Gulls
- 16 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Cormorant: arrived
- 1 Grey Heron

A careful examination of the street lamp poles and the walls of the Telford Sailing Club HQ again failed to find a single insect / spider etc.

Otherwise:
- I am even more convinced that it was Water Rat that ran and swam past me pre-dawn on Wednesday. One did so again this morning.
- *the first male catkins of Hazel Corylus avellana.

The pre-dawn view across the lake.

Slightly later with some (just) colour.

Bulrushes Typha latifolia against the dawn. I prefer the alternative name of Reedmace for this plant as I doubt Moses was found in anything like this. The story of Moses in the bulrushes is usually illustrated showing fronds of Papyrus Cyperus papyrus.

Can Spring be far away? Probably: despite the appearance of the male catkins of Hazel Corylus avellana.

The uprooted double-trunked tree.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:25 – 10:35

(268th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- in the poor light and strong wind I was unable to sex those Pochard that were not obviously adult drakes.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Herring Gull
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Jackdaws

Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- 11 Greylag Geese: arrived together
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 30 (22♂) Mallard
- 15 (>8♂) Pochard
- 48 (22?♂) Tufted Duck
- 14 Moorhens
- 102 Coots
- 18 Black-headed Gulls
- *4 Herring Gulls: adult, one first winter and two second winters
- *1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 1 Cormorant: arrived

Of note around The Flash:

Nothing else

A first winter Black-headed Gull showing the wing and tail pattern of birds of this age.

Probably an adult winter Lesser Black-backed Gull though the small amount of black on the lower mandible may indicate it is a fourth winter bird. The head streaking of large gulls reaches its peak at this time of year. Many large gulls start their moult into clean-headed breeding plumage around mid-December.

(Ed Wilson)

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7 Dec 24

No sightings in today

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2012
Priorslee Lake
9 Pochard.
55 Tufted Ducks.
153 Coots.
615 Black-headed Gulls
354 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
21 Herring Gulls.
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
9 Cormorants
33 Swans
25 Pochard
61 Tufted Ducks
297 Coots
2 Buzzards
19 Goldfinches
2 Siskins
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
17 Greylag Goose
9 Pochard
46 Tufted Ducks
>1400 Black-headed Gulls
>230 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
23 Robins
16 Blackbirds
2 Fieldfares
3 Redwings
259 Jackdaws
257 Rooks
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
9 Pochard
31 Tufted Duck
234 Coot
205 Jackdaws
473 Rooks
154 Fieldfare
4 Redwings
8 Redpolls
46 Siskins
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

6 Dec 24

No sightings in today

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2013
Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
2 adult Caspian Gulls (one with a green ring suggesting a German/Polish border origin).
8 Yellow-legged Gulls
80+ Great Black-backed Gulls
c.1000 Herring Gulls
2000+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
1st w Viking Gull (hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull)
2 ad hybrid Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall
9 Pochard
44 Tufted Ducks
176 Coots
c.200 Black-headed Gulls
c.650 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.20 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls.
5 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
234 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
1 Little Grebe
1 Cormorant
35 Mute Swans
2 Shoveler
48 Tufted Duck
3 Goosander
162 Coots
228 Black-headed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill
Caspian Gull
7 Yellow-legged Gulls
3500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
500 Herring Gulls
Common Gull.
(Tom Lowe)

Buildwas
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
500 Lapwings
(Tom Lowe)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Pochard
52 Tufted Ducks
1 eclipse drake Ruddy Ducks
9 Golden Plover
>2000 Black-headed Gulls
>2526 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
3 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
22 Robins
24 Blackbirds
c.45 Fieldfares
4 Song Thrushes
10 Redwings
348 Jackdaws
132 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Ravens
1 Cormorant
c.400 Black-headed Gulls
4 Pochard
39 Tufted Duck
1 Little Grebes
233 Coot
14 Redpolls
17 Siskins
24 Pied Wagtails
9 Redwings
12 Fieldfares
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

5 Dec 24

No sightings in today

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2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall.
9 Pochard
44 Tufted Ducks
1 Goldeneye
158 Coots
9 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
27 Redwings
4 Fieldfares
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
7 Pochard
71 Tufted Duck
5 Goosander
(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

2011
Priorslee Lake
5 Adult Great Black-backed Gulls
(John Isherwood)

2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
36 Swans
15 Pochard
48 Tufted Ducks
1 Woodcock
300 Coots
c.1500 Black-headed Gulls
5 Stock Doves
5 Redwings
c.35 Goldfinches
c.10 Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Wigeon
7 Pochard
58 Tufted Ducks
>1000 Black-headed Gulls
>2350 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
20 Robins
20 Blackbirds
c.40 Fieldfares
4 Song Thrushes
6 Redwings
2 Willow Tits
190 Jackdaws
278 Rooks
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Wigeon
12 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
239 Coot
Golden Plover
c.1600 Black-headed Gulls
397 Jackdaws
261 Rooks
2 Meadow Pipits
3 Redwings
16 Robins
24 Blackbirds
62 Fieldfares
15 Wrens
2 Willow Tits
Redpolls
Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

4 Dec 24

Priorslee Balancing Lake only

2.0°C > 4.0°C: Very misty. Light easterly wind. Poor / very poor visibility.

Sunrise: 08:04 GMT

* = a species photographed today.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 06:05 – 09:05

(265th visit of the year)

It was clear when I left Newport. It was only low-level mist with the stars visible when I arrived here. The mist soon thickened and the sky became obscured.

Bird notes:
- I have only logged what I could see – which wasn't much.

Birds noted flying over:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 8 Canada Geese
- 21 + 2 Mute Swans
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard
- 2 (0♂) Tufted Duck
- >3 Moorhens
- ? Coots
- >1 Great Crested Grebes
- ? Black-headed Gulls
- ? Herring Gulls
- ? Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Kingfisher

Noted on the street lamps poles pre-dawn:
Dew covered.

Moths:
- *1 Winter Moth Operophtera brumata
- *1 Mottled Umber Erranis defoliaria

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis

Telford Sailing Club
Around the outside of the Telford Sailing Club HQ pre-dawn:

Moths:
- *1 Winter Moth Operophtera brumata

Nothing else seen

One of two Winter Moths Operophtera brumata this morning. This dew-covered example was on one of the street lamp poles, and one of the two that has recently been repaired.

This is what they look like when not covered in dew. It was the only pre-dawn inhabitant of the walls of the Telford Sailing Club HQ. Both these are male moths – the females of this species cannot fly, having only vestigial wings.

This example of Mottled Umber Erranis defoliaria is neither 'mottled' nor 'umber'. The shape of the outer cross-band is diagnostic. Again a male with females of this species being flightless. It also was on the mole of a recently repaired street lamp – at the top of the tallest pole

A harvestman Paroligolophus agrestis. Like most species of harvestman the second and fourth pairs of legs are longer than the other legs.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash
No visit made to The Flash: too misty

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel
As there was nothing to be seen of the lake I decided to walk to & from here

Flies etc.:
- *6 midges of at least two species

Spiders, harvestmen etc.:
- *1 Daddy-long-legs Spider Pholcus phalangioides, also known as Long-bodied Cellar Spider
- *1 possible Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata [Silver-sided Sector Spider]

Noted elsewhere:
What was most likely a Water Vole Arvicola terrestris [a species also known as Water Rat after "Ratty" in Kenneth Grahame's "Wind in the Willows"] paused and then ran past me well before the sun didn't rise.

The mist was obscuring the lake so I decided to visit the Priorslee Avenue tunnel. This gnat / midge (there is no scientific distinction between these species) is perhaps a male because...

...this one, which looks to be the same species, has shorter wings (or longer abdomen), so may be a female. Shorter wings in the female are a trait of some fly species.

With plumed antennae this is a male but it is a different species, about half the length of the previous examples.

And another gnat. Are these antennae plumed? If so the design is somewhat different.

This is a Daddy-long-legs Spider Pholcus phalangioides, also known as Long-bodied Cellar Spider. Not in a cellar but on a wall on Priorslee Avenue tunnel.

This might be a Missing Sector Orb-web Spider Zygiella x-notata. Google Lens thinks it is but there are no photos that show such extensive pale marks down the centre of the abdomen. Obsidentify had several suggestions, none of which fit any better.

(Ed Wilson)

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2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Gadwall
9 Pochard
20 Tufted Ducks
1 (1) Goosander
155 Coots
28 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
14 Redwings
2 Fieldfares
c.368 Jackdaws
97 Rooks
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Cormorant
33 Mute Swans
Water Rail
13 Pochard
85 Tufted Ducks
274 Coots
1000 Black-headed Gulls
2000 Lesser Black-backs
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
1 Great Black-backed
5 Redwings
2 Willow Tit
c.325 Jackdaws
20 Siskins
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood )

2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Cormorants
15 Pochard
45 Tufted Ducks
1 eclipse drake Ruddy Duck
2 Sparrowhawks
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
>700 Black-headed Gulls
324 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
8 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
649 Wood Pigeons
25 Robins
22 Blackbirds
16 Fieldfares
4 Song Thrushes
6 Redwings
322 Jackdaws
224 Rooks
2 Siskins
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
140 Golden Plover
8 Cormorants
900 Black-headed Gulls
c.250 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
13 Pochard
43 Tufted Duck
2 Little Grebes
225 Coot
371 Jackdaws
313 Rooks
6 Redwings
32 Fieldfares.
8 Reed Buntings
19 Robins
30 Blackbirds
16 Greenfinches
(Ed Wilson)

3 Dec 24

The Flash and Priorslee Balancing Lake

3.0°C > 5.0°C: Mist and low cloud. Lifted somewhat with a few breaks. Light southerly wind. Moderate visibility at best.

[Sunrise: 08:02 GMT]

* = a species photographed today

After a mist-delayed start it was The Flash first and then the Balancing Lake with a walk around.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 10:35 – 12:35

(264th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- 21 adult Mute Swans. Perhaps there always have been recently: one bird seems to be mostly on its own hiding in the reeds.
- as I noted many times last winter the majority of the Lesser Black-backed Gulls area adults while most of the Herring Gulls are immatures.
- *a Lesser Redpoll was in trees at the West end.
- during the time I was present the only fly-overs I noted were just two Wood Pigeons.

Counts from the lake area:
- 11 Canada Geese
- 21 + *2 Mute Swans
- *3 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (3♂) Mallard
- 11 (4♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens
- 240 Coots
- *5 Great Crested Grebes
- 34 Black-headed Gulls
- 28 Herring Gulls
- 92 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great (White) Egret

A careful examination of the street lamp poles and the walls of the Telford Sailing Club HQ failed to find a single insect / spider etc.

I was told of a "recent" sighting of a Weasel on the dam-face.

One of the two visiting Mute Swan cygnets. These seem to have declared UDI and are no longer staying with the main group of visiting adults. They do get chased by the resident cob from time to time: he does not seem too serious when he does so.

A pair of rather distant Gadwall, the drake on the left. The pale edge to the duck's bill stands out even at long range.

A close Great Crested Grebe. The head plumes acquired during the breeding season are just beginning to show.

I do not often get to photograph a Lesser Redpoll. In addition to its red 'poll' (crown) note the pointed yellow bill.

A back view. The taxonomy of this species has long been debated with birds from different populations looking distinct, albeit some birds are difficult to ascribe to any of the populations. Recent DNA work suggests that what have sometimes been treated as three or four different species are better thought of as just one species. Now the debate starts on which of the four names to use. Scientists have strict rules of precedence. I do not think vernacular names are subject to the same rigour. On this bird the whiteness of the wing bar and the extensive white edges to the flight feathers are more akin to what was called Common (or Mealy) Redpoll though the buff rump suggests otherwise!

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:25

(265th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- careful scrutiny of the Pochard suggests that only one is not a drake. There are eight adult drakes and I think three first winter drakes.
- a Little Grebe seen again.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 3 Herring Gulls

Noted on / around the water:
- 7 Canada Geese
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Shoveler
- 42 (27♂) Mallard
- 12 (11?♂) Pochard
- *51 (33?♂) Tufted Duck
- 18 Moorhens
- 95 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe
- 8 Black-headed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls: adult and two second winters separately and briefly
- 1 Grey Heron

Noted around The Flash:

Moths:
- 1 Mottled Umber Erranis defoliaria : for its third day

This Mrs. Tufted Duck has a splendid 'tuft'.

The Little Grebe about to disappear in to the reeds watched by a Coot.

(Ed Wilson)

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2013
Priorslee Lake
60 Golden Plover
6 Gadwall
3 Pochard
2 Shoveler
2 Teal
(John Isherwood)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Teal
3 Gadwall.
8 Pochard
19 Tufted Ducks
163 Coots
7 Redwings
c577 Jackdaws
c149 Rooks
8 Siskins
22 Goldfinches
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
Adult Caspian Gull
1 adult Yellow-legged Gull
4 Great Black-backed Gulls
(JW Reeves)

Priorslee Flash
Tundra Bean Goose
Great Black-backed Gull
8 Goosander.
(JW Reeves/Andy Latham /Tom Lowe)

2010
Priorslee Lake
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
3rd-winter Caspian Gull
(JW Reeves)

Wellington
Pair of Blackcaps in my garden
(JW Reeves)

2009
The Wrekin
Firecrest
(Pete Nickless)

2007
Priorslee Lake
8 Goosander
Woodcock
21 Greylag Geese
A drake Gadwall
6 Pochard
58 Tufted Duck
2 Buzzards
1 Kestrel
6 Meadow Pipits
14 Redwing
3 Fieldfares
31 Magpies
47 Siskins
12 Goldfinches
11 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
22 Goosander
27 Pochard
16 Tufted Ducks
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
27 Pochard
69 Tufted Ducks
4 Buzzards
68 Coots
1 Woodcock
528 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
20 Robins
22 Blackbirds
3 Song Thrushes
3 Redwings
1 Willow Tit
187 Jackdaws
168 Rooks
11 Greenfinches
10 Goldfinches
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2005
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes
5 Cormorants
8 Pochard
32 Tufted Duck
201 Coot
Water Rail
c.2100 Black-headed Gulls
c.175 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
440 Jackdaws
225 Rooks
1 Kestrel
2 Collared Dove
1 Skylark
18 Pied Wagtails
5 Meadow Pipits
5 Redwings
40 Fieldfare
1 Kingfisher
11 Robins
19 Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
2 Goldcrest
5 Redpolls
12+ Siskins
2 Yellowhammers
7 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson/Martin Adlam)

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