16 Dec 14

Priorslee Lake:
Map

Evening Update: 2:29pm - 3:05pm

(149th visit of the year)

A short visit looking from the lay-be. Mainly (a failed) attempt to get Common Gull on my year list for this site.

Many gulls with nothing exceptional found: for the record
c.220 Black-headed Gulls
1 Yellow-legged Gull
>2000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
>300 Herring Gulls
6 Great Black-backed Gull

Morning Report: 7:04am - 9:42am

5.0°C > 6.5°C  Variable cloud clearing later and then high cloud from SW. Light / moderate W wind. Very good visibility.

Very little flying over the lake this morning. Gulls started to arrive in some numbers after c.9:15am with, I estimated, >4000 present when I drove past at c.10:15am. On a later visit numbers were somewhat lower.

(148th visit of the year)

Counts over the lake
- 11 Canada Geese
- 23 Black-headed Gulls
- c.110 large gulls
- 1 Pied Wagtail
- 4 Redwings
- >675 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
58 Magpies
No Redwing roost count made this morning.

The counts from the water
2 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
6 (3) Gadwall
10 (5) Mallard
1 (1) Pochard
51 (26) Tufted Duck
5 (0) Goosanders
2 Water Rails: 1 seen, 1 heard only
12 Moorhens
187 Coots
118 Black-headed Gulls
c.425 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
72 Herring Gulls
3 Great Black-backed Gull

Other notes
Now 2 Little Grebes in different parts of the lake.
A party of 9 Canada Geese flew outbound: these seemed to return a few minutes later – there was one noticeably small bird in with this group. Perhaps the Cackling Goose-type that has been in the area for about two years.
The 5 brownhead Goosanders came from the W, unusually: then circled for some minutes before landing. They stayed less than 10 minutes and returned W, all before sun-up.
A Woodcock flushed from the grass along the S side pre-dawn.
One, at least, Water Rail calling in NW area: the other bird seen in the ditch in the NE area. First bird I have seen here for three winters. Several small trees have fallen in to the ditch and it is now much harder to view.
Male Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in the same ditch as the Water Rail, scrabbling about on the ground: unusual to see this species on the ground.
Great, Blue and Willow Tit all heard in song this morning – as well as the regular Song Thrush: well it was a mild morning.
Cetti's Warbler still present.
It is perhaps worth noting that many years ago I used to use the first Wren’s song as the cue to start searching for the dispersing Rooks and Jackdaws. At this time of year as the birds were often hard to locate, only illuminated by the street lights. Recently birds start passing some 10 minutes after the first Wren and can fairly easily be seen with natural light. From this I assume that the roosts of this species have moved further away: the birds leave their roost at the same time but take longer to pass overhead.
and
Another Mottled Umber moth on one of the lamps.

The 5 brownhead Goosanders leaving the lake pre-dawn: a neat and tight formation.

Another sunrise: not too impressive ...

... but looked rather better later.

 Beautiful light over the lake early.

Here we can compare and contrast adult Lesser and Great Black-backed Gulls (with 2 Herring Gulls thrown in). The Great Black-backs are clearly significantly larger and their backs are really black (but note that the bird 2nd from the right is likely a Scandinavian race Lesser Black-backed Gull and almost as dark). The Great Black-backs always show white heads, lacking the dark streaking typical of most other large gulls in winter. The large bill is another clue.

This perhaps makes the contrast even more obvious.

Here is a 2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull. Note the large bill, the white head and the rather scaly appearance. These, the largest of our gulls, take at least four years to acquire full adult plumage. A 1st winter bird would have an all-black bill.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 12:23pm - 12:55
Map

(122nd visit of the year)

The counts from the water only
3 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
15 Canada Geese
1 all-white feral goose
24 (16) Mallard
1 all-white feral duck
5 (4) Pochard
23 (11) Tufted Ducks
9 Moorhens
14 Coots
126 Black-headed Gulls
119 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
49 Herring Gulls

Notes
*** visit at different time from normal so direct comparisons not necessarily valid  ****
Little Grebe not located – the additional bird at the lake?
3 more drake Pochard new in: birds from the lake?
No Goosanders: fed and gone?
Many more gulls, especially large gulls

Yesterday it was a close-up of a duck Pochard: here is a drake. The red-eye just about keeping watch on what is going on. And wonderful patterning.

But it is evidently hard to stay awake.
 
A classic shot of a soaring Buzzard with wings and tail fully spread.

And the same Buzzard going places with wings angled. The cere – the waxy, fleshy covering to the base of the upper mandible – looks rather pale here. This indicates this is an immature bird as does the lack of dark band across the tip of the tail (but note in the previous photo the different light hints at more of tail-band).

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2009 and 2011
Priorslee Lake
2011
6 Great Black-backed Gulls (3 Adult, 3rd winter, 2 1st winter)
(John Isherwood)
--------------------
2009
Black-necked Grebe
Snipe
(Ed Wilson)

15 Dec 14

Priorslee Lake: 7:00am - 10:01am
Map

4.0°C > 6.5°C  Broken cloud clearing somewhat. Light, occasionally moderate WSW wind. Very good visibility.

Another rather quiet morning.

(147th visit of the year)

Counts over the lake
- 52 Canada Geese
- 4 (4) Goosanders
- 26 Black-headed Gulls
- 63 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 1 Meadow Pipit
- 2 Pied Wagtails
- 44 Fieldfare
- 6 Redwings
- >750 Jackdaws
- 13 Rooks
- 3 Ravens

Birds leaving roosts around the lake
86 Redwings
>33 Magpies

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
2 Swans
6 (3) Gadwall
13 (9) Mallard
3 (3) Pochard
59 (36) Tufted Duck
15 Moorhens
182 Coots
c.100 Black-headed Gulls
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls
1 Great Black-backed Gull

Other notes
Geese less distant today and all ID'd as Canada Geese.
Coots have now taken to mowing the grass in front of the shelter: first record this winter of any significant number on the grass here.
Very few gulls around today, especially large gulls.
Rather unseasonal Meadow Pipit fly-over: perhaps a bird returning to the hills after the snow has melted.
6 additional Redwings in trees around the lake later.
Cetti's Warbler still present: went in to the wet scrub on the old Celestica site today.
After yesterday’s comment about Siskins being scarce a female was in trees at W end today.
and
Yet another species of fungus: a bracket fungus today which is less surprising.

This morning’s sunrise.

And in close up.

Always a tricky species to photograph: a Treecreeper ascends a tree. Needed some retouching to get it even this acceptable!

On this 1st winter Great Crested Grebe we can see both remnant head-stripes from its juvenile days and also the beginnings of breeding plumage with a hint of plumes on the crown and a thickening where the neck plumes will form. The bill too is beginning to change to pink.

A typical bracket fungus: these tend to be more long-lasting than terrestrial fungus. This is likely Daedaleopsis confragosa which is sometimes tinged mauve but more often brown. The pale form seen here is more common willow – I did not ID the stem, but as it was dead I would likely have been unable to anyway.

Makes a change from eating buds: this male Bullfinch seems to be eating blackberry fruits that failed to develop before the onset of winter and are just hard lumps.

(Ed Wilson)
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Priorslee Flash: 10:04am - 10:53am
Map

(121st visit of the year)

Today’s counts overhead here:
- 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 3 Fieldfare

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
4 Canada Geese
1 all-white feral goose
37 (27) Mallard
1 all-white feral duck
2 (1) Pochard
31 (14) Tufted Ducks
32 (7) Goosander
9 Moorhens
16 Coots
72 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Notes
One of the 4 Canada Geese was wearing a BTO ring: likely the bird ringed at the lake in 2012 (though ring not read).
Drake Pochard new in: at opposite end of water to the duck.
Many more drake Goosander today, but rather fewer brownheads.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 11:01am - 11:51am
Map

(56th visit of the year)

Notes
Drake Pochard new in.

Rather low gull numbers here as well with no movement in or out.

The counts
4 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
26 Canada Geese
5 (4) Mallard
3 feral Mallard-type ducks
1 (1) Pochard
36 (17) Tufted Ducks
7 Moorhens
172 Coots
56 Black-headed Gulls
11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
6 Herring Gulls

Not quite asleep, with one beady eye keeping watch. A duck Pochard has most attractive markings when seen this clearly.

This is somewhat unusual I think. This 1st winter Black-headed Gull is right in under overhanging willows. I suspect it may be trying for an opportunistic meal, hoping to steal from the Great Crested Grebe.

Another ‘feeding frenzy’: note how the Black-headed Gulls use their legs as counterbalance as they manoeuvre around.

Yes more Goosanders: a particularly pleasing group.

Here are two Little Grebes together (with a Coot): the back bird shows partial breeding plumage with yellow in the gape and rufous tones on the head. The nearer bird is likely a 1st winter bird as it shows almost no pale around the gape.

Here is the 1st winter bird in close-up.

This looks like a picture you could use for a speech-bubble competition: the thoughts of the frowning duck Tufted Duck and rather puzzled-looking Black-headed Gull.

A 2nd winter Herring Gull about to take a bath.

Lovely!

(Ed Wilson)
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On this day in 2009
Priorslee Lake
Black necked Grebe
2 adult Yellow legged Gulls
(John Isherwood)

14 Dec 14

Priorslee Lake: 6:59am - 9:53am
Map

3.0°C > 5.5°C  Mainly cloudy with the Telford ‘hat’ making it very dull at times. Moderate SW wind. Very good visibility.

No notable records again this morning and rather quiet.

(146th visit of the year)

Counts over the lake
- 1 Cormorant
- c.95 geese sp.
- >30 Black-headed Gulls
- c.310 large gulls
- 3 Pied Wagtails
- 5 Fieldfare
- >800 Jackdaws
- 8 Rooks
- 1 Siskin

Not in suitable position to count any birds leaving roosts around the lake

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
6 (3) Gadwall
10 (5) Mallard
5 (5) Pochard
56 (35) Tufted Duck
13 Moorhens
168 Coots
57 Black-headed Gulls
88 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
27 Herring Gulls

Other notes
At least 85 very distant geese – too dark and too far to ID and no calls heard. Flying N / NE to far NW and had not come from The Flash.
10 smaller-looking geese flew E at about the same time.
As I was leaving many of the Tufted Duck were flying off – the yacht club had just launched its powered rescue boat.
Two waves of arrival of larger gulls: the first of 29 birds contained 22 immature and 2 adult Herring Gulls; the second of 86 contained just 3 adult Herring Gulls. Otherwise they were all Lesser Black-backs. None stayed more that 10 minutes.
19 Redwings logged: all of these were seen in trees around the lake long after the normal roost dispersal.
The Cetti's Warbler still present but as hard to see as ever.
Very noisy Nuthatch along Teece Drive.
Siskins have been in very short supply this winter: the single heard overhead today was my first this month.
and
Another Mottled Umber moth on the lamps.

A different and pristine Mottled Umber moth.

Despite the general gloom there were occasional hints of brightness – at dawn mainly.

Now why would one tree along Teece Drive be sporting this label? It is about the largest. Could it be a preservation ID?

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 9:57am - 10:55am
Map

(120th visit of the year)

Today’s counts overhead here:
- 22 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 37 Redwings
- 5 Starlings

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
6 Canada Geese
1 all-white feral goose
39 (29) Mallard
1 all-white feral duck
1 (0) Pochard
28 (14) Tufted Ducks
31 (2) Goosander
9 Moorhens
16 Coots
134 Black-headed Gulls
2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
2 Herring Gulls

Notes
Goosander numbers ‘best estimate’: birds were coming (and going?) and repositioning as well as continually diving as they moved all around the lake.
Kingfisher again.
and
Yet another fungus showing: very late in the year for these.

These are the latest fungus to appear at The Flash: again much later in the year than usual. Still to be ID'd.

Meanwhile the Shaggy Ink-cap has more or less collapsed spilling its ink on the stem.

My excuse for another Goosander photo is that the more even, if somewhat poor, light is better at showing the plumage detail on this rather contrasting species.

A Great Crested Grebe in similar light is still somewhat ‘blown’: slight duskiness on the ear coverts suggest this is probably a 1st winter bird.

The poor light conditions could not completely dull this Kingfisher perched under overhanging branches. Note the brick-red chest just about visible here: when perched and facing toward an observer this makes this colourful bird quite difficult to see.

Here the brick-red chest is more apparent.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010
Priorslee Lake:
2010
Curlew
(Ed Wilson)
--------------------
2009
Black-necked
(Ed Wilson)
--------------------
2006
Adult Yellow-legged Gull 
1 imm Great Black-backed Gull
(Kevin Pryce)
--------------------
2005
3 Ruddy Ducks ? an eclipse drake and a 1st winter drake with a duck.
(Ed Wilson)

13 Dec 14

Priorslee Lake: 6:59am - 10:07am
Map

1.0°C > 3.5°C  Clear, fine and frosty. Light W wind. Excellent visibility.

No notable records this morning.

(145th visit of the year)

Counts over the lake
- 11 Black-headed Gulls
- 82 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 2 Feral Pigeon
- 11 Fieldfare
- 13 Redwings
- 691 Jackdaws
- 26 Rooks

Birds seen leaving roosts around the lake (in addition to the over flights).
- 9 Redwings (partial count from a distance).
- 8 Starlings
- 58 Magpies

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
5 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
6 (3) Gadwall
9 (4) Mallard
4 (4) Pochard
72 (40) Tufted Duck
2 Water Rails heard
10 Moorhens
182 Coots
66 Black-headed Gulls
24 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
30 Herring Gulls

Other notes
Little Grebe again: this bird quite bold and in a different location.
c.100 Wood Pigeons flew in to the copse alongside the M54 to the E of Castle Farm Road.
Cetti's Warbler not heard today.
Small Starling roost last night – just 8 birds seen leaving.
and
The same Mottled Umber moth still on the same lamp as yesterday.
What appeared to be a very late Shaggy Ink-cap fungus has emerged here – one at The Flash on Thursday.

A slightly different take on the sunrise this clear frosty and morning.

And the Hazel catkins are progressing: last week they were still green.

The drake Gadwall is such an attractive bird, how could I resist.

The unmistakeable dumpy silhouette of Little Grebe.

Here is the new Shaggy Ink Cap fruit that has just emerged at the lake: an unusually late date.

My excuse is it is nearly Christmas and every Christmas needs a Robin. Especially when it as well-posed as this.

Following on from yesterday’s possible Hogweed this different specimen I found today seems to confirm it. The outer flowers on each ray are open and white, as they should be: the inner flowers are yet to open and like yesterday show a pink tinge (the background leaves you can see are no clue: these are quite different plants, possibly Crane’s-bill though the photo is too blurred to be sure and I did not check at the time).

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 10:10am - 11:01am
Map

(119th visit of the year)

Today’s counts overhead here:
- 49 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
3 Canada Geese
1 all-white feral goose
35 (23) Mallard
1 all-white feral duck
1 (0) Pochard
29 (15) Tufted Ducks
54 (5) Goosander
6 Moorhens
17 Coots
68 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Notes
Another very high count of Goosanders.

This Pied Wagtail is rather hunched it is possible to just about make out a dark neck collar of an adult. The overall paleness suggests a female. This bird has quickly found a foraging area at The Flash where the Council have added earth to build up the once eroded bank behind the reeds that were planted in 2013 and are doing well.

I know it is the same Grey Heron with the missing foot but you don’t often see birds standing on roof-tops. Note that compared with the bird I photographed the bill of this bird is very dull. It may be that its injury will mean it does not come in to breeding condition.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2009, 2012 and 2013
Priorslee Lake
2013
Herring x Glaucous Gull hybrid, sometimes called ‘Nelson's Gull' but also colloquially ‘Viking Gull' 
(Ed Wilson)
--------------------
2012
Ring billed Gull hybrid
1800 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
500 Black-headed Gulls, 100 Herring Gulls
3 Greater Black-backed Gulls
Common Gull.
(Tom Lowe)
--------------------
2009
Black-necked Grebes
(Ed Wilson)

12 Dec 14

Trench Lock Pool: 10:14am - 10:25am // 11:05am - 11:47am
Map

2.5C > 4.0°C > 3.0°C  Remaining cloud clearing slowly to the S: moderate W wind. Excellent visibility

Eschewed the wind and rain of the early morning and did a later visit to see what had been blown in. More seemed to have been blown out and it was rather quiet with very few birds flying over.

Only notable sighting was the 50 (9) Goosanders at The Flash.

(55th visit of the year)

Notes
Now 5 Little Grebes but they can be very hard to find.

The counts
5 Little Grebes
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
1 Grey Heron
2 Swans
7 (5) Mallard
3 feral Mallard-type ducks
32 (15) Tufted Ducks
15 Moorhens
166 Coots
16 Black-headed Gulls
15 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
5 Herring Gulls

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Middle Pool: 10:30am - 11:00am
Map

(26th visit of the year)

Dog-walkers and fishermen probably helped lower some of the counts.

Notes
3 adult Swans were the usual trio: Blue 7FTX and 7HSZ and Orange 00C.

The counts
1 Great Crested Grebe
3 Swans
22 Canada Geese
39 (26) Mallard
5 feral Mallard-type ducks
7 (3) Tufted Ducks
8 Moorhen
16 Coots
32 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
These small fungus were growing on a dead tree-stem at Middle Pool – trunk is not the right word for something thinner than a limp wrist. Provisional ID Panellus mitis (Elastic Oysterling).
  
Must be winter: from the footbridge between Middle Pool and Trench Lock Pool the distant Welsh Hills show the results of last night’s snow. If I have my directions correct we are looking at Horseshow Pass area near Llangollen.
      
(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 11:57am - 12:53pm
Map

(118th visit of the year)

The counts from the water
1 Little Grebe
4 Great Crested Grebes
2 Swans
3 Canada Geese
1 all-white feral goose
28 (19) Mallard
1 all-white feral duck
29 (15) Tufted Ducks
50 (9) Goosander
5 Moorhens
14 Coots
26 Black-headed Gulls
1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Notes
Largest number of Goosanders this year.
Two species of fungus found: one seemed to be a very late Shaggy Ink-cap (Coprinus comatus): the other too battered to try to identify.

Spent a long while photographing the many Goosanders at The Flash: the winter sun was somewhat higher today which made for somewhat less contrast to try and handle. So this fine drake Goosander is the first of a series.

A brownhead in similar pose.
   
Another brownhead.

One brownhead has a good flap.

A pair doing synchronised swimming.

“where did you get that hair-do?”.

Not good with the wind behind you though! More hairspray needed.

And a collection of drakes and ducks.

A rather stumpy and battered specimen, but this seems to be a very late Shaggy Ink-cap (Coprinus comatus).

Someone or something has had a good gnaw at this adjacent fungus: not at all sure of its identity.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Lake: 1:01pm - 2:20pm
Map

(144th visit of the year)

The counts from the water
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Cormorants
2 Swans
8 (4) Gadwall
4 (1) Mallard
5 (5) Pochard
59 (31) Tufted Duck
Water Rail heard only
9 Moorhens
176 Coots
86 Black-headed Gulls
c.125 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
22 Herring Gulls

Other notes
The 3 Cormorants stayed at least 30 seconds!
Cetti's Warbler along N side today.
and
A Mottled Umber moth on the lamps: surprising after the weather last night.

A rather ‘snouty’-looking adult Lesser Black-backed Gull steps it out.

The light shining through the wing of this first-winter Herring Gull enables you to see how the feathers all lock together to produce the wing.

Quite unusual to see flowers in December. This umbellifer is possibly Hogweed: that species has white flowers but I think the pink flush shown here on the still tightly closed flowers is misleading. I am also slightly concerned about the very ‘open’ structure of the rays which is not typical of Hogweed. No umbellifers normally flower at this time of year according to my Flora. There is a photo on the web labelled as a Hogweed and in flower in December: but it does not look much like this specimen (and I am not entirely convinced the picture is of Hogweed). This specimen seems to have suspended flowering – not much point when there are no pollinators.

A Mottled Umber moth on a lamp

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2008
Priorslee Lake
- 2 Yellow-legged Gull (2 adults)
- 7 Great Black-backed Gull (5 adults, 2 1st winter)
- 45 Golden Plover in flight
( John Isherwood) 
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