19 Jan 26

The Flash and Priorslee Balancing Lake

6.0°C: Overcast with mist rolling in and out. Very-light south-easterly wind. Moderate / poor visibility.

[Sunrise: 08:10 GMT]

* = a species photographed today

Mist in Newport early so I decided not to visit until it was properly(?) light.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 09:20 – 10:30

(16th visit of the year)

Viewing only from the dam-top.

Bird notes:
- still six Canada Geese.
- at least 21 Mallard were noted flying around, presumably to and from the storm pools to the East. Fewer of these were seen on the water later.
- Pochard seem to have moved in from The Flash.
- the pair of Goosander still present.
- very few gulls: none when I arrived with only a few flying in.

Bird(s) noted flying:

Not counted.

Counts from the lake area:
- 6 Canada Geese
- 8 (5♂) Mallard
- 6 (6♂) Pochard
- 18 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 (1♂) Goosander
- 5 Moorhens
- 15 Coots
- 9 Black-headed Gulls: all arrived
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: arrived together
- 4 Cormorants again
- 2 Grey Heron: one departed
- 1 Great (White) Egret: departed

Two male Pied Wagtails were competing for the attentions of a female on and around the boxing ring. Here is one of the males. Note the black back.

And the female with a grey back.

The other male. His black bib is still incomplete as he moults in to breeding plumage.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 10:40 – 11:45

(12th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- no Mute Swans seen.
- the Pochard seem to have gone to the Balancing Lake.
- eight Goosander (three drakes).
- the Little Grebe seen briefly in the mist.
- possibly more than one Great Crested Grebe. Noted in several different locations but with the mist I could never see more than one at any one time.
- my first Cormorant actually here this year (as opposed to flying over). An immature was sitting along the edge of the island.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws

Noted on / around the water:
- 13 Canada Geese
- no Mute Swans
- 26 (20♂) Mallard
- no Pochard
- 19 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- *8 (3♂) Goosander
- 15 Moorhens
- 38 Coots
- *1 Little Grebe again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe: see notes
- 14 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull: arrived
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron

Noted around the area:

Flies:
- *1 small male plumed midge

Springtails:
- *1 springtail, just possibly Cyphoderus albinus
- 1 springtail Orchesella cincta
- *1 springtail, perhaps Orchesella villosa

The view to the island from Derwent Drive is clear: a bank of mist approaches from the top end.

Mallard are dabbling- (as opposed to diving-) ducks so when food sinks they have to adopt this position.

A drake Mallard paddling hard to stay head underwater.

Sometimes the lack of light to freeze the action can result in interesting photos. A duck Mallard with whirring wings.

A female (brownhead) Goosander looks about to burst in to tears.

She has recovered her composure.

The Little Grebe was only visible(?) during maximum mist. The yellow mark at the base of its bill indicates it is in breeding plumage.

One of my friendly Robins.

Trying to stare the camera down!

More interested in looking for food.

On an identity label on a street lamp pole is a small male plumed midge and an even smaller springtail, this just perhaps Orchesella villosa. [I had to think hard about the grammatical adjectival precedence rule to come up with "small male plumed..."!]

Not at all sure about this minute insect. Had it kept still I would not have noticed it. Here it is running off at speed so the photo is not that sharp. My best suggestion is the springtail Cyphoderus albinus though NatureSpot notes this under recorded species is usually found in ant nests.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
1 female Velvet Scoter
3 Scaup - 1st winter male, 2 1st winter females
(David Barnes / Tony Beckett / Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Greater Scaup
1 Goldeneye
5 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Adult Caspian Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
(Andy Latham)

2007
Priorslee Lake
8 Cormorants
3 Pochard
31 Tufted Ducks
9 Goosanders
c.50 Golden Plover
>1100 Black-headed Gulls
133 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
10 Herring Gulls
250 Wood Pigeons
21 Robins
17 Blackbirds
8 Fieldfares
4 Redwings
43 Magpies
279 Jackdaws
136 Rooks
5 Greenfinches
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1100 Black-headed Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
2 Gadwall
8 Pochard
14 Tufted Duck
198 Coot
376 Jackdaws
265 Rooks
200 Wood Pigeons
28 Robins
21 Blackbirds
22 Siskins
1 Redpoll
3 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)