13 Feb 19

Priorslee Lake, The Flash, Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:35
The Flash:  09:40 – 10:25
Trench Lock Pool:  10:40 – 10:50 // 11:30 – 11:50
Trench Middle Pool:  10:55 – 11:25

7.0°C > 10.0°C:  Early low cloud cleared to high overcast. Some lower cloud also later. Almost calm start with light S wind later. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 07:31 GMT

Notable today was the increase in Great Crested Grebes. There was a second bird at the lake. At The Flash there were two (none yesterday and just one previously this year). Also two at Middle Pool where I have seen none for three weeks. Still only 1 at Trench Lock Pool though

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:35

(41st visit of the year)

Bird notes
- no Mute Swans
- the ‘gang of 10’ geese was a ‘gang of 5’, all Canada Geese. A few more geese later
- drake Shoveler seemed to have shoved off
- a second Great Crested Grebe: they stayed well apart protecting the NW and N side reeds respectively
- most surprising sighting was a Pheasant flying off the football field in to the Ricoh copse. Against the light for me so was unable to sex the silhouette. They have attempted to breed in the copse in previous years. They are usually heard rather than seen
- I more or less gave up with the Black-headed Gulls this morning. A desultory arrival of 35 birds at 07:09 was followed by small numbers leaving to and arriving from the W. A group of 66 arrived at 07:55, likely including returnees. By 08:30 there were just 5 remaining. Then at 09:10 there were c.190 on the water
- the 62 over-flying Wood Pigeons included a tight group of 17 flying N at height
- a walk around the complete area between 06:25 and 06:50 produced 12 singing Song Thrushes, 14 Blackbirds (3 in song) and 28 singing Robins. This was the first morning this year I have heard serious Blackbird song

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 2 Greylag Goose (1 group outbound)
- 9 Canada Geese (3 groups outbound)
- 1 Cormorant
- 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 5 Feral Pigeons (2 groups)
- 2 Stock Doves
- 62 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- c.600 Jackdaws
- >23 Rooks
- 3 Pied Wagtails

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 3 Redwings again

The counts from the lake area:
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall still
- 7 (5♂) Mallard again
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant yet again
- 1 Grey Heron briefly
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 11 Moorhens
- 38 Coots
- c.190 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

The lamp poles were disappointing after the mild cloudy night: just
- 2 Nursery Web Spiders (Pisaura mirabilis)

Taken rather early when still quite dark so not too ‘crisp’: but we see the hood well-developed on this Black-headed Gull.

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Not showing any head-streaking or black on the bill – indeed the ‘red spot’ even has a darker red centre. These birds have yellow legs of course – I would have trouble distinguishing these legs from grey or pink legs. The feet are more yellow.

Another spider that I am calling a Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis) giving a particularly good view.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash:  09:40 – 10:25

(36th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
54      Tree creeper

Notes from here:
- a lone Canada Goose was just dropping in as I pulled up. When doing the count I failed to find a ‘lone goose’. Whether it was part of a pair or whether it disappeared inside the island – as the geese have started to do as a prelude to nesting – is a moot point
- I only noted the drake Gadwall today but it was climbing out of the water on to the island and its mate might have preceded it
- a drake Shoveler. I am fairly certain it is not the bird missing from the lake today. May be the bird that was here for a few days last week
- after not seeing the Great Crested Grebe yesterday there were two today, together most of the time
- 3 Song Thrushes singing here
and
- another species of fungus found in squirrel alley (yet to be identified)

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Stock Doves

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 16+ Canada Geese (see notes)
- 1 (1♂) Gadwall (see notes)
- 30 (19♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 2 (2♂) Pochard
- 44 (24♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant yet again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 6 Moorhens again
- 23 Coots again
- 45 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

This is why I could not tell whether the drake Shoveler was the bird from the lake which was showing pale around the base of its bill. Shovelers have this technique of swimming in circles to stir up silt from the bottom of waters and using their bill to filter the tasty morsels dislodged. So they go around and around with their bills underwater never seeming to come up for air.

Then while I wasn’t watching it paddled to the island and went to sleep, hiding its bill again!

A small group of small fungus – compare with the moss fronds. Not had much success identifying this. Might be Wrinkly Peach (Rhodotus palmatus) or Orange Bonnet (Mycena acicula) though neither of these is normally found in late winter / spring.

(Ed Wilson)

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

Trench Lock Pool:  10:40 – 10:50 // 11:30 – 11:50

(9th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
37      Greylag Goose

Notes from here
- the erstwhile lone Mute Swan was chasing the others: a pair left; the other unringed bird was proving harder to shift
- the over flying geese were in with the big arrival on the pool. They almost certainly went to Middle Pool (before I did)
- even lower number of Coots – fewer than are usually present in the breeding season

Birds noted flying over / near here [other than local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws]
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 5 Canada Geese

The counts from the water
- 4 > 2 Mute Swans
- 11 > 115 Canada Geese
- 1 (1♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Feral Mallard
- 21 (12♂) Tufted Ducks
- 2 (2♂) Goosander
- 1 Great Crested Grebe as ever
- 33 Coots
- 23 > 45 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 > 0 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 0 > 1 Herring Gull

The lone resident cob Mute Swan had three visitors to chase. Here a pair leave, I assume a cob at the rear with the more pronounced swelling at the base of the bill. As far as can be seen here neither bird is ringed.

They are rather magnificent in flight.

Having chased off the pair of visitors he set about the other bird – which came rather too close! It too does not seem to be ringed.

Touchdown! for these two Canada Geese.

A text-book landing.

And some of the 112 other birds that flew in with them.

Now this is a very different-looking Lesser Black-backed Gull. Lots of head streaking, no red on either mandible and less contrast between the mantle tone and that of the folded primaries. A pale eye though. The mandible suggests that it is a second or, more likely, third winter bird, especially as the back and wings look like an adult. But look: it is wearing a ring! Thanks to the wonders of the internet I have been informed this bird was ringed in Spain. I have sent the ringer a copy of the photo and hope to have more details soon.

Another gull to puzzle about. Moulting its inner primary feathers too. Note that all the inner primaries look paler from underneath, a sure sign of a Herring Gull.

Not a helpful pose – or background come to that. The camera did well to show, from above, just how pale those inner primaries are. Note too the wide and solid tail-band on the closed tail.

Here we see the bird with its tail spread and the patterning on the uppertail is clear. All pointing to a first-winter Herring Gull. We also get a size comparison with the adult winter Black-headed Gull at the right.

(Ed Wilson)

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

Trench Middle Pool:  10:55 – 11:25

(9th visit of the year)

Notes from here
- rather quiet again
- some of the Canada Geese were in the iron-stained pools at the NW part of the area
- two Great Crested Grebes returned
- very few Black-headed Gulls when I arrived: some drifted in

The counts from the water
- 8 Greylag Geese
- 46 Canada Geese
- 21 (16♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 14 Moorhens
- 33 Coots
- 5 > 85 Black-headed Gulls

It is that time of year. Too many Coots and not enough space. They have nasty sharp claws but rarely seem to inflict actual damage on each other. Posturing?

Not yet seen at Priorslee – the micro climate here must be just that bit warmer. The first Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) flower.

(Ed Wilson)

Notes
1. Update on the ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull seen today .- 'I have been sent details of the ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trench. It is full adult and this year will see its 8th birthday. In summary it was evidently born in 2011 and ringed in February 2012 in the port of Málaga, Spain (in its 2nd calendar year). In July 2012 it was seen in Norfolk. In February 2013 it was seen several times around Madrid city. In May 2013 it was seen in Leicestershire. Where it has been since then is a mystery. It is interesting that such an old bird shows so much black on its bill: all my bird books show only red on the bill after the third winter.'

2. A few photos from Belvide on 10 Feb Here.

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

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

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
3 Greater Scaup
(Observer Unknown)

2013
Candles landfill / Horsehay Pool
1 Iceland Gull
3 Caspian Gull
8 Yellow-legged Gull
Herring x Lesser Black-backed gull hybrid
(Tom Lowe)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1000+ large gulls
2 Iceland Gulls
3 Yellow-legged Gulls
(Tom Lowe)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe 
4 Great Crested Grebes
4 Gadwall
39 Pochard
84 Tufted Duck
1 Water Rail
173 Coots
1 Siskin
(Ed Wilson)

2009
Priorslee Lake
Iceland Gull
(Observer Unknown)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
(Geoff Holmes)

2006
Priorslee Lake
10 Pink-footed Geese
c.70 Golden Plover
80 Fieldfares
10 Great Crested Grebes
10 Pink-footed Geese
10 Pochard
38 Tufted Ducks
151 Coots
1 Water Rail
1065 Wood Pigeons
273 Jackdaws
186 Rooks
400 Starling
27 Robins
23 Blackbirds
10 Song Thrushes
11 Greenfinches
48 Siskins
1 Redpoll
10 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson).

12 Feb 19

Priorslee Lake (with Woodhouse Lane) and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:45
[Woodhouse Lane:  08:20 – 09:00]
The Flash:  09:50 – 10:40

2.0°C > 5.0°C:  Clouding after clear night with frost. Calm with light S wind later. Very good visibility

Sunrise: 07:33 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:25 – 09:45

(40th visit of the year)

Bird notes
- the pair of Mute Swan asleep on the lake pre-dawn. Gone by 08:00 though I never saw them leave
- the ‘gang of 10’ geese was a ‘gang of 8’ today with just 1 Greylag Goose. 7 pairs / singles of geese later
- at 08:50 as I was descending from Woodhouse Lane a Shelduck flew over me heading toward the lake. I am assuming it did touch down even though it was not there at 09:00
- Pochard now all gone: a lone drake Tufted Duck early with a pair arriving later
- after 189 Black-headed Gulls were counted arriving from the W all but 3 birds left, mainly to the SE. Several groups overhead seemed to have nothing to do with the lake. Later c.75 birds on the water probably birds returning from the SE
- a Green Woodpecker seen and heard: would be good if this species stays all year again – suspected of breeding here last year
- many more Wood Pigeons overhead than for some weeks including several loose groups: perhaps beginning to move
- a single Starling seen over could have come out of a roost in the SW copse, though I have logged it as an overflight. Two groups over later
- a Reed Bunting briefly in song at W end

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 7 Greylag Goose [6 (2 groups) outbound; 1 inbound]
- 17 Canada Geese [17 (6 groups) outbound]
- 30 Black-headed Gulls
- 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 78 Wood Pigeons
- >660 Jackdaws
- >27 Rooks
- 10 Starlings (see notes)
- 1 Pied Wagtail again

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 3 Redwings

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans: departed
- 1 Shelduck, briefly
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall again
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler still
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 1 Cormorant again
- 1 Grey Heron again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 1 Water Rail again
- 10 Moorhens
- 36 Coots only
- 189 Black-headed Gulls

The lamp poles were mostly frosted when I arrived and just
- 1 Dotted Border moth – a different specimen to yesterday
also
- 1 Grey Squirrel

After a clear frosty night cloud was spreading from the W. The sunrise could get ‘under’ the cloud to give some good view. Here well before sun-up.

As the sun began to rise the sky coloured.

And very briefly flared very orange/red.

Scooting from the N side to the W end just as the sun itself was popping over the horizon gave me this view.

And looking the other way we see the cloud was already fading away – for a while at least.

This Long-tailed Tit seems to have been watching too many Siskins and thinks this is way to get to food.

It was a change to get a Goldfinch doing something rather than just sitting there looking pretty.

“Was that your camera that made that noise?”

(Ed Wilson)

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

Notes from Woodhouse Lane (08:20 – 09:00)

(1st visit of the year)

- a Skylark burst in to song as I was about to leave and flew off S
- at least 5 Chaffinches in full song
- several Yellowhammers in song and a group of 11 flushed from a field alongside the road. At least 16 birds in total

Both Skylark and Yellowhammer are needed for my 2019 Lake list. However anything seen or heard once I cross Castle Farm Way does not count

Other sightings
- 1 Grey Heron over (different from the lake bird)
- 1 Sparrowhawk over
- 1 Buzzard in a tree
- 25 Wood Pigeons in a tree taking little notice of the bird-scarers
- 2 Song Thrushes in song

Rather in the gloom by the lake sluice outlet: nevertheless always photograph a sitting Long-tailed Tit.

The best I could do with the very skittish Yellowhammers – at the top of a tree and against the light. Within a few weeks they should have sorted out territories and be easier to approach. May be the last year for these birds. Once the housing development goes ahead people will have homes but Yellowhammers won’t. Don’t believe the adage that they will fly elsewhere. They might but ‘elsewhere’ is either already full of Yellowhammers or unsuitable.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash:  09:50 – 10:40

(35th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
53      Mistle Thrush

Notes from here:
perhaps things were hiding, but where? Low number of Mallard, much reduced Tufted Duck count and no sign of any Great Crested Grebe. Lower Coots numbers as well. An extra drake Pochard though
- the adult Mute Swans spent a long while together inside the island with the cygnet looking on from a distance in the water. The cob then emerged with wings held aloft and paraded around the island before forming up with his mate and the cygnet. Although the cygnet was flying strongly in November I have not seen it fly at all recently
- the Mistle Thrush landed atop a tree on the island, briefly

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 3 Stock Doves
- 1 Jackdaw

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 8 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 21 (13♂) Mallard
- 4 (4♂) Pochard
- 35 (14♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Cormorant again
- 8 Moorhens again
- 23 Coots
- 51 Black-headed Gulls

The drake Pochard conundrum: do I expose for the head to show the eye-colour? or for the back to show the pattern on the silver? Here I went for the head not least to ask why this bird has wet feathers on its head and neck. It had been diving – indeed this is between dives – but I thought feathers were supposed to give waterproofing.

The Cormorant conundrum: do I expose to get the patterning in the feathers and the colour of the eye? or to show the tone of the chin marking?

An alternative view is not quite so affected. I do think these are rather splendid birds – if a bit pre-historic looking. I am sure fishermen would not agree.

(Ed Wilson)

1. A few photos from Belvide on 10 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
1 Mediterranean Gull
(Observer Unknown)

2013
St Georges
5 Waxwings
(Observer Unknown)

Horsehay Pool
1 Caspian Gull
(Jim Almond)

2009
Priorslee Lake
2 Iceland Gulls
( Pete Jordan)

11 Feb 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:30 – 09:15
The Flash:  09:20 – 10:00

4.0°C > 6.0°C:  Clear early with the ‘Telford hat’ of low cloud soon appearing, even with a few spots of rain. Light / moderate WNW wind. Excellent visibility

Sunrise: 07:35 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:30 – 09:15

(39th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
61      Treecreeper
It has taken me a long while to record this resident species here this year. Still need Nuthatch ...

Very quiet on the lake with a single duck Pochard the only diving duck present

Bird notes
- a lone Mute Swan asleep on the lake pre-dawn. It moved to the bottom of the concrete ramp later but I was unable to see whether it was the ringed cob. It left at 08:00 to the E
- the outbound group of c.10 geese was too far away to count much less hazard an ID. Later a pair of Canada Geese and then a single Greylag Goose, this flying very high, flew E
- a single Great Crested Grebe is back and looking to ‘own’ the NW reeds
- two of the Moorhens on the SW grass had a long scrap – it seemed to last several minutes. Both eventually walked away apparently not harmed physically
- rather few Black-headed Gulls
- at least 10 Song Thrushes singing: a bird singing at an 11th location had, I suspect, relocated
- no Reed Buntings heard at W end roost location

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 1 Greylag Goose [outbound]
- 2 Canada Geese [outbound]
- c.10 unidentified geese [outbound]
- 1 Cormorant
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 20 Wood Pigeons
- c.500 Jackdaws
- >22 Rooks
- 1 Pied Wagtail

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 2 Redwings

The counts from the lake area:
- 1 Mute Swan: departed
- 4 (2♂) Gadwall
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler still
- 1 (0♂) Pochard only
- [no Tufted Ducks]
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Grey Heron
- 3 Little Grebes
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Water Rail
- 11 Moorhens
- 41 Coots
- c.100 Black-headed Gulls
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

On the lamp poles
- 1 Dotted Border moth
- 1 Pale Brindled Beauty moth
- 1 unidentified small Mirid bug that I have recorded on two previous occasions this year

Here is the Dotted Border moth.

This is a Pale Brindled Beauty moth of the form monacharia, devoid of the ‘brindled’ markings. This form is not uncommon, especially in NW England.

Another attempt to get a decent shot of this bug sp. – I think my third record this year. It is very small and does not like me getting too close to get a sharper photo. Unable to find anything on the web for this.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash:  09:20 – 10:00

(34th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
52      Jay
This species was recorded almost daily last Autumn, since when it has done a disappearing act

Notes from here:
much as yesterday afternoon
also
- 1 Dotted Border moth
- small, red cup-shaped fungus, likely Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca)

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Feral Pigeons

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 9 Canada Geese still
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall remain
- 32 (18♂) Mallard
- 3 (3♂) Pochard
- 64 (35♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 (0♂?) Goosander
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Great Crested Grebe still
- 8 Moorhens
- 30 Coots
- 28 Black-headed Gulls

Oh no – not again! Yes again. Not only is a drake Gadwall always a great photo but the contrast pattern of the water adds interest.

The first of a trio of duck Tufted Ducks. Some birds retain white at the base of the bill in to the breeding season, though three together would seem unusual. Adults show a white band across the bill behind an extensive dark tip. The tip on this bird is rather diffuse.

Whereas on this bird the dark tip is broad and the white band less distinct. Note that like all duck Tufted Ducks there is a hint of a ‘tuft’ on the crown.

A rather smudgy blend between the dark tip and the diffuse white band.

A smart Cormorant.

This fungus is probably Scarlet Elfcup (Sarcoscypha austriaca). There is a similar but less common species Ruby Elfcup (Sarcoscypha coccinea). It requires a microscope to look at the mature spores – something I did not have about my person.

A close-up. These are rather small – compare with the moss growing around them.

Quite splendid.

(Ed Wilson)

1. A few photos from Venus Pool on 7 Feb Here.

2. A few photos from Belvide on 4 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
3 Greater Scaup
7 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
(Gary Crowder)

2013
St Georges
5 Waxwings
(Observer Unknown)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Iceland Gull
3 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Caspian Gull
(Tom Lowe) 

2009
Priorslee Lake
Glaucous Gull
(Observer Unknown

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
12 Pochard
1 Goldeneye
15+ Redwing
33 Fieldfare
1 Willow Tit
4 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Little Grebe
11 Great Crested Grebes
12 Cormorants
24 Pochard
102 Tufted Ducks
131 Coots
2 Water Rails
1 Kingfisher
c.1500 Black-headed Gulls
88 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
56 Herring Gulls.
598 Wood Pigeons
210 Starling roost
16 Robins
1 Willow Tit
13 Greenfinches
19 Siskin
6 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

10 Feb 19

The Flash, Trench Lock Pool and Trench Middle Pool

The Flash:  14:10 – 14:50
Trench Lock Pool:  15:05 – 15:25 // 15:55 – 16:30
Trench Middle Pool:  15:30 – 15:50

7.0°C > 6.0°C:  Mainly sunny with just a few showers in the vicinity. Moderate W wind. Very good visibility

(Sunrise: 07:37 GMT)

Rain precluded my usual early start

The Flash:  14:10 – 14:50

(33rd visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
52      Common Buzzard

Notes from here:
- the pair of Gadwall re-found
- drake Shoveler not located
- highest number of Tufted Duck this year: perhaps some disturbed from the lake?
- Goosander returned – all the rain made the River Severn too muddy? Not sure of the sex of this bird – I think a first-year drake yet to acquire adult plumage

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 2 Common Buzzards at least
- 1 Stock Dove

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 9 Canada Geese again
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 48 (30♂) Mallard
- 4 (4♂) Pochard
- 66 (35♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 (0♂?) Goosander
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 7 Moorhens
- 32 Coots
- 96 Black-headed Gulls

With the bill and bill-base largely hidden sexing this bird in either eclipse or immature plumage is not easy. Seems too much white in the back for a duck Goosander so my vote would be a first-winter drake.

One of the local Buzzards came out for a soar. My first here this year.

Seems to be food in the offing and these Black-headed Gulls are not about to be left out.

No table manners.

Word soon spreads ...

Not an easy species to photograph. Outside the breeding season when Coal Tits are in mixed roaming tit-parties they are inconspicuous and always on the move. They are bottom of the pecking order at feeders. In the breeding season they sing from the very tops of trees – and of course they are our smallest tits anyway.

I was very happy with two shots.

(Ed Wilson)

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

Trench Lock Pool:  15:05 – 15:25 // 15:55 – 16:30

(8th visit of the year)

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
36      Common Buzzard
37      Goldcrest

Gulls were difficult – and rather few. Just 14 Black-headed Gulls before I went to Middle Pool and back. When I returned there were >60 on the water and many more spiralling it. At that point a dog-walker-cum-fisherman arrived and all the gulls went up and left. Single Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls visited briefly, otherwise the water was devoid of gulls

Notes from here
- the lone Mute Swan still
- a drake Pochard new / back: however many Tufted Ducks gone
- a few Goosanders here as well
- very low number of Coots

Birds noted flying over / near here [other than local Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws]
- 2 Common Buzzards
- 2 Starlings

The counts from the water
- 1 Mute Swan
- 19 Canada Geese
- 3 (2♂) Mallard again
- 1 (1♂) Feral Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Pochard
- 11 (5♂) Tufted Ducks
- 5 (3♂) Goosander
- 2 Little Grebes again
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Moorhen
- 41 Coots
- 14 > c.100 > 1 Black-headed Gulls
- 0 > 1 > 0 Lesser Black-backed Gull

This Goosander – with its tail up! – still shows some pale above the bill-base suggesting it is a first year bird, as does the lack of a well-defined crest. A duck I think – too little white in the wing.

One of the local Buzzards came out for a soar here as well.

Not a feeding frenzy here: a panic to get away when a dog-walker-cum-fisherman arrived.

Later this Lesser Black-backed Gull dropped in for a few minutes. Here it is leaving. Typically extensive head-streaking, though this is a variable feature of this species. There is pale on the inner primaries which suggests this is a sub-adult – probably third-winter. There does not look to be much black on the bill and the eye is pale.

(Ed Wilson)

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

Trench Middle Pool:  15:30 – 15:50

(8th visit of the year)

Strangest sighting here was what seems most likely to have been a small bat sp. flying around low over the water. It was about as far away from me as it could be. Its flight action reminded me more of a large insect – like a locust – flying rather aimlessly, albeit in the same general direction. It looked rather pale and unicoloured. Strange date: must have been disturbed as still too cold for insects

Bird species added to my 2019 log from here
31      Coal Tit

Notes from here
- rather quiet
- lone Mute Swan gone
- a few Black-headed Gulls dropping in: too early for the big roost numbers

The counts from the water
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 40 Canada Geese
- 24 (17♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 13 Moorhens
- 38 Coots
- 46 > 69 Black-headed Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

1. A few photos from Venus Pool on 7 Feb Here.

2. A few photos from Belvide on 4 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1st-winter female Velvet Scoter
(Tom Lowe)

2013
Priorslee Lake
27 Wigeon
4 Gadwall
11 Pochard
48 Tufted Duck
118 Coot
(Tony Beckett)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Glaucous Gull
2 Iceland Gull
1 Yellow-legged Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
1 Common Gull
1 Peregrine
(John Isherwood, Martin Grant and Roger Clay )

Telford
1 Waxwing
(Mike Shurmer)  

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Goosander
1 Snipe
10 Pochard
39 Tufted Duck
1 Water Rail
1500+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls
2 Yellow-legged Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
25+ Siskins
(Ed Wilson and Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
2 Gadwall
5 Pochard
36 Tufted Ducks
148 Coots
2 Water Rails
c.1000 Black-headed Gulls
6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
8 Herring Gulls
385 Wood Pigeon
473 Jackdaws
394 Rooks
12 Robins
18 Blackbirds
2 Willow Tits
13 Greenfinches
53 Siskin
5 Redpolls
14 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

9 Feb 19

No Sightings in today.

1. A few photos from Venus Pool on 7 Feb Here.

2. A few photos from Belvide on 4 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2012
Priorslee Lake
A juvenile Iceland Gull
2nd winter Iceland Gull
A juvenile Glaucous Gull
1st winter Greater Black-backed Gull
An adult Common Gull
(Ian Grant / Roger Clay / Martin Grant / Jim Almond / Paul King)

Ringed Birds 
Today Roger Clay found 75 ringed birds. Only 12 of these had he seen on previous days before. There were:

- 3 from Iceland
- 3 from Netherlands
- 3 Still to be checked and the remaining ringed birds were all from the UK
(Roger Clay)

2006
Priorslee Lake
9 Great Crested Grebes
2 Gadwall
11 Pochard
40 Tufted Ducks
144 Coots
2 Water Rails
88 Lapwing
c.500 Black-headed Gulls
63 Lesser Black-backed Gull
27 Herring Gulls.
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
c.45 Fieldfares and Redwing
450 Jackdaws
259 Rooks
250 Starling
19 Robins
16 Blackbirds
10 Song Thrushes
12 Greenfinches
33 Siskin
8 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

8 Feb 19

Priorslee Lake only

7.0°C > 8.0°C:  Cloudy with rain after 07:25. Fresh S wind. Good visibility

Sunrise: 07:41 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:40 – 09:20

(38th visit of the year)

Badly rain-affected forcing me in to the Sailing Club shelter for most of the time

Bird notes
- the pair of Mute Swans are behaving strangely. Much of the time they were not that close together. Twice they went for a fly well outside the confines of the lake and on both occasions the cob returned some while before the pen
- the outbound Greylag Geese were not specifically with any Canada Geese though I thought I could hear them somewhere – I was engaged in checking Jackdaws and Rooks at the time. Two parties of Canada Geese later
- drake Shoveler re-found. Probably hiding yesterday
- Pochard and Tufted Duck numbers fading away at the moment
- 413 Black-headed Gulls counted arriving from the W. How many of these were repeat arrivals is hard to say. Never more than c.175 on the water at any one time. Most seemed to fly off to the SE so perhaps most were different birds
- from my position in the Sailing Club hut I probably did not see some of the Magpies that left the roost to the N – assuming any did leave ‘downwind’. 51 is a lower roost total than the previous two years around this date
- the passing Jackdaws were in several long streams at 07:15: judged to be at least 530 birds. At least 10 Rooks in with the last group. Then a few stragglers of both species
- the mild weather encouraged 7 Song Thrushes to sing. Great Tit the only other songster noted in the rain

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 17+ Canada Geese [2 groups outbound]
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 23 Wood Pigeons
- c.540 Jackdaws
- >14 Rooks

Birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- 51 Magpies (incomplete?)
- 1 Reed Bunting

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall
- 7 (6♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 3 (1♂) Pochard
- 12 (6♂) Tufted Ducks only
- 3 Cormorants
- 1 Grey Heron
- 1 Little Grebe
- 9 Moorhens
- [Coots not counted]
- 413? Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls again

Nothing on the lamp poles – too wet and / or windy

In the rain it was a rather black and white morning. Black represented by these Coots (and 2 Moorhens). Meanwhile.

White was all Black-headed Gulls.

In the gloom amidst the rain drops this Black-headed Gull now has an almost complete ‘black head’.

(Ed Wilson)

Note

1. A few photos from Venus Pool on 7 Feb Here.

2. A few photos from Belvide on 4 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
Velvet Scoter
(Observer Unknown)

2013
Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site
1 Iceland Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2006
Priorslee Lake
1 Water Rail
c.1100 Black-headed Gulls
131 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
35 Herring Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gulls
2 Gadwall
14 Pochard
42 Tufted Ducks
162 Coots
1 Water Rail
293 Jackdaw
105 Rook
c.120 Starling
27 Robins
18 Blackbirds
2 Willow Tits
8 Greenfinches
28 Siskins
2 Redpolls
19 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

7 Feb 19

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

Priorslee Lake:  06:45 – 09:00
The Flash:  09:05 – 09:35

5.0°C:  Mainly cloudy with spells of mainly light rain after early clearer spells. Very strong WSW wind abated somewhat after 09:00. Good visibility if rather dull

Sunrise: 07:43 GMT

Priorslee Lake:  06:45 – 09:00

(37th visit of the year)

Best today was the Woodcock that flew low over my head at 07:00. I was sheltering in the lee of the copse in the SW area and had three sightings of dark shapes struggling with the wind flying very close to me. The first two were perhaps Blackbirds. The third passed low overhead and was perfectly silhouetted against the sky and clearly a Woodcock. It is just possible the others were too – perhaps even the same bird circling the copse before going to its day-roost

And a frustrating ‘one that got away’. A distant first-winter gull with well-marked upper-wing pattern flew W. It was likely either a Common or Mediterranean Gull – first-winters of these species are very similar in flight at the best of times: this wasn’t

Bird notes
- the usual group of geese was 11-strong today with an additional 8th Canada Goose
- drake Shoveler not located
- Black-headed Gulls swirling around in the wind, coming and going in all directions. Possibly many more
- the passing Jackdaws in a long swirling stream at 07:16: judged to be at least 450 birds. No obvious Rooks amongst them, but .... Just 5 more Jackdaws much later

Bird totals

Birds noted flying over or flying near the lake
- 3 Greylag Geese [part of group outbound]
- 8 Canada Geese [3 groups outbound]
- 1 (1♂) Goosander
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 3 Stock Doves
- 11 Wood Pigeons
- >455 Jackdaws
- 1 Greenfinch

No birds recorded leaving roosts around the lake
- too windy to make any valid counts

The counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 (3♂) Gadwall
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 5 (1♂) Pochard
- 19 (10♂) Tufted Ducks only
- 2 Cormorants
- 2 Grey Herons
- 11 Moorhens
- [Coots not counted]
- >235 Black-headed Gulls
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Nothing on the lamp poles – too windy

An early break in the wet and very windy conditions.

Red sky in the morning is supposed to indicate wind or rain: both in this case.

(Ed Wilson)

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

The Flash:  09:05 – 09:35

(32nd visit of the year)

No ice remaining

Notes from here:
- despite yesterday’s remark that all the geese are ‘paired-off’ I found what seemed to be a lone Canada Goose on the island. Its partner could have been lurking inside somewhere
- could not locate the Gadwall – wrong conditions for a lengthy search
- now 6 drake Pochard

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash
- 1 Sparrowhawk

The counts from the water
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 9 Canada Geese
- 40 (24♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) Shoveler still
- 6 (6♂) Pochard
- 45 (23♂) Tufted Ducks
- 1 Great Crested Grebe again
- 3 Moorhens
- 30 Coots
- 27 Black-headed Gulls only

(Ed Wilson)

Note

1. A few photos from Belvide on 4 Feb Here.

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

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

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Velvet Scoter
3 Scaup
9 Pochard
9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c80 Black-headed Gulls
(Gary Crowder)

Telford Central Railway Station
35 Redwing
(Gary Crowder)

Horsehay Pool
1 Caspian Gull
(Tom Lowe)

2013
Little Wenlock, Candles Landfill Site:
2 Glaucous Gulls 
1 Caspian Gull
(Kris Webb)

2012
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
15 Pochard
54 Tufted Duck
c.1200 Black-headed Gulls
1 Common Gull
c.420 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
c.30 Herring Gulls
2 Great Black-backed Gulls
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
10 Pochard
47 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock
2 Little Grebes
30 Tufted Duck
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
 3 Pochard
6 Goosanders
4 Pale Brindled Beauty moths
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
34 Greylag Geese
9 Pochard
56 Tufted Ducks
1 Water Rail
775 Black-headed Gulls
488 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
3 Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
28 Robins
19 Blackbirds
8 Song Thrushes
1 Redwing
1 Willow Tit
41 Magpies
250 Jackdaws
100 Rooks
4 Greenfinches
2 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
 2 Gadwall
22 Pochard
63 Tufted Ducks
164 Coots
600 Wood Pigeons
c.1300 Black-headed Gulls
84 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
9 Herring Gulls
21 Robins
24 Blackbirds
9 Song Thrushes
3 Willow Tits
11 Greenfinches
15 Siskins
17 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)