5 Apr 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

10.0°C > 11.0°C: A mixture. Started with broken cloud below a medium overcast. Cleared from the SW by 08:00 and mainly sunny for a while. Then puffy clouds developed. Moderate W wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:36 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 09:25

(80th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- When I arrived there were two pairs of Canada Geese co-existing at opposite end of the water. One pair flew off of their own volition.
- The slight decline in Coot numbers is likely because some birds are sitting on nests.
- At least one Great Crested Grebe, perhaps a second. As so often there were sightings in different locations but only one was seen at any one time.
- At least 7 Redwings were in trees alongside Teece Drive at c.07:00
- A Song Thrush has been singing for some weeks alongside Teece Drive opposite the academy and listening to or competing with his echo off the buildings. He was not there this morning.
- The Blackcaps still seem to be exploring where their territory might be and getting an accurate count was difficult.
- Brambling were heard calling from trees along the North side. At least two birds were then seen in flight as they departed.
- The fly-over Linnet was only my second this year here. I have yet to record any Redpolls this year and will likely have to wait until Autumn now.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: one pair outbound; one pair inbound
- 2 Greylag Geese: pair inbound
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 33 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Herring Gull: first year
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: first year
- 16 Jackdaws only
- 5 Rooks
- 1 Linnet

Hirundines etc. noted:

Still none

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- *2 (2) Willow Warblers
- 12 (12) Chiffchaffs again
- 7 (7) Blackcaps: see notes

Counts from the lake area:
- 4 Canada Geese: one pair departed
- 2 Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens
- 28 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Grey Heron: arrived and departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *several male and female plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus)
- *several medium-sized plumed midges
- *>10 smaller plumed midges
- *1 unidentified 'red-eyed fly'
- 2 springtails
- *1 Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider

Noted later:
- Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- 2 Grey Squirrels

This illustrates why you need to be careful with taking bird guides too literally. It is a Willow Warbler singing but does not tick all the boxes for that species. The legs look quite dark; the lower eye-crescent is quite prominent; and the supercilium is not especially long and clear. It does however show more extensive pink or orange at the base of the bill.

In this view the legs do look somewhat paler. Also the bill seem noticeably longer and thicker than the typical Chiffchaff.

This view removes any doubt as it shows the longer wings of this species. It needs these at it flies all the way from sub-Saharan Africa. It is unusual (unique?) in that it renews its primary feathers twice each year: once, like most species, after breeding and before setting off for Africa; and then again before it sets off back home to where it was born.

"Show us what you had for breakfast then."

You could sweep your chimney with those antennae! A male plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus).

This is a smaller, slimmer male plumed midge. I do not know its identity.

Now an even smaller and slimmer male plumed midge. This has a two-tone abdomen and is therefore probably Chaoborus crystalinus.

On of the unidentified 'red-eyed flies' that I see on lamp poles pre-dawn.

This Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider was a rather small specimen.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:30 – 10:25

(77th visit of the year)

Another additions to my 2022 bird list for this site:
- Two Willow Warblers were noted in song. A fairly typical first date: sometimes a few days earlier.
It brings my 2022 bird species total for here to 59.

Other bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan seems to have regained his aggression, chasing the 2021 birds to flight, but they did not show any inclination to leave.
- My first Mallard ducklings of the year – 10 rather adventurous souls straying away from their parents.
- Have the Teal now gone? Two days without a sighting.
- After, unusually, I heard three Song Thrushes singing yesterday I heard none today.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 9 Wood Pigeons high N together
- 2 Herring Gulls: one (near?) adult and one first year
- 1 Cormorant again

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps

Noted on / around the water:
- *33 Canada Geese: of these a pair departed
- *6 Greylag Geese: of these a pair departed also
- *5 Mute Swans
- no Shoveler
- *21 (16♂) + 10 (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 61 (38♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens again
- 26 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Black-headed Gulls: first years, briefly
- 5 Herring Gulls: one second year and four first years

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- *2 Parasyrphus punctulatus hoverflies, AKA Six-spotted Parasyrphus

Noted elsewhere
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

The Canada Goose formation pair take off.

This is a bit odd. This Greylag Goose seems to have moulted the same inner primary or outer secondary feather from each wing. Typically geese (and ducks) moult all their flight feathers at the same time in July at the end of the breeding season.

One of the 2021 Mute Swans returns after being chased in to the air by the re-invigorated resident cob.

This the other one after the same treatment. It can be recognised as the other one because it has a metal ring on its right leg. It should have a blue Darvic ring on the left leg though that is hidden here.

I noticed this egg on the island (the other 'egg' looks too round and is I suspect a ball, though how it got there is a bit of a mystery). I don't think this is one of the missing Mute Swan's eggs and is far more likely from one of the many pairs of geese attempting to nest on the island.

'Cute' is the right word for this tiny Mallard duckling.

The parents with their 10 ducklings.

Wood Pigeons are not the world's best nest builders. This one is carrying about half a nest – just enough to stop the eggs rolling away.

 What more! A luxury pad under construction!

I took advice about this hoverfly. It seems most likely this is a Parasyrphus punctulatus, that Stephen Falk calls a Six-spotted Parasyrphus. I have not knowingly seen any of this group of hoverflies before. It is noted as a Spring-flying species. The main confusion species is Melangyna quadrimaculata (or Hazel Melangyna) but as its scientific name implies it usually has four yellow spots which are also proportionately smaller than my specimen.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- *1 crane fly only
The wind was blowing straight through the tunnel discouraging insects to stop.

I am sure I ought to be able to identify this crane fly. It was characteristically bobbing up and down and I am certain I have read about species that do this. Can I find the reference....? Only a small proportion of the 300 plus UK species are illustrated on the web and this does not seem to be one of them.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

10.0°C > 11.0°C: Low overcast with occasional very light drizzle. Moderate WNW wind. Good visibility.

[Sunrise: 06:37 BST]

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 10:25 – 11:20

(79th visit of the year)

A disappointing visit. Normally at this time of year and on cloudy and damp days hirundines (swallows and martins) gather over the water to feed on hatching insects – hence my later visit. None was seen. Sightings of these birds have been few so far this year. I hope this is because last week's fine weather meant they did not need to stop off but could feed on the wing and pass over too high to be seen.

Other bird notes:
- The lone Great Crested Grebe was patrolling much of the water.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Herring Gull: immature
- 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all (near) adults flying NW

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers

Not counted as no walk around made.

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- no Tufted Duck
- 4 Moorhens
- 25 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe only
- 1 Grey Heron

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 09:20 – 10:20

(76th visit of the year)

*Definite highlight was another sighting of Bramblings. Birds were high in trees at the top end of what I call squirrel alley. They were very mobile and, unlike yesterday, were not calling. As I stopped to try and photograph them they seemed to spook and all flew off and flew away W. There were at least 25 birds leaving.

This species has been noted in good numbers at other nearby locations with the Belvide blog reporting at least 40 at their feeders, some 12 miles away as the Brambling flies.

Other bird notes:
- The cob Mute Swan seems to have regained some of his strength and was chasing one of the 2021 birds – and I only noted one of these today. Conversely the cob, the pen and the 2019 bird seemed to be getting along fine.
- A drake Shoveler was by the island and then flew to the middle of the water. I could not find a duck lurking anywhere.
- One of my regular informants told me she had, yesterday, seen a duck Mallard with 'as many as 15 ducklings' whizzing about and impossible to count.
- I could not locate the Teal today.
- Several of the duck Tufted Ducks were climbing out on to the island. Are they going to nest here again this year?
- A singing Chaffinch was unusual. I normally see one or two birds, both male and female, though these are usually just calling birds.

Bird noted flying over here:
- 1 Cormorant

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps once again

On /around the water:
- 21 Canada Geese
- 6 Greylag Geese again
- 4 Mute Swans: see notes
- *1 (1♂) Shoveler
- 25 (21♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- no Teal
- 54 (34♂) Tufted Duck
- 8 Moorhens
- 25 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull: first year
- 3 Herring Gulls: all first years again
- *2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: first years?

On / around the street lamp poles:
- 1 Owl Midge Psychodidae sp.
- *2 female plumed midges, probably Chironomus plumosus
- *1 Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)

Caught just as it crashed in the water to wet its feathers before preening is a first year Lesser Black-backed Gull with dark back and wings.

I presume the drake Shoveler either has its bill partly open or its head slightly turned. Its bill looks even larger and more oddly-shaped than usual. It of course sat in the middle of the water, equidistant from either side testing the camera on a dull morning.

A Nuthatch giving its loud trilling call.

And here quietened down. They are very noisy at this time of year.

A female Brambling with grey side to the head and restricted orange on the shoulders limited to feather tips.

What is probably a first winter male with more orange on the shoulder. The grey side to the head is a bit puzzling: I would have expected it to be much blacker by now.

A female plumed midge with simple antennae, probably Chironomus plumosus

Well it was a long way up the lamp pole. A Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria), a particularly hairy species of fly.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

Here are a few photos from Venus Pool on 2 Apr 22 taken by Ed Wilson

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

0.0°C > 4.0°C: Early frost under clear skies was soon replaced by barely broken medium-level cloud. Light WNW wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:40 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:50 – 07:05 // 08:10 – 09:10

(78th visit of the year)

Another addition to my 2022 bird log for here. My first Willow Warbler this year was singing along the N side. Species #78 here this year.

Other bird notes:
- A distant calling male Pheasant again – third record this year.
- The larger numbers of Jackdaws in the last few days have been courtesy of clear skies to the E. Roost dispersal is taking them well away from the overhead at the moment.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs inbound
- 2 Greylag Geese: pair inbound
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Common Buzzard
- 5 Herring Gulls: all immatures flying S
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: also all immatures flying S
- 4 Cormorants: together
- 86 Jackdaws
- 8 Rooks

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 12 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (4) Blackcaps

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 6 (5♂) Mallard
- 4 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 29 Coots
- no Little Grebe(s) seen or heard
- 2 Great Crested Grebes only
- *2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

On / around the frosted street lamp poles pre-dawn:
Nothing noted

Noted later:
- *a midge with a spot in each forewing.

The sunrise looked promising but note the cloud on the left.

The cloud then extended further and this was as good as it got.

In breeding plumage Lesser Black-backed Gulls look smart with their clean white head looking very different from the streaky winter plumage.

I found this on a lamp pole long after dawn. I cannot recall having seen previously a midge with a single black mark in each forewing.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:10 – 08:05

(75th visit of the year)

Two additions to my 2022 bird list for this site:
- a lone Rook flew North. This species is surprisingly scarce overhead here. For the past four years it has been May before I have noted it.
- *a group of at least five and probably several more, Brambling were high in the trees on the left at the top end. My last record of this species here was on 10 April 2018. Probably birds on their way back to Scandinavia after wintering further South.
It brings my 2022 bird species total for here to 58.

Other bird notes:
- Not sure where some of the Mallard might have been hiding – or some of the duck Tufted Duck. It may be that spending time trying to photograph the Brambling that I lost track of these birds.
- There was again much chasing around and synchronised diving by groups of Tufted Duck.
- There were three Great Crested Grebes again today with a pair staying close together by the island and one at the to end.
- A Grey Heron flushed from the top end was my first here for a while.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 8 Wood Pigeons high N together
- 1 Rook

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 8 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps again

On /around the water:
- 34 Canada Geese: of these six departed and a pair flew in
- 6 Greylag Geese
- 5 Mute Swans: no eggs
- 19 (15♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal
- 57 (42♂) Tufted Duck
- 11 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Herring Gull: all first years
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

On / around the street lamp poles:

Nothing noted

These few photos won't win prizes. This is one of at least five Bramblings that were moving around the very tops of tall trees. Features to note here are the pale belly with light spotting around the rear flanks. It is also possible to see the unique orange colour on the breast and shoulder.

More of a bird but not sharp. The dark head indicates this one is a male as does the yellow bill.

Another view of a male.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- Moorhen(s) at both pools
- 4 Starlings
- 1 Chiffchaff in trees beside the lower pool
and
- *first Marsh Marigold (aka Kingcup) (Caltha palustris) of the year

I noted this bright yellow flower alongside the upper pool. It is a Marsh Marigold (aka Kingcup) (Caltha palustris). Two weeks earlier than I usually notice them.

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- many crane flies and plumed midges

Nothing unusual

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

1.0°C > 5.0°C: Frosty. A few patches of both medium- and high-level clouds with sunny spells. Light N wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:43 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 06:00 – 08:50

(77th visit of the year)

Birds of the day were at least two *Bramblings along the N side. This is a species that I do not record here every year and then most often as a calling bird flying over in Autumn. Bird species #77 for me here this year.

Other bird notes:
- There seemed to be just one pair of Great Crested Grebes. Where have all the others gone? At least two of the pairs had seemed to be checking out potential nest sites.
- In addition to the single Redwing fly-over there was one bird singing from trees between the football field and the housing estate. It is not every year that I hear song before they leave for their breeding grounds in Scandinavia.
- Two Mistle Thrushes were singing alongside Teece Drive concurrently. Usually only a single pair breeds here. I have had many more sightings this year than usual.
- I usually record two singing Coal Tits in the breeding season: today there seemed to be three in different locations.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 8 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound: two pairs inbound
- 1 Greylag Goose: inbound
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 28 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Herring Gulls: all immatures flying S singly
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: immature flying S
- 2 Cormorants: together
- 79 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks again
- 1 Redwing

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler still
- *13 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 6 (6) Blackcaps

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese: throughout
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 (2♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 5 Moorhens
- 31 Coots
- Little Grebe(s) heard at W end
- *2 Great Crested Grebes only
- no gulls

On / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- many plumed midges Chironomus plumosus

Later:

Nothing of note

Think of them as 'nodding donkeys' at oil-wells! The sunrise.

Early calm waters from the dam.

Apparently just these two Great Crested Grebes remain. This pair had just finished a quick display.

A handsome Mistle Thrush in typically erect posture.

None of the Blackcaps would come out for a photo so we will have to make do with another Chiffchaff photo as warbler of the day.

A male Great Tit with a wide black zip down the belly.

And his partner with a narrow black-zip.

A male Brambling, one of at least two birds in trees along the N side. This one has a long way to go before the whole head goes jet black for the breeding season. Note the white belly and the orange across the breast which extends on to the shoulders. Note also the black-tipped yellow bill.

This male Greenfinch looks a real bruiser!

A male Bullfinch has found something to eat.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 08:55 – 10:05

(74th visit of the year)

Mystery today was the disappearance (since yesterday I was told) of the Mute Swans' eggs. There was no trace of the eggs nor were any eggshells to be seen. There seemed to be no sign of any particular disturbance at the nest – just flattened vegetation where the pen had been sitting. The cob was much more active than recently. His lethargic appearance had been videoed to Cuan Wildlife Rescue. They had been unable to attend because they have an Avian Flu outbreak.

Other bird notes:
- The pair of Shoveler, if still present, not located
- I had expected to hear a Willow Warbler this morning – it is that time. No joy.
- Still only two singing Blackcaps.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Wood Pigeons high N
- 5 Herring Gulls: all immatures flew S together
- 1 Jackdaw

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 8 (8) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps still

On /around the water:
- 30 Canada Geese: of these a pair flew in
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 5 Mute Swans: *no eggs
- no Shoveler
- 28 (24♂) Mallard
- 1 all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 2 (1♂) Teal again
- 67 (41♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Moorhens only
- 26 Coots again
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- *6 Herring Gull: five first years and one third year

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- *2 plumed midges Chironomus plumosus
- 1 stretch spider (Tetragnatha sp.)

Empty nest blues. Just a few confectionery packets and flattened vegetation where the pen was sitting. No sign of any eggs or shells. Where can they be?

Still numerous Herring Gulls around. Here are two, both immatures. The back bird is having a good shout.

A passing first year bird with an all-dark bill.

And the upper wing view. At this range a feature I had not appreciated before is the outer of pale inner primaries are in fact dark tipped.

The leading bird of this pair seemed rather dark on the back and I did wonder about Yellow-legged Gull. The wing-pattern does not support this and it seems it is a first year Herring Gull as is the chasing bird.

Another duo clearly showing the wing pattern.

Dive! Dive! Dive! How to wet your plumage for a bathe.

The bird at the top left is emerging from just such a dive.

"Do you want me to pose in profile?"

 "Or full-face?" A Blue Tit of course.

A male plumed midge Chironomus plumosus

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- 2 species of crane fly
- *3 species of plumed midges (different sizes)
- *small fly with patterned wings

The smallest of the three male plumed midges I found.

This was the largest of the three, all smaller than the typical Chironomus plumosus. I messed up the photo of the middle-sized specimen.

I do not recall seeing this small fly with well-patterned wings previously.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 22

No Sightings in today.

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On this day can be found via the yearly links in the right-hand column.

Sightings from previous years without links are below

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 Skylark

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)