28 Apr 20

Priorslee Lake

7.0°C:  Overcast. Increasing and lowering cloud. Light rain throughout. Light E wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:42 BST

Priorslee Lake:  early

(66th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Many more Mallard today with three of the four ducks attracting the attention of multiple drakes.
- Great Crested Grebes seen flying around.
- Two Pheasants on the school playing field again: both very ‘non standard’ in plumage.
- Still very few Coots. Almost none in the NE area where there are usually four or five active nests.
- Hard to be certain how many Lesser Black-backed Gulls involved. Two low over early with one bird (the same?) periodically perching on the same buoy. A third circling over at which time a Buzzard appeared and they all departed in pursuit. It was much later that a single and then another (the same two as earlier) appeared and then proceeded to perch periodically on the same buoy.
- Big group of Sand Martins again.
- No Willow Warbler this morning.
- Four Garden Warblers seen singing. I think all different birds ...
- A Lesser Whitethroat singing briefly in same area at the W end. Only on my fourth pass of the area!
- No Common Whitethroat seen or heard: keeping its head down in the rain?
- Unprecedented three Sedge Warblers singing.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 2 Greylag Goose (pair outbound)
- 3 Canada Geese (trio outbound)
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 4 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook

Count of hirundines etc logged:
- >80 Sand Martins
- >5 Barn Swallows

Count of warblers logged (singing birds in brackets):
- 16 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 23 (20) Blackcaps again
- 4 (4) Garden Warblers
- 1 (1) Lesser Whitethroat
- 3 (3) Sedge Warblers
- 6 (6) Reed Warblers

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 16 (12♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Grey Herons: both arrived and departed
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only again
- 8 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- 19 Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults

Addition flower species new for me here this year:
- Ribwort (Plantago lanceolata)
- Wood Avens (Geum urbanum)
- Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
- Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)
- Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

On / around the street lights:
- 1 Lunar Marbled Brown moth (Drymonia ruficornis): the same as yesterday in the same place.

A distant flying Great Crested Grebe illustrating the very elongated shape and the surprising amount of white in the wing only obvious when in flight. A dull and damp morning so not too clear I am afraid. Same applies to all today’s photos.

A different bird flies in to land. Gives a good view of the lobes (rather than webs) on the toes. The legs are so far back on this species – ideal for chasing fish – that landing is always breast-first.

Both the Pheasants this dull morning were at some distance. This rather pale individual I assumed was a female. There seems to be a hint of red above and in front of the eye which would suggest a male in a strange plumage.

The other bird this morning and it too looks nothing like the standard male that has been present for some days. The almost purple tone on the neck is a puzzle.

Another puzzle. This Feral Pigeon was huddled up on the roof of Holy Trinity Academy – no problem pointing the camera that way at the moment. I recall that a lost Racing Pigeon, complete with identification rings on its legs, was in more or less the same place for several weeks last year. Could it be the same bird? If so where has it been? If not what is there about this position on the roof that is attractive?

Yesterday it was a Blackcap on this fence. Today a Chiffchaff. The feet on this individual are brown rather the same black as the legs.

Against the dull light and in rain is not the best conditions. Here is a Garden Warbler: remember no features. The dark marks on the throat are shadows from the raised feathers – the bird is just finishing singing with the bill still slightly open. The bill is all dark and rather stout for a warbler.

A different view with the throat still puffed out – almost a ‘whitethroat’.

Someone is happy in the rain! Here he is in full song.

The heads of Ribwort (Plantago lanceolata), aka Ribwort Plantain. Clearly I have overlooked this for s few days.

The flower (and leaves) of Wood Avens (Geum urbanum).

The classic view of buttercups. This seems to be Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens).

While this rather leggy plant in the foreground seems to be the rather variable Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris). Note the rather greyer and more divided leaves. Buttercups are not easy as they are so variable.

The candles of Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) again obviously open for several days.

(Ed Wilson)

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If you are on your daily exercise and keeping a safe distance from others, we would love to see any photos or sightings from Priorslee Lake and The Flash, by contacting us at priorsleelake@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.😊

(Martin Adlam and Ed Wilson)

Note:
Here are a few Garden Sightings from Ed Wilson Here on our Readers Corner.

And

A few of Martin Adlam's Sightings from the Isle of Portland Here.

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

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

2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Nedge Hill
2 Lesser Whitethroat
10 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Cormorants
2 Swans 
5 Greylag Geese
1 Common Sandpiper 
8 Swallows
1 Swift
2 Reed Warblers 
2 Common Whitethroat 
17 Blackcaps 
8 Chiffchaffs 
4 Willow Warblers 
1 Common Redstart
1 Nuthatch
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
1 Pochard 
11 Tufted Duck 
4 Blackcaps 
3 Chiffchaffs 
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
6 Goosanders
6 Greylag Geese
2 Tufted Duck 
6 Goosander 
1 Grasshopper Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
18 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
14 Chiffchaffs
1 Wheatear
1 Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Sand Martin
1 Sky Lark
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson, Phil Walters)

Priorslee Flash
4 Greylag Geese
27 Tufted Duck 
5 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2011
Priorslee Lake
5 Reed Warblers 
2 Common Whitethroat 
10 Blackcaps 
10 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Priorslee Flash
3 Blackcaps 
4 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
1 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warbler
2 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Whinchat
2 Lesser Whitethroat
18+ Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2007
Priorslee Lake
6 Great Crested Grebes
6 Tufted Ducks
Ruddy Duck
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk
1 Grey Wagtail
1 Lesser Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Warblers
2 House Sparrows
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
2 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Cormorant
1 Stock Dove
3 Sand Martins
10 Swallows
1 Grey Wagtails
5 Sedge Warbler
2 Reed Warblers
7 Blackcaps
1 Garden Warbler
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
3 Reed Buntings
(Martin Adlam)

27 Apr 20

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

I extended my exercise walk for an early ‘socially distance’ lap of The Flash

8.0°C > 9.0°C:  Mainly cloudy. Occasional very light sprinkles. Light NNW wind. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:44 BST

Priorslee Lake:  early

(65th visit of the year)

New species for my 2020 lake list:
#84     House Sparrow
Two birds from the estate reached as far as the Teece Drive gate this morning and therefore well within my recording area. They do this, occasionally, most years.

Bird notes:
- The two Canada Geese flew in to the school playing field again.
- So where have all last week’s Great Crested Grebes gone? Just the two ‘regular’ pairs today.
- The pair of Pheasants was on the school playing field again.
- Very low count of Coots for no obvious reason. While some are no doubt on eggs in hidden nests that does not explain the sudden drop.
- The Sand Martins arrived as a group early. A few Barn Swallows followed. Just a single House Martin noted briefly/
- A Willow Warbler singing where the bird was singing last Monday. Where has it been?
- A more reasonable but still large count of Blackcaps. All birdong was, however, less apparent on this cool and dull morning.
- I think there were three Garden Warblers singing from the same 50 yards of W end hedge pre-dawn – to dark to see if they were moving about. Two heard concurrently. When I returned to the area later none was singing here, though one was singing reasonably close-by. Another was singing along the S side throughout.
- A Sedge Warbler singing from rather unsuitable scrub in the SE area perhaps a migrant.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 1 Greylag Goose (outbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair outbound)
- 9 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: 8 adults; 1 1st summer
- 6 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Jackdaws

Count of hirundines etc logged:
- >50 Sand Martins
- 5 Barn Swallows
- 1 House Martin

Count of warblers logged (singing birds in brackets):
- 14 (11) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 23 (20) Blackcaps
- 4? (4?) Garden Warblers (see notes)
- 1 (1) Common Whitethroat
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 5 (5) Reed Warblers

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 Canada Geese (on playing field)
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall still
- 9 (8♂) Mallard
- 1 Grey Heron briefly
- 1 Little Grebe: heard only
- 4 Great Crested Grebes only
- 4 Moorhens
- 16 Coots
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: (near?) adult briefly

One more flower species new for the year:
- Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)

On / around the street lights:
- 1 Lunar Marbled Brown moth (Drymonia ruficornis)

An unusual sight. A male Blackcap right out in the open. Here on the wire fence surrounding the sailing club’s compound (keep calling them a yacht club: apologies)

Just checking behind. Makes my neck ache.

Here singing away. This raises the throat feathers.

Quite bizarre-looking here. Looks like a ‘white throat’ with the feathers puffed out, but the surprised look and the way the black cap appears to sit on top of the head is most strange.

Two photos of a Lunar Marbled Brown moth (Drymonia ruficornis). This one a ‘flash’ photo pre-dawn

... this one later by natural light. Moth species #6 here this year. A common-enough moth though my first at this site for at least six years.

Although only first noted this morning this Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris) must have been flowering for some while.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash:

(57th visit of the year)

Very quiet here.

Most intriguing was what seemed to be a brief snatch of Reed Bunting song. Despite its appearance on the new ‘information’ board I have never recorded this species breeding here. I have occasionally heard birds on odd days in early Spring, presumably over-wintering birds seeking territories. I did not hear it again and saw nothing. So not included in my ‘official’ log.

New species for my 2020 Flash list:
#58     Blackcap

Bird notes:
- The pen Mute Swan asleep so no chance to count the eggs (reported to be nine). The 2018 immature still present.
- Calls suggested there were more Canada Geese hidden inside the island.
- Very low count of Mallard: no doubt the ducks on eggs in the surrounding vegetation and the drakes standing guard. Only the unpaired drakes evident.
- Not yet worked out where all the Coot nests are this year. Tentative count.

Birds noted flying over / near The Flash:
None

Count of warblers logged (singing birds in brackets):
- 3 (3) Chiffchaffs
- 7 (6) Blackcaps

Counts from the water:
- 3 Mute Swans remain
- 14 Canada Geese: 4 of these departed
- 9 (8♂) Mallard only
- 9 (4♂) Tufted Duck
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Moorhen
- 15 Coots again
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult, briefly

Between the lake and The Flash
- 1 Moorhen heard at the upper pool
- 2 (1) Blackcaps near the lower pool

(Ed Wilson)

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

If you are on your daily exercise and keeping a safe distance from others, we would love to see any photos or sightings from Priorslee Lake and The Flash, by contacting us at priorsleelake@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.😊

(Martin Adlam and Ed Wilson)

Note:
Here are a few Garden Sightings from Ed Wilson Here on our Readers Corner from the past few days

And

A few of Martin Adlam's Sightings from the Isle of Portland Here.

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

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

2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Local area
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2015
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2013
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Greylag Geese
3 Common Sandpipers 
1 Reed Warblers 
1 Common Whitethroat 
11 Blackcaps 
10 Chiffchaffs 
2 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
Wood Warbler
2 Great Crested Grebe 
1 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
16 Tufted Duck 
5 Blackcaps 
Wood Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
6 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin
3 Wood Warblers
1 Redstart
5 Pied Flycatchers
2 Tree Pipits
2 Redpolls
1 Siskin
(Ed Wilson, JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
6 Tufted Duck
6 Swift
50 Swallow
25 House Martin
2 Sand Martin
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Wheatear
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
1 Lesser Whitethroat
26 Wheatear
1 Greenland Wheatear
1 Fieldfare
1 Raven
(John Isherwood)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Wood Sandpiper
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Swift
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Lesser Whitethroat
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
3 Sedge Warblers
6 Reed Warblers
2 Lesser Whitethroats
2 Whitethroats
1 Garden Warbler
9 Blackcaps
9 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
1 Little Grebe
2 Common Sandpipers 
c.10 Sand Martins
c.45 Swallows
1 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash 
4 Sand Martins
12 Swallows 
2 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The lane to the E of Priorslee
6 Whitethroats
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler 
2 Linnets 
3 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
9 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
2 Stock Doves
2 Swallows
House Martins
2 Grey Wagtails
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
1 Jay
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Swallows
House Martin
Ring Ouzel
Fieldfare
Common Whitethroat
Blackcaps
Chiffchaff
Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
1 Swallow
6 Willow Warbler
Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
3 Greylag Geese
2 Ruddy Ducks
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Stock Dove
7 Swallows
3 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
17 Robins
30 Blackbirds
9 Song Thrushes
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
8 Blackcaps
4 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
5 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings
(Ed Wilson)

26 Apr 20

No Sightings in today, but if you are on your daily exercise and keeping a safe distance from others, we would love to see any photos or sightings from Priorslee Lake and The Flash, by contacting us at priorsleelake@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.😊

(Martin Adlam and Ed Wilson)

Note:
Here are a few Garden Sightings from Ed Wilson Here on our Readers Corner from the past few days

And

A few of Martin Adlam's Sightings from the Isle of Portland Here.

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

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

2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Cranes
(Observer Unknown)

The Wrekin
3 Wood Warbler
(Damon H, Jim A, Yvonne C)

2013
Priorslee Lake
1 Cormorant
1 Dunlin
1 Common Sandpipers
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Wheatear
3 Reed Warblers 
12 Blackcaps 
7 Chiffchaffs 
2 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
3 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
3 Pochard 
7 Tufted Duck 
4 Blackcaps 
2 Chiffchaffs 
4 Willow Warblers
2 Swallows
1 Redpoll
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes 
28 Greylag Geese 
1 Tufted Duck
1 Blackcap 
3 Chiffchaffs 
3 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes 
6 Tufted Duck 
2 Swifts 
c.5 Sand Martins 
c.30 Swallows 
c.40 House Martins 
1 Blackcap 
1 Chiffchaff 
1 Willow Warbler
Sparrowhawk
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
19 Wheatear
Swallows
(Richard Camp)

Long Lane, Wellington
c10 Ringed Plover
c10 Dunlin
Spotted Redshank
(JV Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
1 Swift
12 House Martin
7 Swallow
(Martin Grant)

2011
The Wrekin
3 Pied Flycatcher
1 Common Redstart
2 Marsh Tit
1 Wood Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Swift
3 Common Sandpipers 
1 Sedge Warbler
6 Reed Warblers
9 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

East of Priorslee Lake
6 Whitethroats
2 Sky Larks
1 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
7 Greylag Geese
1 Tufted Duck
3 Swallows
3 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
2 Jays
28 Magpies
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
1 Ring Ouzel
(Peter Nickless)

Priorslee Flash
1 Cormorant
Swallows
34 Blackbirds
6 Willow Warbler
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

Lanes to the east of Priorslee Flash
5 Mallard
1 Buzzard
1 Heron
Sky Larks
Blackcaps
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Kestrel
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Stock Doves
1 Swift
2 Sand Martins
2 Swallows
1 Yellow Wagtail
2 Grey Wagtails
26 Wrens
26 Blackbirds
1 Sedge Warbler
3 Reed Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
7 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
17 Magpies
1 Raven
7 Greenfinches
5 Reed Buntings.
(Ed Wilson)

25 Apr 20

Priorslee Lake

5.0°C > 6.0°C:  Clear very early. Low cloud arrived by 05:45 with mist over the water. Stayed dull thereafter. Light / moderate E breeze. Moderate visibility.

Sunrise: 05:48 BST

Priorslee Lake:  early

(64th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A trio of Greylag Geese arrived from the E. Again one of these departed well ahead of the pair. Later another single briefly.
- The pair of Canada Geese that arrived at the lake soon departed. May have been the birds seen later on the school playing field.
- A pair of Pheasants seen on the school playing field.
- The low-level mist across the lake prevented a count of the Coots
- Rather strange that the greater than usual number of Barn Swallows was not accompanied by any other hirundines.
- One of the Garden Warblers managed a snatch of Common Whitethroat song in its own song.
- Two Common Whitethroats in different locations from previous days. Neither sang.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- 2 Greylag Geese (1 outbound; 1 inbound)
- 2 Canada Geese (pair outbound)
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 3 Jackdaws
- 2 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc logged:
- >12 Barn Swallows

Count of warblers logged (singing birds in brackets):
- 13 (11) Chiffchaffs
- 29 (23) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers remain
- 2 (0) Common Whitethroats again
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers again

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 4 Greylag Geese
- 2 (4?) Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall
- 13 (11♂) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck: departed
- 1 Grey Heron briefly
- 1 Little Grebe
- 8 Great Crested Grebes
- 5 Moorhens
- [Coots not counted]
- 1 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: (near) adult

Two more flower species new for the year:
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
- probable Common or Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis)

On / around the street lights:
- 1 male Tipula sp, crane fly

Also:
- 1 Grey Squirrel

Footnote: one of my regular informants reported the Mute Swans at The Flash have nine eggs.

Very early it looked promising. Note some low cloud in the distance. Ten minutes later it was all very low cloud and mist arising off the water.

Not a sharp photo on a gloomy morning but it shows that the grey forewing panel on this Greylag Goose extends on to the shafts of the flight feathers. Checking my references this feature is indeed illustrated. It is something I have not previously appreciated.

Distantly on the academy playing field was this male Pheasant. A bunch of out-of-focus Starlings in the foreground.

And here is the Pheasant’s mate. May be the first female I have seen here.

Today’s Common Sandpiper was rather wary. This was my first ‘safety’ shot.

I did manage to get slightly closer.

This Lesser Black-backed Gull dropped in for a while. It looks like an adult but note the dark mark on, particularly, the lower mandible. Looking carefully, some of the lesser coverts look slightly browner than the rest of the wing and thus this is likely a fourth year bird.

This crane fly was on one of the street lamps. The end of the abdomen is just visible as a point meaning that it is a male. With wings closed the body pattern is not apparent and so this remains a Tipula sp.

A close-up of a Red Clover flower (Trifolium pratense). My first record for 2020. Looks as if I have overlooked this for some days. This plant might be quite common but its beauty under-appreciated.

With five petals this is a Forget-me-not species. This group is not easy to specifically identify. My vote would be for Common or Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis). (Four petals would mean the flowers were Speedwells).

(Ed Wilson)

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

If you are on your daily exercise and keeping a safe distance from others, we would love to see any photos or sightings from Priorslee Lake and The Flash, by contacting us at priorsleelake@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.😊

(Martin Adlam and Ed Wilson)

Note:
Here are a few Garden Sightings from Ed Wilson Here on our Readers Corner from the past few days

And

A few of Martin Adlam's Sightings from the Isle of Portland Here.

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

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

2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Priorslee Lake
1 Reed Warbler
1 Sedge Warbler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
1 Lesser Whitethroat
5 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2013
Priorslee Lake
Tawny Owl
4 Great Crested Grebes 
2 Cormorants
2 Lapwings 
2 Common Sandpiper 
3 Reed Warblers
14 Blackcaps 
8 Chiffchaffs 
2 Willow Warblers 
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebe 
1 Greylag Goose 
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose 
12 Tufted Duck 
5 Song Thrushes 
3 Blackcaps 
3 Chiffchaffs 
3 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Woodhouse Lane
3 Common Whitethroats
2 Linnets.
7 Yellowhammers
Blackcaps
Chiffchaffs 
Willow Warbler.
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
4 Meadow Pipits
4 Sky Lark
20 Wheatear
2 Fieldfare
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
2 Common Whitethroats.
3 Blackcaps.
2 Chiffchaffs.
1 Linnet.
2 Yellowhammer
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

Long Lane, Wellington
1 Whimbrel
2 Curlew
6 Dunlin
2 Ringed Plover
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
35 Swallows
2 House Martins
Grey Wagtail
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
2 Swift
1 Grasshopper Warbler
(John Isherwood, J W Reeves, Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2011
Priorslee Lake
1 Yellow Wagtail
Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
9 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2010
Priorslee Lake
3 Common Sandpiper
(Andy Latham)

Nedge Hill
Swift
12 Wheatear
1 Whinchat
Lesser Whitethroat
2 Whitethroat
Blackcap
(Andy Latham)

2009
Priorslee Lake
1 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
19 Wheatear
1 Lesser Whitethroat
2 Turtle Doves
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
Sand Martins
Swallows
1 Tufted Duck
1 Sedge Warbler
4 Reed Warblers
1 Lesser Whitethroat
1 Common Whitethroat
3 Blackcaps 
6 Chiffchaffs 
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Tufted Duck
1 Wheatear
1 Chiffchaff
1 Willow Tit
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
5 Wheatears
1 Whinchat
1 Sedge Warbler
Common Whitethroat
4 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
Swallows
1 Grey Wagtail
6 Blackcaps
6 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2006
Priorslee Lake
7 Great Crested Grebes
4 Herons
4 Greylag Geese
4 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
2 Kestrels
2 Common Sandpipers
1 Sky Lark
23 Sand Martins
12 Swallows
29 Wrens
2 Sedge Warblers
2 Reed Warblers
11 Blackcaps
8 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
2 Jays
7 Greenfinches
21 Redpolls
5 Reed Buntings.

Lanes
3 Whitethroats
2 Sky Larks
3 Whitethroats
2 Blackcaps
1 Chiffchaff
4 Linnets
6 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)

24 Apr 20

Priorslee Lake with Woodhouse Lane

6.0°C > 10.0°C:  Clear again. Very little thin high cloud. Flat calm early with mist over lake. Light and variable breeze later. Moderate / good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:50 BST

Priorslee Lake:  early

(63rd visit of the year)

A very quiet morning – too calm and sunny but not complaining.

Bird notes:
- The Tufted Duck did the opposite today: present when I arrived and then disappeared.
- One or more Black-headed Gulls heard when I was in a wooded area and unable to see.
- I really cannot believe the total Blackcaps logged. They are everywhere, but ....!
- The Common Whitethroat seems to have found a mate. Two seen together and no song heard or display flight noted.
- A few more Reed Warblers have arrived. Always a late migrant the full complement likely to be ten days away yet.
- At least 21 Starlings feeding on the school playing fields. Birds commuting to and from the estate all the while.

Birds noted flying over / near here:
- Canada Geese heard only
- Black-headed Gull(s) heard only
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 10 Jackdaws
- 7 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc logged:
- 1 Barn Swallow

Count of warblers logged (singing birds in brackets):
- 14 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 29 (25) Blackcaps
- 3 (3) Garden Warblers again
- 2 (0) Common Whitethroats
- 4 (4) Reed Warblers

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Mute Swans
- 2 (1♂) Gadwall still
- 12 (10♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Duck: departed
- [no Grey Herons]
- 1 Little Grebe
- 9 Great Crested Grebes
- 6 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 1 Common Sandpiper

One new flower species here:
- Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

I did make it earlier and the sunrise was a better colour.

The long view was good too.

Some 30 minutes later and still a hint of colour.

Usually the head and bill profile of Rooks makes them easy to identify. At this time of year when they are taking food to nests it is not quite so easy.

Mistle Thrushes are also known as Storm Cocks from their habit of sitting at the tops of trees and aerials and singing lustily even in the strongest wind. This perch is certainly high up ....

 ... and needs some careful balancing ...

... but once stable let the singing commence. A relatively small head, denser spotting and pale edges to the wing coverts help separate visually. The songs are quite different. It unusually allowed me a closer approach.

We need another perky Blue Tit.

I am always pleased to be able to photograph Garden Warblers as they can be real skulkers. Remember this species can be identified by its lack of features. Buff below, pale grey-brown on the back, a hint of rufous on the head and a greyer nape.

No streaking, no wing-bars, just plain. Good song though, like and ‘throaty’ Blackcap without any scratchy notes.

A rather strange Reed Bunting. The black on the face means it is a male but black should extend all over the head and end in a white collar. Older females tend to be darker but are never black. The unusual tone to this bird is due to the early yellow light.

This flower is usually called Ground-ivy (Glechoma hederacea) and generally thought of as invasive weed. Other names include Gill-over-the-ground, Creeping Charlie, Alehoof, Tunhoof, Catsfoot, Field Balm, and Run-away-Robin. The leaves show that it is related to Lamium – the dead-nettles. In many countries the leaves are used in salads. We Europeans introduced this invader all over the world, as is our wont. A flower I have probably failed to identify in previous years as it is new for my lake list

Monday I found the first Red Campion flower (Silene dioica). Now they are abundant.

(Ed Wilson)

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Woodhouse Lane

(First visit of the year)

Notes from here
- Compared with the plethora around the lake there was a dearth of Blackcaps here even allowing for the different habitat.
- Several birds noted diving in to the rape fields. Seemed long-tailed and perhaps Reed Buntings. For another day.

Notable species counts (singing birds in brackets):
- 3 (3) Pheasants
- 1 (1) Goldcrest
- 3 (3) Sky Larks
- 3 Long-tailed Tit parties
- 2 (2) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Blackcap only
- 3 (3) Common Whitethroats
- 3 (1) Song Thrush
- 4 (3) Chaffinches
- 6 (2) Goldfinches
- 1 (1) Linnet
- 5 (1) Yellowhammer

Additional flower species noted:
- Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
- White Dead-Nettle (Lamium album)
- Arum Lily (Arum maculatum)

I extended my permitted daily exercise to walk part of Woodhouse Lane, thankfully little changed from last year. A socially distanced local told me that while outline planning permission for 1700 houses in the area has been given it may be 10 years before it is completed. Looking down ...

... and looking back up.

Well it has a white throat and a grey head so it must be a male Common Whitethroat. Unusual to find one more than 30 feet up. This species is a ‘scrub warbler’ and usually in hedges.

A male Yellowhammer. This one not disposed to sing. Perhaps not quite ready to breed as yet – as a seed-eater nesting tends to be later. You have to wait for the flowers to die to have enough seed to feed a brood of hungry youngsters!

With with five deeply split petals this is Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea). For some reason I can never find this common wildflower around the lake. The smaller white flowers at the bottom of the picture are Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge (Alliaria petiolata).

Very hairy and partly covered in dew are these White Dead-Nettles (Lamium album).

Better than my attempts around the lake where I could only find Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) in shade. Here is full sun. As the genus implies closely related to the dead-nettles.

I am racking my brain as to whether I have ever seen the flower-spike (spadix) of Arum Lily (Arum maculatum) – as here. I see the cluster of bright red and poisonous berries every year. Alternative names for this plant are Lords-and-ladies and Cuckoo-pint.

(Ed Wilson)

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If you are on your daily exercise and keeping a safe distance from others, we would love to see any photos or sightings from Priorslee Lake and The Flash, by contacting us at priorsleelake@hotmail.com

We look forward to hearing from you.😊

(Martin Adlam and Ed Wilson)

Note:
Here are a few Garden Sightings from Ed Wilson Here on our Readers Corner from the past few days

And

A few of Martin Adlam's Sightings from the Isle of Portland Here.

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

2019
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2017
Priorslee Lake
Today's Sightings Here

2016
Local Area
Today's Sightings Here

2014
Nedge Hill
2 Redstart
7 Wheatear
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler
(Ian Grant)

2013
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
5 Common Sandpipers
2 Reed Warblers
6 Blackcaps
9 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Richardson's / Cackling-type Canada Goose
20 Tufted Duck
2 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Long Lane, Wellington
1 Little Ringed Plover
3 Ringed Plover
2 Dunlin
Lesser Whitethroat
(JW Reeves)

2012
Priorslee Lake
8 Great Crested Grebes
11 Greylag
1 Tufted Duck
1 Grasshopper Warbler
1 Sedge Warbler
14 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
11 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Greylag Geese
17 Tufted Duck
5 Blackcaps
3 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Reed Bunting
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
1 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Lapwings
1 Green Woodpecker
6 Skylarks
4 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler
3 Chiffchaffs
9 Linnets
(Ed Wilson)

2010
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
8 Wheatear
28 Fieldfare
2 Whitethroat
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
Reed Warblers
3 Common Sandpipers
1 Sedge Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Common Sandpipers
1 Tufted Duck
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Trench
8 Tufted Duck
8 Swallows
3 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
1 Common Whitethroat
2 Linnet
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Flash
4 Great Crested Grebe
1 Ruddy Duck
4 Common Sandpiper
3 Swift
32 House Martin
3 Swallow
3 Reed Warbler
2 Sedge Warbler
1 Garden Warbler
6 Blackcap
1 Lesser Whitethroat
5 Chiffchaff
4 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
14 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
7 Sand Martins
14 Swallows
1 House Martin
3 Stock Doves
3 Grey Wagtails
30 Wrens
2 Sedge Warblers
1 Reed Warbler
1 Common Whitethroat
9 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
1 Willow Tit
8 Greenfinches
1 Linnet
1 Redpoll
5 Reed Buntings.(Ed Wilson)

Lanes to the East of Priorslee lake
6 Stock Doves
2 Sky Larks
2 Whitethroats
3 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
4 Linnets
1 Reed Bunting
7 Yellowhammers
(Ed Wilson)