6 Jan 26

The Flash and Priorslee Balancing Lake

0.0°C > 3.0°C: Mostly just thin high cloud. Light south-westerly wind. Very good visibility.

[Sunrise: 08:20 GMT]

* = a species photographed today

A "Winter schedule" visit. I waited for the early traffic to clear the roads after more overnight snow. So starting at The Flash.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 10:55 – 12:40

(4th visit of the year)

c.60% ice.

New Bird Species
Two additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- at least three Great Black-backed Gulls were among the gulls on the ice.
- a drake Shoveler was with Mallard.
- a Stock Dove was the only fly-over I noted other than a few gulls that I did not bother to count. I was concentrating on the birds on the water.
My 2026 bird species total for here now 47.

Other bird notes:
- an adult Mute Swan arrived with a first-winter cygnet.
- still a quartet of Pochard (three drakes) noted.
- I made multiple-counts of the many Tufted Ducks, always with a different result – they would keep diving!
- a Water Rail was glimpsed scampering away out of the Wesley Brook.
- a significant increase in Coot numbers. Probably refugees from smaller frozen-over pools.
- the gull counts are the number present when I arrived. By the time I had walked around and finished the duck counts combined there were c.475 Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls present. Apart from checking for any less common species I did not ascribe these at species level.
- at least 12 Cormorants, perhaps many more. I saw sixes and fives take off together several times. I think these circled and came back but I cannot be sure.
- a sign of Spring!? Magpies were seen breaking off sticks and carrying them to refurbish their nests.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 1 Stock Dove
- uncounted numbers of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans: adult and first-winter arrived together
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 15 (10♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Pochard again
- 168 (>78♂) Tufted Duck: see notes
- 1 Water Rail
- 4 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 42 Black-headed Gulls
- 93 Herring Gulls
- 194 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 12 Cormorants at least: see notes
- 1 Grey Heron

Of note:

Nothing else 

At the other end of the lake, of course, the adult and first-winter Mute Swan that flew in.

The first two Greylag Geese I have seen on the water here this year. Together with six Canada Geese (and a Coot).

Not a very good photo of a drake Shoveler. I was keeping away from the edges so as not to disturb the birds during the hard weather.

There is much to see here. On the right two Cormorants in the water. There are another ten on and around the fishing platform where there are a few Canada Geese. A Great Crested Grebe is in front of the left of the platform. Closer are some of the many Tufted Duck. A lone drake Mallard is visible: and the head and bill of a Coot at the extreme left.

Zoomed in it is just about possible to count the ten Cormorants. One is mostly hidden and only an outstretched wing can be seen (well they were a long way away!).

Some of the very many Tufted Duck. Top right is a drake Mallard in front of which are two drake Tufted Duck. To their left is a drake Pochard.

Loads of Tufted Duck.

Taking centre stage is an adult Great Black-backed Gull. Note the unstreaked white head, the very dark back, the pink legs and the way it towers over the, admittedly rather small, immature Herring Gull (probably a second winter) in front of it.

Another adult Great Black-backed Gull taking centre stage.

And another. This one has an obviously large bill. There is another very dark-backed and white-headed gull behind and to the left of it. But note its bill: far too small to be a Great Black-backed Gull. It is a Lesser Black-backed Gull of the intermedius race that comes here from north-west Europe in Winter.

Not the best of angles on a Jay. The chequerboard blue and black wing feather is just about visible. Note also the white under-tail that extends on to the rump and which shows clearly when the bird is in flight.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:45 – 10:45

(4th visit of the year)

>80% ice.

New Bird Species
One additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- a Goldcrest was with tits alongside squirrel alley.
My 2026 bird species total for here is now 37

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese

Noted on / around the water:
Apart from many of the Black-headed Gulls all the birds were in a small area of open water. That did not make it easy to count them: they were all milling about! Big numbers of Canada Geese and Mallard. Nothing unusual among them as far as I could see.
- 77 Canada Geese
- 1 Mute Swan
- 68 (43♂) Mallard
- no Pochard
- 20 (10♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Moorhens
- 28 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 76 Black-headed Gulls
- no large gulls
- no Grey Herons

Around the area:

Nothing else of note

As with earlier snowfalls there was little on the trees yet plenty on the lower bushes and scrub.

Well it is a duck Mallard but somewhere along the line it has inherited a few feral genes.

A hopeful Moorhen looking for food on the snow-covered ice.

A different Moorhen has passed this way.

Black-headed Gulls are happy standing on the ice.

A Blue Tit fluffed up against the cold.

Yes, you.

Another Blue Tit also fluffed up.

A male (a wide "zip") Great Tit complaining.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
2 Scaup
5 Great Black-backed Gulls - 4 adult and a 1st winter
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1st winter Caspian Gull
6 Great Black-backed Gulls
(John Isherwood)

2012
Priorslee Lake
2 adult Caspian Gulls
10+ Yellow-legged gulls (most adults and 3rd-winters, at least 1 1st-winter)
10 Great Black-backed Gulls
(J W Reeves)

2011
Priorslee Lake
Adult Mediterranean Gull
Pair of Brambling
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Evening Report
An adult winter Ring-billed Gull at about 3:15pm
3 adult Common Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

Daytime Report
4 Common Gull
2 adult Yellow-legged Gull
1 adult Great Black-backed Gull
Black-necked Grebe
1 Snipe
(Jason, Pete Jordan and Ian & Jim)

5 Jan 26

No sightings in today

2025 Year Reports are below.

Priorslee Lake

The Flash

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2014
Priorslee Lake
151 Coot
220 Black-headed Gull
18 Lesser Black-backed Gull
28 Tufted Duck
2 Great Crested Grebe
6 Mute Swan
8 Herring Gull
10 Pochard
(Tony Beckett)

Horsehay Pool
11 Goosander
(Tony Beckett)

2013
Priorslee Lake
Female Goldeneye
2 Gadwall
10 Pochard
27 Tufted Duck
14 Great Black-backed Gulls
75 Herring Gulls
2 Caspian Gulls
5 Yellow-legged Gulls
125 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
(Martin Grant/Kriss Webb)

Donnington Wood
1 Waxwing
(Dave Tromans)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Yellow-legged Gull
13 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Bittern
3 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Caspian gull was present
1 Ring Billed Gull.
2500 Black-headed Gulls
42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson/Jack Wildman/Richard Vernon)

2008
Priorslee Lake
2 Wigeon
5 Gadwall
>20 Pochard
>70 Tufted Duck
A drake Goosander
1 Water Rail
6 Great Black-backed Gulls
>150 Herring Gulls
Glaucous Gull
Yellow-legged
Common Gull
6 Siskin
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
10 Pochard
26 Tufted Duck
1 Common Gull
c.2100 Black-headed Gull
c.1600 Lesser Black-backed Gull
126 Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Water Rail
1 Goldeneye
1400 Black-headed Gulls
400 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
74 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull.
8 Great Crested Grebes
18 Pochard
40 Tufted Duck
236 Coot
40 Siskins
14 Robins
13 Greenfinches
(Ed Wilson)

4 Jan 26

No sightings in today

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2014
Priorslee Lake
Two 1st winter female Scaup
(Tom Lowe)

Horsehay Pool
Kittiwake
(Jim Almond)

Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2013
Priorslee Flash
Drake Scaup
(J Reeves)

Trench Middle Pool
22 Goosander
(Dave Tromans)

2012
Priorslee Lake
96 Greylags Geese
20 Pochard
15 Tufted Ducks
86 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
54 Herring Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
27 Great Black-backed Gulls
Peregrine
204 Redwings
4 Fieldfare
(Ed Wilson/John Isherwood)

Trench Pool
2 Little Grebes
215 Canada Geese
3 Pochard
76 Tufted Ducks
131 Coots
219 Black-headed Gulls
4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
3 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
(Ed Wilson)

Holmer Lake
46 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
Black-necked Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
44 Mute Swans
2 Gadwall
47 Pochard
117 Tufted Duck
2 adult Common Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
c.3400 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.250 Herring Gulls
c.2500 Black-headed Gulls
Caspian Gull
2 Yellow-legged Gull
3 Water Rail
324 Coots
17 Goldfinches
13 Siskins
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson/Jason)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
12 Great Crested Grebes
10 Mute Swans
1 drake Shoveler
11 Pochard
44 Tufted Ducks
Iceland Gull
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
122 Coots
34 Siskins
(Ed Wilson/Paul King)

2008
Priorslee Lake
1 Wigeon
5 Gadwall
26 Pochard
106 Tufted Ducks
4 Water Rails
100 Herring Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
>7 Pochard
31 Tufted Ducks
9 Goosanders
>2000 Black-headed Gulls
>481 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
>33 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull
28 Robins
14 Blackbirds
5 Fieldfares
67 Redwings
222 Jackdaws
3 Reed Buntings;
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Wigeon
1 Goldeneye
22 Pochard
43 Tufted Duck
c.3000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.2000 Black-headed Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
131 Herring Gull
5 Yellow-legged Gulls
66 Siskins
14 Robins
15 Blackbirds
1 Willow Tit
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

3 Jan 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

0.0°C: Almost cloudless again with a small amount of lying snow after another light sprinkling overnight. Moderate westerly wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:21 GMT: hooray! the first earlier sunrise since the Winter solstice

* = a species photographed today

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 07:05 – 09:30

(3rd visit of the year)

New Bird Species
Two additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- a Pied Wagtail was rushing around on the ground by Paul's Classic Catering van looking for crumbs.
- a trio of Gadwall (two drakes) were new in and the first of the year
My 2026 bird species total for here now 44.

One that got away. What might well have been a Woodcock flew over my head and in to trees. I was unable to get a clear view of it. It was the right size but I could not see the bill. It was also much later and lighter than when I normally glimpse this nocturnal species going to roost. Will have to let it pass.

Other bird notes:
- a (yesterday's?) Mute Swan present throughout.
- a quartet of Pochard (three drakes) noted and new arrivals.
- over 1200 gulls were present by 07:20 and may well have roosted. They were almost all Black-headed Gulls perhaps forced off iced-over roost sites elsewhere. All had departed by 08:30.
- a very small number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls early - 57 I think. Later 62 peeled off from over-flying groups for a quick drink and bathe.
- a group of 65 Jackdaws passing overhead was concurrent with a very large group far to the East that looked like smoke. I estimated c.400 birds but I might have been an order of magnitude out either way.
- for the third consecutive morning a handful of Jackdaws were flying northbound while the main parties were southbound.
- at least four Redwings were in their traditional roost site in the north-east area.

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- no geese again
- 8 Wood Pigeons only
- 6 Herring Gulls
- 128 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- c.550 Jackdaws: see notes
- 34 Rooks
- 1 Redwing

Counts from the lake area:
- 1 Mute Swan
- 3 (2♂) Gadwall
- 18 (14♂) Mallard
- 4 (3♂) Pochard
- 25 (18♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Moorhens only
- 13 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- c.1200 Black-headed Gulls: see notes
- 15 Herring Gulls
- 109 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 4 Cormorants: arrived singly; one departed
- 1 Grey Heron

The West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:

No visit again

Noted later:

Nothing

A couple of sunrise photos. As much frost as snow on the ground in the foreground.

Slightly later with a dragon preparing to swallow the sun.

At long range here are two drake Gadwall.

Bring up the rear was the duck Gadwall the most obvious feature being the orangey side to her bill.

Nothing special, just attractive morning Winter light on a pair of Mallard.

Puffed up to keep warm is this Robin. It came to visit me while I was standing at one of the fishing pegs. Probably the fishermen toss it the odd items of food to him. Made me feel guilty not to have a pocketful of worms.

 "Where are the crumbs then?". A female Pied Wagtail on the lookout.

A female because the back is grey and not black.

Running hither than thither.

Siskins were feeding on the Alder cones as usual. Not in an easy to photograph position. This is a male with a black crown. Note the pointed bill for extracting the seeds.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:35 – 10:30

(3rd visit of the year)

c.10% real ice. A significant area was just beginning to ice over.

New Bird Species
Six additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- several Siskins were in trees around the Hickory's Smokehouse lower car parks
- a Collared Dove was calling in the same area.
- a Jackdaw was flying over there.
- a male Bullfinch was in the reeds by the Derwent Drive lay-by.
- the Great (White) Egret was on the island.
- a Coal Tit was singing at the bottom of squirrel alley by the Priorslee Academy.
My 2026 bird species total for here is now 36

Other bird notes:
- a trio of Mute Swans today, the putative pair not entirely happy with the newbie.
- yesterday the duck Tufted Ducks significantly outnumbered the drakes. Today it was the other way around. Odd.
- only one Great Crested Grebe found.
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were on the water when I arrived, apparently all adults. Four of them departed. Strange that no Herring Gull was seen.

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

Noted on / around the water:
- 4 Canada Geese
- 3 Mute Swans
- 28 (20♂) Mallard
- 3 (3♂) Pochard
- 31 (20♂) Tufted Duck
- 3 Moorhens only: hiding from the cold?
- 38 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- 83 Black-headed Gulls
- 10 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: (near) adults
- 2 Grey Herons
- 1 Great (White) Egret

Around the area:

Nothing else of note

An icy Derwent Drive.

Swan #1. I think this is the cob (male) of the recently arrived pair.

Swan #2. I think this is the pen (female). Note the way the water is almost liquid ice - if that makes any sense. I don't know how else to describe the texture.

Swan #3. This looks to be another cob.

Here are eight of the original ten adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

 I cannot see any black on the bill on this one. Unusually beady-looking eye.

Two more. The closer one does have some black on the bill.

One of the two Grey Herons and the Great (White) Egret try unsuccessfully to hide inside the island. They were only visible from one angle.

"Now there in the back – pay attention"

"who me, sir? A perky Blue Tit.

(Ed Wilson)

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2014
Priorslee Lake
Two 1st winter female Scaup present.

2012
Priorslee Lake
Adult Yellow-legged Gull
Adult Caspian Gull
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
A 2nd winter Caspian Gull
Adult Yellow-legged Gull
(Richard Vernon)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Evening - 6:15pm a Barn Owl
(Martin Adlam)

Morning
Big gull roost with:
2000 Black-headed Gulls
500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
160 Herring Gulls
Yellow-legged Gull
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
Also
At least 10000 Starlings left the roost somewhere to the S and flew N just before 8:00am.
(Ed Wilson)

2 Jan 26

Priorslee Balancing Lake and The Flash

0.0°C > 1.0°C: Almost cloudless. Small amount of lying snow. Moderate westerly wind abating somewhat. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 08:23 GMT for the umpteenth plus one day

Any hard-weather movement seemed to have resulted in birds moving out.

* = a species photographed today

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 07:10 – 09:55

(2nd visit of the year)

New Bird Species
Six additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- firstly an omission: Greenfinch should have been on yesterday's list.
- a Cetti's Warbler was calling from a usual roost area c.07:50.
- c.30 Golden Plover were see high and far to the East c.08:00
- a Common Buzzard flew out of trees in the north-east area where...
- a Bullfinch was heard calling.
- a Mute Swan flew in from the south-west at 08:55 and proceeded to patrol the water with wings raised.
- a Grey Wagtail was feeding in the Wesley Brook.
My 2026 bird species total for here now 42

Other bird notes:
- yesterday's Pochard gone (as had a few of the Tufted Duck).
- the first of only c.25 Black-headed Gulls arrived at 07:41.
- the first of 44 Lesser Black-backed Gulls arrived starting at the earlier time of 07:35.
- all the Jackdaws and Rooks were passing high and distantly to the East – useful as that is how I noted the Golden Plover.
What is going on? Very few gulls again and Coots in record low numbers. Is this a blip or has it a deeper significance?

Bird(s) noted flying over here:
- no geese
- 21 Wood Pigeons
- 15 Herring Gulls
- 83 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 117 Jackdaws
- 29 Rooks only
- 6 Fieldfare
- 9 Redwings

Counts from the lake area:
- 1 Mute Swan: arrived
- 10 (7♂) Mallard
- 18 (10♂) Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens again
- 12 Coots only
- 2 Great Crested Grebes only again
- c.25 Black-headed Gulls
- 5 Herring Gulls
- 44 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Cormorants: arrived singly
- 2 Grey Herons

West end street lamp poles pre-dawn:

I did not visit 
Too icy

Noted later:

Nothing 

A clear this morning. Snow on the ground and on a small patch of ice on a sheltered part of the water.

All the photos from here today are snow scenes. There was not much. I was making the best of one of the few snowy days we seem to get. A "flash" photo of the North path.

It must have been windy when the snow arrived as there was none on the trees, just on the sheltered bushes...

...sedges and....

...reeds.

The South side "path".

The concrete ramp also showing that the trees have no snow on them. (I am not guilty of making the footsteps).

While the traffic creeps along an icy Castle Farm Way the new housing development seems to have well insulated roofs.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 10:00 – 11:20

(2nd visit of the year)

New Bird Species
Three additions to my 2026 bird list from here:
- Greenfinches were calling from East side trees.
- at least four Wrens were heard after the unusually blank day yesterday
- two Nuthatches were calling and playing chase near the Priorslee Academy.
My 2026 bird species total for here now 30

Other bird notes:
- the putative pair of Mute Swans still present.
- I think three Great Crested Grebes: they were elusive.

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

Noted on / around the water:
- 6 Canada Geese
- 2 Mute Swans
- 36 (26♂) Mallard
- 3 (2♂) Pochard
- 37 (14♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens again
- 41 Coots again
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 78 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: (near) adult, briefly
- 1 Grey Heron

Noted around the area:

Fungus:
- * Blushing Bracket Daedaleopsis confragosa

Look: a bird photo! And a mistake at that. I was trying to hunt down the two Nuthatches playing chase when this Blue Tit popped in to view.

I believe this fungus to be a Blushing Bracket Daedaleopsis confragosa. The underside bruises pink when scratched, hence the name. The scientific name used to be Trametes rubescens.

These are more recent specimens on the same piece of dead wood.

More older specimens, also on the same dead wood.

Now some snow scenes from here. One of houses in Westcroft Walk needs to add more loft insulation!

The "top end".

The wood here must have been protected from the wind with significant snow on the trees...

...as shown here.

(Ed Wilson)

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2013
Priorslee Lake
Drake Scaup still present.

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Yellow-legged Gull
4 or 5 Great Black-backed Gulls
1 Caspian Gull
(Ed Wilson and et al)

2010
Priorslee Lake
c.1500 gulls
Adult winter Ring Billed Gull.
Adult Common Gull
3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls
Black-necked Grebe
(Ed Wilson and Rob Stokes)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Caspian Gull
Adult Yellow-legged Gull
Iceland Gull
(Dawn Balmer, Peter Wilson and et al)