2.0°C: Sunny intervals. A sleety shower. Moderate westerly wind. Very good visibility.
[Sunrise: 08:20 GMT]
Another late start. Once again I did not walk around the Balancing Lake. If the forecast is correct it will be the same tomorrow.
* = a species photographed today
Priorslee Balancing Lake: 10:30 – 11:30
(5th visit of the year)
A very small amount of thin ice in the sheltered north-east area.
Bird notes:
- it was little surprise to note that yesterday's drake Goldeneye had gone. I think all those I have seen here have been one-day birds.
- very few gulls when I arrived though a good number dropped in for a wash (brr!).
- I have yet to record a Pied Wagtail here this year. Usually, especially during hard weather, one or more birds are hunting scraps in the lay-by.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Wood Pigeon
- 4 Herring Gulls
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Jackdaw
Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- *7 (3♂) Gadwall
- 10 (8♂) Mallard
- 7 (5♂) Pochard
- 40 (22♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens
- 270 Coots
- 4 Great Crested Grebes
- 22 Black-headed Gulls
- 23 Herring Gulls
- 1 Yellow-legged Gull
- 86 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Cormorants
- 1 Great White Egret
Also noted.
Nothing else
New Bird Species
There were no additions to the bird species on my site list for here in 2025:
New Bird Species
There were no additions to the bird species on my site list for here in 2025:
The only birds of interest that were remotely close to the dam was this pair of Gadwall with the drake closest to the camera.
(Ed Wilson)
The Flash: 09:30 – 10:20
(6th visit of the year)
Very icy in places on the paths. At least 50% of the water frozen
Bird notes:
- a Little Grebe was noted skittering across the water.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
Food was being provided so Mallard were soon "on the case". For no reason other than there was not much else to photograph, here are a few shots. A drake coming in.
A pair landing showing the white-bordered mauve speculum on the trailing edge of the inner wing. I have no idea why there seems to be a rogue brown-feather in the duck's speculum.
A Coot crossing the ice with wings spread to assist with keeping its balance. I could have done with such an aid on the icy path.
When spread the wings are surprisingly pale for what usually looks like a black-bodied bird. I still the feet look weird: they seem to work.
The Little Grebe. The yellow spot at the base of the bill indicates this bird is coming in to breeding condition even though it has yet to acquire the rich chestnut neck.
A first winter Herring Gull: all-black bill apart from the very tip. Some, like this one, show a necklace of spotting though it is not a diagnostic feature.
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flash: 09:30 – 10:20
(6th visit of the year)
Very icy in places on the paths. At least 50% of the water frozen
Bird notes:
- a Little Grebe was noted skittering across the water.
Bird(s) noted flying over here:
None
Noted on / around the water:
- 8 Canada Geese
- 4 Mute Swans
- *33 (22♂) Mallard
- *69 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 Moorhens
- *54 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe
- *21 Black-headed Gulls
- *3 Herring Gulls: one adult; one second winter and one first winter
Noted elsewhere:
Noted on / around the water:
- 8 Canada Geese
- 4 Mute Swans
- *33 (22♂) Mallard
- *69 (39♂) Tufted Duck
- 9 Moorhens
- *54 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe
- *21 Black-headed Gulls
- *3 Herring Gulls: one adult; one second winter and one first winter
Noted elsewhere:
Nothing
New Bird Species
There were no additions to the bird species on my site list for here in 2025:
New Bird Species
There were no additions to the bird species on my site list for here in 2025:
The top end was mainly iced-over.
And another. The curly tail feather shows clearly here. Both these show bottle-green heads.
With light from a different angle of the head of the drake in this pair looks mostly mauve.
This is the same drake landing and the area that is not green is now blue rather than mauve.
Another one showing blue and green.
A pair landing showing the white-bordered mauve speculum on the trailing edge of the inner wing. I have no idea why there seems to be a rogue brown-feather in the duck's speculum.
A different pair.
A (very) close view of a passing duck Mallard included as it shows her tail spread to aid manoeuvring.
Last Mallard: another fine drake.
Tufted Ducks in a huddle. 12 drakes; six ducks with Coot trying to hide.
When spread the wings are surprisingly pale for what usually looks like a black-bodied bird. I still the feet look weird: they seem to work.
A first winter Black-headed Gull appears to be thinking hard. Perhaps "why are my feet so cold?"
(Ed Wilson)
2013
Priorslee Lake
Caspian Gull
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
A drake Scaup
(J Reeves)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
(Paul Paclett)
2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes.
17 Pochard
45 Tufted Duck
2 Gadwall
1 Pintail
236 Coot
2 Water Rail
1 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
c.140 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
46 Herring Gulls
15 Siskins
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
Priorslee Lake
Caspian Gull
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
A drake Scaup
(J Reeves)
2008
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
(Paul Paclett)
2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes.
17 Pochard
45 Tufted Duck
2 Gadwall
1 Pintail
236 Coot
2 Water Rail
1 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
c.140 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
46 Herring Gulls
15 Siskins
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)