Monday, 30th (04:57 – 07:10 // 08:20 – 09:17) Morning Log
Weather:
6.0C > 11.0C A disappointing morning: had been clear when I left home but patches of low morning stratus hung over the Priorslee area and these became more extensive and made it grey and, in combination with the rather fresh E wind, it felt rather chill and cheerless. The sun made valiant attempts to get through the cloud but had made little progress before I left for Nedge Hill (where the female Ring Ouzel was still present and the only thing of interest) and Trench Lock Pool (where these was nothing of note at all!)
Narrative:
A ‘normal' summer morning visit with an anti-clockwise lap of the lake; an inspection of the W end street lights; a walk to, anti-clockwise around The Flash; and back for another full anti-clockwise lap of the lake
Overall Highlights:
Monday's are traditionally quiet on the water after the weekend activities and disturbance and there were no new species for the year. But pulling out a few things
- more Mallard ducklings at the lake: I logged three parties of 3, 4 and 5 ducklings. The duck with her 5 ducklings in very close attendance was already suffering ‘advances' by several drakes! Again no ducklings at The Flash
- later when the weather was starting to clear there were a few ‘hirundines' over the lake – at least 1 Swift; c.20 Sand Martins and 1 Swallow
- the House Sparrows I first noted at the lake on Saturday may even be nesting in the bushes on the SW shore: there were at least 6 birds in the area today. I did see several flying directly to and from the Priorslee estate and was rather puzzled that they seemed to be carrying ‘stuff' in both directions. Could be food / nesting material one way and faecal sacs the other?
Notes of interest
- the ‘standard' 4 Great Crested Grebes
- no Herons yet again
- usual early passage of Canada Geese today was 8 birds going E with the first at 05:17
- the resident cob Swan had an interloper to deal with – a full adult cob with a bright-coloured bill. He was soon seen off. Wearing a metal band on one leg it did not seem to have a Darvic ring on the other leg again
- no sign of the Mallard x Pintail drake
- 3 sightings of Sparrowhawk with, I think, at least 2 birds – one seemed to be a large female and this was showing missing central tail-feathers as it soared. The feature was not apparent on the other birds but they were holding the tail closed and therefore thus may not have been visible
- a Buzzard just to the east of Castle Farm Way was my first for several days and supports the idea they may be nesting in the copse for the first time
- 2 sightings of Kestrel hovering over the SW grass
- no Common Sandpipers
- today a first-summer Black-headed Gull was on one of the buoys by 05:45: it had a full ‘black head' and was only apparent as an immature from the wing-pattern in flight. After flying around it left to the east. About 30 minutes later what seems likely to have been the same bird appeared overhead and then headed off west
- the westbound early Stock Dove again – just the 1 bird again today but it was seen to fly off leaving 2 others on the wires to the east. 2 more seen much later flying west far to the north seem likely to have been different birds
- 4 Feral Pigeons: numbers are picking up!
- again very few Wood Pigeons in flight (5). 23 birds logged around the lake but none was heard calling before the first birds were noted in flight at 05:35
- at least 2 Grey Wagtails busy flying to & from the dam off to the west and back
- still at least 1 Sedge Warbler in song in the NW reeds
- 4 Reed Warblers singing away in the reeds
- no Lesser Whitethroat or Garden Warbler recorded here today
- a (different) Chiffchaff burst in to song at 05:02 this morning
- no calls or song that might have been Willow Warbler
- today even better Jackdaw passage – 126 logged, the first at 05:09. When these early parties of birds fly over there seem to be rather many ‘odd-numbered' groups. The birds usually fly in obvious pairs, but the occasions when there are ‘extra' singles is remarkable. I would judge it is too early for family parties (it is less obvious in the autumn and winter as the size of many of the flocks precludes accurate counts)
- very few Rooks though – just 7
Mammals:
- no bats again
- 2 Rabbits today
Insects:
- No moths or other insects on the lights
- too dull and cool for butterflies
(Ed Wilson)
Top
Sunday, 29th (2:00pm - 3:30pm) Afternoon Log
Weather
Very hazy in the warm sun. 19C rose to 23C by the time I left. There was also quite a breeze from the SE.
Narrative
After checking the boxes out in the morning I decided to take the camera out and take a few shots from around the lake. Didn't do too bad, with a couple of shots of Grey Wagtail, Speckled Wood and Caddis Fly (at least I think that's what it was). The model speed boat club were having their spring/summer regatta so the noise level was quite high. Needless to say listening for birds was very difficult especially close to the Wesley Reedbeds. The Great Crested Grebes weren't impressed and one adult had a lucky escape as it popped up, not once but twice in front of a boat bearing down on him. Just as well they can dive. The other adult took refuge up by the dam. Wise bird!
Highlights:
A Common Sandpiper on the dam and several Blackcap around the lake. Also about were a few St Marks Flies and my first Red Admiral at the lake.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 4 - One pair off the NE Reedbeds, an adult by the dam and presumably its mate keeping a watchful eye on the model speed boats just off Wesley Reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The pen was on her nest and the cob was taking refuge in Wesley Reedbeds.
Mallard 12 - Along with the two "oversized" Mallard there were 7 drakes and 2 ducks with ducklings. One with 4 and the other 5.
Kestrel - 1 Hovering over the southbank
Moorhen 3 - All up by the dam. Where else
Coot 6 - All up by the dam
Common Sandpiper 1 - All on the dam
Wood Pigeon 6 - mainly pairs around the lake
Grey Wagtail 2 - A pair presumably found later in Wesley Brook, landed in Pond Wood (which is situated on the southbank). There was lots of commotion as they had obviously found a wagtail on there patch. They chased it out and all three flew south. However the unwanted guest was a lot smaller, but definitely a Wagtail. What sort I've no idea!
 Grey Wagtail (male) (Click on image to enlarge)
 Grey Wagtail (male) (Click on image to enlarge)
Wren 9 - All around the lake
Dunnock 3
Robin 8 - All around the lake
Blackbird 6 - All around the lake
Blackcap 6 - All singing males 3 Wesley Wood, 2 NE Wood and Southbank bushes.
Lesser Whitethroat 0 - Not heard today
Reed Warbler 1 - Wesley Reedbeds
Sedge Warbler 2 - Wesley Reedbeds
Willow Warbler 0 - Not heard today
Chiffchaff 5 - 1 Northbank, SE wood and 3 in Wesley Wood
Long-tailed Tit 4 - Two pairs in North East Wood and Wesley Wood
Blue Tit 4 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 4 - Along the northbank
Magpie 4
Carrion Crow 1
Chaffinch 8
Greenfinch 3
Reed Bunting 2 - Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds and Blackthorn bushes on Northbank
Insects etc
St Marks Flies - A few on the northbank
Caddis Fly - Lots hatching along the northbank
 Caddis Fly (Click on image to enlarge)
Butterflies
Peacock 2
Orange Tip 4 - 1 male
Red Admiral 2 - both in the SW corner of the lake
Wood White 5 - At least I think that's what they are called.
Speckled Wood 1 - by Wesley brook bridge
 Speckled Wood (Click on image to enlarge)
Bees
Bumble Bees sp. 4
(Martin Adlam)
Sunday, 29th (08:00 - 08:30) Morning visit to check out Nest Boxes
- 2 Nest boxes now have eggs. Click here to find out which ones..............................
(Martin Adlam)
Sunday, 29th (05:01 – 07:00 // 08:20 – 09:41) Early Morning Log
Weather:
6.5C > 11.5C Started with low morning cloud that the sun struggled to clear, beginning to break through after c.08:30 to leave somewhat hazy sunny spells. Moderate / fresh N / NW winds. Moderate visibility with haze
Narrative:
Back to a more normal morning: an anti-clockwise lap of the lake followed by an inspection of the W end street lights follow by a walk to, around and back from The Flash before another full lap of the lake, this time clockwise. John Isherwood had been to Nedge and apart from the female Ring Ouzel reported nothing of interest there: so I called it morning
Overall Highlights:
No new species for the year this morning but:
-
the Great Crested Grebes continue to puzzle: there were only 4 visible at the lake today (6 yesterday): but there were 2 additional birds asleep in the middle of The Flash along with the pair and their surviving juvenile near the island and a bird looking interested in the NW area
-
Mallard ducklings at the lake: I logged parties of 3 and 5, the latter very new. John Isherwood reported a party of 4. But at The Flash no sign of the 11 seen in the middle of last week
-
many more Tufted Duck. Hard to know how many: there were 6 (4 drakes) at the lake before 07:00; at The Flash there were 13 (9 drakes) though these looked restless; when I got back to the lake there were 14 (9 drakes) but these too looked restless and as soon as the model boats were launched (ahead of the Sunday sailing regatta) they all took off.
 Part of the group of summer-plumage Tufted Ducks (Ed Wilson) (Click on image to enlarge)
-
Ruddy Duck present at both the lake and The Flash today
-
a few ‘hirundines’, but all over the lake – at least 3 Swifts; 2 Sand Martins and 4 Swallows: all after 08:00; and none stayed for more than a few minutes
Other notes of interest:
-
4 Cormorants flew S high overhead at 06:38: seemed to be all adults, but light not good
-
no Heron for the 3rd day
-
usual early passage of Canada Geese today was just 3 birds going E. 3 seen flying W later were perhaps the same
again
-
no sign of the Mallard x Pintail drake
-
the light Sunday morning traffic allowed me to hear Pheasant(s) calling from the fields across Castle Farm Way (and later Sky Lark as well: not Yellowhammer yet!)
-
3 sightings of Kestrel with bird flying in from the NE to hover over the SW grass – seemed to be the female in which case the male seen on the wires to the E was a different bird
-
1 female Sparrowhawk seen this morning
-
3 Common Sandpipers seen, usually on / around the dam. Seemed to have gone (hidden) by the time the boats were on the water
 Common Sandpiper on the dam with an injured leg (Ed Wilson) (Click on image to enlarge)
-
5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over: a party of 4 flew W at 06:20. Much alter a rather pale-looking (faded?) bird flew S
the westbound
-
early Stock Dove again – just the 1 bird today: 2 seen on the wires around Woodhouse Farm
-
later
5 Feral Pigeons: all blue morphs in its (vaguely) interesting to speculate about the original if these fly-overs. There have been very few for weeks, but now I am seeing them daily. When I was up The Lawly yesterday late morning there were at least 15 small parties of what I assumed were racing pigeons following the (ley?) line of the hills to pass by The Wrekin I guess. So it is racing season I guess. So are the singles / small parties of birds over the lake lost? or being locally ‘trained’?
-
perhaps it was the cloudy conditions that meant fewer Wood Pigeons in flight (10).. 26 birds around the lake with the first calls at 05:10 again. 2 birds on the dam was unusual, though this seems to happen at this time every year
-
at least 2 Grey Wagtails flying to & fro along the S side and then 2 seen together on the boat platform, one of them a bright male
-
rather fewer Robins in song today (and for the last few days): odd in that I had my largest log of 131 birds in song en route from Newport (sad, but true!)
-
no Lesser Whitethroat recorded here today [I again had a Lesser Whitethroat in song en route from Newport this morning]
-
Garden Warbler in song along N side again, but only on lap
1
-
still at least 1 Sedge Warbler in song in the NW reeds: but only 2 Reed Warblers heard here (another in the N side reeds)
-
Chiffchaff burst in to song at 05:05 this morning
-
this is getting boring, but another frustrating single distant song by an apparent Willow Warbler
-
good corvid passage again today with 75 Jackdaws logged (the first at 05:21 on a darker morning); at 15 there were fewer Rooks but numbers affected by the dull and rather misty / hazy conditions
Mammals:
-
no bats in the overcast conditions
-
5 different Rabbits was an unusually high number
Insects:
- no moths either, though a lacewing sp. on one of the street lights
-
too dull and cool for butterflies
Plants:
a splendid brightly-foliaged spurge sp. noted
(Ed Wilson) Top
Saturday, 28th - Morning update
- Lesser Whitethroat still present in the hedgerow between the lake and RICOH.
- Sedge Warbler and Reed Warblers present in Wesley Reedbeds
- Also a pair of House Sparrows in the woods on the southbank, closest to the slipway.
(John Isherwood)
Saturday, 28th (04:55 – 08:06) Morning Log
Weather
5.5C > 8.5C Fine and clear with thin high cloud to E and some thicker high-level patches moving about. Started calm, but a light / moderate E wind by the time I left. Good visibility. A reasonable sunrise with the sun a red ball rising through the haze layer Narrative
A different day: scheduled out walking the Shropshire hills with former work colleagues and decided that ahead of that I would make a lone visit to The Wrekin to get some photos of the bluebells and the fields of oil-seed rape (as well as tick off Wood Warbler, Tree Pipit and Pied Flycatcher for the year!) and hence it was an abbreviated visit to the lake. Just a single walk anti-clockwise around the lake after some sunrise photos from the SW area
nothing to note as only the lake visited
Main Highlights were
-
a Garden Warbler seen back in a traditional area along the N side and showing well in song: earlier records have all been passing birds
a new for the year species (#89)
– House Sparrow! Rare at the lake, especially as today at least 1 bird was in the area of bushes on the SW shore well away from the ‘residents’ at the other end of Teece Drive and the Priorslee Estate. And a rather odd record: I was busy with the camera and the sunrise when I heard the bird(s) calling and rather dismissed them. But then John Isherwood appeared staring in to the same bushes – he had heard the calls as well and was equally mystified. Before we could confirm the sighting (there is the remotest possibility that Tree Sparrow could return to breed here) what seemed to be the bird flew off directly and silently towards the Priorslee Estate
Notes of interest
- Just 6 Great Crested Grebes this morning and clearly as 3 pairs
-
usual early passage of Canada Geese today 12 in pairs with several birds showing considerable wing-moult and it will not be long before they are flightless. A lone bird seemed to be about to land and was peering anxiously for the whereabouts of the Swan. I was blind-sided so not sure whether it did land: it certainly did not stay long!
-
4 Mallard ducklings seen, but I suspect this is a different brood from that seen on Wednesday and Thursday
-
again no sign of the Mallard x Pintail drake
-
6 Tufted Ducks today, now with 5 drakes and a duck
Ruddy Ducks unusually visible again, but in different area of the lake – could there be more than 1 pair?
- both Kestrel and Sparrowhawk seen this morning
-
a lone Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over
-
[forgot to mention a 1st summer Black-headed Gull seen and then flushed from the dam-face yesterday: birds on the dam-face are usually unwell or injured but this flew off strongly-enough]
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in the better weather more Wood Pigeons in flight (37), including a party of 8 birds. 21 around the lake with the first calls at 05:10
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a Collared Dove sprinted fast across the lake – sadly could not turn it into a Turtle Dove ( a bit early anyway)
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no hirundines in the clear weather
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1 Grey Wagtail flying to & fro along the S side
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Mistle Thrush in song when I arrived: presumed same seen in flight later
-
the only Lesser Whitethroat record today was a brief song from a different location
-
still at least 1 Sedge Warbler in song in the NW reeds amongst the 4 Reed Warblers
-
Chiffchaff burst in to song just before 05:00 this morning [I had a Lesser Whitethroat in song at 04:45 en route from Newport this morning!]
-
once again a frustrating single distant song by Willow Warbler from another location: what is going on?
-
the tail-less Magpie seen again
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partly my positioning I suspect but a much better corvid passage today with 85 Jackdaws logged (the first at 05:14); and 32 Rooks (8 of these seen flying N)
Mammals:
- at least 7 bats of 2 different species (but not the Pipistrelle-type today) despite the low temperatures (5.5C)
Insects:
-
no moths in the clear conditions: and too early for butterflies
(Ed Wilson) Top
Friday, 27th (04:59 – 07:15 // 08:30 – 09:20 // 10:23 – 10:29) - Morning Log
Weather
8.0C > 10.0C A rather dull and cheerless morning with persistent low cloud and a rather chill E wind. I thought that after overnight showers the low cloud was just thin early morning stratus but at 05:15 halfway around the lake there was a flash of lightning and a loud rumble of thunder that sent me scurrying back to the hut on the SW shore! Only a little light rain though and thereafter just dull. Some breaks later, but these never seemed to develop. Rather misty / murky with moderate visibility
Narrative
Started with the usual anti-clockwise loop of the lake interrupted by having to scurry back to the hut after the totally unexpected lightning and thunder to stand up for a short while. Then completed the loop and checked all the street lights along the W end for moths etc. Then again walked to The Flash; around there anti-clockwise today (I find it easier to count the birds on the water this direction): then back to the lake for another anti-clockwise lap. A supposedly quick visit to Nedge was rather more protracted than I planned as we will see (See local Bird News.......................)
Notes of interest
(Ed Wilson) Top
Thursday, 26th (04:59 – 05:20 // 06:30 – 07:40 // 09:00 – 10:04)
Weather
5.5C > 13.0C A mainly clear morning though with some areas of medium-level cloud early which spoilt a promising-looking sunrise. After 08:00 increasingly sunny with all-blue sky by 08:30. Light N breeze started gently-enough to allow some mist over the lake. Otherwise excellent visibility
Narrative
Started with the usual anti-clockwise loop of the lake interrupted by a diversion from the dam to the lanes and field to the E / SE, ostensibly for the sunrise though in fact an area of cloud spoilt that, but once in the lanes I decided to see what was about – not much! Then completed the loop and checked all the street lights along the W end for moths etc. Then I walked to The Flash; around there clockwise and back to the lake for another lap, today also anti-clockwise. With the clear weather and few migrants I decided against a visit to Nedge
Notes of Interest
-
4 Great Crested Grebes seen early as 2 paired birds: later only sightings of singles. One of the birds was seen, unusually, to do a leap-dive almost in the manner of a Shag. As I just saw the end of the dive I had hopes of something better!
- a party of 7 Greylag Geese over was rather unusual for this date
- the Mallard duck with the ducklings was seen disappearing in to the reeds before I could count how many were extant
- a drake Tufted Duck again, though by the second lap it had been joined by another. One of these then sat so low in the water that it looked superficially like a duck, with the white flank below the water-line much of the time
- 3 single Swallows over were the only hirundines here
- the Blackcaps were both early starting song – 05:08; and incredibly noisy. There seemed to be some dispute between 3 birds along the N side with two females making a lot of noise and apparently some song phrases. Whatever the result was long spells of song more usual in Garden Warbler and lots of variation in sounds at times almost recalling Sedge Warbler. But try as I might could not find anything more interesting than Blackcaps as the culprit
- Chiffchaff burst in to song even earlier – 05:02
- noisy Jays again, seen along the S side as well as in their usual NW area
- more Magpies seen today (28): early (before there was much traffic) 4 of them seemed to be taking great interest in the tarmac of Castle Farm Way! I searched for the ‘road kill’ but could find only a rather vague yellow lump that looked more like squashed vegetable matter rather than dead animal remains
- the absence of bats in yesterday’s mild 13C was as much a surprise as today’s 2 bats in a temperature of 5.5C
- a few of the hawthorn bushes are now well in flower
- some of the Lady’s Smock / Cuckoo Plant were being well-munched by some nasty brown slugs
(Ed Wilson) Top
Wednesday 25th (05:03 – 06:35 // 08:00 – 09:56 // 10:03 – 10:20)
Weather
11.0C > 14.0C At least it was dry! Seemed to be clearing after overnight rain with stars and clear to N & E. Still mostly cloudy to W and S and indeed low cloud continued to feed in from the S and spread over by soon after 07:00 and even the hitherto clear Priorslee Flash clouded and it became dull there as well. The cloud finally started to break after c.09:00 and there were then some warm sunny bits. The wind was initially a light SW, but as the cloud cleared a fresher S / SW wind sprang up, but at least that cleared away the rather misty murky visibility of early. After overnight rain the roads were wet and that combined with the S wind brought a lot of M-way traffic noise across the lake
Narrative
Started with the usual anti-clockwise loop of the lake and a check of all the lights at the W end before I walked to The Flash; around there clockwise and back to the lake for another lap, this time clockwise. Delayed on this lap trying to get some pictures of the Wheatear on the dam (left the scope in the car so I had to try and creep closer!). Then off to Nedge for a look in the horse field before stopping at the lay-by and trying for some shots of the Wheatear through the scope
Notes of interest
Top
Tuesday, 24th (06:30pm - 08:36pm) Evening Log
Weather
A very muggy evening. There was a slight SE breeze but it did nothing to stop the high humidity. Eventually it rained, fortunately just a fine drizzle in the 17C temp.
Narrative
This visit was more to with checking the nest boxes around the lake than a field visit, but despite the fine drizzle I put in a good walk around the lake.
Highlights
The real highlight was coming across 3 Swifts in amongst the hirundines above Wesley Wood. They were totally unexpected and a pleasant surprise. However they didn't stay long as the wet weather moved in and pushed them west. I also had my first Reed Warbler and 2 Sedge Warblers in Wesley Reedbeds. Also the Lesser Whitethroat is still present in the RICOH hedge, there was a Garden Warbler in the wood on the southbank and there were 4 Common Sandpiper on the dam. Other highlight was seeing evidence of visitors to the nest boxes. See nest box page for up date.............
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 4 - Two pairs displaying one just off Wesley Reedbeds and the other pair off the NE Reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The pen was on her nest and the cob was patrolling the lake.
Mallard 13 - Along with the two "oversized" Mallard there were 10 drakes and 1 duck.
Tufted Duck 0 - Not seen this evening
Ruddy Duck 1 - A drake calling from deep within Wesley Reedbeds.
Moorhen 0 - Must be a first! I didn't see or hear a single bird
Coot 15 - All around the lake
Common Sandpiper 4 - All on the dam
Wood Pigeon 12 - mainly pairs around the lake withy three roosting in the bushes in the NE corner.
Feral Pigeons 1 - A white feral pigeon flew west.
Swift 3 - Above Wesley Wood at 6:30pm before the rain arrived and pushed them west
Sand Martin 0 - None this evening
House Martin 32 - Maximum number reached 12 in one flock
Swallow 3 - A pair with the House Martins at 6:30pm and a single bird at 7:40pm
Grey Wagtail 1 - A male on the dam
Wren 13 - All around the lake
Dunnock 7
Robin 8 - All around the lake
Mistle Thrush 1 - Singing from the SW corner of the lake
Song Thrush 3 - Came into roost! One along the northbank and 2 in Wesley Woods
Blackbird 8 - All around the lake
Reed Warbler 3 - Wesley Reedbeds
Sedge Warbler 2 - Wesley Reedbeds
Garden Warbler - Singing from inside the wood on the southbank next to the slipway
Blackcap 6 - All singing males 1 SE Woods, 3 Wesley Wood, Northbank between the two new jetty's and and Southbank bushes.
Lesser Whitethroat 1 - RICO hedge at the west end of the lake.
Willow Warbler 0 - None this evening
Chiffchaff 5 - 1 SW Wood, 1 SE Wood and 3 in Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 0 - Not seen or heard this evening
Long-tailed Tit 4 - Two pairs in North East Wood and Wesley Wood
Coal Tit 0 - Not seen or heard this evening
Blue Tit 8 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 3 - Along the northbank
Magpie 5
Carrion Crow 2
Jackdaw 27 - All heading north from 7:34 onwards
Rook 2 - Headed north at 08:05
Chaffinch 5
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 0
Bullfinch 2 - A pair in the NE Wood
Reed Bunting 4 - Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds and Blackthorn bushes on Northbank
Insects etc
Flies sp. thousands of them just off the top of the poplars on the northbank at 8:15pm. With the wind coming from SE, the swarm was like a cloud weaving up and down in the lea of the tallest branches.
 The summer hum - though I'm not certain which insect though (Click on image to enlarge)
 This shot just about shows you how high they were (Click on image to enlarge)
Bees
Bumble Bees sp. 2
Mammals:
Squirrel - In Wesley Wood
Rabbit - RICOH
Mole Hills - New ones on the southbank.
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Sunday, 22nd - Morning
At the lake there were (and still are) 2 Sedge Warblers sharing the reeds with the Reed Warbler. Common Sandpipers again at both the lake
(Ed Wilson)
Top Saturday, 21st (9:47am - 10:50am) Morning Log
Weather
4/8th cloud cover and sunny, 6.0C and a south easterly breeze
Narrative
A pleasant walk again, but that south easterly was quite noticeable as I walked anti-clockwise around the lake.
Highlights
Main highlight this morning was Lesser Whitethroat in the bushes alongside RICOH. Also my first House Martin's of the year at the lake and two Common Sandpipers on the dam.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 3 - A pair alongside the Northbank reedbeds and a single bird just off the southbank.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest, but by the time I had walked around the lake the cob was on the nest with the pen. There was lots of downy feathers on the nest and I could just make out 1 egg.
Canada Geese 2 - flew nw across the lake
Mallard 14 - logged 11 drakes and 1 duck. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Pintail x Mallard 1 in the SE bay
Tufted Duck 2 - both drakes
Ruddy Duck 1 - a drake just off Wesley Reedbeds
Buzzard 1 - High to the west at 10:45
Moorhen 3
Coot 16 - 9 seen on the SW grass. Two were on nests and the remainder on the lake.
Common Sandpiper 2 - A pair on the dam
Wood Pigeon 10
Sand Martin 0 - Not seen this morning
House Martin 3 - Seen at the west end at 10:00am
Swallow 2 - Seen at the west end at 09:57am
Skylark 1 - Singing high above the NE Wood
Grey Wagtail 1 - over the dam
Wren 12 - All round the lake
Dunnock 3
Robin 10 - all around the lake
Blackbird 3
Song Thrush 1 - Wesley Wood singing
Blackcap 5 - Males singing from Northeast Wood, Northbank, 1Wesley Wood Southbank hedgerow and one on the West bank.
Lesser Whitethroat 1 - 9:54am Singing and visible along the hedgerow that separates RICOH and the lake at the west end.
Willow Warbler 0 - Not as single bird heard or seen
Chiffchaff 5 - 1 SE Wood, Northbank and 3 in Wesley Wood. Possible breeding pair in Wesley Wood as both birds were skulking together in the brambles.
Goldcrest 0 - Nor seen or heard
Long-tailed Tit 4 - Two pairs one in the northbank bushes and the other in Wesley Wood.
Blue Tit 6 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 6 - All along the northbank
Coal Tit 1 - Calling from the SE Wood
Magpie 3
Carrion Crow 2
Chaffinch 6
Goldfinch 0
Greenfinch 2 - SW Wood
Bullfinch 4 - 1 pair in Southeast Wood and another in the SW Wood again
Linnet 0 -
Reed Bunting 4 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and NE Reedbeds. In the Blackthorn bushes a female disappeared into the dense foliage carrying food.
Insects etc
Bees
Bumble Bees Sp. 1
Mammals
Mole Hills - Fresh mole hills along the southbank.
(Martin Adlam)
Early Morning
Reed Warbler 1 - Seen at the lake this morning
(Ed Wilson)
Top
Friday, 20th (07:30am - 7:35am) Morning
A very quick look on the way back from Nedge Hill. Still plenty of Chiffchaff singing and there were 4 Sand Martin feeding over the lake. Also present a Grey Wagtail on the dam.
(Martin Adlam)
Earlier on this morning a Lesser Whitethroat in the hedgerow that runs adjacent to RICO to the west of the lake, plus House Martins and 1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson)
Top
Thursday, 19th (08:15pm - 09:15pm) Evening/Night Log
Weather
What a wonderful end to the day with a clear sky and a pleasant 10C.
Narrative
The Ski-boat was on the water and to be honest I wasn't impressed as it flew up the shoreline just feet away from the Reedbeds. Especially when there are water birds nesting in there.
Highlights
Main highlight this evening was the sight of 20 Swallows flying north over the water and then up and over the trees on the northbank. What a shame they didn't stop. Also my first Common Sandpiper which flew west as I was walking along the southbank at 08:50pm and my first Garden Warbler singing but only just, in the holly bush by the northbank bridge. Also the number of bats out tonight was quite something and there is a narrative at the bottom of this report. Incidentally if there is anybody out there that is into bats, then please contact us, as we are in need of a survey. Judging by tonight's numbers I don't think you would be disappointed. You can contact FoPL via email...................
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - A pair by the northbank reedbeds taking refuge from the speed boat. When the boat had finished for the evening they swam down to Wesley Reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Mallard 12 - logged 7 drakes and 2 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Pintail x Mallard 1 in the SE bay
Tufted Duck 0 - None seen tonight
Kestrel 1 - Seen hovering over the southbank at 8:23pm
Moorhen 1 - on the dam
Coot 5 - all on the lake, the rest I suspect were taking refuge in the reeds.
Common Sandpiper 1 - Heard from the southbank
Wood Pigeon 8
Swallow 20 - Flew over the lake at 8:17pm
Wren 8
Dunnock 2
Robin 11 - all around the lake
Blackbird 8
Song Thrush 1 - Calling from the NE Wood
Blackcap 2- Males singing from along the Northbank
Garden Warbler 1 - Singing only just in the Holly bush by the northbank bridge
Willow Warbler 0 - None heard this evening
Chiffchaff 3 - 2 Northbank and 1 Wesley Wood
Magpie 4
Jackdaw - Two flocks one of 14 at 8:35pm and one of 4 at 8:37, plus an individual at 09:05pm
Chaffinch 4
Reed Bunting 4 - Birds calling from Wesley Reedbeds and singing from the NE Reedbeds
Mammals
Mole Hills - Very fresh mole hills along the Northbank
Bats
First two large Bats appeared by Wesley Reedbeds at 8:37pm and
another 4 at 8:50pm. As I walked along the southbank another two large Bats appeared and then as I walked between the SE Wood and the motorway Slipway I felt the downdraft of several bats as they flew within inches of me. Quite an unbelievable experience. I could feel the air from their wings across my face. As I came out by the bench there were up to a dozen or so bats with one unidentified ones. They weren't Pipistrelle as they weren't small enough in my opinion, so not quite sure what they could be. So if there are any Bat experts out there that would like to identify them, please drop us an email...................
Large Bat sp. 16+ - 6 seen above Wesley Reedbeds and the remainder in the SE corner of the lake. I don't doubt that there were plenty more along the northbank
Bat sp.
4 - smaller than the above but larger than Pipistrelle
For information on bats then why not visit the Bats of Britain website................................
(Martin Adlam)
Top Thursday, 19th 20 Sand Martins - the hirundines seem to be missing out on the lake, probably because it is so dry it needs a shower of rain to bring them down.
(Martin Grant)
Also 1 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson) Top Wednesday, 18th (Morning)
Early morning visit produced:
4 Common Sandpipers along the dam
A Garden Warbler was singing from the wood at the south/east corner of the dam
Also a Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting singing. (Martin Grant)
Also
1 Ring-necked Parakeet and 3 Common Sandpiper
(Ed Wilson) Top Monday, 16th (mid-day)
4 Chiffchaff singing
5 Blackcap
a Willow Warbler
2 pairs Long-tailed Tits but the nest that was first noted a month ago had been predated probably Magpie
Mute Swan pair still incubating
2 pairs Great Crested Grebe
7 Mallard plus Pintail x Mallard
Reed Bunting singing
8 Tufted Duck
13 Coot
2 Moorhen
1 Bullfinch
also recorded Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon.
(Martin Grant)
Top
Saturday, 14th (6:10am - 6:20am and 7:20am - 8:40am) Morning Log
Weather
When I arrived at 6:10am the lake was shrouded in mist, but by the time I came back it had all but gone and the sun was out. Temperature was 10C rising to 14C when I left. Not a breathe of wind.
Narrative
Another pleasant walk around the lake and though no new species there was still plenty to see. The tent has now gone.
Highlights
Main highlight this morning was 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs and 5 Blackcaps. Also a record number of Wrens, for me that is. I logged 20 and I reckon there were probably a lot more than that.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - A pair by the dam which on my second visit had ventured down to the Wesley Reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Grey Heron 1 - Presumably the same bird. Seen at 6:10am and later at 8:35am
Mallard 14 - logged 10 drakes and 2 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
 Drake Mallard coming into land (Click on image to enlarge)
Pintail x Mallard 1 in the SE bay
Tufted Duck 17 - 13 drakes
Ruddy Duck 0 - Not seen this morning
Buzzard 0 - Not seen this morning
Moorhen 3
Coot 18 - 3 seen on the SW grass. Two were on nests and the remainder on the lake.
Wood Pigeon 12
Sand Martin 0 - Not seen this morning
Skylark 1 - Singing high above the NE Wood
Meadow Pipit 0 - Not seen this morning
Grey Wagtail 1 - over the dam however there may have been more as I could hear the same or a different bird on my walk around the lake.
Wren 20 - My biggest total from all around the Lake
Dunnock 9
Robin 14 - all around the lake
Blackbird 8
Song Thrush 2 - In the SE Wood
Blackcap 5 - Males singing from Northbank, 2 Wesley Wood and one on the West bank. There was female with the male in Wesley Wood
Willow Warbler 2 - One singing from the tree line adjacent to the M54, it then flew across the grass bank and into the Southbank wood. Another was singing from just east of Wesley Wood on the northbank.
Chiffchaff 8 - 2 Teece Drive gate having a bit of a feud, 1 SE Wood, 1 Southbank Wood, 2 Northbank, 2 Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 2 - Seen in the NE Wood
Long-tailed Tit 4 - Two pairs one in the northbank bushes and the other in Wesley Wood.
Blue Tit 8 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 12 - All along the northbank
Coal Tit 1 - Calling from the SE Wood
Magpie 4
Carrion Crow 3
Chaffinch 8
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 1 SW Wood
Bullfinch 4 - 1 pair in Southeast Wood and another in the SW Wood
Linnet 2 - Flew east across the northbank
Reed Bunting 6 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank, NE Reedbeds, SE Wood and a pair in the NE Wood
Insects etc
Bees
Bumble Bees Sp. 1
Mammals
Mole Hills - Fresh mole hills along the southbank.
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Wednesday, 11th (2:35pm - 3:40pm) Afternoon Log
Weather
Another warm day, with temperatures reaching 24C. I should imagine in sheltered spots it was even higher. The cloud cover was 2/8 and the wind was a very light southerly.
Narrative
The weather is really good at the moment and even though the walk didn't provide anything different it was just nice to walk around the lake. The tent was still up on the NW bank and I tidied up all the empty bottles etc. and placed them in the carrier bag. I'm hoping the owner will return and and take his belongings away, but I'm not holding my breath. If anybody recognises the tent I've placed a photo of it below.
 Mystery Tent on the North West Bank (Click on image to enlarge)
Highlights
No real highlight today and much the same as the past few days. Unusually there were no Willow Warblers around this afternoon, however I did have one at the back of my house, which would suggest they are still passing through.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - They are back again this time in and around Wesley Reedbeds with a nice courtship display.
Mute Swan 2 - The pen was on her nest and the cob was patrolling the lake.
Mallard 23 - Either my eyesight is getting better or we had an influx, but apart from the two "oversized" Mallard there were more normal Mallards around with 18 drakes and 3 ducks.
 Little and Large. The oversized Mallard plus a normal drake at the rear (Click on image to enlarge)
Pintail x Mallard 0 - Not seen this afternoon
Tufted Duck 4 - The two pairs are now 3 drakes and 1 duck. All seen in the NE bay
Ruddy Duck 1 - He's back having seen him in the NW bay he swam purposefully towards the NE bay.
Buzzard 1 - One flew west across the lake as I arrived.
Moorhen 2 - They are there somewhere, just not on the water!
Coot 10 - With the model boat club on the SW bank and a dinghy in the middle the Coots were in hiding.
Wood Pigeon 8 - mainly pairs around the lake
Feral Pigeons 5 - Racing pigeons at speed heading west
Sand Martin 0 - None this afternoon
Skylark 1 - Heard singing above Castle Farm Way in the Northeast corner of the lake.
Meadow Pipit 2 - All flew north
Grey Wagtail 0 - None this afternoon
Pied Wagtail 1
Wren 7 - A low count. Seen and heard all around the Lake
Dunnock 6
Robin 12 - Same as yesterday, all around the lake
Mistle Thrush 0 - None today
Song Thrush 0 - None today
Blackbird 4
Blackcap 2 - Just the two males singing from 1 North Bank Woods and Wesley Wood. Hens not seen
Willow Warbler 0 - None this afternoon
Chiffchaff 3 - Only 3 heard and seen today from 1 SW Wood, 1 Northbank and just the 1 from Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 2 - In the SE Wood again
Long-tailed Tit 4 - Two pairs in North East Wood and Wesley Wood
Willow Tit 0 - None this afternoon
Coal Tit 1 - One from the SE Wood
Blue Tit 9 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 2 - Along the northbank
Magpie 5
Carrion Crow 1
Chaffinch 3
Greenfinch 0 - None this afternoon
Goldfinch 2
Bullfinch 5 - A pair in the NE Wood plus a male and and a pair in the Blackthorn on the northbank.
Linnet 3 - A pair and a single bird seen flying over the southbank
Reed Bunting 2 - Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds and Blackthorn bushes on Northbank
Insects etc
Butterflies
Comma 1 - On the path just past Wesley Brook Bridge
Small Tortoiseshell 2 - Both around the Southbank wood.
 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Click on image to enlarge)
Peacock 9 - All around the lake.
Orange Tip 3 - All males seen along the northbank
Bees
Bumble Bees sp. 2
Mammals:
Squirrel - In Wesley Wood
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Tuesday, 10th (07:55am - 08:05am) Morning Log
Just a quick look on my way to work. 2 Sand Martin were feeding over the lake and the drake Ruddy duck made a bee-line towards a Coot in the NE bay. The Coot wasn't too sure what was going on and made a hasty retreat. There wasn't a single Tufted Duck on the water today and when I came back in the evening they still hadn't returned. A quick count of the Coot revealed 10 on the SW bank and 5 on the water. Also about was a Cormorant that flew west without stopping. All in all it was a very quiet morning.
(Martin Adlam)
Top Monday, 9th (07:40am - 08:40am) Morning Log
Weather
Another bright start for the day. The cloud cover was 4/8 and broke up to give 1/8 cover. There was a slight SW breeze and the temperature rose from 7C to 10C in the hour I was there.
Narrative
Still disappointing not see any Common Sandpiper or Wheatear. However the weather is improving all the time and I'm sure it wont be long. Just the one angler on the Dam and like most of the anglers fishing over this extended weekend the fishing hasn't been that great. Around the lake we had a stop-over, with a tent pitched on the northbank but with no occupants. All that could be seen was empty beer bottles and food wrappers strewn around it!
Highlights
Main highlight this morning were two Willow Warblers at opposite ends of the lake. One in the NE Wood and the other in the SW corner of the lake. Also another male Blackcap serenading just the one female, this time just east of the "No Swimming" sign. Possibly the same bird yesterday with that very strange courtship song. It still sounds like a Song Thrush interspersed with Starling like chatters. Very weird to say the least. Also 2 Sand Martin feeding over the lake early on.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 0 - Didn't see any this morning. Perhaps they were in the reeds!
Mute Swan 2 - The pen was on her nest and the cob was patrolling the lake.
Canada Goose 1 - Seen flying west above the northbank
Mallard 14 - The two "oversized" Mallard were back this morning and the remainder were dotted around the lake. Not a single duck seen though.
Pintail x Mallard 0 - Not seen this morning
Tufted Duck 4 - just two pairs, one in the NE bay and the other in the NW bay
Sparrowhawk 1 - One flew west across the lake at 8:00am
Moorhen 3- a bit better than yesterday
Coot 22 - 10 on the SW bank, 2 on nests and the remainder around the lake
Black-headed Gull 1 - Sitting on the Yacht Club pontoon in the SW bay, from 7:40 - 8:15.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 - Both flew west at 7:40
Wood Pigeon 10 - mainly pairs around the lake
Sand Martin 2 - A pair seen over the water at 08:03. They stayed for 10 minutes before heading NW
Skylark 1 - Heard singing above Castle Farm Way in the Northeast corner of the lake.
Meadow Pipit 1 - All flew north
Grey Wagtail 2 - A pair over the dam
Wren 19 - my best count ever I believe. Seen and heard all around the Lake
Dunnock 7
Robin 12 - all around the lake
Mistle Thrush 2 - One singing in the west and another with an alarm call in the RICOH grounds
Song Thrush 1 - shot across the path in the NE Wood and dived into the Blackthorn Bushes.
Blackbird 8
Blackcap 4 - 3 males singing from 1 North Bank, 1 North Wood and Wesley Wood. One female with the very vocal male just east of the "No Swimming" sign, See narrative above.
Willow Warbler 2 - See narrative above
Chiffchaff 9 - 1 SE Wood, 1 Southbank Wood, 1 SW Wood, 1 NE Wood, 1 Northbank, 4 Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 2 - In the SE Wood
Long-tailed Tit 8 - Four pairs in North East Wood, West Bank, SE Wood and Wesley Wood
Willow Tit 1 - Calling from Wesley Wood
Coal Tit 2 - One from Wesley Wood and the other from the SE Wood
Blue Tit 6 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 6 - All along the northbank
Magpie 15 - Seven seen in the SW tree line. One adult building a nest in Wesley Wood
Jay 1 - Flew across the lake and over the North bank at 08:20
Carrion Crow 3
Chaffinch 6
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 4
Bullfinch 6 - 2 males on the West bank, A pair in the NE Wood and another pair in the SW Wood.
Reed Bunting 3 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and South Bank Wood
Insects etc
Bees
Bumble Bees sp. 2
Mammals:
Mole Hills - Quite a few fresh mole hills along both the north and south banks.
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Sunday, 8th (12:05pm - 1:10pm) Midday Log
Weather
Clear, bright and sunny and the temperature a lot higher at 18C. However in the SW wind, which was quite strong it did feel slightly cooler when you were walking into it.
Narrative
Not bad day, slightly less around than yesterday but a nice walk. The dinghy's were racing today so not a lot on the water.
Highlights
Main highlight this lunchtime was a male Blackcap serenading to two females in the NE wood. At first I put it down as a Song Thrush then it sounded like a Sedge Warbler, by which point I began thinking about Marsh Warbler and then it flew across the path following two females. It was a most unusually song and not one I'd heard before in 40 years of bird watching. Also 2 more Blackcaps singing from Wesley Wood and in the small wood on the South Bank.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - Back to the pair again alongside the Northbank Reedbeds. The single adult bird from yesterday long gone.
Mute Swan 2 - The pen was on her nest and the cob by her side in the water.
Mallard 9 - No sign of the two "oversized" Mallard and there were only 8 drakes and 1 duck.
Pintail x Mallard 1 - in the NE bay
Tufted Duck 4 - just two pairs. With the boats on the water the rest had obviously sort sanctuary elsewhere.
Ruddy Duck 0 - No sign of the drake today.
Buzzard 0 - No Buzzards seen either.
Moorhen 1- an all time low
Coot 16 - None on the southbank and the remainder hiding in the reeds.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 2 - Thought about coning into land and changed their minds when they saw the boats.
Wood Pigeon 2
Sand Martin 0 - None today
Meadow Pipit 2 - All flew north
Grey Wagtail 0 - None today
Wren 8 - all around the Lake
Dunnock 7
Robin 10 - all around the lake
Blackbird 4
Blackcap 5 - 3 males singing from 1 NE wood, 1 Wesley Wood and South Bank wood. The two females were with the male in the NE wood see narrative above.
Chiffchaff 7 - 1 SE Wood, 1 Southbank Wood, 1 NE wood, 2 Northbank, 2 Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 0 - None today
Long-tailed Tit 2 - A pair in Wesley wood
Blue Tit 6 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 3 - All along the northbank
Magpie 2
Carrion Crow 2 - An adult picked up a twig flew to the lamp posts across the road from the layby on Castle arm way and placed it on top of the light. It positioned it and then flew off. A few minutes later the twig fell off in the wind!!
Chaffinch 5
Goldfinch 2
Bullfinch 4 - 2 males and a female in the NE Wood and a male in Wesley Wood
Reed Bunting 3 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and NE Reedbeds.
 Male Reed Bunting feeding along the northbank (Click on image to enlarge)
Insects etc
Butterflies
Peacock 11 - Mainly along the northbank
Small Tortoiseshell 1 - seen on the SE bank
Orange Tip 1 - A male and two females flying about in Wesley Reedbeds
Moths
Unidentified moth Not sure what it is yet but here is a photograph for starters!
 Unidentified Moth found along the northbank (Click on image to enlarge)
Flies
Bee-Flies sp. lots
Bees
Bumble Bees sp. Lots
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Saturday, 7th (12:15pm - 2:10pm) Afternoon Log
Weather
Clear, bright and sunny, 15C with a slight north-westerly breeze
Narrative
Another cracking day and lots to see around the lake.
Highlights
Top bird this afternoon was the first Willow Warbler of the year in the NE corner of the lake. Also 3 more Blackcaps making it 4 along the northbank, 2 Sand Martins and my first Orange Tip butterfly for the lake this spring. Still plenty of Frogs around the edges of the lake and a lovely Common Toad who stopped for a picture. See below.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 3 - A pair alongside the Northbank Reedbeds and another adult that kept himself/herself to the confines of the southern shoreline.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Mallard 21 - logged 15 drakes and 4 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Pintail x Mallard 1 in the NE bay
Tufted Duck 11 - 6 drakes
Ruddy Duck 1 - A drake which I spooked as I walked up to the end of the Anglers fishing staithe on the northbank. As soon as it saw me it dived and swam a good 15 feet before popping up at the end of the reeds.All you could see was a trail of bubbles until it popped up.
 Took this on April 5th. I think he was chatting up a coot at the time. (Courtesy Malcolm Thompson) (Click on image to enlarge)
Buzzard 2 - First one seen in the trees in the SW corner, later another joined it and circled around the lake over the west end.
Moorhen 3
Coot 17 - 11 seen on the SW grass. Two were on nests and the remainder on the lake.
Lesser Black-backed Gull 99 - 9 on the lake until 1:00pm before heading north. At 1:50 I was looking up at a Feral Pigeon which was flying at quite a height when I could just about make out up to 90 or so large gulls (presumably LBB gulls) at 1000feet or so in a thermal.
Wood Pigeon 8
Feral Pigeon 1 - Flew west at altitude
Sand Martin 2 - Both single birds. One seen at 12:25 and the other at 1:00pm. Neither stayed long.
Meadow Pipit 5 - All flew north
Grey Wagtail 1 - over the dam
Wren 11 - all around the Lake
Dunnock 5
Robin 12 - all around the lake
Blackbird 7
Blackcap 4 - all males singing from 1 NE wood, 1 Northbank, 2 Wesley Wood
Chiffchaff 8 - 1 SE Wood, 1 Southbank Wood, 1 NE wood, 1 Northbank, 4 Wesley Wood
 Chiffchaff singing in Wesley Wood (Click on image to enlarge)
Goldcrest 1 - Feeding in amongst the ivy by the northbank bridge
Long-tailed Tit 10 - Northbank bushes, West bank near RICOH, NE Wood, a pair in the SE wood and a pair in Wesley wood with one adult bird with a beak-full of feathers.
Willow Tit 1 - in the Southbank wood
Blue Tit 6 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 3 - All along the northbank
Magpie 5
Carrion Crow 3 - all feeding in the grass by the Castle Farm Way layby
Chaffinch 6
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 2
Bullfinch 2 - 1 pair in Wesley Wood
Reed Bunting 3 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and NE Reedbeds
Insects etc
Butterflies
Peacock 4 - Mainly along the northbank
Small Tortoiseshell 1 - seen alongside Wesley Reedbeds
 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Click on image to enlarge)
Orange Tip 1 - Female flying in amongst the daffodils by the Castle Farm pedestrian gate
Comma 1 - by Wesley Brook Bridge
Flies
Bee-Flies sp. lots
 Bee-Fly sp. (Click on image to enlarge)
Bees
Bumble Bees sp.4
Amphibians
Frog 3 - Seen in the NW bay alongside the anglers fishing staithe
Common Toad 1 - Seen by the Wesley Reedbeds
 Common Toad (Click on image to enlarge)
Mammals
Rabbit 1 - Wesley Wood alongside the brook
Mole Hills - Fresh mole hills along the southbank.
Also seen
Canada Goose Egg - one in the water in the Wesley Reedbeds!
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Friday 6th (1:20pm - 2:40pm) Afternoon Log
Weather
Clear, bright and sunny, 15C with a fresh north-westerly breeze
Narrative
Another nice day and still plenty of Butterflies about with Commas and Peacocks.
Highlights
Main highlight this afternoon was my first Skylark of the year at the lake and 4 pairs of Bullfinch's
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 A pair alongside the Northbank Reedbeds, but when the sailing dinghy came out on the water they split up and moved into the middle of the lake.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Mallard 10 - logged 6 drakes and 2 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Tufted Duck 20 - 14 drakes
 Tufted Duck in flight when the dinghy went in amongst them (Click on image to enlarge)
Buzzard 2 - First one seen in the trees in the SW corner, later at 2:20pm two were seen circling at the eastern end of the lake.
Moorhen 4
Coot 8 - 4 seen on the SW grass and 4 around the lake. Not sure where the rest of them went from this morning
Wood Pigeon 4
Meadow Pipit 3 - All 3 birds flew east
Skylark 1 - singing high above the lake/Castle Farm Way
Wren 13 - all around the Lake
Dunnock 6
Robin 14 - all around the lake
Blackbird 4
Chiffchaff 6 - 1 SW Wood, 1 NE wood, 1 Northbank, 4 Wesley Wood
Long-tailed Tit 3 - Northbank bushes, West bank near RICOH and a pair in the SE wood
Coal Tit 1 - in the NE wood
Blue Tit 7 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 3 - All along the northbank
Magpie 3
Chaffinch 8
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 2
Bullfinch 8 - 4 pairs mainly along the northbank from Teece drive to Castle Farm Way
Reed Bunting 3 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and NE Reedbeds
Insects etc
Butterflies
Peacock 9 - Mainly along the northbank
Comma 2 - seen by the Wesley Brook bridge
Bee-Fly several seen along the pathway on the northbank especially next to the Blackthorn blossom
Bumble Bees sp. 3 seen along the paths on the northbank
Amphibians
Frog 1 - Seen in the NW bay alongside the anglers fishing staithe
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Friday, 6th (06:30 - 08:20) Morning Log
Weather
1/8th cloud cover and sunny, 6.0C and a NW wind F3-4
Narrative
Up early this morning to see if there were any migrants around the lake. Unfortunately there were no Common Sandpiper or Wheatear but instead a steady procession of Meadow Pipits heading north. Also spoke to one of the anglers on the lake who was telling me about a pair of Robins that successfully raised 4 baby Robins in his dad's greenhouse. They left the nest yesterday and are now out and about in Donnington. The pair had nested in a flower pot and used an open window to gain access.
Highlights
Main highlight this morning from the lake was a Redpoll seen heading west, a Buzzard feeding on earthworms from a molehill on the northbank and a female Kestrel hovering over the southbank
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - A pair up alongside Wesley reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Mallard 7 - logged just 4 drakes and 1 duck, plus the two "oversized" Mallard
Tufted Duck 14 - 8 drakes
Buzzard 1- see narrative above
Common Kestrel 1- see narrative above
Moorhen 4 - Not many visible now
Coot 18 - 12 seen on the SW grass
Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 - a single bird flew north over the lake at 7:25
Wood Pigeon 30 - A flock of 14 birds flew north. The remaining birds were either singles or pairs around the lake.
Meadow Pipit 36 - a steady procession of Pipits flying north all morning with flocks and single bird: 4, 1, 1, 4, 1, 4, 1, 4, 5, 6, 1, 1, 1, 1 and 1. One of the birds flew up from the southbank.
Grey Wagtail 1 - over Wesley Brook
Pied Wagtail 2 - heading north
Wren 11 - Singing from all round the lake
Dunnock 9 - All round the lake
Robin 12 - Singing from all round the lake
Blackbird 7
Song Thrush 2 - One singing from the trees in the SW corner of the lake and the other was feeding in the NE wood
Chiffchaff 9 - 4 from Wesley Wood, 1 SE Wood, 1 South bank, 1 NE wood, and 2 along the North bank
Goldcrest 0 - None heard today
Long-tailed Tit 3 - Along the northbank
Coal Tit 1 - heard along Teece Drive
Blue Tit 10 - mostly along the northbank, with three chasing each other in Wesley Wood.
Great Tit 3
Magpie 9 - 6 by the slipway on the SW bank
Jackdaw 20+ - small groups mixed with Rooks heading north
Rook 20+ - small groups mixed with Jackdaws heading north
Carrion Crow 2 - in Wesley wood
Starling 1 - A single bird flew north over Wesley Reedbeds
Redpoll 1 - Seen flying west at 6:45am
Chaffinch 9 - Mainly singing males from all round the lake. One male on the south bank took off from the trees and almost did a hover in some sort of display, presumably to impress his mate!
Goldfinch 1
Greenfinch 3
Bullfinch 5 - Two pairs and a single male seen along the northbank
Reed Bunting 5 - all singing males from Wesley Reedbeds, NE Reedbeds, North bank, NW wood and the wood by the boat house
Insects etc
Bumble Bee sp. 1 - Seen in Wesley wood
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Thursday, 5th(1:20pm - 2:15pm) Afternoon Log
Weather
Clear, bright and sunny, 17C with a slight north-westerly breeze
Narrative
Managed to grab an hour down at the lake and was surprised at the number of butterflies out and about. Having been down in Wiltshire at the beginning of the week, where I had seen Orange Tip and Brimstone (two butterflies you expect to see at this time of year) it was surprising to see everything but. I came across Comma, Tortoiseshell and Peacocks
Highlights
Main highlight this afternoon was a male Blackcap singing from the bushes by the northbank bridge and at the same spot a Kingfisher flying straight over my head, heading towards Wesley Brook. Also good to see plenty of Frogs around the fringes of the lake especially along the SW bay.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 A pair alongside the Northbank Reedbeds.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Mallard 12 - logged 8 drakes and 2 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Tufted Duck 17 - 8 drakes
Moorhen 6
Coot 14 - 5 seen on the SW grass
Lesser Black-backed Gull 68 - they were all on the water when I arrived in the NE bay but had left by 1:45pm
Herring Gull 2 - same as LBB Gulls left by 1:45pm
Wood Pigeon 5
Kingfisher 1 - Seen on the northbank flying over my head towards Wesley Brook
Meadow Pipit 5 - A single bird then a flock of 4 flew north
Grey Wagtail 2 - single birds at both ends of the Lake
Wren 7 - all around the Lake
Dunnock 6 - With 2 foraging in amongst the rocks and boulders on the dam
Robin 9 - all around the lake
Blackbird 7 - all around the lake, with a majority along the northbank
Blackcap - A male singing from the bushes just west of the northbank bridge
Chiffchaff 6 - 1 SW Wood, 2 NE wood, 1 Northbank, 2 Wesley Wood
Goldcrest 1 - Northbank bushes
Long-tailed Tit 2 - Northbank bushes
Blue Tit 10 - Mostly along the northbank
Great Tit 6 - All along the northbank
Magpie 2
Carrion Crow 2
Chaffinch 3
Goldfinch 2
Greenfinch 2
Bullfinch 2 - A pair in the NE wood
Reed Bunting 3 -Males singing from Wesley Reedbeds, Blackthorn bushes on Northbank and NE Reedbeds
Insects etc
Butterflies
Peacock 9 - Mainly along the northbank
Comma 1 - seen by the "No Swimming" sign on the northbank.
 Comma Butterfly (Click on image to enlarge)
Small Tortoiseshell 2 - A pair seen by the "No Swimming" sign on the northbank.
Amphibians
Frogs 4 - 3 seen in the SW bay and one alongside the anglers fishing staithe in the northbank reedbeds.
Mammals
Mole Hills - Fresh molehills along the northbank
(Martin Adlam) Top
Thursday, 5th (07:50 - 08:15) Morning Log
Weather
1/8th cloud cover and sunny, 6.0C and a slight westerly breeze
Narrative
Grabbed twenty minutes to stop and have a look across the lake from the "Overflow". Did wonder if there might be Common Sandpiper or Wheatear, but not today.
Highlights
Main highlight this morning was a Cormorant and Grey Heron sitting on the pontoon at the South West corner of the lake.
Species number narrative
Great Crested Grebe 2 - A pair displaying alongside the Northbank Reedbeds.
Cormorant 1 - Seen on the pontoon. At first it was upright and then it was seen lying down on its belly.
Mute Swan 2 - The cob was patrolling the lake while the pen was on her nest.
Grey Heron 1 - standing on the pontoon
Mallard 18 - logged 12 drakes and 2 ducks. Also the two "oversized" Mallard
Tufted Duck 13 - 7 drakes
Moorhen 4
Coot 17 - 7 seen on the SW grass
Wood Pigeon 8 - A flock of 8 birds flew north and 3 were on the Southbank
Meadow Pipit 1 - Seen flying north
Robin 1
Chiffchaff 3 - 1 SE Wood and 2 along the North bank
Magpie 11 - 5 by the slipway on the SW bank and 6 in the trees on the northbank
Carrion Crow 2 - on the slipway
Chaffinch 1
Reed Bunting 2 - Both males Wesley Reedbeds and NE Reedbeds
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Wednesday, 4th Morning - A drake Teal seen in the NE bay
(John Isherwood) Top
Tuesday, 3rd (5:05pm) - 6 Sand Martins feeding over the Lake.
(Martin Adlam)
Top
Sunday, 1st Morning -
A Toad crawling across the path by the Boat Hut
(John Isherwood) |
