31 May 15

Priorslee Lake: 6:21am - 8:32am
Map

11.5°C > 13.0°C. Cloudy, often low cloud, with occasional rain or drizzle. Light / moderate SSW wind. Moderate visibility, poor in drizzle.

(70th visit of the year)

A late start and a shorter visit means not too much should be read in to the figures.

Notes
- the 5 Canada Geese flew in and proved troublesome for the Swan to shift. Several times they flew off but did not seem to know where else to go, flying back and forth and then returning. It was 4th time lucky when they got the message.
- the 3 Tufted Duck flew in and stayed until the cob Swan forced them to dive as he thundered across the water to chase the errant Canada Geese. They decided elsewhere might be safer.
- during one of the bouts of drizzle a party of 27 House Martins descended from beyond visual range and stayed high overhead for a few minutes before vanishing back in to the cloud.
- Starlings again seen in the Ricoh grounds. I now suspect they have nested in one of the roadway light gantries that is hidden from view behind trees.
and
- the first Silver-ground Carpet moths of the year – 3 flushed this morning.

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 3 (2♂) Mallard
- 1 Cormorant
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull
- 5 Feral Pigeons (1 group)
- 32 Jackdaws
- 43 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc
- 14 Swifts
- 6 Swallows again
- 29 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 6 Chiffchaffs
- 16 Blackcaps
- 8 Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 5 Canada Geese
- 7 (5♂) Mallard
- 3 (2♂) Tufted Duck
- 6 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 28 + 3 (1 brood) Coots

Wonder what owners Severn-Trent would make of this? Cannot be fly-tipping as the only access is locked.

This is a Silver-ground Carpet. It is a night-flying moth but is easily disturbed from vegetation during the day. It usually flies away and hides under leaves and twigs and usually with its wings open. Here, unusually and probably because of the wet vegetation it went to rest with wings closed.

You did not want to get through the kissing-gate off of Castle Farm Way did you? The weight of the rain water on the new Spring growth has brought a sizeable branch across the entrance and you now have to climb over the locked vehicle gate.

(Ed Wilson)

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Lawley
Map

Turnstone flew over at 11:25am heading north. Via Birdguides

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On this day in 2007 and 2014
2007
Wrekin Map
3 Tree Pipit
2 Wood Warbler
1 Pied Flycatcher
2 Spotted Flycatcher
(Martin Adlam)
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2014
Priorslee Lake

30 May 15

Priorslee Lake: 4:25am - 7:36am
Map

Telford sunrise: 4:53am

6.0°C > 9.0°C. Mainly clear and fine but with a few showers in the distance. Mainly light W wind. Very good visibility.

(69th visit of the year)

No highlights on a rather quiet day – clear sky so little visiting.

Notes
- 1 Swallow again using a yacht mast inside the Sailing Club compound to rest and preen
- 3 Goldcrests heard singing

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 3 Greylag Geese (2 groups)
- 5 Canada Geese (2 groups)
- 1 Cormorant
- 17 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull
- 4 Feral Pigeons (2 groups)
- 2 Collared Doves (1 group)
- 208 Jackdaws
- 96 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc
- 9 Swifts
- 6 Swallows
- 2 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 5 Chiffchaffs
- 13 Blackcaps
- 6 Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 12 (7♂) Mallard- 7? + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 2 Moorhens
- 27 Coots
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

This morning’s sunrise.

Here we see a Barn Swallow resting on top of a yacht mast in the Sailing Club compound.

I noticed this morning that the rain and showers yesterday have started to take their toll of the Hawthorn flowers and many of the petals are strewn about the ground. Will not see delights like this too much longer.

Looks in need of a good preen: this male Blackcap was unusually co-operative this morning.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day 2014
Click Here

29 May 15

Priorslee Lake: 4:26am - 8:15am
Map

Telford sunrise: 4:54am

8.5°C > 8.0°C. Overcast ahead of slight rain from 6:00am and real rain from c.7:00am. Calm, becoming light SSW. Very good visibility ahead of the rain but moderate later

(68th visit of the year)

Two highlights this morning
- an adult Little Grebe first noticed c.7:45am tucked up along the S side where I had walked only a few minutes before. From where I then was, on the dam, it was rather too far to ID – just a ‘small, dark grebe’. Knowing that a summer plumage Black-necked Grebe was found just W of here at Belvide yesterday I had hopes. My attempts to get closer were rather thwarted when it flew a short distance to disappear at the base of reeds and was not seen again. But I had seen enough to know it was ‘only’ a Little Grebe, but unusual here at this date.
- an adult Common Tern: this arrived just as the rain became heavier and at the same time as 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c.20 Swifts and dozens of Swallows and House Martins all ‘appeared’. It settled on a buoy: moved buoys when some fighting Coots got too close: and then without apparently looking to feed headed off S. It had been present c.30 minutes

Notes
- a pair of Tufted Duck from first light. c.7:00am another male was trying to muscle in, but had apparently gone by 7:30am when a second pair was present.
- a Grey Heron flew in at 4:50am but was not seen again. Been strangely absent recently and my first sighting since 12 May.
- both male and female Kestrels were hunting the S side grassy areas and adjacent M54 verges this morning and flying regular sorties to the N, presumably to feed nestlings somewhere.
- Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over carrying food.
- a group of Goldcrests with fledged young was seen on Monday (25th): the male was singing again in the same area this morning.
- both of the singing Common Whitethroats were in different locations. One was where the first arrival in Spring spent some while singing but then all was quiet: in addition to the singing bird another was scolding. The second bird was singing from the hedge on the E side of Castle Farm Way and was in a new location for the year.
- last Saturday (3rd) I saw a female Pied Wagtail rather agitated and carrying food on the dam. Nesting nearby, I presumed. But since then no birds seen in the area. This morning just one juvenile was on the dam face. A male on the SW grass was probably just co-incidence.
- juvenile Reed Bunting seen to confirm successful breeding here.

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Greylag Geese (1 group)
- 11 Canada Geese (3 groups)
- 4 Cormorants (1 group)
- 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 3 Herring Gulls
- 1 Stock Dove
- 133 Jackdaws
- 92 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc
- c.50 Swifts
- c.20 Swallows
- c.25 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 6 Chiffchaffs
- 16 Blackcaps
- 2 Common Whitethroats
- 7 Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 10 (7♂) Mallard
- 1 Grey Heron (see notes)- 1 Little Grebe
- 8 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 6 Moorhens
- 29 Coots
- 1 Oystercatcher
- 1 Common Tern
- 4 Lesser Black-backed Gulls

Juvenile Pied Wagtail on the dam. Gives a rather ‘washed out’ appearance.

Adult Common Tern.

“I prefer yellow buoys”! The orange bill with the black tip identifies as an adult Common Tern. Adult Arctic Terns have red bills and juveniles would have a white forehead. They would also appear almost legless.

... and flies away.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day 2014
Click Here

28 May 15

Priorslee Lake: 4:20am - 8:52am
Map

Telford sunrise: 4:55am

8.5°C > 13.0°C. A few showers especially early with good breaks later. Moderate, even fresh, NW wind. Very good visibility.

Suddenly the number of Canada Geese has increased: many more over the lake early; almost double the number at The Flash; and an increase at Trench. I guess those that failed to breed (or those have bred and are leaving their off-spring with the crèches that usually form, looked after by fewer, older adults) are now free to roam around.

(67th visit of the year)

Notes
- many Mallard both flying in and out of the lake: and also flying over. Counts are best attempt, but could be over- or under-recorded.
- the juvenile Coots were from the brood first (and last) seen Monday (25th).
- small movement of Swifts and Swallows early. After 7:00am c.15 Swifts stayed around a while and 3 Swallows were hawking over the SW grassy area and the lee of the copse there.
- big party of at least 25 Long-tailed Tits contained many juveniles.
- one of the Reed Warblers was singing from the hedge to the E of Castle Farm Way again.
- another Reed Warbler had me making a log-entry for Goldfinch until I realised it was a stupid place to find one: an excellent mimic.

And
- two species of micro moth one of them new to me.
- a new species of damselfly for the year - Blue-tailed Damselfly and of a rather unusual form.

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 2 Greylag Geese (1 group)
- 34 Canada Geese (6 groups)
- 4 (3♂) Mallard
- 4 Cormorants (2 groups)
- 42 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 5 Feral Pigeons (2 groups)
- 1 Stock Dove
- 2 Collared Doves
- 177 Jackdaws
- 99 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc
- 29 Swifts
- 15 Swallows
- 4 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 7 Chiffchaffs
- no Willow Warbler
- 14 Blackcaps
- 2 Common Whitethroats
- 9 Reed Warblers

The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 12 (8♂) Mallard
- 8 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 Moorhens
- 25 + 2 (1 brood) Coots

Another day another sunrise.

Shower clearing away and a fresh-washed blue sky.

Compare and contrast: adult Rook with rather conical-shaped bill with silvery bare skin at the base. Wings with primaries often – as here – well-separated in flight.

An adult Jackdaw is smaller, more compact with generally grey tones with a black ‘skull-cap’ and a staring white-eye.

I know its only a Robin but in the early sun against that fresh-washed sky and in full-song who could resist? Not me.

Or is that my better side!?

And bird guides tell you Crows are all-black. Well that depends on the light and whether the bird is rather worn (indeed, though not here, some Crows are prone to have a white wing-bar and this feature tends to run in families – if you have one near you then you may have young birds with the same feature).

No sign of this drake Mallard losing its breeding finery.

Long-tailed Tits have fledged their young and have gathered in to at least one large group. This gives more choice of birds to photograph and some even keep still for a while! This is a juvenile: the black mark on the side of the crown is more extensive in juveniles and reaches below the eye. Juveniles also lack the pinkish wash on the shoulder of adults and the folded wing appears more extensively black.

The pink eye-ring is also most obvious on juveniles and gives them an ‘albino’ effect.

And my other side!

Up close and personal: this is how it came off the camera.

And I could not leave this one out could I? Probably not get such a great photo opportunity with this species all year.

This moth is, I think, Hedya pruniana, sometimes called Plum Tortrix though it feeds on Hawthorn, Wild Cherry and other shrubs. There is a very similar moth, Hedya nubiferana (aka Marbled Orchard Tortrix): size is the best way to separate them but I did not have a ruler with me!

This is a superficially similar moth but just visible here (and not to my naked eye) are the yellow palps which identifies it as Notocelia cynosbatella, sometimes known as Yellow-faced Bell. If you notice a rolled-up leaf of a (wild) rose then the larva of one of these moths may well be inside.

Oh dear: there is no such thing as a ‘Green-eyed Damselfly’ so the ID of this is back to basics. Searching the excellent british-dragonflies.org.uk web site I find a photo of a form of the Blue-tailed Damselfly labelled “Ischnura elegans f infuscans-obsoleta” that is just about a perfect match for this female.

And here we see the bi-coloured pterostigma – the coloured segments in the outer front edge of the forewing that is present in all dragon- and damsel-flies.

This fly is perhaps Phaonia viarum. This is the type-species for genus Phaonia and my guide warns there are “many similar species”.

I had (and have) no idea what is going on here. The spider seems to be attacking what is a seed at the end of poplar fluff.

Yesterday we saw how the scales of the back of the Nettle Weevil can get worn during mating. These shield-bugs have devised a mating strategy that avoids that problem! The distinctive body-shape identifies them as Verlusea rhombea. There seems to be no vernacular name.

Well I've done stretch spiders before: but another poseur.

When the sun goes in most insects disappear without it ever being obvious where they have gone. This bumble bee had probably not warmed enough to fly away and is sitting it out. Probably the common species Bombus terrestris. Bees are another group hard to identify as, to some degree, those from each hive have a ‘team-variation’.

(Ed Wilson)

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Priorslee Flash: 8:57am - 9:47am
Map

(51st visit of the year)

Most unusual sight was the House Martins perching on TV aerials and then on the sloping roofs of houses in Derwent Drive, presumably to catch the warmth of the sun and some shelter from the rather breezy morning. Several were also flying up to the eaves of the houses, I suspect after insects also sheltering rather than looking for nest sites. I have only ever seen House Martins sitting on sloping roofs once before and that was on a chilly autumn morning on the S Devon coast many years ago when the birds seemed to be warming up for the journey ahead.

Other notes
- the Cob Swan got embroiled in a scrap with a pair of Coots. The Swan has a dislike of one particular Canada Goose and was chasing it away when they both, probably inadvertently, went too close to a pair of Coots with young. The adults set about the Swan in no uncertain fashion and forced him to retreat.
- one of the fishermen told me that a Cormorant had just flown in: I did not see the bird.
- 5 broods of juvenile Coots: one nest with a brooding adult and 4 empty nests.
- a Collared Dove flying from the estate. This once-common bird has declined somewhat in the last 10 years, having only colonised the UK after the 1950s. It is my first here since 18 February and only my 3rd record this year at this site.

Birds noted flying over
None

Count of hirundines etc
- 2 Swallows
- c.15 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Blackcaps still

The counts from the water
- 2 + 5 Mute Swans
- 86 Canada Geese
- l Lesser Canada Goose ssp.
- 1 all-white feral goose
- 9 (6♂) + 8 (1 brood) Mallard
- 1 all-white feral duck
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Ducks
- [1 Cormorant reported]
- 2 Great Crested Grebes
- 1 Moorhen
- 20 + 9 (5 broods) Coots (see notes)

A House Martin sitting on one of the TV aerials on a house-roof alongside The Flash.

About to launch. The web tells me that a BTO (British Trust For Ornithology) conference failed to answer the question why House Martins have hairy legs.

Here is another bird perching on the ridge tile of a different house.

And here is another investigating the eaves of a house.

And two birds on the sloping roof sunning themselves.

Always a sucker for a close-up. You can sort of see why females, which is what we see here with the yellow bill, and (more particularly) juvenile Blackbirds can be confused with thrushes. But thrushes are always pale with black spots whereas Blackbirds are, at the extreme, brown or reddish-brown with darker spots. Note this bird has, like many Blackbirds, a couple of almost white feathers in her back.

Did I say close-up! Again as it came off the camera.

Bit of a bundle here! What seemed to happen is that the cob Swan was chasing one of the Canada Geese and in doing so got rather close to a family group of Coots. The adults were having none of it.

As usual it was mostly posturing and no feathers were lost in the exchange.

But it looked quite violent for awhile.

(Ed Wilson)

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Trench Lock Pool: 9:55am - 10:39am
Map

(27th visit of the year)

Notes
- there are 2 juveniles with of one pair of Great Crested Grebes. The sitting bird from the other pair left an apparently empty nest this morning and the pair immediately started displaying again.
- another complete check and count of the Coot this morning: 15 juveniles in 7 broods; just 1 more bird sitting on eggs or brooding young juveniles; and 1 empty nest.
- a Coal Tit seen turned out to be my first record here this year!

and
- male Orange-tip butterflies

Birds noted flying over
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 1 Herring Gull

Count of hirundines etc
- c.15 Swifts
- 1 Swallow
- 4 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 4 Blackcaps

The counts from the water
- 2 Mute Swans
- 14 Canada Geese
- 2 (1♂) Mallard
- 3 feral Mallard-type ducks
- 4 (2♂) Tufted Duck again
- 4 + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes
- 4 + 2 (1 brood) Moorhens
- 44 + 15 (7 broods) Coots

The two juvenile Great Crested Grebes with one of the parents at Trench

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2006 and 2007
2007
Priorslee Lake Map
2 Ruddy Ducks
(Martin Adlam)
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2006
Priorslee Lake Map
Cuckoo just north of the lake.
(Martin Adlam)

27 May 15

Priorslee Lake: 4:22am - 8:13am // 9:19am - 10:32am
Map

Telford sunrise: 4:56am

8.0°C > 13.5°C. Good clear spells with a few areas of cloud. Light SW wind. Very good visibility.

(66th visit of the year)

Notes
- a pair of Tufted Ducks when I arrived: these flew off W but at the same time a different pair was flying the other way and landed. Soon another drake appeared for a while. Then later still another pair flew over.
- the Great Crested Grebes were again playing at being submarines but I eventually was happy that there were 9 adults and the 2 juveniles. Then some 30 minutes later I saw 2 birds flying very high over the lake and spiralling down to land. I then failed to establish whether these were additional birds or birds that had gone for a fly-about.
- the oldest juvenile Coot again: also 2 small juveniles from a different nest to those seen on Monday.
- an Oystercatcher again on the SW grass for a while.
- many more Lesser Black-backed Gulls over today: later an immature stopped off and when seen standing on one of the buoys revealed that it had been ringed. Photos I took may just about reveal enough details for its origin to be determined: watch this space.

and
- an Orange-tip butterfly seen: my first at this site this year.
- a White-pinion Spotted moth found at rest: just about annual here.
- a ? damselfly seen.

Counts of birds flying over the lake (in addition to those on / around lake)
- 3 Greylag Geese (2 groups)
- 2 Canada Geese (1 group)
- 2 (1♂) Tufted Duck
- 7 Cormorants (3 singles; 1 group)
- 45 Lesser Black-backed Gulls
- 2 Herring Gulls
- 13 Feral Pigeons (2 groups)
- 2 Stock Doves
- 161 Jackdaws
- 99 Rooks

Count of hirundines etc
- 24 Swifts
- 5 Swallows
- 2 House Martins

Count of singing warblers
- 6 Chiffchaffs again
- 1 Willow Warbler again
- 15 Blackcaps
- 1 Garden Warbler
- 1 Common Whitethroat
- 7 Reed Warblers again

The counts from the lake area
- 2 + 1 Mute Swans
- 8 (5♂) Mallard
- 5 (3♂) Tufted Ducks
- 9? + 2 (1 brood) Great Crested Grebes (see notes)
- 4 Moorhens
- 27 + 3 (2 broods) Coots
- 1 Oystercatcher
- 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

This morning’s sunrise.

Later it looked like this.

Happy families: the Swans with their surviving cygnet.

Several points here: a Jackdaw (on the left) was giving the larger Rook a hard time. Probably trying to get at the food in the Rook’s bill. Very many of the single Rooks passing both S and N over the lake are carrying food at the moment. Note also that the Rook, a species that breeds rather early in the year – the first eggs may be laid in February – is starting its wing-moult. Lots of them are looking rather tatty, the feathers badly worn with all the breeding activity.

Space being prepared for yet another container to hold the Sailing Club’s equipment and keep it safe from thieves.

It might be ‘just a snail’ but the structure is rather clever isn’t it? This is probably a White-lipped Snail (Cepaea hortensis). The marks on snails are very variable and this species can have a brown lip: and the Grove Snail or Brown-lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) may have a white lip!

This attractive-looking moth is the White-pinion Spotted. Not a day-flying species but frequently disturbed around its food plants, chiefly Hawthorn. I see it here most years.

Now we know how the scales get rubbed off the back of Nettle Weevils (Phyllobius pomaceus)!

Another amazing-looking insect. Just look at the way the legs, wings and snout are attached to the body of this crane fly sp.

And here a different crane fly sp. The eye is partially obscured by the front leg here.

Here is the immature Lesser Black-backed Gull with a metal ring on its left leg and a coded colour ring on the right leg – sadly facing the wrong way to be read. The all-dark bill and general brown-looking feathers suggest this is a 1st summer bird (born in 2014). Note the feathers show considerable sign of wear.

As the buoy spins in the wind we get a tantalising glimpse of the codes: apparently L+C.

In flight the male Orange-tip butterfly seems to be white apart from the orange wing tips. But when perched we see the underneath hind-wing is strongly patterned. The female, which lacks the orange mark, shares the same hind-wing pattern and this is the best way to distinguish it from other ‘white’ butterflies.

This damselfly seems to be a female Red-eyed Damselfly even though it does not show red-eyes. When freshly emerged all dragon- and damsel-flies lack some of the colour of adults and females are a particular challenge as they are often less colourful than the males. Here the pattern on the thorax seems to clinch the identity.

(Ed Wilson)

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Wrekin: 10:45am - 2:40pm
Map

Notes
An amble to the top and ‘down the other side’ with a friend from Surrey to look for the specialities: managed to see all four on the expected list
- 1 Wood Warbler
- 5 Pied Flycatchers
- 3 Common Redstarts
- 2 Tree Pipits
But we missed Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Tit which were possibles

Other birds of note
- 2 Cuckoos calling
- 1 Green Woodpecker
- a Sparrowhawk causing mayhem was new for me at this site this year
- rolling and tumbling Ravens
- Marsh Tits heard calling
- several Meadow Pipits at the summit
- my first Linnet over here this year

also
- a Speckled Yellow moth near the summit: a very attractive day-flying moth

Not too successful with Pied Flycatcher pictures today. As it gets later in the season the trees are about in full leaf making it easy for the birds to hide and also making it rather dark to photograph these mid-storey birds.

A Tree Pipit in song. Separation from Meadow Pipit never that easy but simple when it sings – the songs are very different. Also sitting atop a tree is a clue – except on passage a Meadow Pipit would not normally perch on anything higher than a small bush.

With its head tilted we can see the pale area behind the eye that is a feature of Tree Pipit. But you need the light at the right angle.

Here a Meadow Pipit carries food for its brood. Features to look for are the streaking continuing all along the flanks, the rather greyer tone and the rather prominent eye. But these are subtle distinctions that vary with the light and plumage wear. What the photo reveals and what is diagnostic is the very long hind-claw that allows this species to walk across the top of long grass and rank vegetation without sinking in.

A different view of a different Meadow Pipit. It is not often you see the rump exposed like this and you will not see the warm buff rump mentioned as a plumage feature in most field guides.

Nor do you often see the streaking on the top of the head like this. The long hind-claw is just visible here.

Another shot showing the top of the head, the rump and the long hind-claw.

An illustration that fungus is not solely the preserve of Autumn. These were very fresh fruits still with fragile stems being blown around by the very light breeze.

(Ed Wilson)

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On this day in 2007 and 2009
2009
Priorslee Lake Map
3 Little Egrets
(Ed Wilson)
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2007
Priorslee Lake Map
Little Ringed Plover
(John Isherwood)