5 Apr 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

1.0°C > 4.0°C: Fine and clear. Brisk moderate NW wind kept frost away. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:36 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:35 – 06:45 // 07:45 – 09:05

(40th visit of the year)

Notes from today:
- a very flighty pair of Gadwall were new in. Probably not the more sedentary birds that were present during winter
- 2 drake Goosanders flew E at 06:40 – a late date for this species here
- now just 2 Great Crested Grebes: perhaps each of their partners is sitting on eggs
- with clear skies to the E much easier to see the outbound Jackdaws this morning. After 2 at 05:50 and a few more small groups at least 450 birds seen passing at 05:58 on many different flight lines and at different heights some to the very far E. If any birds flew to the W of the lake it was a rather too dark to see them
- 2 Willow Warblers singing. One of these was a rather odd-looking bird with almost no supercilium and rather brown-toned plumage. However this bird was singing and also noted moving much more sluggishly through the vegetation and not dipping its tail and therefore behaving just like any Willow Warbler should
- 4 Blackcaps seen: 3 males only one of which was singing
- only one of the two male Reed Buntings was singing: the other seen chasing a female
and

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 (2♂) Goosanders
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 19 Wood Pigeons
- c.525 Jackdaws (see notes)
- 1 Greenfinch again
- 4 Siskins

Hirundine today
None

Warblers noted: figure in brackets are singing birds (not necessarily all the males seen were noted singing)
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers
- 4 (1) Blackcaps

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans again
- 3 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 5 (4♂) Mallard again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes only
- 7 Moorhens
- 41 Coots yet again

A fine morning means you get a moon-shot.

Here is that Willow Warbler with the indistinct supercilium. I have to say in the photo it appears rather stronger than it did in the field. We can see the bill appears slightly thicker and shorter than a Chiffchaff – though that depends upon angle of view somewhat. It certainly appears almost all pale and lacks the orange of the Chiffchaffs’ underside to the lower mandible. The pink (not dark or black) legs can be seen through the vegetation. Another separation is wing length – Willow Warblers migrate from sub-Saharan Africa and have longer wings. That is rather obscured by vegetation here.

Here is the Chiffchaff that has caused me some confusion recently: note how brown the cap is and from certain angles makes the bird look like a female Blackcap. The body colour is of course quite wrong for that species. Illustrations in bird books show the ‘normal’ appearance and there is always individual variation. When birds are singing – as both the Willow Warbler and this Chiffchaff were doing – life is so much easier.

A male Blackcap obviously: this bird did not sing.

And here is a female Blackcap wondering what this man with a camera is doing.

A male Great Tit singing. Even he not been singing the bird could have been sexed by the width of the ‘zip’ up its belly – much wider in males.

Yes, yes ... we’ve heard it already.

Another rather unusually-plumaged bird: your field guide illustrations of female Reed Buntings won’t look too much like this! With its head turned we cannot see the usually obvious pale malar stripe and as for the rufous crown I have no idea!

The warm weather brought many of these small flies out to bask on the lamps. There are not too many small flies which hold their wings flat across the body and which do not have red eyes. But I cannot identify it. It is a bit like a Humped-back Fly (Phoridae sp.) but ...
(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:55 – 07:35

(26th visit of the year)

Notes from today
- one of the two Blackcap seen was a male: as at the lake he was not heard singing
- both Nuthatch and Treecreeper seen today with the Nuthatch giving its territorial call from the huge Ash trees at the bottom of squirrel alley
and
- mole hills at the N end were the first I had noted here this year

Birds noted flying over
- 8 Wood Pigeons

Warblers noted: figures in brackets are singing birds (not necessarily all the males seen were noted singing)
- 3 (1) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers
- 2 (0) Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 18 Canada Geese
- 12 (11♂) Mallard
- 38 (22♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens only
- 16 Coots

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 1 duck Mallard on the lower pool
- 1 Moorhen calling from the lower pool
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff at the upper pool

A rather more cooperative Treecreeper this morning.

Not quite sharp but included to show the way the feet work climbing up – always up – the tree. It uses its stiff tail as a prop.

And here we see that prop and also see clearly the single toe pointing downwards. Nuthatches who can go up and down with equal ease can point two toes forward and two back to do so.

Talking of which Nuthatches ... here we see the two toes pointing forward as this Nuthatch gets to grips with a tasty morsel.

After breakfasting it sits in the sun.

And having a preen of its back – makes my neck ache. Hooray for loofahs!

And to call me a liar it now appears with three toes pointing forward!

Time for another preen.

A Blue Tit in search of breakfast.

A female Blackcap. Something I did not notice at the time was the rather buffy cheeks making the brown cap of the female less ‘cap-like’.

Obviously an effect of the light as in this view the cap appears the normal shape. Note the obvious broken eye-ring.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day..........

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Cormorants
2 Grey Herons
9 Tufted Duck
4 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warblers
131 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Cackling Goose-type
37 Tufted Ducks
3 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
23 Tufted Ducks
3 Sand Martins
1 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes 
5 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Gadwall 
23 Tufted Ducks 
2 Redwings
1 Fieldfare
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 
3 Great Crested Grebes
48 Tufted Duck 
2 Brambling
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
4 Lapwings
1 Stock Dove
3 Sky Larks
8 Redwing
(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool
Male Wheatear
(Glenn Bishton)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Goosander
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
60 Golden Plover
20 Yellowhammer
4 Wheatear
(John Isherwood, Andy Latham, John Isherwood, Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee lake

2 Great Crested Grebe
17 Tufted Duck
68 Lesser Black-backed Gull
1 Kingfisher
5 Meadow Pipit
1 Blackcap
6 Chiffchaff
3 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebe
5 Herons
7 Tufted Ducks
3 Lapwings
2 Ruddy Ducks
418 Jackdaws
27 Wrens
26 Blackbirds
47 Sand Martins
1 Swallow.
2 Fieldfares
1 Barn Owl
4 Meadow Pipits
2 Fieldfares
2 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warblers
1 Willow Tit
9 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
7 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

4 Apr 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash: also Nedge Hill / The Wyke

6.5°C > 8.5°C: Mostly cloudy with spells of mainly light rain; turning showery with some sunny spells later. Light SE wind increasing in showers. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:38 BST

Highlight this morning was the Ring Ouzel found at Nedge Hill by John Isherwood who kindly came and extracted me from the lake to make a successful return visit to see and photograph it. Thanks John

Supporting cast on the Nedge included a pair of Wheatears

Also noteworthy was the rare opportunity to log all five thrushes on one day at one location – Ring Ouzel, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Redwing. The first time I have achieved this

Priorslee Lake: 05:40 – 07:10 // 08:05 – 08:40 // 10:40 – 11:00

(39th visit of the year)

2 Blackcaps singing along the S side of lake at 06:30. My 75th species at the lake this year

Leaping off to Nedge meant I did not complete a second full lap of the lake and this may have affected, in particular, the warbler counts

Notes from today:

- just 3 Great Crested Grebes again: I suspect the 4th bird, in the NW corner, is sitting on eggs

- the Lesser Black-backed Gulls were all VERY distant

- no idea where most of the Jackdaws were this morning: I could in theory see the flight lines to E and W but only saw a few flying overhead. Did not hear any large groups either – possibly because of road noise from a wet M54

- 6 Sand Martins seen over the NW copse at 10:45; 2 more flew N 10:55

- a pair of Pied Wagtails on the football field; later two males on the SW grass

and

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:

- 1 Canada Goose

- 2 Common Buzzards

- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

- 1 Stock Dove

- 11 Wood Pigeons

- 33 Jackdaws (see notes)

- 1 Pied Wagtail

- 1 Greenfinch

Hirundine count

- 8 Sand Martins

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds

- 4 (4) Chiffchaffs

- 1 (1) Willow Warblers

- 2 (2) Blackcaps

The counts from the lake area

- 6 + 4 Mute Swans

- 5 (4♂) Mallard

- 1 Grey Heron

- 3 Great Crested Grebes still

- 5 Moorhens

- 41 Coots again

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:25 – 08:00

(25th visit of the year)

Two Stock Doves flying over and a singing Willow Warbler were both new species for me here this year taking my site total to 50

Birds noted flying over

- 2 Stock Doves

- 5 Wood Pigeons

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds

- 3 (2) Chiffchaffs

- 1 (1) Willow Warbler

The counts from the water

- 2 Mute Swans again

- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose

- 16 Canada Geese

- 13 (12♂) Mallard

- 45 (28♂) Tufted Ducks

- 2 Great Crested Grebes still

- 5 Moorhens

- 17 Coots again

Noted between the lake and The Flash

- 1 (1) Chiffchaff

- 1 (1) Blackcap

(Ed Wilson)

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Nedge Hill / The Wyke

Late Morning: 08:45 – 10:35

(1st visit of the year)

Some notes from here to supplement the highlighted Ring Ouzel and Wheatears

- several Buzzards of course

- an encouraging number of Lapwings with several in tumbling display flight

- >5 Skylarks in song: good to hear but a poor number compared to just a few years ago

- just a single Fieldfare over; a few Redwings; more Song Thrushes with 4 heard in song; 2 Mistle Thrushes in one of the horse fields

- Chiffchaffs were the only warblers heard

- a few Pied Wagtails in the fields with the cattle: none of these was a White Wagtail

- at least 3 Meadow Pipits in the fields (many of these fields have longer grass than in recent years)

- 2 Linnets were a welcome sight if a rather poor total. A declining species locally

- 3 male Yellowhammers well seen: others heard

and

- the fields still home to Rabbits – these very scarce / absent at Priorslee these days

The best I could manage with the rather distant and flighty Ring Ouzel. We can at least just about see the white crescent on the breast. This seems to be a first year bird as it is rather brown-looking. We can see the pale edges to the flight feathers – another difference from Blackbirds. The belly feathers should appear rather scaly but sadly are in shade here.

The female Wheatear. Very delicate tones.

The male Wheatear.

and the back view of the same bird.

A fine male Yellowhammer.

A different male Yellowhammer. In this view we can just see the warm rufous tones of the rump.

(Ed Wilson)

-------------------

Early Morning: 07:30

Ring Ouzel - 1 (male,lower horsefields)

Wheatear - 2 (middle horsefields)

Also ; Fieldfare, Redwing and several pairs of Lapwing in display flight.

(John Isherwood)

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On this day..........

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
3 Greylag Geese
5 Common Teal
4 Wigeon
31 Tufted Duck
1 Kittiwake
c.12 Sand Martins
2 Swallow
3 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Shoveler
43 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
23 Tufted Ducks
1 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
Red-legged Partridge
4 Sky Larks
6 Meadow Pipits
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
1 Linnet
2 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Grebes 
5 Great Crested Grebe 
2 Gadwall 
13 Tufted Ducks 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
Cackling Goose
(JW Reeves)

Leegomery
Woodcock
(JW Reeves)

Long Lane, Wellington
1 Redshank
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
2 Swallows
20 Sand Martins
2 Meadow Pipits
(Martin Grant)

2009
Priorslee Lake
4 Shoveler
2 Sand Martin
(John Isherwood)

The Flash
2 Shoveler
1 Snipe
1 Willow Warbler

Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
1 Blackcap
(John Isherwood)

2008
Nedge Hill
Whinchat
(Paul King)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Teal
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebes
2 Herons
6 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
318 Jackdaws
105 Wood Pigeons
1 Sky Lark
5 Meadow Pipits
22 Wrens
24 Robins
25 Blackbirds
58 Fieldfares
3 Willow Warblers
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Tits
15 Greenfinches
1 Siskin
2 Redpolls
4 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

3 Apr 18

Priorslee Lake

Afternoon: 12:30 - 14:15

I did a circuit of the lake today between 12-30 to 14-15 and recorded:
Mute Swan 3 pairs + 4 immatures [resident female on a nest]
Grey Heron 1
Great Crested Grebe 3
Mallard 2 pairs + 3 males
Tufted Duck 1 male
Coot 37
Moorhen 2
Black-headed Gulls 3
Buzzard 2
Wood Pigeon 1
Stock Dove 2
Magpie 1
Blackbird 7 [all males]
Robin 5
Wren 1
Great Tit 1
Long-tailed Tit 3
Chiffchaff 4 [singing].

One of the 2 males at the dam end of the Lake has a BTO ring. I also managed to read the other males BTO ring today ZY1297, the details I have are:---


Blue 7FTZ          [lost Darvic]                                                                ZY1297

22-06-10       N:      TRENCH POOL TELFORD GBSA SJ6812                            M G Grant

                   1 of 5 cygnets with parents Blue 7EVI/7EDV.

16-09-10       R:      TRENCH POOL TELFORD GBSA SJ6812                            A V Cross

                   Age/Sex 3M , B4, Parents Blue 7EVI/7EDV                           

                   Siblings ringed Blue 7FTV, 7FTX, 7FUB.

                   Also on 10-11-10, 25-11-10, 29-12-10, 25-01-11

22-02-11       S:       TRENCH POOL TELFORD GBSA SJ6812                            M G Grant

                   with parents Blue 7EVI/7EDV + siblings Blue 7FTV, 7FTX, 7FUB.

                   14-04-11 with siblings Blue 7FTV, 7FTX, 7FUB, parents Blue 7EVI/7EDV on nest.

                   20-04-11 with siblings Blue 7FTX, 7FUB, parents Blue 7EVI/7EDV on nest.

31-01-17       S:       MOSS POOL nr NEWPORT GBSA SJ7520 [12kms]             M G Grant

                   With Blue 7IXI + 3 un-ringed adults & 1 un-ringed juvenile.

                   Also on 12-02-17 in flock of 6 including Blue 7IXI, BTO ZY7661 + 3 un-ringed.

03-04-18       S:       PRIORSLEE LAKE TELFORD GBSA SJ7209                          M G Grant

                   Paired with un-ringed female, present for at least 2 weeks.

(Martin Grant)

----------------------------------

Morning 05:35 – 07:00 // 07:50 – 09:30

8.0°C > 9.5°C: Promising start with well-broken cloud gave way to the ‘Telford hat’ of low cloud with drizzle c.09:00. Light S wind. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:40 BST

(38th visit of the year)

2 Sand Martins flew straight through W at 08:15. My 74th species at the lake this year

Notes from today:
- more Mallard than recently: these assumed to be the source of birds seen flying around the area
- a Grey Heron arrived pre-dawn and then soon after 2 birds seen leaving
- no Wood Pigeons seen in the fields and trees to the N / NNE. Have these left of their own volition or did the bird scarers get the better of them?
- having positioned to minimise the effect of some very dark clouds hampering my view of the departing Jackdaws they decided to pass to the W of the lake this morning – an area that I could not see! All I saw were a few later groups long after the main party has noisily gone by
- Chiffchaffs sill the only warbler noted
- 3 Redwings seen this morning
- the Mistle Thrush sang for a while much closer to the lake: but then moved away
and
- what seemed to be a Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) found on a lamp
- very many midges around the lamps and then all around the lake, especially over the dam and around the Wesley Brook bridge. Unable to catch any at rest and there are several possibilities

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 3 Canada Geese
- 1 Common Buzzard again
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 27 Wood Pigeons
- >>49 Jackdaws (see notes)
- 2 Pied Wagtails

Hirundine count
- 2 Sand Martins

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 10 (9) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans again
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 1 Canada Goose
- 11 (8♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Grey Herons
- 3 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Water Rail
- 8 Moorhens
- 41 Coots
- 1 Kingfisher

Looked an encouraging start this morning. Low cloud and then some drizzle dashed that.

Greylag Geese are a handsome bird. The ‘Pair 3’ Mute Swans kept them well away from ‘their’ area in the SE area.

A Chiffchaff singing away. That of course identifies but in the photo we see the rather indistinct supercilium and the orange lower mandible, both of which separate from Willow Warbler. We cannot see the dark legs on this view.

This little fellow on one of the lamps is perhaps a Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius). This is a very variable species. At this time of year it is rather early even to be seeing nymphs and the adult does not usually occur until June. It is the nymphs that protect themselves with the well-known cuckoo-spit, coinciding with the arrival of the Cuckoo at the end of April – hence the name. Thus the nymphs are rarely seen and have no exoskeleton – which this photo seems to show. A bit of a mystery.

Not easy to photo: these are the midges hovering over me this morning. I could imagine that they show plumed antennae and are therefore the plumed midge sp. Chironomus plumosus.
(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:05 – 07:45

(24th visit of the year)

A calling Nuthatch was new for me here this year taking my total to 48

Notes from today
- the white feral goose is no more. Probably killed by the cob Mute Swan that has been giving it a hard time recently

Birds noted flying over
- 3 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Chiffchaff

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 19 Canada Geese
- 15 (14♂) Mallard
- 51 (31♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 3 Moorhens
- 17 Coots

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 2 (1♂) Mallard in the brook above the upper pool
- 1 Moorhen in the lower pool

A sad end for the rather charismatic white feral goose. He had managed to avoid the aggressive cob Mute Swan for a number of year – not this year though.

Low light and a hyperactive species does not make for a good photo: the best I could manage of this Goldcrest. The feet are well shown!
(Ed Wilson)

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On this day..........

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
1 Grey Heron
2 Greylag Geese
9 Tufted Duck
c.30 Sand Martins
1 Swallow
4 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
3 Greylag Geese
2 Common Teal
53 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
23 Tufted Ducks
c.25 Sand Martins
2 Swallows
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe 
4 Great Crested Grebe 
2 Gadwall 
32 Tufted Ducks 
75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
41 Herring Gulls on the water.
(Ed Wilson)

Horsehay Pool
Hybrid Ring-billed x Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Martin Ryder)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Tufted Duck: both drakes this morning 
7 Blackcaps
14 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes 
40 Tufted Duck 
7 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Pool
5 Tufted Duck 
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
3 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

Redhill
6 Tree Sparrow
(John Isherwood)

2011
Nedge Hill
Male Common Redstart
4 Wheatear
(Martin and Ian Grant)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
12 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
2 Stock Doves
178 Wood Pigeons
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Sky Larks
3 Meadow Pipits
168 Sand Martins
1 House Martin
28 Wrens
29 Blackbirds
3 Blackcap
4 Willow Warblers
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Tits
8 Greenfinches
4 Siskins
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant)

2 Apr 18

No sightings in today.

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On this day..........

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
7 Greylag Geese
14 Tufted Duck
4 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
229 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
6 Greylag Geese
1 Cackling Goose
52 Tufted Ducks
2 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
3 Greylag Geese
12 Tufted Ducks
1 Little Gull
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
33 Greylag Geese
10 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Water Rail
2 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
2 Little Grebe
Chiffchaff
Reed Bunting.
(John Isherwood)

The Flash
1 Brambling
1 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
>100 Fieldfare
> 50 Redwing
6 Lapwing
Meadow Pipit
Yellowhammer
(John Isherwood)

2012
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes 
9 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck
1 Curlew
1 Peregrine
4 Blackcaps
13 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes 
48 Tufted Duck 
2 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
1 Curlew
5 Sky Larks
1 Blackcap 
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
2 Curlew
Wheatear
> 50 Sand Martin
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 male Common Redstart
21 Wheatear
(John Isherwood, Ian Grant)

2010
Priorslee Lake
White Wagtail
Wheatear
3 Sand Martin
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Willow Tit
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
Common Redstart
6 Lapwing
(John Isherwood)

2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebe
17 Tufted Duck
2 Willow Tit
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Bullfinch
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 
25 Tufted Duck
2 Shoveler
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill 
2 Lapwing 
2 Curlew
1 Blackcap
1 Sparrowhawk 
4 Meadow Pipits
4 Skylarks
4 Chiffchaffs 
8 Goldfinches
5 Yellowhammers 
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
146 Jackdaws
1 Stock Dove
192 Wood Pigeons
2 Sky Larks
1 Meadow Pipit
27 Blackbirds
31 Fieldfares
3 Swallow
53 Sand Martins
4 Swallow
3 Blackcaps
2 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Jays
22 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
(Ed Wilson, Martin Grant)

1 Apr 18

Priorslee Lake and The Flash: then Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

1.5°C > 5.0°C: Clear start: few stratus clouds for a while before clearing again: later both thin high cloud and puffy lower cloud built up. Light N wind, veering ENE. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 06:45 BST

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 07:30 // 08:30 – 09:40

(37th visit of the year)

I see the Council had decreed it possibly icy this morning and dispatched gritters. Clearly they have set routes which they cannot deviate from so the cul-de-sac that is Teece Drive leading only to the school was given the full treatment when there was no-one (other than me) to use it

Notes from today:
- many of the Magpies are still using the roost even though they then spend a lot of time maintaining and sitting around at their nests: at least 46 seen leaving
- 3 Jays together was rather unusual
- the clear weather and good visibility gave me a good view of the Jackdaws dispersal this morning and enough time to make a much more accurate count of the 21 groups, many some way to the E. There were still 2 birds some minutes ahead of the main parties - >10 minutes earlier than recently
- 2 of the singing Chiffchaffs still disputing territory around the Wesley Brook bridge. Many of the other birds heard rather briefly and may have been moving through
- no repeat of yesterday’s Willow Warbler here (or anywhere else)
- 1 Redwing heard again in trees at the W well pre- the non-dawn: one (the same?) seen later
- Song Thrushes heard singing from nine different locations. However many sang briefly and I suspect no more than five birds were involved, moving around to establish ‘their’ territory
- the Mistle Thrush heard in very distant song – at the moment singing well towards the Priorslee Avenue end of the Ricoh copse
- a loose party of 9 finches flew NW across the dam c.08:50. On size it seems likely these were Greenfinches. Unusually no calls were heard
and
- another, larger, White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) found on one of the lamps

Today’s bird totals

Birds noted flying over / near the lake:
- 6 Greylag Geese
- 5 Canada Geese
- 4 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Stock Dove
- 37 Wood Pigeons
- 344 Jackdaws
- 2 Goldfinches
- 9 finch sp. (see notes)
- 3 Siskins

Hirundine count
none

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 11 (9) Chiffchaffs

The counts from the lake area
- 6 + 4 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag Goose
- 3 Canada Geese
- 7 (5♂) Mallard again
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 52 Coots

This was a Blue Moon at c.13:45 yesterday: the second Blue Moon of the year. One reason why Easter is so early – the Sunday (01 April) after the first full moon (31 March) after the Vernal Equinox (21 March).

Followed by a sunrise just catching a few low stratus clouds.

‘Only’ a Blue Tit, but a perky little fellow (or fellowess – I can’t tell: I assume they can).

A male Bullfinch doing what Bullfinches do best – eating buds.

A better view of a White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger) than I managed last time.

Here showing the white legs clearly.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:40 – 08:20

(23rd visit of the year)

Notes from today
- two of the Chiffchaffs were together, one calling and the other silent, working their way up the W side before apparently flying off high N together

Birds noted flying over
None

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 4 (2) Chiffchaff

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 1 Greylag x Canada Goose
- 18 Canada Geese
- the white feral goose as ever
- 14 (12♂) Mallard once more
- 57 (38♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 19 Coots

Noted between the lake and The Flash
- 2 Canada Geese on the lower pool
- 1 (1♂) Mallard also on the lower pool
- 1 Moorhen – guess where?

This female Blackbird was almost too close!

Not sure what she was doing here but the pose allows us to see the rictal bristles around the mouth. It was long thought these were to do with catching insects and flycatchers certainly have more well-developed bristles. Why would Blackbirds need them? The jury seems to be out on their true function or whether they are, like our coccyx, something no longer needed.

A Song Thrush standing to attention.

A fine dumpy Robin.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 09:50 – 10:00 // 10:35 – 11:00

(12th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- the cob Mute Swan seen to be getting ‘close to’ one of his cygnets from last year: oh er missus
- the over flying Lesser Black-backed Gulls were very high and rather distant
- 1 Chiffchaff in song again

Birds noted flying over here [apart from the local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws coming and going]
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
and
- Daisy (Bellis perennis) noted in flower

Warblers noted: figure in brackets is singing birds
- 1 (1) Chiffchaffs again

The counts from the water
- 1 + 6 Mute Swans again
- 7 Canada Geese
- 5 (3♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) ‘feral’ Mallard as usual
- 13 (9♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 5 Moorhens
- 31 Coots

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool: 10:05 – 10:30

(12th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- Martin Grant tells me that the missing last year’s cygnet has been taken in to care
- not sure where the erstwhile ‘feral’ Mallards could have gone. I have never seen any of them fly – but then most of the ‘real’ Mallards do not seen too inclined to do so anyway
- and where do all the Moorhens go? A few hide around the edges but does not account for the anything up to that occur in mid-Winter

Birds noted flying over here
None

The counts from the water
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans again
- 13 Greylag Geese
- 62 Canada Geese
- 12 (11♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhens
- 28 Coots again

Someone buy the Environment Agency a dictionary (or a spell-checker)!

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day..........

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Sand Martin
4 Great Crested Grebes
9 Tufted Duck
2 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
127 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Sand Martin
2 Teal
45 Tufted Ducks
1 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Woodhouse Lane
1 Chiffchaff
2 Linnets
4 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Kittiwake
5 Gadwall
7 Wigeon
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
Willow Tit
(John Isherwood, Jim Almond, Arthur Harper)

Horsehay Pool
2 Mandarin Ducks
(Jim Almond)

2009
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebe
8 Tufted Duck
3 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

Trench
2 Great Crested Grebe
2 Cormorant
32 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaff
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
33 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Warbler

2007
The Flash
1 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
9 Tufted Ducks
1 Ruddy Duck
184 Wood Pigeons
2 Stock Doves
1 House Martin
5 Sand Martins
1 Curlew
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Sky Lark
2 Meadow Pipits
25 Wrens
20 Robins
27 Blackbirds
1 Redwing
2 Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Tit
10 Greenfinches
2 Siskins
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)