24 Apr 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 10.0°C: Clear but rather hazy to start. Light N breeze increasing moderate, even fresh. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:53 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:10 – 06:15 // 07:20 – 09:20

(98th visit of the year)

Two Reed Warblers were in song this morning and new for the year. Birds species #85 for me here in 2022. A few days later than in each of the preceding three years.

Other bird notes:
- At least two different Pheasants heard calling a long way to the N.
- Three Greylag Geese flew in. The guarding Canada Goose tried to persuade them to go but it needed the cob Mute Swan to make a success of it. The swan then turned its attention to the Canada Goose with what I presume to be its mate force to join in to protect it. Both geese were last seen on the grass with the swan standing guard. I assume the eggs were going unguarded.
- I found at least one Mallard duckling. The mother was keeping herself and the duckling in cover and there may have been more.
- Before 06:00 one of the Common Sandpipers was calling loudly while doing its circular display flight at the W end. Later it was just calling and chasing one of the others. I cannot recall seeing display here previously.
- A Grey Heron was seen flying across the lake several times. What was presumably the same bird flew down the line of the Wesley Brook c.06:00.
- It was probably the resident male Cetti's Warbler that made a foray all along the S side as far as the S end of the dam and back again to the W end singing loudly all the while.
- A / the Sedge Warbler was singing in the NW area today, its place at the W end having being taken by one of the Reed Warblers.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: one pair outbound
- 1 Wood Pigeon only
- 1 Herring Gull: immature
- 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: all adults
- no Jackdaws
- 1 Rook yet again

Hirundines etc. noted:

None

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 17 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler still
- 2 (2) Reed Warblers: new arrivals
- 21 (14) Blackcaps
- 3 (2) Common Whitethroats

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 3 Greylag Geese: briefly
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- 5 (3♂) + 1? (1 brood) Mallard
- 4 (2♂) Tufted Duck again
- 5 Moorhens
- 19 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes still
- *3 Common Sandpipers
- 1 Herring Gull: immature, briefly
- 1 Grey Heron

Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 2 spiders

Noted later in breezy conditions:

Hoverflies:
- Spring Epistrophe (Epistrophe elegans)
- *Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
- *Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)

and:
- *Herb Robert flowers (Geranium robertianum)

Standing to attention is one of the three Common Sandpipers I saw here today.

This one putting its best foot forward.

While this one looks glum.

This is a female Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax): a female because the eyes do not meet and a Tapered Dronefly because the legs are pale. Only males have an obviously tapered abdomen.

One again I used supplementary flash to penetrate the folded wings and show the abdomen markings on this Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare).

Today is the first time this year I have noticed flowers of Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum). The stems and borders to the leaves of this plant have a distinctive red tinge.

We have seen these before – Cowslips (Primula veris). An attractive group.

A close-up of one of the bunches of flower.

One of the two unidentified spiders on the lamp poles.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:20 – 07:15

(95th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Some of the Mallard had done their disappearing trick again. A new brood of nine small ducklings.
- Another Common Sandpiper.
- The reappearance of a Willow Warbler was a surprise. A late migrant? It was singing along the E side [there was also one at the lower pool]

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Jackdaw

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Willow Warbler
- 8 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 8 (5) Blackcaps

Noted on / around the water:
- 28 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese: one of these departed
- 4 Mute Swans
- *16 (12♂) + 9 (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 9 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 13 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- *1 Common Sandpiper
- 1 Herring Gull: second year: departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- *1 Common Quaker (Orthosia serasai) moth
- 4 plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus) all on different lamp poles.

Noted elsewhere:

Nothing

The cob Mute Swan chasing one of the 2021 swans.

Here are the two white birds apparently happy together. I have still not managed to read any rings on these two so as to positively identify them. To my eyes both have large swellings at the base of their bills as if they are both cobs – oh er!

A duck Mallard siting at a strange angle. If you look closely there is a duckling's head poking out.

Moments later a drake arrived and they all took to the water – nine ducklings.

I am not sure whether it is the ducklings or the photo that is a bit fuzzy. Both I suspect. No bright yellow ones in this brood.

An annoying out of focus twig in the foreground mars an otherwise pleasing shot of the Common Sandpiper in the early light. I knew if I moved to get a clearer view the bird would fly – it did!

 I found this moth on one of the lamp poles: it is a Common Quaker (Orthosia serasai): a very common species though as with many of the group it tends to fly early in the evening and is not so often found at light in the morning. Moth species #5 around The Flash for me in 2022.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- 3 (2♂) Mallards in the lower pool
- 1 Moorhen chasing the Mallard at the lower pool
- 1 Willow Warbler singing beside the lower pool
- 1 Chiffchaff calling beside the lower pool
- 1 Blackcap singing beside the lower pool

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- *1 Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata) moth
- several plumed midges

A pug moth found resting in the roof – as they seem to like to do. This group of moths are not always easy to identify. I am almost certain this has to be a Brindled Pug (Eupithecia abbreviata).

(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

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)

23 Apr 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

8.0°C > 10.0°C: A very few brighter moments; mostly cloudy with a light shower. Moderate NW wind, veering NE and increasing somewhat. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:55 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:05 – 06:30 // 07:30 – 09:35

(97th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- No Mallard ducklings found.
- I did not see any Common Sandpipers until after 08:30: perhaps they flew in?
- The six unidentified large gulls flew by at 05:35 when it was too dark to see any of the features.
- A Grey Heron flew off at 05:20. Another was flushed several times later and eventually it too flew off.
- A Sedge Warbler was singing at the W end again.
- The two Common Whitethroats seem to have declared a truce and were singing from reasonably close together behind the sailing club shelter. I did not see any female-types.
- More than 20 Starlings were feeding on the now largely enclosed football field and very happy to perch on the fence.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 8 Canada Geese: one pair outbound; three pairs inbound
- 2 Greylag Geese: pair outbound
- 2 Feral Pigeons: together
- 1 Stock Dove
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 2 Collared Doves
- 4 Herring Gulls: all immatures
- 6 unidentified large gulls
- 1 Cormorant
- 2 Jackdaws
- 1 Rook again

Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Sand Martin
- 2 Barn Swallows
- 1 House Martin: briefly

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 19 (15) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler again
- 17 (14) Blackcaps
- 2 (2) Common Whitethroats

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- 6 (5♂) Mallard
- 4 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens
- 21 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Common Sandpipers
- 5 Herrings Gulls: immatures together
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: near adult
- 2 Grey Herons: both departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 probable Common Oak Purple (Dyseriocrania subpurpurella) moth
- 1 Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider

Noted later in cool, cloudy and breezy conditions:
- *1 cranefly sp.
- 2 plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus): both females
- *A Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)
- *many Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis) plants in flower

An apparently cross-legged Common Sandpiper. I checked all four that were present: none had rings or tags.

One of the fly-over Herring Gulls. It can be identified as this species by the translucent inner primaries and outer secondaries. It seems a strange date but this bird is in wing moult and looks to be regrowing the outer secondaries. The outer tail-feathers also seem to be regrowing.

One of the two singing Common Whitethroats.

Yummy: breakfast! Quick to take advantage of the reduced activity on the almost completely fenced-off football field were up to 20 Starlings. When disturbed they found the fence itself a convenient staging post. A small part of the field remains unfenced. Is this intentional? Did they order too few sections of fence? Or did they install it wider than intended and run out of sections?

The moth on one of the lamp poles this morning.

A small critter that I struggled to get a decent photo of. It is well-marked but the markings are not distinctive. I think it is a Common Oak Purple (Dyseriocrania subpurpurella) which is a new species of moth for me. Noted on the West Midland moth site as 'very common'.

This is one of the abundant plumed midges, likely Chironomus plumosus. This is a female with simple antennae.

I cannot identify this cranefly but note the very small head that is well-separated from the thorax.

I noted just this one Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). With all the flowers on one side and the stem bending over as a consequence the possibility of Spanish Bluebell can be discounted.

In the last few days the Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis) has started to flower everywhere along the South side. This plant, also known as Cuckooplant or Milkmaid, is the eaten by caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines). Note that part of their scientific names are shared, highlighting the relationship.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:35 – 07:25

(94th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The four Mute Swans confuse. When I arrived the two all-white birds were together and looking paired. Later an all-white bird was again consorting with one of the 2021 birds and an other all-white bird was gazing at the nest site now occupied by a pair of Canada Geese. I did hear that Cuan had been called in to remove a fish hook from one of the swans. It was not suggested that the bird had been taken in to care though that could explain the missing bird (though not the strange behaviour)
- A few more Tufted Duck today.

No birds noted flying over here:

None

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

Noted on / around the water:
- *29 Canada Geese
- 7 Greylag Geese
- 4 Mute Swans
- 24 (21♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 15 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens
- 23 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Herring Gull: first year, briefly again

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- 2 plumed midges (Chironomus plumosus) each on a different lamp pole.

Elsewhere:

Nothing noted

Several of the Canada Geese are starting to look rather 'second hand' with missing and worn feathers. Here is one.

And another.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- 3 drake Mallards in the lower pool
- 1 Moorhen alongside the upper pool
- 2 Chiffchaffs: one calling beside the lower pool; another singing above the upper pool again
- 2 Blackcaps: one singing and one calling beside the lower pool

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

I forgot my torch so nothing found.

(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

2013

Priorslee Lake

2 Great Crested Grebes 

3 Greylag Geese

1 Grasshopper Warbler 

2 Reed Warblers 

8 Blackcaps 

9 Chiffchaffs 

4 Willow Warblers

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

1 Richardson's-type Canada Goose 

8 Tufted Duck 

1 Blackcap 

2 Chiffchaffs 

6 Willow Warblers

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

6 Swallows

8 Meadow Pipits

1 Fieldfare

3 Blackcaps 

3 Willow Warbler 

4 Chiffchaffs

1 Whinchat

1 Lesser Whitethroat

29 Wheatear

1 Lapwing

(John Isherwood, Ed Wilson)

2012

Priorslee Lake

Green Woodpecker

5 Great Crested Grebes

4 Tufted Duck

12 Blackcaps

2 Willow Warblers

14 Chiffchaffs

1 Sedge Warbler

(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

In the lane / fields to the E

5 Skylarks

2 Whitethroats

2 Blackcaps

3 Chiffchaffs

9 Linnets 

5 Yellowhammers

(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash

5 Great Crested Grebes

23 Tufted Duck 

1 Common Sandpiper

5 Blackcaps

1 Willow Warblers

4 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson / John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill

1 Raven

(John Isherwood)

2011

Priorslee Lake

1 Common Sandpiper

2 Lesser Whitethroat

(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill

3 Yellow Wagtail

6 Wheatear

(John Isherwood)

2008

Priorslee Lake

2 Sedge Warblers

2 Lesser Whitethroats

(Ed Wilson)

The Flash

Common Sandpiper

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

2 Common Whitethroat

3 Wheatears

(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin

1 Pied Flycatcher

(Mike)

Ercall Woods

3 Pied Flycatcher

Buzzards

2 Ravens

(Mike)

2007

Priorslee Flash

2 Common Sandpipers

Garden Warbler

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes

6 Tufted Ducks

2 Ruddy Duck

5 Common Sandpipers

100+ Sand Martin

5 Swallow

1 House Martin

23 Wrens

19 Robins

19 Blackbirds

1 Sedge Warbler

1 Reed Warbler

1 Lesser Whitethroat

2 Garden Warblers

7 Blackcaps

5 Chiffchaffs

3 Willow Warblers

1 Willow Tit

3 Greenfinches

2 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)

22 Apr 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

5.0°C > 10.0°C: Slightly broken medium-high level cloud, especially to the E. Lower cloud after 08:30. Moderate N wind. Good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:57 BST

* = a photo today

A very quiet morning with most things in lower numbers and very little flying over.

Priorslee Lake: 04:55 – 06:20 // 07:15 – 09:30

(96th visit of the year)

It has been suggested that the current fence around the football field is only temporary and is to protect the site while the proper fence is erected. We shall see.

Bird notes:
- I am still hearing distant Pheasant calls most mornings: too far away to determine whereabouts they might be.
- The cob Mute Swan was chasing the Canada Goose again. This forced the sitting bird off the nest for a while to prevent a death in the family.
- A duck Mallard was seen again with three ducklings.
- Just a 'regular' pair of Tufted Duck
- No Willow Warblers seen or heard.
- A Sedge Warbler was singing at the W end but only heard after 09:00 so perhaps it was just arriving. The bird noted on Tuesday and Wednesday (but not yesterday) was in the NW area, though that distance is nothing when you have flown from Africa!
- Two Common Whitethroats were chasing around again before 06:00 when it was too dark to see which sex they were. A male was seen and heard singing later.

Birds noted flying over here: this won't take long!
- 8 Wood Pigeons again
- 1 Herring Gull: immature
- 1 Rook

Hirundines etc. noted:
- 2 Sand Martins
- 7 Barn Swallows

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warblers
- no Willow Warblers
- 21 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 1 (1) Sedge Warbler
- 15 (10) Blackcaps
- 2 (1?) Common Whitethroat

Counts from the lake area:
- 2 Canada Geese
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- 6 (4♂) + 3 ducklings (1 brood) Mallard
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens
- 23 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Herrings Gulls: together very briefly at 05:40
- 1 Grey Heron: arrived and departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- *1 Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea)
- *1 springtail, perhaps Orchesella cincta.
- 1 Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider
- *1 other spider, perhaps Clubiona sp.

Noted later in cool, cloudy and breezy conditions:
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

A duck Mallard still with all three remaining ducklings.

Looking a but lurid for some reason is this Common Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea).

This rather hairy springtail with the yellow band across the abdomen may (or may not) be Orchesella cincta.

Peering in to a bolt hole on one of the street lamp poles is a spider. The end of the abdomen suggests a Clubiona type though those that Nigel has identified previously have all been reddish or brown rather than grey as we see here.

Don't we all love Telford. I picked this lot up from in front of the sailing club shelter. The four empty boxes each contained 24 Cream Chargers. These are pressurised Nitrous Oxide cylinders properly in the restaurant trade but misused to get 'highs'. The boxes are on sale on the web at £12.99 each. The plastic bag contains 96 used cylinders and a few balloons used as a way to inhale the gas. They had been discarded in the grass and the shelter. It is no wonder that we are short of wildlife in the area with all this going in the evenings.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:25 – 07:10

(93rd visit of the year)

An update from yesterday. I was shown photos of one brood of five small Coots: at the time I visit these are usually warmly tucked up under a parent on the nest. I was also told of another brood of Mallard ducklings.

Bird notes:
- As yesterday only four Mute Swans located. The two 2021 birds and two all-white birds. I was unable to read any rings on these birds to identify which two. One was almost certainly the resident cob as he was chasing the 2021 birds from time to time.
- No Willow Warblers seen or heard.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Jackdaws

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- no Willow Warblers
- 6 (5) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

Noted on / around the water:
- 24 Canada Geese: of these two pairs arrived
- 2 Greylag Geese: of these one departed
- 4 Mute Swans again
- 20 (17♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 11 (8♂) Tufted Duck
- 11 Moorhens
- *24 Coots
- 1 Great Crested Grebe
- 1 Herring Gull: first year, briefly
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles:
- *1 plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)

Noted elsewhere:
- *white Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica)

Hiding in the gloom of overhanging trees is a Coot sitting on a nest. This is the nest where the five baby Coots were photographed yesterday afternoon. The parent is keeping them warm here.

Trying to camouflage itself on a moss and lichen covered lamp pole is this plumed midge. The striped thorax and banded abdomen suggest this is the very common non-biting midge Chironomus plumosus. (but as it is a male with the antennae plumes it would not bite anyway)

A clump of white Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) that I found in the wooded area at the top end. White bluebells are not uncommon especially amongst garden escapes which most Spanish Bluebells are. A few blue flowers are at top right. Note the diagnostic straight stems with flowers all around each stem.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- 1 drake Mallard flew from the lower pool
- 2 Chiffchaffs: one calling beside the lower pool; another singing above the upper pool
- 1 Blackcap singing beside the upper pool

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- several small plumed midges
- 1 owl midge Psychodidae sp.

(Ed Wilson)

Note:

Ed Wilson's photos from Belvide Reservoir 20 Apr 22 on our Readers Page Here.

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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

2013

Nedge Hill

1 Whinchat

20 Wheatear

1 Blackcap

Willow Warbler

(Ian Grant)

2012

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes

1 Heron

5 Tufted Duck

12 Blackcaps

4 Willow Warblers

12 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Priorslee Flash

6 Great Crested Grebes 

5 Greylag Geese

31 Tufted Duck 

1 Heron

1 Buzzard

6 Blackcaps

4 Willow Warblers

4 Chiffchaffs

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

5 Lapwings

1 Green Woodpecker

3 Skylarks

1 Blackcap

1 Willow Warbler

3 Chiffchaffs

6 Linnets

(Ed Wilson)

2011

Priorslee Lake

1 Yellow Wagtail

5 Common Sandpiper

1 Lesser Whitethroat

1 Sedge Warbler

(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill

1 Yellow Wagtail

10 Wheatear

(John Isherwood)

2008

Priorslee Lake

3 Great Crested Grebes

2 Gadwall

1 Common Sandpiper

Swallows

Sand Martins

Common Whitethroat

(Ed Wilson, Martin Adlam)

The Nedge

Blackcap

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

(Martin Adlam)

2007

Priorslee Lake

2 Sedge Warblers 

Reed Warbler

Common Sandpipers

(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill 

1 Wheatear

1 Cuckoo

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

6 Great Crested Grebes

5 Greylag Geese

12 Tufted Ducks

2 Ruddy Duck

27 Sand Martins

11 Swallows

5 House Martins

1 Sedge Warbler

8 Blackcaps

7 Chiffchaffs

4 Willow Warblers

25 Wrens

23 Blackbirds

5 Greenfinches

1 Siskin

1 Redpoll

3 Reed Buntings.

Lanes to the east of Priorslee Lake

6 Pheasants

8 Sky Larks

2 Whitethroats

4 Blackcaps

2 Chiffchaffs

1 Greenfinch

6 Yellowhammers

(Ed Wilson)

21 Apr 22

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

6.0°C > 11.0°C: Some high cloud mainly to the W, fading away. Otherwise clear. Light / moderate fresh-feeling E breeze. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 05:59 BST

* = a photo today

Priorslee Lake: 05:05 – 06:25 // 07:30 – 09:30

(95th visit of the year)

Contractors have started erecting the fence around the football field. And very tatty it looks too – just crowd barriers you see at events and not at all like a permanent structure. As cheap and nasty as the lurid mauve boxes that are masquerading as classrooms at the Holy Trinity Academy's extension. Perhaps they will put, hopefully inflammable, cladding on them.

Bird notes:
- A duck Mallard still with three ducklings.
- A puzzling duck Tufted-type duck – see photos.
- One Black-headed Gull flew SE overhead at 05:45 in company with three Herring Gulls. It was presumably the first year bird that arrived from the E a few moments later and stayed for c.10 minutes.
- A Sparrowhawk was displaying from the small copse on the NE side of the Castle Farm Interchange.
- Two Willow Warblers were singing near each other along the N side and nowhere near where I heard birds yesterday.
- I did not hear or see the Sedge Warbler.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound again
- 1 Feral Pigeon
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 8 Wood Pigeons only
- 5 Herring Gulls: ages not determined
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: (near) adult
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 5 Jackdaws only
- 2 Rooks

Hirundines etc. noted:
- 1 Barn Swallow flew through at 08:05
The general dearth of hirundines continues. I noted on 14 April that at least three birds had returned over Newport. Well: they spent all afternoon overhead their usual nesting sites but I haven't seen them since.

Warblers noted (figures in brackets relate to singing birds):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warblers
- 2 (2) Willow Warblers again
- 16 (12) Chiffchaffs
- no Sedge Warbler
- 11 (9) Blackcaps
- 1 (1) Common Whitethroat again

Counts from the lake area:
- 1 Canada Goose: keeping guard
- 2 Mute Swans: pen on nest
- *9 (7♂) + 3 ducklings (1 brood) Mallard
- *3 (2♂) Tufted Duck: arrived. But see photos
- 8 Moorhens
- 20 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Black-headed Gull: first year, briefly
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: adults; together briefly
- 1 Grey Heron: departed

Noted on / around the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 plumed midge (Chironomus plumosus)
- 1 other, smaller plumed midge sp. (Chaoborus crystalinus?)
- 1 Tetragnatha sp. stretch spider

Noted later:
- Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
- Common Wasp (Paravespula vulgaris)
- *Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)
- *Common Spotted Field Syrph (Eupeodes luniger)
- Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
- *Syrphus sp. (S. ribesii / S. vitripennis)
- *Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria)
- *unidentified beetle sp.

The sunrise this morning. Most of the high cloud that would have given it more colour was to the W, behind me.

The three ducklings have survived another day. This was the only time I saw them – against the low early light so just silhouettes.

This duck gave me a problem – and continues to do so! The amount of white on the face seems too extensive for a Tufted Duck and recalls a female (Greater) Scaup.

In profile it shows no hint of a 'tuft' which duck Tufted Ducks invariably do. However there looks to be too much black on the bill tip for a Scaup.

Perversely this profile shows rather little black on the bill tip. At this time of year a duck Scaup should a show pale area on the side of the face which this lacks.

Here with a drake Tufted Duck we see it seems no larger. If it were a Scaup it ought to be slightly but obviously larger. Note however that there seems to be some grey feathering on the back which Scaup shows and Tufted Duck doesn't.

Here looking alert we see a pale band on the neck recalling ducks of both Lesser Scaup and the Ring-necked Duck from North America. These can be ruled out on head shape alone. All these species are know to hybridise which adds to the fun. For the moment I have logged it as a duck Tufted Duck pending thoughts from others.

For a change a photo of a female Reed Bunting. In females the black on the head is restricted to a mask.

 A male Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)

A particularly striking and bright example of a Common Spotted Field Syrph hoverfly (Eupeodes luniger).

Contrast with the more subdued contrast on this male Syrphus sp. (S. ribesii or S. vitripennis).

This is an Alder Fly (Sialis lutaria). The shape recalls many species of caddis fly but the wings are very dark with very obvious venations.

A small blue-black beetle that I cannot identify. It is slightly larger than those I have found on lamp poles recently and also lacks the swollen hind femur.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:30 – 07:25

(92nd visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The adult pen Mute Swan was not located. Perhaps she was on the island or always the 'other side' from me? The cob was chasing the 2021 cygnets again.
- Another reduction in Tufted Duck numbers. Checking with last year's logs confirmed that a much reduced number is typical for late April / early May.
- All the gulls only visited briefly.
- The Willow Warblers were in more or less the same locations as on the previous two days.

Birds noted flying over here:

None again

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

Noted on / around the water:
- 32 Canada Geese: of these a pair arrived and a trio departed
- 3 Greylag Geese: of these a single arrived and it then departed with one of the others
- *4 Mute Swans only
- 23 (20♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Aylesbury Duck)
- 13 (9♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Moorhens
- 25 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Herring Gulls: first and second year
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls: first year and adult

On / around the street lamp poles
Nothing noted

Noted elsewhere:
- *Just coming in to flower are Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica)

Once again one of the 2021 Mute Swan (on the right) and the long-staying 2019 bird were making 'friendly gestures'.

I think these are Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) on the basis of the very straight stem. 'Our' (English) Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) tend to droop as the flowers are all on one side of the stem. In a few days when more flowers are open it will be possible to confirm this, although they do freely hybridise which complicates matters.

(Ed Wilson)

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Between the lake and The Flash

- 1 Chiffchaff singing alongside the upper pool
- 3 Starlings overhead. They have stopped sitting in tree-tops early on and are now busy ferrying food to their nests in the estate

(Ed Wilson)

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In the Priorslee Avenue tunnel

- Nothing noted

(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

2012

The Wrekin 

1 Wood Warbler

(Sandy Hill)

2011

Wrekin

1 Ring Ouzel

(Observer Unknown)

2010

Priorslee Lake

6 Common Sandpiper

6 Swallow

4 Sand Martin

3 Blackcap

6+ Chiffchaff

1 Willow Warbler

2 Stock Dove

2 Greylag Geese

(Mike Cooper)

2008

Priorslee Lake

1 Swallow

(Martin Adlam)

2007

Priorslee Lake

3 Great Crested Grebe

1 Pintail x Mallard

2 Tufted Duck

1 Ruddy Duck

1 Buzzard

2 Common Sandpiper

3 House Martin

2 Swallow

1 Skylark

5 Blackcap

1 Lesser Whitethroat

1 Reed Warbler

5 Chiffchaff

4 Reed Bunting

(Martin Adlam, Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill

1 Redstart

(Ed Wilson)

2006

Priorslee Lake

4 Great Crested Grebes

6 Greylag Geese

5 Tufted Ducks

2 Ruddy Ducks

2 Sand Martins

3 Swallows

1 Sedge Warbler

6 Blackcaps

6 Chiffchaffs

6 Willow Warblers.

2 Sky Larks

28 Robins

29 Blackbirds

5 Greenfinches

2 Reed Buntings

(Ed Wilson)