15 Apr 23

Priorslee Lake only

5.0°C: Low cloud threatened to thin and break for a while only to descend in to mist over the tree-tops. Light and variable breeze. Good visibility early, moderate later.

Sunrise: 06:13 BST

A few photos from today (*)

Other things in the diary for today so only time to visit the lake.

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 08:25

(88th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A pair of Shoveler new arrivals. Might have been the recent birds from The Flash but as I didn't visit there I do not know.
- A Stock Dove was calling from the North wood.
- Not enough contrast in the sky looking East to see the usual Jackdaws on roost dispersal.
- Same large number of Willow Warblers as yesterday though several were in different locations and a few seemed very mobile.
- No fewer than seven singing Goldcrests noted.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 6 Canada Geese: one pair outbound; two pairs inbound
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Sparrowhawk
- 1 Jackdaw only

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 11 (11) Willow Warblers again
- 12 (11) Chiffchaffs
- *10 (8) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted:
- 5 Sand Martins
- 4 Barn Swallows
All birds more or less flew straight through

Counts from the lake area:
- 5 Canada Geese: the resident pair had just three birds for company.
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- *2 (1♂) Shoveler
- 5 (3♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens yet again
- 36 Coots
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 3 Cormorants: arrived together; two of these departed separately
- 1 Grey Heron: briefly

Noted on the dew-covered street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 midge without plumed antennae
- *1 cranefly
- *1 springtail
- *1 White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)
- *1 male spider, probably a Clubiona sp.

On the walls of the sailing club HQ:
Nothing noted

Noted on one wall and the ceiling of the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- *13 midges of at least three species
- 3 owl midges Psychodidae sp.
- *1 cranefly just possibly Tipula varipennis

Later:

Nothing of note

Not an inspiring dawn and it only got worse as the cloud descended further.

The drake Shoveler, a new arrival here.

And his companion: a duck Shoveler.

I normally see Collared Doves on roofs or calling from the top of lamp poles. It was a surprise to find this one inside the Ricoh copse.

 "No publicity please"

Another poor photo of a male Blackcap trying to hide.

This midge was one of at least thirteen midges of at least three different species on a wall of the Priorslee tunnel. Another of this species with long antennae was also on one of the street lamps.

I think a cranefly though some winter midges look similar. I think too large for a midge.

This I am sure is a cranefly but I have no idea of the species. Note the banded abdomen and dark mark in the folded wings. It is similar to the common Spring species Tipula varipennis though the wings seem proportionally too long. Note it has lost a leg: not uncommon in craneflies.

A White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger). If you look carefully there is a Pogonognathellus-type springtail at the top of the photo.

 A male spider, probably a Clubiona sp.

(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 Great Crested Grebes
3 Grey Herons
2 Greylag Geese over
9 Tufted Duck
1 Little Ringed Plover
2 Common Sandpipers
10 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
5 Willow Warbler
117 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
2 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cackling-type Goose
29 Tufted Ducks
3 Blackcap
4 Chiffchaffs
4 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock Pool
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Tufted Ducks
4 Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
7 Willow Warblers
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Middle Pool
3 Great Crested Grebes
8 Greylag Geese
13 Tufted Duck
3 Blackcaps
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
4 Wheatear
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
(Ian Grant)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Great Crested Grebe
1 Buzzard
3 Chiffchaff
(Tony Beckett)

Long Lane, Wellington
10 Ringed Plover
5 Dunlin
(J W Reeves)

2012
Nedge Hill
2 Redstart
1 Wheatear
(Martin Grant)

2011
Priorslee Lake
Grey Wagtail
1 Common Sandpiper
5 Tufted Duck
1 Kingfisher
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Wheatear
Common Redstart
11 Wheatear
(John Isherwood, Ed Wilson)

Telford Railway Station
11 Waxwings
(Colin Wright)

2007
Nedge Hill
1 Buzzard
4 Skylark
1 Fieldfare
3 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaff
3 Greenfinch
4 Linnet
(Martin Adlam)

Priorslee Village
Black-tailed Godwit
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
4 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
3 Greylag Geese
3 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
3 Common Sandpiper
1 Ringed Plover
12 Chiffchaff
7 Willow Warbler
6 Blackcaps
1 Sky Lark
2 Grey Wagtail
1 Willow Tit
4 Greenfinch
3 Linnet
5 Reed Bunting.
(Martin Adlam, John Isherwood)

14 Apr 23

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

3.0°C > 6.0°C: Another wrong forecast by my app: rain after 07:15 it said. Clear to the East at 05:15 with steady rain for a while by 06:00. After c.06:30 the rain eased and while it was rarely dry the spots were not enough to worry about. A light easterly breeze increased moderate at times. Mostly very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:15 BST

A few photos from today (*)

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:50 // 07:40 – 09:15

(87th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- After days with few gulls the conditions provided several sighting. Eight unidentified large gulls flew South to the East at 05:55. Two adult Herring Gulls flew low East at 06:05. An adult Herring Gull flew over later and both an immature and adult dropped in briefly. Two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls also dropped in together briefly.
- Even more Willow Warblers noted in contrast to my visit to The Flash where I noted many fewer. Explain!

Birds noted flying over here:
- 7 Canada Geese: two pairs and a trio outbound
- 1 Stock Dove
- 5 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Collared Dove again
- 1 Herring Gull: adult
- 8 unidentified large gulls
- 1 Cormorant
- 24 Jackdaws

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler as ever
- 11 (11) Willow Warblers
- 16 (14) Chiffchaffs
- 9 (8) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted:
- 2 Sand Martins
- *10 Barn Swallows
- 1 House Martin
All numbers are my highest count at any one time: likely more individuals were involved.

Counts from the lake area:
- 13 Canada Geese: the resident pair had eleven birds for company, nine of these at one time. The residents seemed to give up chasing the visitors who departed anyway.
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 5 Moorhens again
- 33 Coots
- 7 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Cormorant: arrived

Noted on the dew-covered street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 midge without plumed antennae

On the walls of the sailing club HQ:
Nothing noted

Noted on one wall and the ceiling of the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- 11 midges of at least three species
- 2 owl midges Psychodidae sp.
- 1 White-legged Snake Millipede (Tachypodoiulus niger)

Noted later:
- *first flowers of Lady's Smock / Cuckooplant / Milkmaid (Cardamine pratensis).
- *flowering Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) or a planted cultivar.

Another very early doors photo. I had hoped that with the forecast of incoming rain we might get a fiery red sky. This looked hopeful, clear to the North and East.

The cloud and rain came in too quickly and this was about as good as it got.

It was raining by the time the sun threatened to show itself. The council could have positioned the street light in better location.

A Great Crested Grebe of course. There are usually two birds just off the dam: this is one of them.

These two displaying Great Crested Grebes were in the south-east corner. The previously mentioned birds took no notice of them. I have no idea why the left-hand bird is more rufous along its flanks.

Some images of the Barn Swallows in the rain that prove if you take enough photos a few will turn out half reasonable even in poor light. This was an odd one: it seems to have no tail.

Did I say half reasonable. Perhaps that is over-stating it. This gives an idea of the contortions the birds undertake while chasing prey items.

There was not enough light to show the red on the face and throat of these birds.

Again

The same bird...

...yet again.

This shows the red area better than other photos and also shows the white spots in the tail-feathers, visible only when the tail is spread.

Again.

A different bird passes.

And a speedy pass. Males have longer tail-streamers than females. It has been proven (how?) that females prefer males with the longest streamers and with undamaged streamers. These feathers are prone to breaking, especially during territorial disputes.

A nice plan view.

Our friend the male Grey Wagtail was on the dam-face again

Looking rather morose here – perhaps too few insects in the rain. From this angle the black on the throat looks less extensive. I am sure it was the same bird I was photographing and that tends to be confirmed by the dark mark in the middle of the yellow breast.

Another view.

These are flowers of Lady's Smock / Cuckooplant / Milkmaid (Cardamine pratensis). Just about the usual earliest date for me to record them. The name Cuckooplant derives from their concurrent flowering with the traditional date for the arrival of Cuckoos. If only. It must be ten years since I heard a Cuckoo in this area. The plant is eaten by the caterpillars of the Orange-tip butterfly (Anthocharis cardamines) which may well appear in the next warm sunny day. Note the use of 'Cardamine' in the scientific name for both the plant and the butterfly.

Cherry blossom has been evident for some days. It has about reached its zenith and the rain may well ruin it. I have no idea whether the trees around the lake are genuine Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) or planted cultivars.

Another spray. The flowers seem to be about a week later than I have recorded in earlier years.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 07:00 – 07:30

(81st visit of the year)

A quick canter around as I was expecting the forecast rain to arrive at any time. Only a few spots.

Bird notes:
- I was told that two eggs had been seen in the water near the Mute Swan's nest yesterday. It was not clear whether these were from the swan's nest or perhaps goose eggs. I did not notice any such eggs this morning and the pen was still asleep on the nest.
- The Shoveler trio remain for their fifth day. The extra drake was nowhere near the pair unlike the previous days when they have been all together.
- After very low numbers at the start of this week a few more Tufted Ducks have drifted back.
- Two Stock Doves flew off the oft-frequented roof in Westcroft Walk.
- A Great Spotted Woodpeckers was drumming in squirrel alley. Later one was calling at the top end and this then flew away across the old A5 (whatever it is called these days).
- Many fewer singing Willow Warblers today. I did wonder whether some had moved on in the fine weather yesterday; or perhaps today's damp conditions had deterred them from singing. Neither suggestion explains why there was an increase in the number at the Balancing Lake.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 5 (5) Willow Warblers
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs again
- 6 (6) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted

None

Noted on / around the water
- 30 Canada Geese: of these nine flew off more or less together
- 3 Greylag Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: ? eggs
- 3 (2♂) Shoveler still
- 19 (15♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 18 (12♂) Tufted Duck
- 10 Moorhens
- 24 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes again
- 1 Herring Gull: near-adult, briefly
- no Cormorants

On / around the street lamp poles or of interest elsewhere:
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

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
12 Cormorants over
3 Grey Herons
2 Tufted Duck
4 Common Sandpipers
c.6 Sand Martins
1 Swallow
Green Woodpecker
9 Blackcaps
7 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warbler
193 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Wrekin
Tree Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Willow Tit
Marsh Tit
5 Pied Flycatchers
2 Common Redstarts
Willow Warblers
Siskins
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
2 Little Ringed Plover
6 Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaff
1 House Martin
4 Sand Martin
(Martin Grant)

2012
Priorslee Lake
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Willow Tits
2 Jays
(Martin Grant)

Nedge Hill
4 Common Redstart
31 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

The Wrekin
5 Pied Flycatcher
1 Common Redstart
2 Tree Pipit
6 Willow Warbler
Marsh Tit
Goldcrest
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Crossbill
(Glenn Bishton)

2011
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
1 Reed Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
4 Wheatear
(Ed Wilson)

2008
Priorslee Lake
1 Osprey
4 Gadwall
12 Sand Martin
2 Swallows
6 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Blackcap
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Common Sandpiper
6 Willow Warbler
4 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Trench Lock
5 Sand Martin
Swallows
4 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
2 Swallows
1 Willow Warbler
2 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

2007
Priorslee Lake
1 Pintail x Mallard
17 Tufted Duck
1 Grey Heron
2 Willow Warblers
8 Chiffchaffs
5 Blackcaps
20 Wrens
2 Linnet
6 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

Nedge Hill
2 Willow Warblers
1 Blackcap
2 Chiffchaff
1 Fieldfare
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Swallow
1 Buzzard
4 Skylark
2 Meadow Pipit
4 Yellowhammer
3 Greenfinch 3
4 Linnet
(Martin Adlam)

2006
Priorslee Lake
5 Great Crested Grebes
1 Heron
7 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Duck
1 Water Rail
3 Common Sandpiper
8 Chiffchaff
5 Willow Warbler
5 Blackcaps
1 Garden Warbler
3 Swallows
1 Kestrel
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Skylark
1 Willow Tit
2 Siskin
5 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)
(Ed Wilson)

13 Apr 23

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

6.0°C > 9.0°C: Another clear start. A few clouds developing after 08:30. Fresh westerly wind, gusting strong at times. Feeling chilly. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:17 BST

A few photos from today (*)

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:15 – 06:40 // 08:00 – 09:20

(86th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- Two Stock Doves were displaying over the North side wooded area again but they then flew off East towards Green Fields, a traditional nesting site.
- Seemed to be a movement of Willow Warblers this morning with more here and a big increase in the number at The Flash later. This species has not bred at either site in recent years so I assume they are migrants passing through.

Birds noted flying over here:
- 2 Canada Geese: single outbound and single inbound
- 2 Wood Pigeons only
- 1 Collared Dove
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: age not determined
- 5 Cormorants: a trio and a duo
- 67 Jackdaws

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 8 (8) Willow Warblers
- 16 (13) Chiffchaffs
- 6 (6) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted:

None

Counts from the lake area:
- 6 Canada Geese: the resident pair throughout with two separate visiting pairs chased away
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 3 (2♂) Mallard again
- 5 Moorhens
- 37 Coots
- 3 Great Crested Grebes only: hiding from the wind?
- 1 Cormorant: arrived

Noted on the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 tiny spider all curled up

On the walls of the sailing club HQ:

Nothing noted

Noted on one wall and the ceiling of the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- 12 midges of at least three species
- 1 cranefly: same position as yesterday

Noted later:
- Grey Squirrel

Very early doors with another clear start.

The real sunrise...

...behind my favourite tree.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:50 – 07:50

(80th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- More geese heard calling from inside the island. No doubt disputing nesting territories.
- I assume the Mute Swans' clutch of eggs is complete as the pen has been asleep on the nest for my last three visits.
- The Shoveler trio remain for their fourth day.
- *Stock Doves were noted at both the bottom and the top end.
- Why only one Moorhen seen (or heard)? All busy nesting?
- No Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard.
- Willow Warblers everywhere. Almost all at the very top of trees swaying in the wind.
- *Juvenile Robins seen: seems an early date?

Birds noted flying over here:
- 1 Cormorant

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 13 (13) Willow Warblers
- 7 (7) Chiffchaffs
- 4 (3) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted

None

Noted on / around the water
- 21 Canada Geese
- 2 Greylag Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: ? eggs
- 3 (2♂) Shoveler
- 21 (17♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 9 (7♂) Tufted Duck
- 1(!!) Moorhen only
- 23 Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Cormorant

On / around the street lamp poles or of interest elsewhere:
Nothing noted

This Stock Dove flew in to trees near the medical centre. Note the green gloss on the neck (it may appear blue or just dark at a different angle of light). A Wood Pigeon never shows this: always a white patch in adults; juveniles have an unmarked neck. Note also the dark eye unlike a Wood Pigeon's strange shaped dark pupil in a pale eye.

This side view shows dark bands on the folded wings. Wood Pigeons of all ages have white on the bend of the folded wing.

I then heard and saw another Stock Dove on an oft-frequented roof in Westcroft Walk where...

 ....it was joined by its partner.

This probably shows the neck mark to best effect.

One of three singing Song Thrushes had found a sunny sheltered spot to belt out its repertoire.

"Feed me! Feed me!" A juvenile Robin begs for food. A 'grab shot' in the shadows along the western-side footpath.

Another 'grab shot' of a different juvenile. The adult soon rounded them up and they disappeared under the bushes. Juveniles lack any red on the breast. A red breast is to an adult Robin the same as a red rag is to a bull. To avoid the parents killing their offspring the juveniles are soberly toned and spotty. And no: I don't know why the parents don't attempt to kill each other. It is something to do with the females adopting a submissive pose during pairing up.

(Ed Wilson)

NOTE

Ed Wilson visited the Wirral on 3 Apr. His photos can be found 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

2014
Priorslee Lake
3 Great Crested Grebes
1 Grey Herons
2 Greylag Geese
1 Common Sandpiper
c.10 Sand Martins
>6 Barn Swallows
1 House Martin
2 Tawny Owls
2 Meadow Pipits
8 Blackcaps
8 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warbler
276 Jackdaws
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Greylag Goose
1 Cackling-type Goose
17 Tufted Ducks
1 Swallow
5 Blackcap
5 Chiffchaffs
3 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2013
Priorslee Lake
3 Little Ringed Plover
>20 Willow Warbler
(John Isherwood)

The Flash
2 Shoveler
(John Isherwood)

Nedge Hill
2 Common Redstart
8 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

Long Lane, Wellington
47 Black-tailed Godwit
6 Ringed Plover
3 Redshank
1 Dunlin
3 Swallows
(Andy Latham)

2011
Priorslee Lake
2 House Martin
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
7 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2008
Priorslee Lake
4 Common Sandpiper
4 Gadwall
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
12 Swallow
23 Sand Martin
1 House Martin
5 Great Crested Grebes
3 Tufted Ducks
2 Ruddy Ducks
1 Water Rail
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
2 Fieldfares
3 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
6 Willow Warblers
2 Greenfinches
1 Siskin
1 Reed Bunting
(Martin Adlam)

12 Apr 23

Priorslee Lake and The Flash

2.0°C > 7.0°C: A clear start. Some cloud after 08:30 and then lowering cloud ahead of forecast rain. Moderate southerly breeze increasing fresh. Very good visibility.

Sunrise: 06:20 BST

A few photos from today (*)

Priorslee Balancing Lake: 05:25 – 06:45 // 07:50 – 09:34

(85th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- A Common Buzzard seen overhead at 05:40 was almost certainly one of the pair breeding in the Ricoh grounds. This species is often active at dawn and dusk.
- I was apparently in the right place at the right time in clear conditions to see the Jackdaws passing to the East on roost dispersal. I didn't see many compared to yesterday's total.
- I saw my first female Blackcap of the year (females have brown caps)

Birds noted flying over here:
- 4 Canada Geese: two pairs outbound
- 7 Greylag Geese: quintet outbound; pair inbound
- 2 Stock Doves: together
- 9 Wood Pigeons
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull: adult
- 4 Cormorants: together
- 24 Jackdaws
- 3 Rooks

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- 1 (1) Cetti's Warbler
- 4 (4) Willow Warblers
- 14 (12) Chiffchaffs
- 7 (6) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted:
- 1 Sand Martin
- *c.20 Barn Swallows
- 2 House Martins
All after 08:00. It is unusual at this date for Barn Swallows to dominate the feeding groups: usually it is Sand Martins that occur in the highest number.

Counts from the lake area:
- 4 Canada Geese: the resident pair only had one visiting pair to chase away
- 2 + 4 Mute Swans
- 4 (3♂) Mallard again
- 4 Moorhens only
- 41 Coots
- 5 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Cormorant: arrived

Noted on the street lamp poles pre-dawn:
- 1 midge without plumed antennae

On the walls of the sailing club HQ:

Nothing noted

Noted in the Priorslee Avenue tunnel:
- 20 midges of at least three species
- 1 cranefly

Noted later:
First flowers noted of:
- *Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge (Alliaria petiolata)
- *Marsh Marigold (aka Kingcups) (Caltha palustris)

The view at very early doors.

Even before 06:30 the incoming rain clouds to the West were visible.

The real sunrise...

 ...behind my favourite foreground. As the days get longer I will not be able to use this tree again.

A series of not brilliant photos of the Barn Swallows. My new camera seems little better at being able to focus on the flying birds rather than the ripples on the lake. Its main difference is that at 24 shots per second it takes me longer to find any good photos and I throw away more! A side elevation view.

A more or less plan view of the underside. Note the row of cream dots in the spread tail-feathers.

And now a more or less plan view from above.

This shows how the light catches the steel-blue upper-parts.

 Perhaps the best photo? I will keep trying!

A Grey Wagtail on the 'boxing ring' on the dam. The black bib does not look very extensive and I wonder whether this is an older female. It was apparently paired but I never managed to get a good view of its companion.

A colourful Goldfinch.

The cluster of flowers of Hedge Garlic or Jack-by-the-Hedge (Alliaria petiolata) is just about to open. The leaves of this plant have, as the vernacular name implies, a slight garlic taste and are excellent to eat raw in salads.

Apologies: I should have done some 'gardening' to remove the stick. My first Marsh Marigolds (aka Kingcups) (Caltha palustris) this year.

I cannot really count these Narcissus (Amaryllis sp.) flowers as they are cultivars planted by the council. They make an attractive photo though.

The clump of Wood Anemones (Anemone nemorosa) is now more advanced with the flowers showing their typical bell-like shape. In the afternoon the sun's rays will hit these plants and the flowers will likely lift their heads.

(Ed Wilson)

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The Flash: 06:55 – 07:45

(79th visit of the year)

Bird notes:
- The Shoveler trio were still here: the drake Gadwall was not seen.
- A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming from squirrel alley and also at the top end. I suspect different birds as I neither saw nor, more importantly, heard it move between the locations. Territorial birds usually call while in flight.

Birds noted flying over here:

None

Warblers noted (the number singing in brackets):
- *8 (8) Willow Warblers again
- 7 (6) Chiffchaffs
- 2 (2) Blackcaps

Hirundines etc., noted

None

Noted on / around the water
- 35 Canada Geese: of these eleven departed as a duo and nonet (ennead?)
- 5 Greylag Geese
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans: ? eggs
- 3 (2♂) Shoveler
- 23 (20♂) Mallard
- 1 (1♂) all-white duck (Peking(?) Duck)
- 7 (6♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 Moorhens only
- 24 + 1 juvenile Coots
- 2 Great Crested Grebes

On / around the street lamp poles or of interest elsewhere:
Nothing noted

"A penny for your thoughts". A Wood Pigeon contemplates whatever. Perhaps it is just sunbathing.

The Willow Warblers are neck-breakingly high overhead!

As well as doing their best to hide.

Even the normally cooperative Dunnocks were hiding today.

(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 Great Crested Grebes
1 Cormorant
2 Grey Herons
1 Greylag Goose
2 Common Sandpipers
c.6 Sand Martins
2 Barn Swallows
1 Grasshopper Warbler
10 Blackcaps
5 Chiffchaffs
1 Willow Warbler
(Ed Wilson)

2012
Priorslee Lake
2 Swallows flew through
2 Meadow Pipits
4 Great Crested Grebes
3 Tufted Duck
9 Blackcaps
4 Willow Warblers
12 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

The Flash
1 Swallow
1 Reed Bunting
3 Great Crested Grebes
33 Tufted Duck
5 Blackcaps
6 Willow Warblers
3 Chiffchaffs
(Ed Wilson)

Nedge Hill
5 Lapwings
1 Swallow
1 Green Woodpecker
8 Skylarks
3 Willow Warblers
4 Chiffchaffs
1 Common Redstart
13 Wheatear
1 Raven
(Ed Wilson, John Isherwood)

East Priorslee
2 Wheatear
(John Isherwood)

2006
Priorslee Lake
3 Blackcaps
6 Chiffchaffs
2 Willow Warblers
2 Sand Martins
2 Greylag Geese
3 Stock Doves
1 Lapwing
(Ed Wilson)