The bird species total is one short of 2019's total (my previous highest); while moth and hoverfly species totals exceed any of my previous annual totals. I doubt that I will be able to beat these totals in future. I also fear that continued degradation of the environment will reduce the numbers and diversity of the species. The impact of more local housing has dramatically increased the number of, especially, dog walkers who use the muddy path around the lake. Many seem unable to read (or comply) with the notices posted by the land owner (Severn-Trent Water) requesting dogs to be kept on leads. Their canines rampage around disturbing ground-nesting birds. Don't talk to me about the cats that owners allow to hunt all night. The latest problem is that mountain bikers have discovered the area. I also learn that the local council are negotiating with Severn-Trent to buy/lease some of the land for use as allotments.
As usual I have scribed daily reports of my sightings and once again my thanks go to Martin Adlam for converting these to the format you have hopefully read. Most days I include photos to enliven the text.
Bird highlights include
- A single, very early visit by a Barn Owl at the end of May.
- The distinctive chip-chip calls of an overflying Crossbill at the rather unlikely date of early July
- Loud flight calls from a passing Ring-necked Parakeet in July. My third here
- My third Cetti's Warbler here, emitting its ear-splitting song for a few days at the end of September.
- Several different Caspian Gulls visiting from late October onwards.
On the right you see a comparison in size (and colour) with a full-grown Mute Swan cygnet
Unexpectedly I have seen more Great Egrets than Little Egrets. Rather few of these actually visited the lake.
All the usual warblers bred - Chiffchaffs (left), Blackcaps (juvenile right) and.........
.......Common Whitethroats (left, with food), Garden Warblers and Reed Warblers (right).
Willow Warblers no longer breed - the vegetation has probably grown too tall. I am never sure about Lesser Whitethroat which only sings until paired and then becomes very secretive. At least five Sedge Warblers sang but none stayed to breed. All confirmed breeding warbler species gave many good photo opportunities, especially as they fed their young as I have tried to illustrate.
The Tawny Owls did not nest as they had done in 2019 though that was my first-ever confirmed breeding record.
Alongside Woodhouse Lane to the east of the lake a pair of Yellow Wagtails bred for the first time I can recall. The farm fields here add breeding Sky Larks and Linnets to my annual list. Not for too many more years as they are earmarked for yet more housing on the ever-expanding Telford. Don't get me started ....
Last year my moth species count was 77 so I am well-pleased to reach 105. This is mainly due to constant effort in viewing those resting on poles of the street lamps lighting the footpath along the west end. I managed to lever myself out of bed at silly o'clock throughout May, June and July to view moths so attracted and before sunlight caused them to fly off and hide.
The Flash is less diverse being almost completely surrounded by housing. It has a metalled footpath all the way round. No water activities are allowed other than fishing. It boasts a small and wooded island so many species seem happy-enough to spend time here knowing that a refuge from predators is available. My more modest species counts from here include 76 birds, just seven butterflies and 38 moths.
One species seen here but not (yet?) this year at the main lake was a fly-over Red Kite, a species expanding its range out of its local west and south Shropshire strongholds.
The water here attracts Goosanders, often in good numbers. These ducks nest on the River Severn and are regular at The Flash from October in to the new year. They are members of a duck family known as saw-bills because of serrations along the cutting edges of their bills, enabling them to catch slippery fish. Perch seem to be a favourite. They rarely visit the main lake and usually stay for only a few minutes there.
The Tawny Owls did not nest as they had done in 2019 though that was my first-ever confirmed breeding record.
Alongside Woodhouse Lane to the east of the lake a pair of Yellow Wagtails bred for the first time I can recall. The farm fields here add breeding Sky Larks and Linnets to my annual list. Not for too many more years as they are earmarked for yet more housing on the ever-expanding Telford. Don't get me started ....
Last year my moth species count was 77 so I am well-pleased to reach 105. This is mainly due to constant effort in viewing those resting on poles of the street lamps lighting the footpath along the west end. I managed to lever myself out of bed at silly o'clock throughout May, June and July to view moths so attracted and before sunlight caused them to fly off and hide.
The Flash is less diverse being almost completely surrounded by housing. It has a metalled footpath all the way round. No water activities are allowed other than fishing. It boasts a small and wooded island so many species seem happy-enough to spend time here knowing that a refuge from predators is available. My more modest species counts from here include 76 birds, just seven butterflies and 38 moths.
One species seen here but not (yet?) this year at the main lake was a fly-over Red Kite, a species expanding its range out of its local west and south Shropshire strongholds.
The water here attracts Goosanders, often in good numbers. These ducks nest on the River Severn and are regular at The Flash from October in to the new year. They are members of a duck family known as saw-bills because of serrations along the cutting edges of their bills, enabling them to catch slippery fish. Perch seem to be a favourite. They rarely visit the main lake and usually stay for only a few minutes there.
A duck Goosander with a Perch (left) and a smart drake (right)
The resident Mute Swans have done well. Nine eggs all hatched. Two cygnets were lost very early - a common occurrence. Despite rather disinterested parents the cygnets have thrived, feeding with the large number of moulting Greylag and Canada Geese during July and August and then teaching themselves how to fly. Last year the same disinterested parents left the cygnets to get killed. Not sure what will happen this year if the adults don't show them there is life beyond the confines of their water.
A small patch of reeds hosted a singing Reed Warbler for several weeks - my first here for at least six years. Song became gradually more intermittent without there ever appearing to be a mate around. A Garden Warbler set up territory where it nested last year. Again apparently unsuccessfully
(Ed Wilson)