Waiting for and then recovering from my scheduled operation restricted me to the UK in 2019. It allowed me to make more visits than usual to this site. In general this did not result in a bumper number of sightings. I am not sure why. Partly due to the continued general decline of all wildlife. I suspect it was also due to increased pressure here with more people enjoying access to the unofficial footpaths around the water. The inability of many dog walkers to heed the request from the owners, Severn-Trent, to keep their dogs on leads does not help.
A narrative about the birds is followed by my annual species counts.
Separately I have listed the mammals, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and dragonflies etc. I have recorded in 2019.
I have not listed any other insects as too many were only tentatively identified (as best). Neither have I kept detailed records of plants and fungi noted.
After this you will find similar information about Priorslee Flash, though nothing about the rather few mammal, hoverfly and dragonfly species I recorded.
Bird Highlights
- My first multiple Goldeneye record with no fewer than five together on 8h November
- A pair of Tawny Owls nested around the lake and were very vocal (and visible) for a while. Post-breeding they seem to have moved away.
- The intermittent return of a gull roost after November resulting in regular sightings of Yellow-legged, Caspian and Great Black-backed Gull.
- First confirmed breeding of Sedge Warbler for some years.
- A glimpse of a Stonechat at the end of February.
- Probable breeding by Linnet – my first such record
Some other observations
First winter
This was in general disappointing with no unusual ducks or grebes noted. This was likely partly due to lack of any very cold weather on the continent. A passing Great White Egret and sporadic visits by Little Egret were the best
Spring
Passage was disappointing. Many clear mornings no doubt encouraged migrants to pass directly overhead to their breeding grounds.
There was no tern passage, though a pair of Common Terns spent a few weeks in the area and were more likely breeding locally
Of the warblers the usual suspects – Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Common Whitethroats and Reed Warblers arrived in good numbers. Willow Warblers mostly moved through: one bird sang for many weeks but seemed not to find a mate. A few Lesser Whitethroats passed through – it is some years since this species bred here. No Grasshopper Warblers noted ‘reeling’ on passage. No unusual warblers (Wood has been seen): and none of the occasional passage birds noted – Wheatear, Redstart, Pied or Spotted Flycatcher.
Annoyingly I missed the Cuckoo that sang for some hours to some of the fishermen.
Breeding
The Mute Swans that bred successfully last year returned and hatched eight cygnets. As usual a few were soon lost. Six seemed to be doing well before one got tangled in vegetation and then disappeared. The remaining five were all flying by the end of October. One of them had persistently kept away from its parents and siblings and this bird did not join the others when they did some exploratory flights and left for a few days. Now they have all returned it remains ostracised
Difficult to prove but with birds present almost every day I strongly suspect that Little Grebes bred.
Great Crested Grebes also bred. Three pairs bred. The early broods seemed to be lost. Seven juveniles seemed to fledge, a situation confused by the arrival of several non-breeding adults and immatures from elsewhere arriving
Rather more Coots bred. They started a few days early and had multiple broods. Losses were, as usual, high. More seemed to reach maturity though this was hardly reflected in the second winter numbers.
Jays seems to have a good year with two confirmed breeding sites and many seen post-breeding. Numbers may well have been swelled by Continental birds – they ‘invade’ if the acorn crop fails over there.
Despite the large number of singing Blackcaps I saw rather few juveniles this year. Several of the singing Garden Warblers did not stay to breed. Two pairs were noted with young before they too moved away and did not have a second brood.
It is difficult to census tits as they move around too much. Great Tits seemed to breed at their usual sites but overall numbers seemed lower than usual with perhaps Long-tailed Tits the exception.
Autumn
This year produced rather few ducks (Goldeneye apart) and these all tended to move on soon after daybreak.
A small flock of Golden Plover overhead was unusual. I normally see these as distant groups over the fields far to the east, almost in Staffordshire!
A Spotted Flycatcher seen briefly was most welcome. A declining species and more likely to be seen in the autumn these days.
I logged many fewer Wood Pigeons and winter thrushes (Fieldfares and Redwings). Many grey days at the end of October and early November did not help. They may have passed after this and when I was in hospital and then recuperating.
Second Winter
Once again rather few ducks were noted. I am not sure about Water Rail this period. I have seen bird twice and heard one. I think that this species is usually vocal when two birds meet and if there is but a single bird then I would not hear any calls to alert me to the presence of this secretive species. The lack of hard weather may mean they have yet to arrive.
BIRDS
Bird species recorded in 2018 but not 2019
Teal
[Pintail - reported by other(s)]
Ringed Plover
Black-tailed Godwit
Green Sandpiper
Snipe
Black Tern
Ring-necked Parakeet
Common Crossbill
Bird species recorded in 2019 but not 2018
Red-legged Partridge
Whimbrel
Curlew
Greenshank
Kittiwake - reported by others in 2018
Caspian Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
[Cuckoo - reported by others]
Spotted Flycatcher
Stonechat
108 Bird species recorded in 2019 in the order I noted them
1 01/01/2019 Song Thrush
2 01/01/2019 Robin
3 01/01/2019 Blackbird
4 01/01/2019 Wren
5 01/01/2019 Wood Pigeon
6 01/01/2019 Coot
7 01/01/2019 Carrion Crow
8 01/01/2019 Mallard
9 01/01/2019 Little Grebe
10 01/01/2019 Tufted Duck
11 01/01/2019 Great Crested Grebe
12 01/01/2019 Magpie
13 01/01/2019 Redwing
14 01/01/2019 Black-headed Gull
15 01/01/2019 Pochard
16 01/01/2019 Jackdaw
17 01/01/2019 Dunnock
18 01/01/2019 Canada Goose
19 01/01/2019 Long-tailed Tit
20 01/01/2019 Great Tit
21 01/01/2019 Mute Swan
22 01/01/2019 Moorhen
23 01/01/2019 Pheasant
24 01/01/2019 Blue Tit
25 01/01/2019 Reed Bunting
26 01/01/2019 Water Rail
27 01/01/2019 Goosander
28 01/01/2019 Stock Dove
29 01/01/2019 Lesser Black-backed Gull
30 01/01/2019 Pied Wagtail
31 01/01/2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker
32 01/01/2019 Eurasian Wigeon
33 01/01/2019 Goldfinch
34 01/01/2019 Starling
35 01/01/2019 Herring Gull
36 01/01/2019 Gadwall
37 01/01/2019 Mistle Thrush
38 01/01/2019 Chaffinch
39 01/01/2019 Grey Wagtail
40 02/01/2019 Bullfinch
41 02/01/2019 Common Buzzard
42 02/01/2019 Coal Tit
43 02/01/2019 Greenfinch
44 02/01/2019 Siskin
45 03/01/2019 Greylag Goose
46 03/01/2019 Grey Heron
47 03/01/2019 Goldcrest
48 03/01/2019 Shoveler
49 03/01/1900 Jay
50 04/01/2019 Tawny Owl
51 04/01/2019 Cormorant
52 04/01/2019 Raven
53 04/01/2019 Green Woodpecker
54 07/01/2019 Woodcock
55 07/01/2019 Sparrowhawk
56 07/01/2019 (Common) Kestrel
57 07/01/2019 Rook
58 09/01/2019 Little Egret
59 09/01/2019 Lapwing
60 16/01/2019 Feral / Racing Pigeon
61 18/01/2019 Lesser Redpoll
62 22/01/2019 Peregrine
63 30/01/2019 Shelduck
64 05/02/2019 Collared Dove
65 11/02/2019 Treecreeper
66 16/02/2019 Skylark
67 25/02/2019 Chiffchaff
68 27/02/2019 Great White Egret
69 27/02/2019 Stonechat
70 04/03/2019 Fieldfare
71 08/03/2019 Nuthatch
72 12/03/2019 Sand Martin
73 17/03/2019 Oystercatcher
74 17/03/2019 (Common) Redshank
75 18/03/2019 Curlew
76 18/03/2019 Meadow Pipit
77 23/03/2019 Yellowhammer
78 24/03/2019 Blackcap
79 18/03/2019 Linnet
80 27/03/2019 Red-legged Partridge
81 29/03/2019 Brambling
82 29/03/2019 House Sparrow
83 31/03/2019 Barn Swallow
84 02/04/2019 House Martin
85 04/04/2019 Willow Warbler
86 09/04/2019 Common Sandpiper
87 13/04/2019 Little Ringed Plover
88 19/04/2019 Reed Warbler
89 19/04/2019 Common Whitethroat
90 21/04/2019 Garden Warbler
91 26/04/2019 Whimbrel
92 28/04/2019 Sedge Warbler
93 28/04/2019 Kittiwake
94 29/04/2019 Swift
95 07/05/2019 Lesser Whitethroat
96 24/05/2019 Red Kite
97 28/05/2019 Yellow Wagtail
98 30/05/2019 Common Tern
99 30/06/2019 Hobby
100 07/07/2019 Kingfisher
101 30/07/2019 Greenshank
102 27/08/2019 Spotted Flycatcher
103 02/09/2019 Common Gull
104 28/09/2019 Yellow-legged Gull
105 27/10/2019 Golden Plover
106 30/10/2019 Caspian Gull
107 07/11/2019 (Common) Goldeneye
108 06/12/2019 Great Black-backed Gull
--- [15 May 2019] Cuckoo [not logged by me]
Bird species recorded in 2019 (in BTO species order)
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Shelduck
Eurasian Wigeon
Gadwall
Mallard
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck
(Common) Goldeneye
Goosander
Red-legged Partridge
Pheasant
Cormorant
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Grey Heron
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Red Kite
Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
(Common) Kestrel
Hobby
Peregrine
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Little Ringed Plover
Whimbrel
Curlew
Common Sandpiper
Greenshank
(Common) Redshank
Woodcock
Common Tern
Kittiwake
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Caspian Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Feral / Racing Pigeon
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon total
Collared Dove
[Cuckoo]
Tawny Owl
Swift
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
Jay
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Goldcrest
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Skylark
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Long-tailed Tit
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Lesser Whitethroat
Common Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Wren
Starling
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Spotted Flycatcher
Robin
Stonechat
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Yellow Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Chaffinch
Brambling
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Lesser Redpoll
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Reed Bunting
Mammal species recorded in 2019
Rabbit
Badger
Fox
Brown Rat
4 x unidentified bat species
Mole hills only
[Hare nearby]
16 Butterfly species recorded in 2019 in new systematic order [see notes for moths below] (with first dates)
17/07/2019 Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
24/05/2019 Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris)
27/06/2019 Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus)
19/04/2019 Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
22/07/2019 Large White (Pieris brassicae)
09/07/2019 Small White (Pieris rapae)
05/07/2019 Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
20/04/2019 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
27/06/2019 Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
27/06/2019 Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
17/07/2019 Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)
03/07/2019 Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
27/06/2019 Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
12/05/2019 Peacock (Aglais io)
20/04/2019 Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)
01/07/2019 Comma (Polygonia c-album)
inexplicably missing this year was Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Moths
Notes:
The sequence I use (and have done for many years) is the Bradley and Fletcher number
It was superseded by a new "2013 checklist" decimal system which I have yet to adopt (I have done so for butterflies)
I initially added scientific names for micro moths only as there is no standard vernacular name for many species.
I extended this to all species but have rather fallen foul of recent reclassification brought about by DNA sequencing.
Usually the species (second part) of the scientific name - unique for every UK moth - is unchanged and only the genera are amended.
I plan to change to the new system in 2020
85 Moth species recorded in 2019 in order of first date recorded
01/01/2019 Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria)
01/01/2019 Scarce Umber (Agriopis aurantiaria)
03/01/2019 Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria)
03/01/2019 Early Moth (Theria primaria)
06/01/2019 Common Flat-body (Agonopterix heracliana)
06/01/2019 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
20/01/2019 Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)
17/03/2019 Shoulder Stripe (Earophila badiata)
17/03/2019 Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla)
24/03/2019 March Tubic (Diurnea fagella)
20/04/2019 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
20/04/2019 Streamer (Anticlea derivata)
01/05/2019 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)
02/05/2019 Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtula)
10/05/2019 Common Roller (Ancylis badiana)
20/05/2019 Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella)
24/05/2019 Yellow-faced Bell (Notocelia cynosbatella)
27/05/2019 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata)
27/05/2019 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)
28/05/2019 White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda)
28/05/2019 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
30/05/2019 Common Nettle-tap (Anthophila fabriciana)
01/06/2019 Timothy Tortrix (Zelotherses paleana)
01/06/2019 Common Marble (Celypha lacunana)
02/06/2019 Yellow-barred Longhorn (Nemophora degeerella)
03/06/2019 Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)
09/06/2019 Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana)
07/06/2019 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)
15/06/2019 Square Spot (Paradisa consonaria)
23/06/2019 Blood-vein (Timandra comae)
23/06/2019 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata)
26/06/2019 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
27/06/2019 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)
28/06/2019 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana)
01/07/2019 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae)
02/07/2019 Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata)
03/07/2019 Burnet Companion (Euclidia glyphica)
05/07/2019 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
05/07/2019 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritaria)
05/07/2019 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata)
05/07/2019 Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)
05/07/2019 Small Purple & Gold (Pyrausta aurata)
05/07/2019 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis)
08/07/2019 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella)
09/07/2019 Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) - caterpillars only
09/07/2019 Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella)
11/07/2019 Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
10/07/2019 Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)
11/07/2019 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)
11/07/2019 Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)
11/07/2019 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)
14/07/2019 Hoary Bell (Eucosma cana)
17/07/2019 Little Grey (Eudonia lacustrata)
18/07/2019 White Plume (Pterophorus pentadactyla)
22/07/2019 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola)
22/07/2019 Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli)
26/07/2019 Straw Grass-veneer (Agriphila straminella)
26/07/2019 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)
26/07/2019 The Clay (Mythimna ferrago)
26/07/2019 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)
29/07/2019 Dingy Dowd (Blastobasis adustella)
29/07/2019 Bulrush Cosmet (Limnaecia phragmitella)
30/07/2019 Golden-brown Tubic (Crassa unitella)
31/07/2019 Common Footman (Manulea lurideola)
02/08/2019 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)
05/08/2019 White-streak Grass-veneer (Agriphila latistria)
05/08/2019 Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana)
08/08/2019 Common Yellow Conch (Agapeta hamana)
13/08/2019 Dark-triangle Button (Acleris laterana)
20/08/2019 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis)
24/08/2019 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)
25/08/2019 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)
03/09/2019 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)
03/09/2019 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis)
06/09/2019 Bramble False-feather (Schreckensteinia festaliella)
06/09/2019 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)
19/09/2019 Common Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma truncata)
19/09/2019 Sallow (Cirrhia icteritia)
20/09/2019 Narrow-winged Grey (Eudonia angustea)
30/09/2019 Brick (Agrochola circellaris)
02/10/2019 Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)
10/10/2019 Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana)
16/10/2019 November Moth agg. (Epirrita sp.) [Autumnal, November, Pale November Moths]
05/11/2019 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)
Here in Bradley and Fletcher number sequence
Those marked ** were new for me at the lake in 2019
14 Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli)
17 Common Swift (Hepialus lupulinus)
148 Yellow-barred Longhorn (Nemophora degeerella)
150 **Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella)
171 Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet (Zygaena lonicerae)
385 Common Nettle-tap (Anthophila fabriciana)
485 Bramble False-feather (Schreckensteinia festaliella)
640 Golden-brown Tubic (Crassa unitella)
663 March Tubic (Diurnea fagella)
688 **Common Flat-body (Agonopterix heracliana)
701 **Red-letter Flat-body (Agonopterix ocellana)
873 **Dingy Dowd (Blastobasis adustella)
898 **Bulrush Cosmet (Limnaecia phragmitella)
937 Common Yellow Conch (Agapeta hamana)
970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana)
989 Timothy Tortrix (Zelotherses paleana)
1038 Dark-triangle Button (Acleris laterana)
1042 Rhomboid Tortrix (Acleris rhombana)
1076 Common Marble (Celypha lacunana)
1082 Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana)
1126 Common Roller (Ancylis badiana)
1174 Yellow-faced Bell (Notocelia cynosbatella)
1201 Hoary Bell (Eucosma cana)
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
1294 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella)
1304 Straw Grass-veneer (Agriphila straminella)
1305 Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella)
1307 White-streak Grass-veneer (Agriphila latistria)
1330 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis)
1338 Little Grey (Eudonia lacustrata)
1342 **Narrow-winged Grey (Eudonia angustea)
1361 Small Purple & Gold (Pyrausta aurata)
1388 Pale Straw Pearl (Udea lutealis)
1513 White Plume (Pterophorus pentadactyla)
1524 Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla)
1669 Common Emerald (Hemithea aestivaria)
1682 Blood-vein (Timandra comae)
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata)
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata)
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)
1725 Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata)
1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata)
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata)
1742 Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata)
1746 Shoulder Stripe (Earophila badiata)
1747 Streamer (Anticlea derivata)
1759 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata)
1760 Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata)
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Dysstroma truncata)
1790 November Moth agg. (Epirrita sp.) [Autumnal, November, Pale November Moths]
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata)
1894 Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata)
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata)
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria)
1922 Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria)
1926 Pale Brindled Beauty (Phigalia pilosaria)
1933 Scarce Umber (Agriopis aurantiaria)
1934 Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria)
1935 Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria)
1941 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata)
1949 Square Spot (Paradisa consonaria)
1960 Early Moth (Theria primaria)
1961 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritaria)
2019 Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtula)
2035 Round-winged Muslin (Thumatha senex)
2044 Dingy Footman (Eilema griseola)
2050 Common Footman (Manulea lurideola)
2060 White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda)
2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character (Xestia c-nigrum)
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)
2193 The Clay (Mythimna ferrago)
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens)
2245 **Green-brindled Crescent (Allophyes oxyacanthae)
2262 **Brick (Agrochola circellaris)
2274 Sallow (Cirrhia icteritia)
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea)
2463 Burnet Companion (Euclidia glyphica)
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis)
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis)
plus
2069 Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae): caterpillars only
23 Hoverfly species I identified in 2019, ordered by their scientific name (preceded by any vernacular name)
Those marked ** were new for me at the lake in 2019
23/05/2019 Baccha elongata
16/07/2019 Cheilosia illustrata
27/06/2019 Chrysotoxum bicinctum
01/07/2019 **Chrysotoxum verralli
03/06/2019 Stripe-backed Dasysyrphus (Dasysyrphus albostriatus)
25/08/2019 Broad-banded Epistrophe (Epistrophe grossulariae)
02/05/2019 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
25/08/2019 Stripe-faced Dronefly (Eristalis nemorum)
18/04/2019 Tapered Drone-fly (Eristalis pertinax)
28/03/2019 Common Drone-fly (Eristalis tenax)
02/08/2019 Migrant Hoverfly (Eupeodes corollae)
03/06/2019 The Footballer (Helophilus pendulus)
12/09/2019 **Helophilus trivittatus
05/08/2019 **Leucozona laternaria
18/04/2019 Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
05/08/2019 Dead-head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea)
09/06/2019 Parhelophilus sp.
11/07/2019 Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)
18/04/2019 Syrphus ribesii agg. (includes vitripennis)
03/06/2019 Bumblebee Hoverfly (Volucella bombylans)
12/08/2019 **Volucella inanis
20/05/2019 Pellucid Fly (Volucella pellucens)
13/08/2019 **Volucella zonaria
10 species of damsel- and dragon- flies identified in 2019 in accepted systematic order
20/05/2019 Common Blue Damselfly
30/05/2019 Red-eyed Damselfly
23/05/2019 Blue-tailed Damselfly
15/07/2019 Black-tailed Skimmer
03/09/2019 Common Darter
15/07/2019 Brown Hawker
21/05/2019 Azure Damselfly
22/07/2019 Southern Hawker
07/07/2019 Emperor Dragonfly
23/05/2019 Large Red Damselfly
The Flash
Summary
First Winter
There was an unprecedented number of Goosanders, with ‘brownheads’ dominating. This species has been appearing in winter for about six year now. Numbers have occasionally reached 40. Last winter numbers reached 160 though no more than 51 was logged in 2019
A Kestrel seen in early February. It is many years since I have seen one here – may even be my first (my easy-access computer records only cover the last 10 years)
The lone Ring-necked Parakeet that turned up and the lake at end of 2018 and then moved here stayed around until the end of January. It was reported from St. Georges for a few weeks thereafter before disappearing
Spring passage
Both Teal and Shoveler were seen on Spring passage – Teal was not seen at the lake this year.
A Peregrine in late April was my first here for several years.
A passing Curlew in mid-June was perhaps more likely a returning bird that had failed to breed.
A bumper number of Common Sandpipers was seen on passage (and then for the first time a few were seen in Autumn)
Breeding
The Mute Swans had a poor year. One of the 2018 cygnets was, remarkably, allowed to stay throughout. The resident pair built their nest in an unlikely position alongside Derwent Drive and hatched six cygnets. One died in the nest and another was quickly abandoned. And that was really the story of the year. Three cygnets seemed to be growing as normal but started spending their time with the flock of moulting geese. Their parents seemed to ignore them. It was then reported that the 2018 cygnet drowned these three. So none survived.
As usual the eggs of the nesting geese were ‘pricked’ by the Council contractors. A late summer visit by a group comprising single adult Greylag and Canada Geese with five identical ‘mixed’ full-grown juveniles must have bred locally.
A pair of Gadwall stayed well in to April but did not seem to breed.
There were more broods of Mallard ducklings in 2019. As usual there was a high attrition rate. More ducklings meant more survived to become adults
Tufted Ducks were present throughout. However none bred this year.
Great Crested Grebes eventually settled down and raised two chicks. These both suddenly disappeared before I had seen them fly so I am unsure whether they fledged or not.
A Garden Warbler set up territory and a pair was seen. Breeding success was not determined
Autumn passage
A fine drake Goldeneye was a most welcome sight.
In addition to the Common Sandpipers already noted one of the highlights was a large passage of Meadow Pipits. This passage took place on a wide front over the whole of the Midlands and involved many millions of bird – only about 100 here but unusual.
A Snipe was an unexpected sighting in late August.
A passing Common Crossbill was most unusual (the day before a few were noted at nearby Belvide). My first here. I recorded my first overhead the lake only last year. In Shropshire usually seen in conifers on the hills.
Second Winter
After the years of ‘pricking’ goose eggs the number of geese locally has declined. Fewer and fewer geese spend the day here after feeding in the fields. ‘Geese attract geese’ and their absence means there have been no unusual goose visitors – escapes or otherwise.
Goosanders came back but in much lower numbers.
For a few weeks in late November / early December there was a late afternoon gathering of Black-headed Gulls. Apparently a pre-roost gathering they were not present pre-dawn.
At least one of the local adult Yellow-legged Gulls has occasionally visited.
Many days have been enlivened by one and sometime two Kingfishers.
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The Flash
Bird species recorded in 2018 but not 2019
Pink-footed Goose
Little Egret
Hobby
Reed Warbler
Brambling
Bird species recorded in 2019 but not 2018
** = new for me at this site
Gadwall
Teal
Shoveler
Goldeneye
(Common) Kestrel
Peregrine
**Curlew
Snipe
Common Tern
Yellow-legged Gull
**Common Crossbill
Bird species recorded in 2019 in the order I noted them
** = new for me at this site
1 01/01/2019 Black-headed Gull
2 01/01/2019 Goosander
3 01/01/2019 Wood Pigeon
4 01/01/2019 Robin
5 01/01/2019 Canada Goose
6 01/01/2019 Blue Tit
7 01/01/2019 Tufted Duck
8 01/01/2019 Mallard
9 01/01/2019 Great Crested Grebe
10 01/01/2019 Moorhen
11 01/01/2019 Coot
12 01/01/2019 Ring-necked Parakeet
13 01/01/2019 Magpie
14 01/01/2019 Carrion Crow
15 01/01/2019 Mute Swan
16 01/01/2019 House Sparrow
17 01/01/2019 Herring Gull
18 01/01/2019 Lesser Black-backed Gull
19 01/01/2019 Goldfinch
20 01/01/2019 Great Tit
21 01/01/2019 Coal Tit
22 01/01/2019 Long-tailed Tit
23 01/01/2019 Blackbird
24 01/01/2019 Song Thrush
25 01/01/2019 Wren
26 01/01/2019 Chaffinch
27 01/01/2019 Dunnock
28 01/01/2019 Great Spotted Woodpecker
29 01/01/2019 Goldcrest
30 01/01/2019 Feral Pigeon
31 02/01/2019 Grey Heron
32 02/01/2019 Nuthatch
33 03/01/2019 Collared Dove
34 03/01/2019 Jackdaw
35 04/01/2019 Sparrowhawk
36 07/01/2019 Cormorant
37 10/01/2019 Bullfinch
38 13/01/2019 Gadwall
39 13/01/2019 Redwing
40 16/01/2019 Grey Wagtail
41 22/01/2019 Pochard
42 23/01/2019 Greylag Goose
43 24/01/2019 Shoveler
44 28/01/2019 Green Woodpecker
45 03/02/2019 Stock Dove
46 03/02/2019 Siskin
47 04/02/2019 (Common) Kestrel
48 04/02/2019 Yellow-legged Gull
49 05/02/2019 Greenfinch
50 05/02/2019 Lesser Redpoll
51 06/02/2019 Starling
52 10/02/2019 Common Buzzard
53 11/02/2019 Jay
54 13/02/2019 Treecreeper
55 26/02/2019 Chiffchaff
56 18/03/2019 Pied Wagtail
57 20/03/2019 Meadow Pipit
58 21/03/2019 Blackcap
59 22/03/2019 Sand Martin
60 03/04/2019 Willow Warbler
61 05/04/2019 Raven
62 15/04/2019 Peregrine
63 15/04/2019 Common Sandpiper
64 18/04/2019 Barn Swallow
65 19/04/2019 Teal
66 27/04/2019 House Martin
67 28/04/2019 Mistle Thrush
68 08/05/2019 Swift
69 08/05/2019 Sedge Warbler
70 09/05/2019 Garden Warbler
71 10/05/2019 Rook
72 23/06/2019 **Curlew
73 30/06/2019 Oystercatcher
74 05/07/2019 Kingfisher
75 15/07/2019 Common Tern
76 19/07/2019 Little Grebe
77 30/07/2019 **Common Crossbill
78 25/08/2019 Snipe
79 30/09/2019 Skylark
80 14/10/2019 Linnet
81 17/10/2019 Fieldfare
82 30/10/2019 Goldeneye
Bird species recorded in 2019 (in BTO species order)
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Gadwall
Teal
Mallard
Shoveler
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Goosander
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
(Common) Kestrel
Peregrine
Moorhen
Coot
Oystercatcher
Curlew
Common Sandpiper
Snipe
Common Tern
Black-headed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Ring-necked Parakeet
Swift
Kingfisher
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Magpie
Jay
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Goldcrest
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Skylark
Sand Martin
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Long-tailed Tit
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Nuthatch
Treecreeper
Wren
Starling
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Robin
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Meadow Pipit
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Siskin
Linnet
Lesser Redpoll
Common Crossbill
Bullfinch
7 Butterfly species recorded in 2019 in species order (with first dates)
During summer I have usually finished my visit before butterflies are active
19/04/2019 Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
09/08/2019 Green-veined White (Pieris napi)
13/09/2019 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)
09/08/2019 Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina)
13/09/2019 Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
29/03/2019 Peacock (Aglais io)
05/09/2019 Comma (Polygonia c-album)
32 Moth species recorded in 2019 in order of first date recorded
01/01/2019 Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria)
03/01/2019 Early Moth
06/01/2019 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata)
06/02/2019 Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria)
20/03/2019 Engrailed
30/03/2019 Lunar Marbled Brown (Drymonia ruficornis)
28/04/2019 Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella)
12/05/2019 Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata)
24/05/2019 Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata)
28/05/2019 Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae)
10/06/2019 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)
03/07/2019 Small Dusty Wave
03/07/2019 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata)
05/07/2019 Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella)
06/07/2019 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis)
08/07/2019 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella)
12/07/2019 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella)
15/07/2019 Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana) / Cnephasia agg
21/07/2019 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritaria)
31/07/2019 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata)
02/08/2019 Little Grey (Dipleurina lacustrata)
05/08/2019 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina)
11/08/2019 Straw Grass-veneer (Agriphila straminella)
25/08/2019 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria)
25/08/2019 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa)
02/09/2019 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)
02/09/2019 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea)
04/09/2019 Red Underwing (Catocala nupta)
06/09/2019 Common Marbled Carpet moth (Dysstroma truncata)
07/09/2019 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer (Agriphila geniculea)
20/10/2019 Epirrita sp. [Autumnal, November, Pale November Moths]
25/10/2019 Red-green Carpet moth (Chloroclysta siterata)
Here in Bradley and Fletcher number sequence
That marked ** was new for me at the lake in 2019
150 Green Long-horn (Adela reaumurella) 28/04/2019
1020 Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana) / Cnephasia agg 15/07/2019
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 12/07/2019
1294 Inlaid Grass-veneer (Crambus pascuella) 08/07/2019
1304 Straw Grass-veneer (Agriphila straminella) 11/08/2019
1305 Common Grass-veneer (Agriphila tristella) 05/07/2019
1309 Elbow-stripe Grass-veneer (Agriphila geniculea) 07/09/2019
1330 Common Grey (Scoparia ambigualis) 06/07/2019
1338 Little Grey (Dipleurina lacustrata) 02/08/2019
1707 Small Dusty Wave 03/07/2019
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 31/07/2019
1713 Riband Wave (Idaea aversata) 03/07/2019
1722 Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata) 24/05/2019
1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) 10/06/2019
1760 Red-green Carpet moth (Chloroclysta siterata) 25/10/2019
1764 Common Marbled Carpet moth (Dysstroma truncata) 06/09/2019
1790 Epirrita sp. [Autumnal, November, Pale November Moths] 20/10/2019
1799 Winter Moth (Operophtera brumata) 06/01/2019
1852 Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata) 12/05/2019
1913 Canary-shouldered Thorn (Ennomos alniaria) 25/08/2019
1934 Dotted Border (Agriopis marginaria) 06/02/2019
1935 Mottled Umber (Erranis defoliaria) 01/01/2019
1947 Engrailed 20/03/2019
1960 Early Moth 03/01/2019
1961 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritaria) 21/07/2019
2015 **Lunar Marbled Brown (Drymonia ruficornis) 30/03/2019
2069 Cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) 28/05/2019
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 25/08/2019
2306 Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) 02/09/2019
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 05/08/2019
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 02/09/2019
2452 Red Underwing (Catocala nupta) 04/09/2019
The following additional moths were recorded in the area of the pools and paths near The Flash
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 04/06/2019
1334a **Base-lined Grey moth (Scoparia basistrigalis) 08/07/2019
1941 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) 08/07/2019
647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 14/07/2019
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) 14/07/2019
1342 Narrow-winged Grey moth (Eudonia angustea) 17/07/2019
2477 The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 25/07/2019
(Ed Wilson)