30th June, Friday (04:15 - 05:55 // 07:30 - 09:35) - Two complete circuits of the lake this morning and back to the walk to, around and back from The Flash in between. A rather hazy morning that always looked as if it were about to be sunny and hot but stayed mainly cloudy and humid.

No special highlights but a busy morning

Avian notes from the lake today were
- initial panic as there were 5 adult Great Crested Grebes on the lake and there was no sign of any juvenile as the 5 birds formed in to 2 displaying pairs and a singleton. But it transpired that there were 7 birds in total and the pair with the juvenile appeared later!
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- 2 Mallard ducklings again today - different singles, both with suitably concerned parents. Why if most of the drakes are in eclipse plumage are they still flying about? and how come they still have enough testosterone to attack the ducks?
- certainly 7 Tufted Ducks today as in addition to 3 pairs on the lake a drake flew before 04:30. Birds were seen in flight later, but seem to have been from this group
- the Kestrel made its usual fly-by - before 04:30 this morning!
- 5 juvenile Moorhens seen from 3 broods today and had I seen one of the broods better I expect the count of juveniles would have been higher
- just 7 juvenile Coots noted today: the two groups of 2 juveniles in the NE area ; apparently only 3 from the 4 juveniles of brood #14 in the NW area, the 4th bird turned out to be a passing juvenile Moorhen when I looked more closely!. There was no sign of brood #15 noted yesterday with 4 juveniles. And while the adults seemed to be collecting food and were chasing away passing Mallard, no juvenile from brood #16 was visible
- one of the adult Coots was standing on one of the large buoys again
- no Black-headed Gulls when I arrived: 4 flew in from the W end, but 3 of them flew straight through. A few single adults appeared from time to time
- 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over, all flying E which is not the normal morning ritual
- no Stock Doves today
- first Swift arrived at 04:30 and again a small group built up and then seemed to move on! Other small groups did the same and I logged about 25 birds
- a female Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the small trees around the sailing club HQ. Much later another(?) bird was seen flying over the N side trees
- no Sky Lark heard today
- Swallow drinking and hawking over the SW grass again, but then a (family?) party of 7 dropped in for a while
- 2 House Martins again, probably local birds from the housing estate
- both a male and the faded female Grey Wagtails seen collecting food from the SW platform area and ferrying it across the M54. Another 2 birds - male, perhaps with a juvenile, on the dam-face
- a Pied Wagtail was also on the SW platform for a while
- 2 different Mistle Thrushes flushed from the N side
- at least 7 Reed Warblers singing, but birds are very mobile at present moving around all the bushes and shrubs gleaning whatever and giving great views
- both Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat were singing from the hedge at the W end today, the Lesser Whitethroat singing on and off the entire time I was present. Another Common Whitethroat in the bushes in the SE area
- only 1 Garden Warblers today
- only 7 Blackcaps heard singing today, with another scolding
- 4 Chiffchaffs heard singing again. One bird was heard giving the between song harsher call-notes as a flight call as it repositioned along the Teece Drive trees - never seen this before and I wondered what it was at first!
- a single call heard sounded very like a Willow Warbler, but it was nowhere near the N side where all the birds seemed to be singing after they arrived
- Willow Tit logged on the second lap (apologies about the cut-and-paste problem yesterday! Only seen on first lap yesterday: back to normal today)
- Jay seen flying off from the N side
- better count of corvids but no large groups, just a steady and on-going passage, much of which might have been while I was in the wooded area and down at The Flash. I logged 54 [24] Jackdaws and 87 [31] Rooks [yesterday's figures]

Also
- the examination of the street light gave me a lone grass moth! Later I flushed a more interesting micro-moth and if the picture comes out (camera still to be unloaded for today) I may, or may not, be able to identify it using the great web site www.ukmoths.org
- with the Meadow Brown butterflies there were indeed several Ringlets this morning: both species that will fly without sunshine
- a bat when I first arrived

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
7 adult and 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 33 adult Mallard (27 drakes) with 2 ducklings; at least 7 Tufted Ducks (3 drakes); 1 drake Ruddy Duck; 1 Kestrel over; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens and 5 juveniles from 3 broods; 46 adult Coots with 7 juveniles from 3 broods; no waders; 6 Black-headed Gulls; 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over; 2 Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 30 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; 25 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 2 sightings of Great Spotted Woodpecker; no Sky Lark heard; 7 Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 4 Grey Wagtails; 1 Pied Wagtail; 26 Wrens; 8 Dunnocks; 18 Robins; 27 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes (in song); 2 Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 9 Reed Warblers (7 in song); 1 Lesser Whitethroat (in song); 2 Common Whitethroats (in song); 1 Garden Warbler (in song); 8 Blackcaps (7 in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (in song); 1 possible calling Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 3 Coal Tits again; 2 Willow Tits; 13 Blue Tits; 7 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 10 Magpies; 54 Jackdaws; 87 Rooks; 8 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 5 Chaffinches; 10 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 8 Reed Buntings (in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 3 Rabbits
- bat sp.
- lots more molehills

Insects:
3 species of butterflies
- several Meadow Browns
- several Ringlets
- 1 Speckled Wood

2 species of moth
- 1 unidentified micro moth flushed
- 1 identified grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [1293]
[numbers are the British Checklist Numbers]

Blue-tailed Damselflies

(Ed Wilson)

PS: in discussion with another moth enthusiast we now believe
- the Poplar Grey [2278] that I decided was probably a Knot Grass [2289] is likely a Poplar Grey after all
- the moth I called Ingrailed Clay [2120] was almost certainly an Uncertain [2381] (!), but 20 foot up a lamp post is hard to tell! The pictures through the telescope were not that good!

29th June, Thursday (04:20 - 09:25) -Two complete circuits of the lake this morning but any thoughts of a walk to the Flash were thwarted by thick mist after a fine start. In truth I had already been waylaid by the heavy dew and still conditions producing some great effects in the grass and was busy with the camera when the mist rolled in. Stayed around until it cleared so I could check all the Coots etc.

Highlights were two more new parties of juvenile Coots; the increase in the number of gulls suddenly; the first post-breeding Kingfisher record. Lowlight was the apparent loss of one of the Great Crested Grebe juveniles

Avian notes from the lake today were
- all 5 adult Great Crested Grebes were seen today but hard to tell what the arrangement was. A pair seen displaying, but otherwise and most of the time they were all well-separated, even the bird looking after the sole juvenile seen today was not seen 'with' any other adult. The juvenile seemed to be wanting to ride more than the adult seemed to want!
- Heron flew over
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- 1 Mallard duckling again today: initially I thought it had been abandoned as there were no adults around, but later I saw it (I assume the same) with a pair of adults
- 8 Tufted Ducks today: 5 drakes
- the Kestrel made its usual fly-by
- 3 juvenile Moorhens seen from 2 broods again
- 13 juvenile Coots noted today: the two groups of 2 juveniles in the NE area (though the oldest group are now tending to join the adult non/post-breeders along the dam: and still 4 from brood #14 in the NW area. But two more broods in the W / NW area. Brood #15 with 4 juveniles: brood #16 apparently with just 1 juvenile, though the whole family were staying well inside the reeds
- for some days now one of the adult Coots has been, rather unusually, standing on one of the large buoys: today it managed to repel the threatening Black-headed Gulls without falling off
- 12 adult Black-headed Gulls on the launch platform when I arrived: 17 more flew in from the W but did not stay. Birds all left and then a few more (?) dribbled back / passed through. I reckon 40 birds, almost all adults
- 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over
- 2 Stock Doves seen on the wires to the NE but later there was one using the dam to get to the water and drinking. When I flushed the bird it flew off to the NE so perhaps was one of those seen earlier
- first Swift arrived at 04:28, with numbers quickly increasing to 22. Again these seemed not to stay with what seemed to be more arriving soon after. None noted after 05:30 by which time I had logged 46 birds
- a stunning sun-lit Kingfisher along the S side: was far better at seeing me than I was at locating it, and attempts to get a photograph were thwarted by the calls of an unseen bird flying off: I left it alone!
- Sky Lark heard briefly again
- 1 Swallow drinking and hawking over the SW grass
- 2 House Martins again, probably local birds from the housing estate
- 1 very faded Grey Wagtail seen collecting food from the caddis-fly hatch on the SW platform and ferrying it across the M54!
- at least 5 Reed Warblers singing, 4 of these along the N shore where birds were in fine voice. In the NW reeds it was calling / scolding birds jumping about feeding off a big hatch of caddis-flies
- Common Whitethroat heard in song at the W end today as well as another bird heard to the E of Castle Farm Way
- only 1 Garden Warblers today
- 10 Blackcaps heard singing today
- 4 Chiffchaffs heard singing
- you write something and are proved wrong: the only Willow Tit logged was on the first lap!
- Willow Tit logged again, but I see from my timings that I always seem to record this only on the 'second' lap after 08:00
- no Jays seen or heard today
- another disappointing count of corvids: perhaps with the fine weather they went over before I arrived. Logged 24 [31] Jackdaws and 31 [24] Rooks
[yesterday's figures: yes they 'swapped' totals]

Also
- the critical examination of the street light gave me 4 species of moth only 1 of which was the same species as yesterday; and 2 more flushed from the wet grass
- several species of dragonfly seen again without positive id: seemed to be a blue chaser-type and a larger species with yellow on it, perhaps a Gold-ringed Dragonfly, but they were seen too briefly
- several Meadow Brown butterflies and several that seemed too dark even for fresh males and were perhaps Ringlets, but they would not settle to clinch the id.
- lots of molehills created in the last 24 hours

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
5 adult and 1 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; 1 Heron; the 2 resident Swans and 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 38 adult Mallard (30 drakes) with 1 duckling; 8 Tufted Ducks (5 drakes); 1, possibly 2, drake Ruddy Ducks; 1 Kestrel over; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens and 3 juveniles from 2 broods; 49 adult Coots with 13 juveniles from 5 broods; no waders; 40 Black-headed Gulls; 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls; no Feral Pigeons; 2 or 3 Stock Doves; 38 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; 46 Swifts; 1 Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; 1 Sky Lark over fields to NE; 1 Swallow; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; no Pied Wagtails; 25 Wrens; 5 Dunnocks; 15 Robins; 21 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes (in song); no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 11 Reed Warblers (5 in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; 2 Common Whitethroats (in song); 1 Garden Warbler (in song); 10 Blackcaps (in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 3 Coal Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 10 Blue Tits; 10 Great Tits; no Jays; 16 Magpies; 24 Jackdaws; 31 Rooks; 2 Crows; 2 Starlings; no House Sparrows; 4 Chaffinches; 12 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 5 Bullfinches; 5
Reed Buntings (in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 3 Rabbits
- lots more molehills

Insects:
1, perhaps 2, species of butterflies
- several Meadow Browns
- perhaps Ringlet as well

6 species of moth
- grass-moth Chrysoteuchia culmella [1293]
- a good condition Silver-ground Carpet [1727]
- 3 Cinnabar moths [2069] with 2 on the lights; 1 in flight. Also a small caterpillar noted on its Ragwort food-plant - the yellow and black 'striped-jersey' caterpillar being one of the few I can identify with certainty!
- a Heart & Dart [2088]
- a probable Ingrailed Clay [2120]: it was difficult to photograph to confirm
- what I thought yesterday was a Poplar Grey was on a different lamp-post today and in better light I now think it is a species called Knot Grass [2289]
[numbers are the British Checklist Numbers]

Blue-tailed Damselflies
chaser-type: it was blue, but did not seem 'fat' enough for Broad-bodied Chaser
possible Gold-ringed Dragonfly

( Ed Wilson)

28th June, Wednesday (04:20 - 05:55 // 07:35 - 09:40) - Back to two complete circuits with the walk to bird The Flash in between

A dull and damp morning with the lifted mist turning in to low cloud below medium-high overcast. Moderate / poor visibility. Very wet grass - chest-waders anybody?

Highlights: the fly-through Common Tern; a very recently fledged Reed Warbler 'in the hand'; 7 species of moth. Generally the level of birdsong is now tailing off and some calling birds can now be heard whereas they might have been drowned out in the dawn cacophony - I am logging more Robins for instance. There was a short period at 04:50 this morning when there was almost complete silence as the remnant songsters went about their business and the juvenile birds were still in bed!

Avian notes from the lake today were
- the pair of Great Crested Grebes and the 2 juveniles again, with both juveniles in the water today, so confirmed that there are just 2. Oddly I could not be sure that any of the other adults were present!
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- 1 Mallard duckling reappeared today
- 11 Tufted Ducks today: 10 drakes again
- the Kestrel seen briefly to the N today
- 3 juvenile Moorhens seen from 2 broods
- 6 juvenile Coots noted: the two groups of 2 birds in the NE area: and 2, at least, from brood #14 in the NW area - there may have been more as they
were in an area where I could not properly see in to the reeds where more may have been
- 4 different Black-headed Gulls made brief stops
- 1 Common Tern was leaving as I got back from The Flash: how long it had been present is hard to say
- 2 Stock Doves flushed out of N side trees
- first Swift arrived at 04:47, with numbers slowly increasing to 6, though these did not stay
- a Sky Lark had burst back in to song over the fields to the NE and was clearly audible most of the way around the lake above the traffic noise
- no Swallows seen
- 2 House Martins arrived after 09:00, probably local birds from the housing estate
- a party of 5 Mistle Thrushes seen at the W end
- only 4 adult Reed Warblers noted singing: but the highlight was finding a very recently fledged juvenile at the path-side allowing mega-views (at least I think it was this species rather than a juvenile Garden Warbler, mainly on bill-shape - though the bill was far from fully developed anyway!)
- Common Whitethroat heard in song at the E end of the bushes alongside the M54
- 2 Garden Warblers today
- 8 Blackcaps singing in the better weather
- 6 Chiffchaffs heard singing
- I have to conclude that the Willow Warblers moved on this year and have not bred - glad I identified the juvenile as a Chiffchaff some 2 weeks ago. For over a week there has been no song or calls from this species
- three parties of Long-tailed Tits heard: one party flew between stands of trees and contained at least 17 birds
- Willow Tit logged again, but I see from my timings that I always seem to record this only on the 'second' lap after 08:00
- Jay heard again today
- disappointing count of corvids, partly due to the poor visibility. I logged 31 [108] Jackdaws and 24 [26] Rooks

Also

- bats of 2 different species flying over the N-shore poplars when I arrived, both species larger than Pipistrelle
- a critical examination of the street light gave me 5 species of moth; and 2 more flushed from the wet grass
- more plants starting to flower: still getting to grips with umbellifers but the Giant Hogweed is being joined by 'regular' red-stemmed Hogweed. Also should be easy to identify is the feathery-leaved umbellifer with the pink-stained leaves - but so far ? Willowherb, another complex group, is also coming in to flower, as are some of the larger thistles

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
2 adult and 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 31 adult Mallard (24 drakes) with 1 duckling; 11 Tufted Ducks (10 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; 1 Kestrel in the distance; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhen and 3 juveniles from 2 broods; 40 adult Coots with 6 juveniles from 3 broods; no waders; 4 Black-headed Gulls; no other gulls; 1 Common Tern; no Feral Pigeons; 2 Stock Doves; 28 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; 6 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; 1 Sky Lark over fields to NE; no Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; no Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtails; 21 Wrens; 4 Dunnocks; 19 Robins; 28 Blackbirds; 7 Song Thrushes (all in song); 5 Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 7 Reed Warblers (4 in song; 1 fledgling; 2 others); no Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat (in song); 2 Garden Warblers (in song); 9 Blackcaps (8 in song); 6 Chiffchaffs (in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 1 Coal Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 12 Blue Tits; 9 Great Tits; 1 Jay heard; 12 Magpies; 31 Jackdaws; 24 Rooks; 4 Crows; 1 Starling; no House Sparrows; 7 Chaffinches yet again; 12 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 2 Bullfinches; 5 Reed Buntings (in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
5 species of mammal
- 1 Rabbit
- 1 Brown Rat on the dam
- 2 species of bat
- more new molehills

Insects:
- no butterflies
- 7 species of moth
- 2 different female Ghost Moths [14]
- at least 2 species of grass-moth one of which was Chrysoteuchia culmella [1293]
- a Small Magpie micro-moth [1376]
- a very worn Silver-ground Carpet [1727]
- what I think is a Poplar Grey (though I have never seen it before) [2278]
- a Straw Dot [2474]
[numbers are the British Checklist Numbers]
- Blue-tailed Damselflies

All for today
(Ed Wilson)

27th June, Tuesday (04:20 - 08:40) -A wet morning with low cloud and distinctly moderate / poor visibility. Rain mainly light and I eventually walked the usual circuit after spending time sheltering in the hut on the SW grass. Amassed a surprisingly good log, though there was little in the way of insects to distract me. We will come to the moths later.

Avian notes from the lake today were
- the pair of Great Crested Grebes still with the 2 juveniles one of which was briefly in the water. The ménage à trois of other adults may be about to end, with one bird seen circling round and round before crashing back on the lake. Later it, or another, went for more circuits and seemed to leave
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- no Mallard ducklings today, though hardly the weather to see them
- 12 Tufted Ducks today: 10 drakes
- the drake Ruddy Duck was heard displaying in the reeds but not seen
- no sign of the Kestrel today
- just 1 adult Moorhen in the poor conditions
- with the adult Coots there were just 2 juveniles in the NE area: again weather-related
- 10 apparently different Black-headed Gulls made various brief stops
- 2 Common Sandpipers, one a juvenile, was some compensation for getting up early and getting wet
- a Stock Dove flushed out of N side trees and 3 more seen flying over
- no Swifts seen today: suppose they have moved off ahead of the weather system?
- single Swallows seen around the SW bushes on four widely separated occasions
- no House Martins
- 2 juvenile Pied Wagtails were on the dam-top this morning
- only 4 Reed Warblers noted singing: one bird did an amazingly good imitation of a flying Goldfinch
- Common Whitethroat heard briefly in song at W end
- 1 Garden Warbler only today
- only 4 Blackcaps singing in the rain
- now 3 Chiffchaffs singing
- still no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- Jay heard again today
- in the dull, wet weather and with the poor visibility I was not expecting to see the roost dispersal flocks of corvids. So I was not disappointed, but I was surprised by a more or less continual trickle of birds which allowed me to amass a respectable count of 108 [161] Jackdaws and 26 [118] Rooks [yesterday's totals]
- from the shelter of the hut I was able to see the Greenfinch roost site and there was indeed a small exodus with a respectable 21 birds logged in total
- a female Bullfinch strayed unusually far from cover to attack the weed seeds on the dam-face

Also
- a Brown Rat chasing a dancing Magpie on the dam this morning
- on the street-lights along the Teece Drive approach there were 3 species of moth: a Bee Moth micro; a Riband Wave of the (more common) form remutata without the 'band'; and what seems to have been a Common White Wave - I am getting a second opinion on one of the photos I took as one of the cross-lines was strongly kinked and I don't think it should be!

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
5 adult and at least 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 28 adult Mallard (22 drakes) but no ducklings; 12 Tufted Ducks (10 drakes); 1 drake Ruddy Duck heard displaying; no raptors; no Pheasants; 1 adult Moorhen but no juveniles; 42 adult Coots with 2 juveniles from 1 brood; 2 Common Sandpipers; no other waders; 10 Black-headed Gulls; no other gulls; no Feral Pigeons; 4 Stock Doves; 17 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks; up to 4 Swallows; no House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; 2 juvenile Pied Wagtails; 22 Wrens; 5 Dunnocks; 11 Robins; 23 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes (all in song); no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 4 Reed Warblers (all in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat (in song); 1 Garden Warbler (in song); 4 Blackcaps (in song); 3 Chiffchaffs (in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; no Willow Tits; 9 Blue Tits; 8 Great Tits; 1 Jay heard; 11 Magpies; 108 Jackdaws; 26 Rooks; 5 Crows; 1 Starling; no House Sparrows; 7 Chaffinches again; 21 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch;
5 Reed Buntings (in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
1 Rabbit; Brown Rat on the dam

Insects:
1 Meadow Brown butterfly
3 species of moth
- a Bee Moth micro
- a Riband Wave of the (more common) form remutata without the 'band'
- a probable Common White Wave

(Ed Wilson)

26th June, Monday (04:25 - 05:50 // 07:30 - 09:45) - Another cloudy and sometimes dull start with rather moderate visibility and haze. Brightened later by the time I got back from walking to, from and around The Flash (but not in that order), but still cloudy if somewhat brighter and warmer as the wind dropped.

Avian notes from the lake today were
- the pair of Great Crested Grebes still with the 2 back-riding juveniles again. The ménage à trois of other adults was generally at a distance today
- a Heron briefly. As so often, and despite its size and the warnings given by many other birds, I neither noted this bird arriving nor leaving
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- just 1 Mallard duckling today
- 8 Tufted Duck appeared since yesterday: 6 drakes
- the local Kestrel had a quick hover over the N shore before it made the daily fly-past over the lake. Later a male was seen hovering over the SW grass
- 2 juvenile Moorhens noted again today
- I think I was wrong: one of the 3 new broods of Coots noted Friday - the NW 13th brood had 4 juveniles being fed by both parents today (at least I think it was the 13th brood rather than a new 14th brood more or less alongside). Typically only 2 juveniles from one of the two earlier broods was seen in the NE area
- 6 Black-headed Gulls were seen apparently flying off at 04:55, though I had not seen any on the lake. 3 more adults were seen at various times
- no waders today
- Stock Doves not seen or heard at all
- the first Swift arrived at 04:48 on another dull morning. Very few appeared over the lakeside trees, but there was also a small party or several parties high overhead. At least 30 birds
- no Swallows again today
- eventually 9 of the local House Martins appeared over the lake and trees
- a Mistle Thrush was collecting food on the grass of the Ricoh factory. Later one was calling from the NW copse (Wesley Copse?), which is NOT where the birds seen in late April seemed to be nesting
- at least 9 singing Reed Warblers: one bird, which seemed to be a singing bird, allowed itself to be photographed and examination of the image suggests that it was in fact a juvenile still with a yellow gape line. Wish I could be sure about whether it was in fact this bird that was singing at the time
- Common Whitethroat heard briefly from across Castle Farm Way to the E - but it was a weekday with all the traffic noise
- 4 Garden Warblers today: 3 singing at least briefly; a different bird heard scolding and seen I flight
- 9 of today's 11 Blackcaps recorded were singing
- back to 4 Chiffchaffs singing today. I arrived just as one of the birds started the daily singing ritual and noted that the first sounds were the between song creaky notes that are rarely mentioned in field guides and are sometimes noted, equally incorrectly, as given only by newly-arrived migrants. These sounds started a full 30 seconds before the first hesitant 'chiff'
- no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- big numbers of Long-tailed Tits again. But I also noted a lone bird flying between trees at the W end when there did not seem to be any parties about. Later a Jay flew over a mixed tit party with many Long-tailed Tits in it and their response was very akin to that given to passing Sparrowhawks. I suppose it was just possible that the briefly glimpsed Jay was actually chasing an unseen Sparrowhawk rather than causing the reaction directly
- Coal Tits and Willow Tits again, both with juveniles
- Jays both seen and heard today, with one of the birds giving the 'Buzzard-like' call again
- with the dull weather and the mornings drawing in (I kid you not!) I was at the lake in time to see the roost dispersal this morning. As usual a scattered group of high-flying Rooks preceded tighter, lower-level groups of Jackdaws. Most unusually an even larger scattered group of Rooks took the same line almost 4 hours later giving me totals of 161 Jackdaws and 118 Rooks - almost winter standard!
- there have been calling Greenfinches in the SW bushes and the adjacent S side scrub for a few days now and this where the post-breeding roost of several hundred birds has been that last 2 years. I spent some while here and while there was a lot of singing and calling most of the flying was lone birds moving between the two sites rather than any true dispersal

Also
- a Brown Rat on the dam again

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
5 adult and at least 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; 1 Heron; the 2 resident Swans with just 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 35 adult Mallard (26 drakes) and just 1 duckling; 8 Tufted Ducks (6 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; at least 1 Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 6 adult Moorhens and 2 juveniles from 1 brood; 35 adult Coots with 6 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; 9 Black-headed Gulls; no other gulls; 2 Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 26 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; at least 30 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks; no Swallows; 9 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; 1 Pied Wagtail overhead; 28 Wrens again; 9 Dunnocks; 15 Robins again; 32 Blackbirds; 7 Song Thrushes (4 in song); at least 1 Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 12 Reed Warblers (9 in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat to the E; 4 Garden Warbler (3 in song); 11 Blackcaps (9 in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (all in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 6 Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits; 15 Blue Tits; 13 Great Tits; 2 Jays at least; 16 Magpies; 161 Jackdaws; 118 Rooks; 9 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 7 Chaffinches; 18 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 3
Bullfinches; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 5 Rabbits; more molehills along S side; Brown Rat on the dam

Insects:
- 1 Meadow Brown butterfly

Plants:
- found more spikes of both species of orchid

(Ed Wilson)

25th June, Sunday (04:25 - 05:40 // 07:25 - 08:30) - Another cloudy and sometimes dull start with rather moderate visibility and haze. Rather unexciting day today

Avian notes from the lake today were
- the pair of Great Crested Grebes still with the 2 back-riding juveniles at W end. I have yet to see them 'in the water'. The ménage à trois elsewhere was back to fighting mode today
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans (one of the adults was missing from The Flash this morning)
- no geese again
- 5 Mallard ducklings today - parties of 3 & 2
- no Tufted Duck here again (now 4 drakes at The Flash)
- what seems to be the local Kestrel made the daily fly-past over the lake at 04:40 and was not seen again
- 2 juvenile Moorhens noted today - more in the reeds?
- of the 3 new broods of Coots noted Friday there seem to be no survivors: the S-side 11th brood was not noted today and there was only 1 adult in the area; the SE 12th brood were AWOL completely and the adults seem to have lost interest in their nest-building; the NW 13th brood was again not seen and despite the parents chasing off the Mallards and collecting weed they seemed to have nowhere to take it. There were all 4 juveniles from the 2 earlier broods in the NE area. Spent a while looking at the other nests: the one on the N shore where mating was observed yesterday was empty today; the long-term nest sitter at the other N shore nest was still there, asleep; the SW nest was again being ignored by adults. Indeed for some reason there were many fewer adults today - 36 compared with 52 yesterday
- there were 7 apparent adult Black-headed Gulls when I arrived: these flew off NE before 04:50. 3 more adults were seen at various times
- 1 lone Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over
- no waders today
- Stock Doves not seen or heard in the NW area but I flushed one from the NE trees
- the first Swift arrived at 04:45 this dull morning: just 3 by 05:00 when 4 more flew straight through
- a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker made me look up and see a different bird flying over
- no Swallows again today
- again 2 House Martins
- a Pied Wagtail flew over at 04:45 almost on the route taken by the winter roost dispersal birds ?!
- also again 8 singing Reed Warblers: but these were, most uncharacteristically, not singing when I arrived and took some while to wake up. Indeed I only reached the usual total because a Blackbird that I flushed flew off alarm-calling and caused three Reed Warblers in the N side reeds to sing in response - only ever logged 2 here before!
- Common Whitethroat heard from across Castle Farm Way to the E
- 3 Garden Warblers in sub-song today: a 'new' location along the N side as well as both the NE and NW areas again. Once again the NW bird was
giving great views
- 8 of today's 10 Blackcaps recorded were singing
- 5 Chiffchaffs singing today the best for some days
- no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- I watched one of the Long-tailed Tit parties cross Teece Drive and was astonished to count 18 birds - from the sound most of the birds seemed to be on that side already, so I wonder how many there might have been in this party! And it was just one of three parties I logged around the lake
- Coal Tits and Willow Tits again
- no Tree Creepers
- Jays heard again
- Jackdaw and Rook counts today: 46 [43] and 10 [19] [yesterday's counts]

Also

- a Meadow Brown butterfly flew past me at 04:45 but I saw no other butterflies all this dull morning
- a frog disappeared under the car as I arrived at the Teece Drive gate
- a fox was along the W side at this time
- noted some strange galls on the blackthorn / sloes - will try and look these up

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
5 adults and at least 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans with just 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 38 adult Mallard (30 drakes) and 5 duckling from 2 broods; no Tufted Ducks; 1 drake Ruddy Duck; 1 Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 3 adult Moorhens and 2 juveniles from 1 brood; 36 adult Coots with 4 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; 10 Black-headed Gulls, all at the lake; 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull in flight; 6 Feral Pigeons; 1 Stock Dove; 19 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; 7 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; 1 Pied Wagtail overhead; 28 Wrens; 6 Dunnocks; 15 Robins; 27 Blackbirds; 4 Song Thrushes (all in song); no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 8 Reed Warblers (all in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat to the E; 3 Garden Warbler (all in song); 10 Blackcaps (8 in song); 5 Chiffchaffs (all in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits, one of >18 birds; 1 Coal Tits;
2 Willow Tits; 12 Blue Tits; 9 Great Tits; 1 Jay heard; 8 Magpies; 46 Jackdaws; 10 Rooks; 6 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 3 Chaffinches; 14 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; no Linnets; 4 Bullfinches; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 9 Rabbits - my highest-ever count here?; more molehills along S side; fox at W end

Insects:
- 1 Meadow Brown butterfly
- galls on the sloes / blackthorn

Amphibians:
- 1 frog sp.!

Plants:
- at least 2 species of orchid

(Ed Wilson)

24th June, Saturday (04:25 - 05:50 // 07:35 - 09:30) - A cloudy and sometimes dull start this morning and a definite 'touch of autumn' now that we are at Midsummer's Day and past the Summer Solstice - more gulls; the first returning waders with a Snipe unexpectedly flushed in addition to the more usual Common Sandpiper; and Tree Creeper in with one of the mixed species tit-parties.

Avian notes from the lake today were
- the pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 juveniles at W end. The ménage à trois along the N side was mainly with birds at a respectable distance this morning
- at least 1 Heron, all 3 sightings probably relating to the same bird
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again
- only 2 Mallard ducklings today - and I am not entirely convinced that these were from either of the parties seen yesterday: they seemed too small
- no Tufted Duck here again
- what seems to be the local Kestrel flew low over the lake early, but was not seen again
- no juvenile Moorhens noted today - all in the reeds (I hope)
- of the 3 new broods of Coots noted yesterday the pair along the S side were with their 2 juveniles (the 11th brood this year); the pair in the SE corner that had 1 juvenile yesterday seemed to have none today and were repairing their nest (the 12th brood); the pair in the NW corner that had 5 juveniles yesterday were repelling all other Coot and Mallard that approached, but I saw no sign of the juveniles (the 13th brood). Of earlier broods there were 2 well-grown juveniles in the NE area with their parents; and 1 well-grown juvenile with its parents along the E part of the N shore. Of the two long-sitting pairs at the W end of the N side one pair was noted mating today: the other is still building. There are at least 2 other nests though the one in the SE area is often vacant for long periods
- 3 adult and 1 first-summer Black-headed Gulls were noted
- in addition to a party of at least 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying S at 04:30 again, 4 more flew S some 20 minutes later; and 8 more flew NW just after 05:00. Some of these could have been Herring Gulls, but a real Herring Gull flew N at 05:15
- both Snipe and Common Sandpiper were flushed off the dam at 05:25: the former was not seen again, but the latter seemed to tour various parts of the lake and after 09:00 what was presumably the same bird was seen walking the emergent tree-stems at the Wesley Brook confluence competing with the Reed Warblers for the emerging caddis flies
- Stock Doves not heard around the lake
- the first Swift arrived at 04:40 this darker morning: numbers built up to at least 38 birds. Most had moved on by 08:00
- no Swallow today
- just 2 House Martins
- at least 8 singing Reed Warblers today with one in the scrub behind the N-side reed-bed. A party of at least 3 fly-catching from the trees at the Wesley Brook confluence
- no Lesser or Common Whitethroat seen or heard again [NB: the Lesser Whitethroat was in full voice at Wall Farm later, though it had not featured in the bird-log for some days]
- Garden Warblers in sub-song in both the NE and NW areas again, with the NW bird, new to the location, giving great views as it moved slowly through the tops of the hawthorns
- 8 of the 9 Blackcaps recorded were singing
- only 2 Chiffchaffs singing today, but another adult bird seen
- no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- Coal Tits and Willow Tits again: both with juveniles but neither seems to have joined the roving tit parties that included Tree Creeper today
- Jays heard again
- fewer Jackdaws and Rooks today: 43 [74] and 19 [44] were today's [and yesterday's] respective counts
- uncharacteristically a Starling remained atop on of the Castle Farm Way street lights for more that 20 minutes: a small party later
- three different male Bullfinches seen in flight: struck by how almost woodpecker-like they are in head-on flight

Also
- Speckled Wood butterflies were the only species noted this cloudy morning
- a female-type damselfly with reddish legs has so far defied identification even from a series of photographs
- the frog-hopper on one of the lamp-posts has also defied positive identification mainly for lack of a Field Guide, but seems to be Cixius nervosus

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below :
5 adults and at least 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; 1 Heron; the 2 resident Swans with just 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 34 adult Mallard (27 drakes) and 2 duckling from 1 brood; no Tufted Ducks; 1 drake Ruddy Duck; 1 Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 3 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 52 adult Coots with 5 juveniles from 3 broods; 1 Snipe; 1 Common Sandpiper; 4 Black-headed Gulls; 20 large gulls, probably mostly Lesser Black-backed Gulls in flight; 1 Herring Gull in flight; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 31 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; at least 38 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtails; 26 Wrens; 5 Dunnocks; 11 Robins; 20 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes, 5 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 11 Reed Warblers (8 in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; no Common Whitethroats; 2 Garden Warbler (both in sub-song); 9 Blackcaps (8 in song); 3 Chiffchaffs (2 in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 3 Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits; 14 Blue Tits; 14 Great Tits; at least 2 Tree Creepers with the tit parties; 1 Jay heard; 10 Magpies; 43 Jackdaws; 19 Rooks; 7 Crows; 7 Starlings; no House Sparrows; 5 Chaffinches; 8 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; 4 Bullfinches; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals
- 2 Rabbits; more molehills

Insects
- several species of damselfly including Blue-tailed and the unidentified reddish-legged female-type
- 3 Speckled Wood butterflies
- several species of hoverfly including the 'wasp mimic' Syrphus ribesii
- frog-hopper, probably Cixius nervosus (also noted on the internet as a lace-hopper or leaf hopper)

Plants
- at least 2 species of orchid

(Ed Wilson)

23rd June, Friday (04:20 - 05:50 // 07:45 - 10:10) - Much better weather this morning with a good sunrise and little wind. Even some warm sun later

Avian notes from the lake today were
- pair of Great Crested Grebes with 2 juveniles at W end. The ménage à trois along the N side seemed to involve attempted drownings this morning!
- the 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese again today - suspect they are 'confined to barracks' as flightless eclipse birds?
- 6 Mallard ducklings today - separate parties of 2 & 4 with ducks - no Tufted Duck here again
- 3 parties of 8 juvenile Moorhens noted on a morning when the birds were more willing to leave the cover of the reeds
- 3 new parties (the 11th - 13th broods) of Coots with, respectively, 2, 1 and 5 'cootlings'. Just 1 juvenile from earlier broods note. Still 2 active nests
- adult Black-headed Gull visited briefly
- party of 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew S at 04:30 - my first 'flock' for some while: a lone bird in heavy wing moult flew N later
- a Common Tern flew through and off W at 05:20 - silent throughout, so a stroke of luck to pick this up
- Stock Doves not heard around the lake today, but 3 seen to NE again
- Swifts arrived by / before 04:30 and quickly built up to c.35 birds
- just 1 Swallow again briefly, and a stunningly rufous bird on the underside, more reminiscent of the American races than the usual anaemic UK race
- just 2 House Martins
- at least 7 singing Reed Warblers today with one in the reeds in the NE corner today for the first time this year; another seen fly-catching low (VERY low) over the water from the emergent trees at the Wesley Brook inflow
- no Lesser or Common Whitethroat seen or heard again
- Garden Warblers in song in both the NE and NW areas again
- 8 Blackcaps singing
- again 3 Chiffchaffs singing, but another heard calling
- no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- found where the Coal Tits have nested alongside Teece Drive
- Jays in the N / NW area again with 1 seen in flight and another heard
- Jackdaws in good numbers today again - 74, including a party of 32: and plenty (44) of Rooks too today

Also
- Comma butterfly today
- 2-spot ladybird (the 7-spots have been around for a while now)

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
5 adults and at least 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans with just 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 30 adult Mallard (22 drakes) and 6 duckling from 2 broods; no Tufted Ducks; no Ruddy Ducks; no raptors; no Pheasants; 6 adult Moorhens and 8 juveniles from 3 broods; 39 adult Coots with 9 juveniles from 4 broods, 3 of which were new today; no waders; 1 adult Black-headed Gull briefly; 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls in flight; 1 Common Tern flew through; no Feral Pigeons; 3 Stock Doves; 23 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; at least 34 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; 1 Swallow; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; no Pied Wagtails; 18 Wrens; 3 Dunnocks; 12 Robins; 10 Blackbirds; 4 Song Thrushes, all of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 8 Reed Warblers (7 in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; no Common Whitethroats; 2 Garden Warbler (both in song); 8 Blackcaps (all in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (3 in song); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 1 party of Long-tailed Tits; 3 Coal Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 14 Blue Tits; 8 Great Tits; 2 Jays; only 6 Magpies; 74 Jackdaws; 44 Rooks; 9 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 3 Chaffinches; 9 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 5 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard.

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 3 Rabbits; 1 Brown Rat on the dam

Insects:
- several species of damselfly including Blue-tailed
- 1 Comma; 2 Speckled Wood butterflies
- several species of hoverfly mostly Surphus sp., with at least 1 probably Syrphus ribesii

Plants:
- at least 2 species of orchid

(Ed Wilson)

22nd June Thursday ( 04:20 - 05:55 // 07:30 - 09:35) - A rather chilly and dark morning for my return from the SW. A few light rain showers as well

Avian notes from the lake today were
- 4 Great Crested Grebes noted, including the W end pair with juveniles on the back of one of the adults: not possible to see how many, but seemed to be at least 2
- 1 Heron flew over heading S
- now only 1 surviving cygnet with the adult Swans
- no geese today - suspect they are 'confined to barracks' as flightless eclipse birds?
- 4 Mallard ducklings seen briefly but never relocated these for a better count
- no Tufted Duck here today
- may have been a Ruddy Duck - the sound of a male displaying from the NW reeds might just have been given by a calling Reed Warbler!
- 1 very small juvenile Moorhen seen, but it was not the weather to look for these
- 2 juvenile Coots from one of the earlier broods seen, but with the strong wind others were perhaps hiding. The nest in the SW seems to have been abandoned; but one along the N side is still being (re)constructed - Stock Dove not heard
- a few Swifts throughout after 10 or so arrived before 05:00
- in the cool windy conditions there was just 1 Swallow briefly; but at least 10 House Martins
- at least 8 singing Reed Warblers today with one briefly from the scrub behind the reeds along the N side
- no Lesser or Common Whitethroat seen or heard
- Garden Warblers in both the NE and NW areas: not had one in the NW before and this was singing in the open for a while
- only 6 Blackcaps singing
- just 3 Chiffchaffs singing
- no Willow Warblers seen or heard
- big mixed party of mainly juvenile Tits contained both Coal and Willow Tits, but nothing else unusual as far as I could see
- noisy Jay(s) in the N / NW area again
- 2 double-figure-sized parties of Jackdaws seen flying SSE this morning: my first post-breeding parties

Also
- more 'new for me' spikes of the orchid seen earlier
- at least 2 spikes of a very different orchid that awaits identification
- some Giant Hogweed in flower
- a 'new' species of damselfly on the hogweed - seemed to be a Blue-tailed Damselfly

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
4 adult and perhaps 2 juvenile Great Crested Grebes; 1 Heron flying over; the 2 resident Swans with just 1 cygnet; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 32 adult Mallard (25 drakes) and at least 4 ducklings; no Tufted Ducks; 1 possible drake Ruddy Duck heard displaying; no raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens with 1 new juveniles; 31 adult Coots with 2 juveniles from 1 brood; no waders; 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over; no other gulls; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 13 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; at least 10 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; 1 Swallow; 10 House Martins; no pipits; no Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtails; 20 Wrens; 4 Dunnocks; 13 Robins; 20 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes, all of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 10 Reed Warblers (8 in song); no Lesser Whitethroats; no Common Whitethroats; 2 Garden Warbler (both in song); 6 Blackcaps (all in song); 3 Chiffchaffs (all in s0ng); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 1 Willow Tit; 12 Blue Tits; 10 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 13 Magpies; 47 Jackdaws; 3 Rooks; 5 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 4 Chaffinches; 10 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals:
- 6 Rabbits; more new mole-hills especially in the SW

Insects:
- several species of damselfly including Blue-tailed

Plants:
- Giant Hogweed in flower

(Ed Wilson)

17th June, Saturday - I was so engrossed with the continuing saga of the Swans on the lake that I'm afraid my report is well below par. I'm afraid watching the lone cygnet with its parents took up most of my time, but I did come across a lone juvenile Grey Wagtail on the dam. It was also quite apparent, with the bird song from around the lake, that there were still quite a few Warblers around. Both Blackcap and Garden Warbler were heard and a Chiffchaff was heard calling from the wood in the northeast corner. Also about were a few Swift. Martin Adlam

15th June, Thursday evening -
- Dropped in on the lake this evening to discover that there are only 2 Cygnets remaining. It is quite possible there is a Mink in the area, as one had been seen early this year.
- Plenty of young Sedge Warblers especially in the Wesley Reed-beds, where a male Reed Bunting was singing with gusto.
- The speed boat was zipping about the lake which nearly caught out 3 Mallard by the dam, as the water-skier on the back suddenly loomed up on them.
- Coot were quite plentiful with at least 30 congregated in the Northeast bay, attempting to keep out of the way of the boat.
- Two pairs of Great Crested Grebe seen, but no young present.

Also

Insects
- There was a huge hatch, of what I can only presume to be Mayflies, there were thousands all along the northbank giving a wonderful display. Plenty of mosquitoes about and where the lake has been treated there was a real stench coming up from the bottom. They must love it.

Mammals
- Plenty of Brown rats in the woods to the northeast, with at least 3 separate sightings.

Plants
- Possibly 4 different species or sub-species of Orchid seen this evening. See Latest News for some pictures.

As I was leaving the lake I came across what I presume to be a first year Mute Swan, with no rings on either leg. It was on the other side of Castle Farm Way up towards the Celestica entrance. I managed to coax it down the grass verge and when the road was clear persuaded it to cross the road and down to the lake. Not sure of its state of health, it didn't appear to mind me coaxing it and found its own way down to the lake by the dam. The resident birds were up at the far end and cut off by the speed boat. Hopefully this fellow will be able to rest up in safety before he is driven off by the resident pair.

Martin Adlam

12th June, Monday (04:30 - 06:30) - A combination of an approaching thunderstorm, a newly broken camera that needed taking to the shop; and a planned trip to the SW for a few days made the visit rather briefer than usual, but I managed a full circuit without getting too wet.

Very warm again with light breezes. A bit hazy.

Avian notes from the lake today were
- 3 Great Crested Grebes noted: again perhaps a 4th.
- the surviving 3 cygnets with the adult Swans. Dave Ash - one of the fishermen - told me that the cygnets had been unable to find their way off the fishing platform and when helped off by the fishermen one had clearly become weak and distressed trying in vain to get through the horizontal slats. Fearing that the adults were going to abandon it, or worse, the RSPCA was called and the 4th cygnet was taken in to care
- 1 Canada Goose briefly flew in to the lake, but was soon sent on its way
- 12 Tufted Ducks when I arrived: 3 drakes flew off at 05:00; and 6 more drakes and 1 duck left at 05:25, leaving just 1 pair
- no juvenile Moorhens seen
- both surviving juveniles Coots from each of the earlier broods today.
- Stock Dove not heard again
- again hard to know how many Swifts there were: up to 54 birds
- no other hirundines noted before I left
- at least 6 singing Reed Warblers again today with
- Common Whitethroat singing to the east of Castle Farm Way again
- Lesser Whitethroat heard briefly in song at W end when I arrived
- Garden Warblers in the NE area both singing and scolding today
- 9 Blackcaps singing again
- 4 Chiffchaffs - all singing
- a Willow Warblers heard singing from the N side while I was along the S side but not later
- Jays seen flying in from the E with a full crop. Disappeared in the N / NW area

Also

Mammals:
- a Black Rat seen on the dam (at least I assume it was a brown form of this species rather than a Brown Rat, these being rather scarce these days)
- 2 Rabbits
- more new mole-hills

Fish
- the carp were spawning again today: Dave Ash tells me this is unusual

Insects:
.- no butterflies, moths, dragonflies etc. before I left early

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
3, perhaps 4, Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans with 3 cygnets; no Greylag Geese; 1 Canada Goose briefly; 23 adult Mallard (20
drakes); 12 Tufted Ducks (10 drakes); 2 Ruddy Ducks (1 drake); 1 female Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 3 adult Moorhens with no juveniles seen; 34 adult Coots with 4 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; no gulls; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 15 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; up to 54 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no hirundines; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; no Pied Wagtails; 20 Wrens; only 2 Dunnocks; 15 Robins; 21 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes, all of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 6 Reed Warblers (all 6 in song); 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 1 Common Whitethroat; 2 Garden Warblers; 9 Blackcaps (all in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (all 4 singing); 1 Willow Warbler heard; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 6 Blue Tits; 5 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 10 Magpies; 16 Jackdaws; 19 Rooks; 8 Crows; 1 Starling; no House Sparrows; 3 Chaffinches; 7 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song, though one was the other side of
Castle Farm Way); and no Yellowhammer heard.

(Ed Wilson)

11th June, Sunday (04:30 - 06:15 // 07:55 - 09:35) - The usual two visits to the lake, interspersed with a walk to & from and around The Flash. Two laps, the first anti-clockwise and the second clockwise

Mainly sunny after some early cloud. Very warm again. A bit hazy

Avian notes from the lake today were
- 3 Great Crested Grebes noted: just perhaps a 4th. Lots of noise from adults in the N-side reeds, so perhaps something is about to happen?
- the surviving 3 cygnets with the adult Swans. A party of 7 (5 adults and 2 immature's) flew W and then back E a few minutes later, eyeing the lake but with both adults raising their wings thought better of it!
- 3 Greylag Geese flew over
- 7 Canada Geese also seen overhead today
- the 6 Tufted Ducks were clearly in 3 pairs today, though I had only noted 2 pairs earlier
- just 2 small Moorhens along the N side today but they were around thick sedges and others may have been hidden
- just single juvenile Coots from each of the earlier broods today. The non-breeding / failed breeding birds have begun to congregate along the dam-face as usual
- 2 different first-summer Black-headed gulls flew through within minutes of each other: one was in wing-moult, the other not!
- 6 Feral Pigeons seen today with 2 of these on one of the fishing platforms and one was tempted to dive / fall in the water while trying to drink - but unlike the one last week it managed to extricate itself and fly-off
- Stock Dove not heard again
- hard to know how many Swifts there were: early on there were small numbers apparently flying through, but they could have been the same birds flying to & fro and I only ever noted the 'fro'! But the parties were often a different size, so? Up to 33 birds
- a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew across Castle Farm Way
- just lone Swallows and pairs of House Martins
- 2 Pied Wagtails flew over together - the first for some days
- the Mistle Thrush seen in the NW area
- at least 6 singing Reed Warblers today with at least 3 other birds: tried to tempt them within photographic range by squeaking at them, successfully getting them to sing and call: but not really getting them close-enough
- while I was engaged in squeaking at the Reed Warblers I thought I caught a brief burst of Sedge Warbler song from the Wesley Brook area, but was unable to confirm it
- Common Whitethroat singing at the W end when I arrived, but not heard later
- Lesser Whitethroat also heard in song at W end when I arrived: later 2 birds scolding here
- the Garden Warbler in the NE area back in full song today and no scolding heard
- 9 Blackcaps singing
- 5 Chiffchaffs - 4 singing and one calling
- still no sound from any Willow Warblers
- lots of tits now with more new parties of Great Tits evident this morning
- Jays again very noisy and active in the NW area

Also
- today's fish casualty was a Tench - very 'inflated' and probably one I noted earlier. Covered in dragonflies and emergent nymphs!
- there was thrashing in the water again today as if fish were spawning: no fishermen at the lake to help identification!
- the 'real' dragonfly still not identified, but I assume a hawker sp. as it seemed to be flying a pattern
- several Silver-Y moths today

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
3, perhaps 4, Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans with just 3 cygnets with 7 birds overhead; 3 Greylag Geese flying over; 7 Canada Geese flying over; 21 adult Mallard (18 drakes); 6 Tufted Ducks (3 pairs); 2 Ruddy Ducks (1 drake); no raptors; no Pheasants; 5 adult Moorhens with 2 juveniles from 1 brood; 29 adult Coots with just 2 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; 2 first summer Black-headed Gulls flew through; no other gulls; 6 Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 14 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; up to 33 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in flight; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 2 Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; 2 Pied Wagtails; 23 Wrens with juveniles heard; 7 Dunnocks; 11 Robins; 30 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes, 5 of which were in song; 1 Mistle Thrush; 1 possible Sedge Warblers; 9 Reed Warblers (6 in song); 2 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 9 Blackcaps (all in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (3 singing); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 1 Willow Tit; 14 Blue Tits; 15 Great Tits; 2 Jays; 10 Magpies; 12 Jackdaws; 27 Rooks; 6 Crows; 2 Starlings; no House Sparrows; 5 Chaffinches; 9 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 5 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Also recorded

Mammals
2 Rabbits, one again unusually in Teece Drive; 1 Grey Squirrel; new mole-hills

Insects:
1 Small White; 1 Large White; 1 Speckled Wood; at least 4 Common Blues; 1 Red Admiral
1 Silver-ground Carpet; 5 Silver-Y moths and lots of unidentified grass moths lots of damselflies again; also several probable hawker dragonflies seen in flight
unidentified Episyrphus-type hoverfly

Fish
- dead Tench; spawning ?

Plants
more, as yet, unidentified orchid spikes found

(Ed Wilson)

10th June, Saturday (04:30 - 05:30 // 07:05 - 09:10) - Back to the more usual two visits to the lake, interspersed with a walk to& from and around The Flash. During the first visit I really only covered the W / SW area. But later I walked all the way around

Another sunny morning and warm again. A bit hazy.

Avian notes from the lake today were
- just 3 Great Crested Grebes noted
- [did I really write that 2 Great Crested Grebes flew over yesterday: meant Cormorants of course! The latter do have white thigh patches when breeding!]
- now just 3 cygnets with the adult Swans. No sign of any 'remains' of the 4th bird
- 9 Greylag Geese flew over - including a party of 8 birds
- 6 Canada Geese also seen overhead today
- 6 Tufted Ducks (5 drakes) when I arrived, but later just a pair present
- female Kestrel hovering over the SW grass again
- 4 small Moorhens seen scampering along the N side today - very new I would judge
- still no sign of the latest party of 'cootlings'. But all 4 from two of the earlier broods
- no gulls again today
- Stock Dove not heard or seen today
- a sizeable party of at least 16 Swifts arrived by 04:30 and perhaps the same birds were present throughout hunting over the water and around the N side poplars in the rather breezy conditions. 4 Swallows were hunting the SW grass for long periods. The House Martins came and went in pairs
- very small number of Swifts and hirundines: seemed to be local birds coming in to drink and then move off rather than catching insects over the water
- a Mistle Thrush calling in the NW area
- just 4 singing Reed Warblers and these very intermittent - I suspect too busy breeding!
- one Common Whitethroat heard to the east of Castle Farm Way; another occasionally in the same group of trees as ?.
- 1 Lesser Whitethroat occasionally in song, but moved out of the W end and in to the SW trees
- 2 Garden Warblers today, seemed to be a pair. One scolding in the NE area and while this was going on a brief burst of song
- 8 Blackcaps singing
- 6 Chiffchaffs - 4 singing, one calling and a silent juvenile seen
- the Willow Warbler not heard again
- hard to know how many Long-tailed Tit parties there were - they seemed to be all along the W / NW area and may have been party of one 'super group'
- at least 2 Jays very noisy and active in the NW area: all the birds I got a good look at seemed to be adults
- steady passage of 31 Rooks over, mostly with food in the crop: but just
1 Jackdaw noted

Also

Fish:
- an amazing sight of a dead pike apparently drowned by trying to eat the large dead perch(?) that was in its mouth!

Insects:
- a damselfly seen being wrapped by a spider (need to do more work on the identities, but seems to have been a Common Blue Damselfly and a Garden Spider!)
- 1 Speckled Woods; at least 6 male Common Blue butterflies - all males no moths lots of damselflies again, first noted 07:30;
- a 'real' dragonfly seen, but too briefly to identify
- a different hoverfly that I was not able to identify!

Mammals:
- 1 Rabbit, unusually in Teece Drive

Plants:
- as yet, unidentified orchids

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
3 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans with just 3 cygnets; 9 Greylag Geese over; 6 Canada Geese flying over; 25 adult Mallard (20 drakes); 5 Tufted Ducks (4 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; 1 female Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 5 adult Moorhens with 4 juveniles; 30 adult Coots with 4 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; no gulls; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 15 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoos; at least 22 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 4 Swallows; 6 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; no Pied Wagtails; 21 Wrens; 7 Dunnocks; 12 Robins; 21 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes, all of which were in song; 1 Mistle Thrush heard; no Sedge Warblers; 5 Reed Warblers (4 in song); 1 Lesser Whitethroat; 2 Common Whitethroats; 2 Garden Warblers; 8 Blackcaps (all in song); 5 Chiffchaffs 3 singing); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 4 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; no Willow Tits; 14 Blue Tits; 10 Great Tits; 2 Jays; 13 Magpies; 1 Jackdaw; 31 Rooks; 9 Crows; 1 Starling; no House Sparrows; 6 Chaffinches; 10 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard.

(Ed Wilson)

9th June, Friday (04:30 - 04:45 // 07:35 - 09:45) - Another good-looking sunrise tempted me across Castle Farm Way and in to
the fields to get rid of the pylons and wires in the foreground! Stayed around the lanes and then walked via Woodhouse Farm and the cycle-way directly to and then around The Flash and back, before walking back to the lake for a complete lap!

Another sunny morning and warm again. A little mist over the lake at first

Avian notes from the lake today were
- 4 Great Crested Grebes again with the usual ménage-à-trois along the N side. One of these birds seen with a large fish that it had real problems getting in to a position to swallow!
- 2 adult Great Crested Grebes flew W together, neither showing a white thigh patch
- Heron over-flight only
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adult Swans. But 3 of the cygnets had managed to walk on to one of the new fishing platforms and seemed unable to work out how to get back to the water, struggling to get through the 'bars'
- just one party of 9 Canada Geese were the only geese seen overhead again today
- a pair of Tufted Duck throughout
- female Kestrel hovering over the SW grass again
- did not see the latest party of 'cootlings'. But 3 from two of the earlier broods
- no gulls again today
- Stock Dove calling again in the NW trees. Also 2 to the E today
- 2 single Collared Doves flew over within a minute of each other
- very small number of Swifts and hirundines: seemed to be local birds coming in to drink and then move off rather than catching insects over the water
- a Mistle Thrush seen flying to the area where I suspected nesting
- 6 singing Reed Warblers logged
- Common Whitethroat not heard today
- 1 Lesser Whitethroat briefly in song, but then all quiet
- no Garden Warbler seen or heard either
- 9 Blackcaps singing again today
- 5 Chiffchaffs - 4 singing, one of which showed remnants of the 'double song' that was evident when it arrived
- the Willow Warbler totally silent (absent?) again today
- Jays heard calling in the NW area again

Also

Insects
- but no Common Blue butterflies seen
- skipper sp. seen again and positively identified as a Large Skipper
- 2 Speckled Wood
- 1 Large White
- several Cinnabar moths were very co-operative for the camera
- when I got back to the car there was a Common Marbled Carpet moth inside, though not sure when / how it entered!
- dragonflies - actually probably damselflies - emerging from their nymph stage and drying in the sun. An amazing bright green body-colour and partially inflated wings makes the species identification rather difficult!
- a hoverfly that I was able to identify as Syrphus ribesii

Plants
- more orchids spikes appearing in the fine warm weather

Mammals
- 1 Rabbit

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
4 Great Crested Grebes; 1 Heron over; 2 Cormorants over; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; no Greylag Geese; 9 Canada Goose flying over; 20 adult Mallard (14 drakes); 2 Tufted Ducks (1 drake); no Ruddy Ducks; 1 female Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 24 adult Coots with 3 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; no gulls; no Feral Pigeons; 3 Stock Doves; just 11 Wood Pigeons; 2 Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 3 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks
heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 4 Swallows; 11 House Martins; no pipits; 1 Grey Wagtail; no Pied Wagtails; 20 Wrens; 3 Dunnocks; 11 Robins; just 14 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes, 4 of which were in song; 1 Mistle Thrush; no Sedge Warblers; 6 singing Reed Warblers; 1 Lesser Whitethroat; no Common Whitethroats; no Garden Warblers; 9 Blackcaps (all in song); 5 Chiffchaffs (4 singing); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; no Willow Tits; 13 Blue Tits; 5 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 14
Magpies; 7 Jackdaws; 8 Rooks; just 2 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 8 Chaffinches; 7 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; 3 Bullfinches; 6 Reed Buntings (5 in song, but all males); and no Yellowhammer heard

Lanes - Notes from the walk around the lanes to the E / SE as far as the M-way and back without venturing into the long grass in the fields. I was earlier than normal and seemed rather quiet, though I see from the species totals that most species were seen in normal numbers - there was just very little unusual amongst them! - Reed Bunting still calling from the edge of the fields

The full log of additional birds seen or heard to the E / SE was: 3 Mallards; no raptors; 2 Pheasants; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 10 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no woodpeckers; just 1 Sky Lark; no hirundines; no wagtails; 21 Wrens; 4 Dunnocks; 9 Robins; 11 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes, only 1 in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Lesser Whitethroats; just 2 Common Whitethroats; no Garden Warblers; 2 Blackcaps; 1 Chiffchaff; no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; no Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 3 Blue Tits; 6 Great Tits; 4 Magpies; 11 Jackdaws; 15 Rooks; 3 Crows; no Starlings; 12 Chaffinches; 8 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; 6 Linnets; no Bullfinches; 1 Reed Bunting; and 6 Yellowhammers

(Ed Wilson)

8th June, Thursday (04:30 - 06:10 // 07:45 - 10:00) - With the prospect of a great sunrise an even earlier Priorslee start! Two complete circuits interspersed with the walk to, around and from The Flash. Another sunny morning and warm again. Some mist over the lake at first

Avian highlights at the lake today were
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adult Swans again this morning
- just one party of 9 Canadas were the only geese seen overhead today
- 1 drake Tufted Duck only: and that flew off
- the new party of 2 'cootlings' again. And just 2 from one of the earlier broods. But adult Coots in low numbers today - no gulls today, but with fishermen at the lake perhaps they were reluctant to settle
- Stock Dove still calling in the NW trees. Also 2 on the wires to the NE again
- few more Wood Pigeons today - 26 a better count
- very small number of Swifts flew through early again: in the fine conditions there was no build up of hirundines but I noted a pair of Swallow over the yacht compound; and a party of 12 House Martins appeared, had a drink and disappeared
- 7 singing Reed Warblers logged
- the Common Whitethroat was singing in the SW area early on, but did not hear it again
- 2 Lesser Whitethroats at least again. No song, but one seen in flight and another calling
- the Garden Warbler scolding again from the NE area
- 9 Blackcaps singing today
- just 3 singing Chiffchaffs, but another 2 silent birds, apparently nesting, seen
- the Willow Warbler totally silent (absent?) today
- of the 2 Willow Tits seen again at least 1 was a juvenile. There were several tit parties with juveniles today
- Jays were heard calling in the NW area very early: much later I saw two birds in flight, one of which seemed to be a juvenile, though it was rather a quick look
- 15 Magpies together on the roof of the Ricoh factory

Also
Insects
- Common Blue butterflies were paired today
- a skipper sp. which flew off before I could get a good look at the upper wing
- my first confirmed Large White of the year here
- two male Nemophora degeerella micro-moths easily identifiable by having antenna about 10 times the length of the moth!
- several unidentified grass moths
- another big hatch of caddis flies today - seemed to be the same species as three days ago
- it was noticeable today that in flight the two species of damselfly are 'different', with one (which?) looking more like a helicopter with visible 'rotors'. Must have more opaque or more marked wings? or just beat them more slowly? Lots seen with some paired

Plants
- another orchid 'spike' located
- the blue flags are also now out

Mammals
- 4 Rabbits; more molehills

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
4 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; no Greylag Geese; 9 Canada Goose flying over; 27 adult Mallard (22 drakes); 1 drake Tufted Ducks; 2 Ruddy Ducks (1 drake); 1 Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; just 18 adult Coots with 4 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; no gulls; no Feral Pigeons; 3 Stock Doves; 26 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 4 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 2 Swallows; 12 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtails; 24 Wrens; 7 Dunnocks; 13 Robins; just 15 Blackbirds; 7 Song Thrushes, 5 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 7 singing Reed Warblers; 2 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 10 Blackcaps (9 in song); 5 Chiffchaffs (3 singing); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits; 11 Blue Tits; 15 Great Tits; 2 Jays; 19 Magpies; 14 Jackdaws; 13 Rooks; just 3 Crows; 3 Starlings; no House Sparrows; 6 Chaffinches; 8 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings (5 in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

(Ed Wilson)

7th June, Wednesday (04:45 - 06:00 // 08:00 - 10:00) - The regular Priorslee early start and a complete circuit interspersed with 2hours in the lanes to the E / SE. A great sunny morning and pleasantly warm. Is summer really here?

Avian highlights at the lake today were
- the 4 Great Crested Grebes seem to have settled in to a pattern with 3 off the N-side reeds and the other in the NW area: whether there are females on eggs somewhere ?
- another Cormorant fly-over today: assumed to be a different bird as there was no hint of the white thigh patch
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adult Swans again this morning
- 6 Greylag Geese flew over early. Later 8 came in to the lake without getting any reaction from the cob Swan: 7 of them quickly left, but the other stayed on
- 6 Canada Geese flew-over today
- 14 Tufted Duck another high count when I arrived. Again most seemed to leave as there seemed to be just 2 drakes when I left: but they could have been in the reeds?
- a new party of 2 'cootlings' today - the 10th brood if I have been counting correctly. And 4 from 2 earlier broods again
- a Lapwing seen flying steadily N over the fields to the E
- four first-summer Black-headed Gulls were on the launch-platform at the lake when I arrived, but left as soon as they saw me
- Stock Dove heard calling in the NW trees again - don't want to disturb it by investigating it too closely. Also the party of 3 on the wires to the NE again
- amongst the oddest sighting was the Feral Pigeon that was in the water. A strange blue / white morph it looked like a bizarre duck from a distance! Initially seen swimming towards the middle, but then allowed the current / wind to drift it towards the dam (sluice?). Seemed alert-enough but too weak perhaps to lift off in its partially waterlogged state
- very few Wood Pigeons today - 9 must be close to, if not actually, my lowest-ever total
- small number of Swifts flew through early again: in the fine conditions there was no build up of hirundines and I noted just 1 Swallow
- a Great Spotted Woodpecker seen in flight to the east
- 6 singing Reed Warblers logged but at least 3 other birds seen flying about the reeds with food etc.
- no Common Whitethroat recorded today
- 2 Lesser Whitethroats at least again. No song, but one seen flying in from the SW and later 2 calling
- a Garden Warbler was scolding continually from the NE area: not a sound with which I am familiar and very like, though more persistent than, calls given by Reed Warblers. As the latter area nesting close-by I spent some while confirming what was making the sound - not helped as neither species had any real plumage features and requires a good look at the whole structure!
- 7 Blackcaps singing today
- the Willow Warbler in full voice again

Also
Fish
- another dead fish - seems to have been a Tench (Tinca tinca)

Insects
- several male Common Blue butterflies
- my first confirmed Small White of the year here
- 1 probable Large White
- 1 male Orang-tip
- more prosaically, and most unusually, I was bitten by a mosquito!
- lots of damselflies with some paired

Mammals
- 6 Rabbits; molehills

Plants
- now found orchids in 7 separate locations around the lake: at least one spike seems to have unspotted leaves though the flowers look very similar to the 'spotted' spikes

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
4 Great Crested Grebes; 1 Cormorant flew over; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; 14 Greylag Geese; 6 Canada Goose flying over; 25 adult Mallard (21 drakes) but no ducklings; 14 Tufted Ducks (10 drakes); 2 Ruddy Ducks (1 drake); no raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 27 adult Coots with 6 juveniles from 3 broods; 1 Lapwing flew over fields to the E; no other waders; 4 first-summer Black-headed Gull; 1 Feral Pigeon; 4 Stock Doves; only 9 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 5 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in the distance; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 1 Swallow; no House Martins; no pipits; 3 Grey Wagtails; 1 Pied Wagtail; low count of just 17 Wrens; 5 Dunnocks; 10 Robins; 21 Blackbirds yet again; 4 Song Thrushes, 3 of which were in song again; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 9 Reed Warblers (6 in song); 2 Lesser Whitethroats; no Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 8 Blackcaps (7 in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (all singing); 1 Willow Warbler in song; 1 Goldcrest; 2 large parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits; 13 Blue Tits; 8 Great Tits; no Jays; just 7 Magpies; 9 Jackdaws; 14 Rooks; 5 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 6 Chaffinches; 6 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 7 Reed Buntings (6 in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

Lanes - Notes from the walk around the lanes to the E / SE as far as the M-way and back without venturing into the long grass in the fields
- Great Spotted Woodpecker seen flying in to Ward's Rough area
- 3 Grey Wagtails seen in the sluice outflow: I assume the same birds seen on the dam (but not the birds in the Wesley Brook?)
- 5 Song Thrushes seen and heard: 2 in song and at least one of the others a juvenile again
- Jay seen flying towards Ward's Rough as well with another heard alongside the M-way
- a juvenile Chaffinch making a noise rather like a Tree Sparrow, but sadly was not to be
- Reed Bunting still calling from the edge of the fields

The full log of additional birds seen or heard to the E / SE was: no Mallards; no raptors; 1 Pheasant; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 14 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; 3 Sky Larks; no hirundines; 3 Grey Wagtails; 12 Wrens; 6 Dunnocks; 14 Robins; 10 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes; no Mistle Thrushes; no Lesser Whitethroats; 5 Common Whitethroats; no Garden Warblers; 2 Blackcaps; 1 Chiffchaff; no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 1 large party of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 5 Blue Tits; 2 Great Tits; 1 Magpie; 5 Jackdaws; 3 Rooks; 3 Crows; no Starlings; 12 Chaffinches; 5 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; 2 Linnets; no Bullfinches; 1 Reed Bunting; and 7 Yellowhammers

(Ed Wilson)

6th June, Tuesday (04:45 - 06:00 // 08:00 - 10:00) -The regular Priorslee early start and a complete circuit before time-out for the walk to and then an extended walk around The Flash. Back at the Lake I made another lap, essentially to get some better shots of the orchids though the dull start was not as forecast and not at all helpful. Was clearing as I left

Avian highlights at the lake today were:
- 4 Great Crested Grebes again today
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adult Swans again this morning
- just 1 Canada Goose fly-overs today
- 15 Tufted Duck another high count for the date. At least 7 of them left
- 1 Kestrel seen
- just one party of 2 'cootlings' today
- the only gull was first-summer Black-headed Gull at the lake when I arrived, but soon left
- 6 Stock Doves seen in flight today
- 2 Collared Doves flew over
- small number of Swifts flew through early: and then at least 18 stayed for a while after 09:00. A few Swallows and House Martins later; then a party of at least 20 House Martins in the distance to the west
- a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew silently in to trees in NW area
- 7 singing Reed Warblers logged again
- Common Whitethroat again in the W end area both around the patch used by the Sedge Warbler and then around the Lesser Whitethroat
- 2 Lesser Whitethroats at least again, with one in song and one calling bird
- Garden Warbler not heard today: a Blackcap singing in unusually long segments in the same area almost confused me for a while, but it was still too disjointed for a real Garden Warbler
- 9 Blackcaps singing today
- one Willow Warbler had re-found its full voice
- a loose party of 33 Rooks was the first of the new season
- no Starlings today

Also
Insects
- another male Common Blue butterfly
- 2 Silver-ground Carpet moths
- the big hatch today was of a long-legged black flies that seemed to be able to avoid the spider-webs
- very few damselflies in the cloudy weather

Fish
- the carp have indeed ceased their thrashing around: whether they are pleasing the fishermen by feeding again I did not ascertain

Mammals
- 7 Rabbits

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
4 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; no Greylag Geese; 1 Canada Goose flying over; 38 adult Mallard (32 drakes) but no ducklings; 15 Tufted Ducks (12 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; 1 Kestrel; no Pheasants; 3 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 26 adult Coots with 2 juveniles from 1 brood; no waders; 1 first-summer Black-headed Gull; 2 Feral Pigeons; 6 Stock Doves in flight; 36 Wood Pigeons; 2 Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; at least 36 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 1 Swallow; at least 24 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; 1 Pied Wagtail; high count of 34 Wrens; 8 Dunnocks; 10 Robins; 21 Blackbirds again; 4 Song Thrushes, 3 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 7 Reed Warblers in song; 2 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; no Garden Warblers; 10 Blackcaps (9 in song); 4 Chiffchaffs (all singing); 1 Willow Warbler in song; no Goldcrests; 1 large party of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; no Willow Tits; 13 Blue Tits; 13 Great Tits; no Jays; 16 Magpies; 4 Jackdaws; 43 Rooks; 19 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 5 Chaffinches; 11 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

(Ed Wilson)

5th June, Monday (04:45 - 06:05 // 07:35 - 10:30) - The regular Priorslee early start and a complete circuit before time-out for the walk to and around The Flash. Back at the Lake I made an extended visit with all manner of goodies in the camera.

Disappointingly cloudy start and then even lower clouds for a while before the sun broke through.

Avian highlights at the lake today were
- back to 4 Great Crested Grebes today
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adult Swans again this morning
- Greylag and Canada Geese as fly-overs only
- still no Mallard ducklings. More Mallard around today
- 6 Tufted Duck in total with one drake flying in. But 4 of them left
- 2 different Kestrels seen
- back to 4 'cootlings' from 2 parties today
- 3 Lesser Black-backed and 1 Herring Gull flew through at various times
- a Stock Dove 'singing' from the trees in the NW area
- Wood Pigeons back to more 'usual' numbers here, though another high count at The Flash
- small number of Swifts flew through early: and a few hirundines later
- only 7 singing Reed Warblers logged today
- Common Whitethroat was first noted in the NW reeds mixing with the Reed Warblers, but moved back to the W side hedge
- 2 Lesser Whitethroats at least in the W end hedge with an adult seen taking food to a calling bird
- Garden Warbler only sub-singing along the S side
- 10 Blackcaps singing today
- a Willow Warbler gave one burst of song, otherwise was quiet
- a Jay heard in the NW area again
- one Starling flew-over at exactly the same time as one yesterday: but there were 4 other singles noted as well

Also
Insects
- several Common Blues once the sun came out - all males
- a 'moth' day with a Cinnabar Moth, a Garden Carpet and the more expected Silver-ground Carpet

Fish
- I talked another of the fishermen about the large fish seen thrashing about close to both the N and S shores: he confirmed that it was male carp fighting over the spawning females. They started spawning on Saturday and he expected the spawning to end later today and then the fish to start feeding after all the exertion!

Amphibians
- a Common Toad (Bufu bufo) was my first here - but I guess they are common

Plants
- I located the toad while scratting about in the damp areas looking for and photographing orchids. With spotted leaves these ought to be easy to identify, but there were specimens with very differently coloured flowers and neither looks entirely like the keys I have to the orchids. I suspect that the paler flowered specimens are just faded version of the others
because they are growing in full sunlight and the best I can do is Common Spotted Orchid

Mammals
- a Fox flushed from the grass at the W end
- 2 Rabbits
- 1 Grey Squirrel

Insects
- a big hatch of caddis flies left all the spider-webs groaning with 'meat'!
- 5 male Common Blue butterflies
- Silver-ground Carpet; Garden Carpet; Cinnabar Moth
- 100s of damselflies, seemed to be both Azure and Common Blue yet again
- large number of caddis flies
- several spider sps. with one seen carrying egg-sac

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
4 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; at least 2 Greylag Geese heard in flight; 18 Canada Geese flying over; 35 adult Mallard (29 drakes) but no ducklings; 6 Tufted Ducks (3 drakes); 1 drake Ruddy Duck; no raptors; no Pheasants; 5 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 24 adult Coots with 4 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Herring Gull flew over; no Feral Pigeons; 1 Stock Dove heard; 30 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 9 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 4 Swallows; 4 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtails; 25 Wrens again; 5 Dunnocks; 12 Robins again; 21 Blackbirds; 3 Song Thrushes, 2 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 7 Reed Warblers all in song; 2 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 11 Blackcaps (10 in song again); 4 Chiffchaffs (all singing); 1 Willow Warbler briefly in song; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; no Willow Tits; 10 Blue Tits; 11 Great Tits again; 1 Jay; 11 Magpies; 4 Jackdaws; 8 Rooks; 3 Crows; 5 Starlings; no House Sparrows; 8 Chaffinches; 8 Greenfinches; no Goldfinches; no Linnets; no Bullfinches; 7 Reed Buntings (all in song); and no Yellowhammer heard

(Ed Wilson)

4th June, Sunday ( 04:45 - 06:45 // 08:25 - 09:45) - The regular Priorslee early start and a complete circuit before time-out for the walk to and around The Flash. Back at the Lake I stayed mostly at the W end.

Fine and sunny of somewhat hazy at times with a lot of high cloud

Highlights at the lake today were:
- Great Crested Grebe activity today with 1 bird seen in flight and circling higher and higher to leave to the W. 5 others were present on the lake at that time, and unclear whether the activity had tempted the birds from the NW reeds as well. More than for many weeks, but still no sign of juveniles
- a fly-over Cormorant was my first since April: still showed the white thigh-patches which most of the birds I saw last weekend in SW England had lost
- the 4 cygnets recorded with the adults again this morning
- more Canada Geese tried to land at the lake, but were quickly seen off: higher numbers overhead so they are not yet moulting
- no Mallard ducklings again today. The drakes quickly looking very scruffy as they enter eclipse
- not entirely sure how many Tufted Ducks today: there was a pair early; but later just a sleeping duck - one of these? another?
- no juvenile Moorhens noted
- now just 2 'cootlings' recorded today. Sad to think that from the 9 broods that I have logged there are very few extant and these are far from grown as yet. Still there are more active nests
- 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew through at various times
- for some reason the number of Wood Pigeons was much higher today with 19 birds seen flying over today when there have been none the last few days. Was tempted to think that the high overcast made seeing flying birds much easier, but the numbers on the walk to and around The Flash were also much higher today. Odd
- in the fine and clear weather there were few Swifts and hirundines again
- a Pied Wagtail flew over: my first record since April
- at least 8 singing Reed Warblers today but it seems that most nests are feeding young and all the birds were very active and hard to keep track of, the males singing even with mouthfuls of food
- Common Whitethroat in with a Long-tailed Tit party along the S side. Seems to be on its own
- 3 Lesser Whitethroats at least in the W end hedge: at least 1 a juvenile and all seen well as they flitted about the hawthorns - just hard to keep track of!
- Garden Warbler back in full song along the S side gave me a clean sweep of all the Sylvias
- one non-singing Chiffchaff seen carrying nesting material - wondered about that when I saw one in the same area yesterday but concluded it might have been the legs of crane-flies sticking out at odd angles
- Willow Warblers heard only
- a Jay seen lurking in the NW area: I suspect they are breeding here, but are very secretive
- for some reason Magpies gathered on the roof of the Ricoh factory and there were 11 lined up at one point. They seem strangely few around the E end lay-by litter bins at the moment
- a Starling fly-over was the first for a while

Also
Insects
- first Common Blue of the year here: strangely the only butterfly I saw
- unidentified grass moths seen
- 100s of damselflies, seemed to be both Azure and Common Blue again
- jumping spider

Plants
- unless you made it out here in the last 2 days you missed the hawthorn. Now mostly well beyond its best - very quick this year, exploding after the cold winds in the month of May. Lets hope that sufficient insects got to pollinate it to set the haws for the Redwings in October!

Fish
- large fish seen thrashing about close to both the N and S shores: one of the fishermen suggested that these were carp, spawning at the moment. Caused the ducks and Moorhens to steer well clear.

Mammals
- 1 Rabbit

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below
6 Great Crested Grebes; 1 Cormorant flew over; 1 Heron flew over; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets; no Greylag Geese; 30 Canada Geese flying over, 3 of which attempted to land; 29 adult Mallard (23 drakes) but no ducklings; 2 or 3 Tufted Ducks (1 drake); no Ruddy Ducks; no raptors; no Pheasants; 7 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 28 adult Coots with 2 juveniles from 1 brood; no waders; 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over; 4 Feral Pigeons; 1 Stock Dove on wires to NE; 43 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 5 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; no Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 2 Swallows; 2 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; 1 Pied Wagtail; 25 Wrens; 4 Dunnocks; 12 Robins; 28 Blackbirds; 5 Song Thrushes, just 2 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; at least 10 Reed Warblers, 8 of which were in song; 3 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; 1 Garden Warbler; 9 Blackcaps (8 in song again); 5 Chiffchaffs (3 singing males, 1 calling bird and 1 carrying food); 1 Willow Warbler calling; no Goldcrests; 3 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits again; 13 Blue Tits; 11 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 14 Magpies; 18 Jackdaws; 19 Rooks; 7 Crows; 1 Starling; no House Sparrows; 7 Chaffinches; 4 Greenfinches; 1 Goldfinch; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 7 Reed Buntings; and no Yellowhammer heard

(Ed Wilson)

3rd June, Saturday (04:45 - 05:40 // 07:40 - 09:40) - The regular Priorslee early start but then spent 2 hours in the lanes and fields to the S & E getting beyond the M-way for a scout around the outside of Bayliss Pools before returning to the lake to complete the circuit

It was the great weather that tempted me to explore today: cloudless and with little wind, at least initially. That provided some great opportunities for insect photography and some of the counts may be affected by my -head-down posture! Did try and keep the ears open though.

Best bird by far was a, frustratingly, unconfirmed adult female Marsh Harrier that I noted well to the SSE of the lake and flying away NE, flying off on flexible wing-beats, gaining height all the while. I only saw the underside unfortunately and it was distant even in the scope. But there were definite pale and dark area on the head / face, and the wings
were far too broad for a Hen Harrier. But [Geoff] I am going to have to let it go - the views were just too distant to get sufficient of a description.

Other highlights at the lake today were
- the 4 cygnets recorded again this morning. The only other Swan this morning was a distant fly-by
- both Greylag and Canada Geese tried to land at the lake, but were quickly seen off
- no Mallard ducklings today and the female with the 4 yesterday was on her own
- 5 Tufted Ducks today
- a Kestrel hovering around the lake today - seemed to be hoping that the grass-cutting contractors would flush something, but he got bogged down trying to mow the very wet ground!
- no juvenile Moorhens noted
- just 3 'cootlings' recorded today from 2 broods: one of broods in the NE area seems to have lost one of the quite well-grown juveniles: and the nest at the W end of the N side was empty today
- there were 3 adult Black-headed Gulls sitting on buoys when I arrived, but they left before 05:00
- 5 immature Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew through
- in the fine and clear weather there were few Swifts and hirundines. A pair of Swallows spent some time hawking over the yacht-compound, but no-one seemed interested in the 100s of damselflies
- juvenile Grey Wagtails seen again today
- at least 9 singing Reed Warblers today with some territorial dispute along the N side. At least 2 other birds seen
- Common Whitethroat at the W end again, actually in the Ricoh grounds
- 2 Lesser Whitethroats were scolding along the W end hedge: one seen briefly, seems likely to have been an adult ad juvenile
- no Garden Warblers heard today
- at least 3 non-singing Chiffchaffs seemed to include 1 juvenile
- no Willow Warblers heard again
- a Jay fly-over
- at least 1 juvenile Reed Bunting at the W end

Also
Insects
- what seems to be a rather late male Orange-tip butterfly
- Speckled Wood
- seemed to be both Azure and Common Blue
- many, many damselflies, some paired. Don't waste time do they - they only hatched yesterday!
- a wasp seen eating the new footbridge for nest material!
- a Silver-ground Carpet moth
- wasp sp.!

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
3 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets, with 1 fly-over; 6 Greylag Geese flew low over; 15 Canada Geese flying over, 2 of which attempted to land; 27 adult Mallard (24 drakes) but no ducklings; 5 Tufted Ducks (3 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; possible Marsh Harrier in the distance; male Kestrel; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 3 adult Moorhens but no juveniles; 24 adult Coots with 3 juveniles from 2 broods; no waders; 3 adult Black-headed Gulls flew off; 5 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew over; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 18 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no Cuckoo; 4 Swifts; no Kingfisher; no woodpeckers; 1 Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; 4 Swallows; 4 House Martins; no pipits; 2 Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtail; 21 Wrens; 5 Dunnocks; 7 Robins; 12 Blackbirds; 3 Song Thrushes, 2 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 11 Reed Warblers, 9 of which were in song; 2 Lesser Whitethroats; 1 Common Whitethroat; no Garden Warblers; 9 Blackcaps (8 in song); 6 Chiffchaffs (3 singing males, 1 calling bird and 2 seen, one a juvenile); no Willow Warblers; no Goldcrests; 2 parties of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 2 Willow Tits; 10 Blue Tits; 8 Great Tits; 1 Jay; 9 Magpies; 7 Jackdaws; 5 Rooks; 3 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 10 Chaffinches; 10 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; no Linnets; no Bullfinches; 7 Reed Buntings; and no
Yellowhammer heard

Lanes - Notes from the walk around the lanes to the E / SE as far as the M-way and back via the fields / stream-side. The number of birds alongside the stream seemed unusually low - perhaps the impact of the farmer having sprayed the field-edge here with herbicide, as there seemed to be remarkably few insects either (though the grass is fully waist-high, and
needs chest-waders to avoid getting soaked: I got soaked!)
- 4 Song Thrushes seen and heard: 2 in song and at least one of the others a juvenile
- 4 Whitethroats better than last time: at least 1 seemed to be a juvenile
- Garden Warbler not seen or heard again
- a Willow Warbler still singing here
- 13 Greenfinches logged, several of which were definite juveniles. Other than when there are suitable stubbles Greenfinches are normally quite scarce to the E of Castle Farm Way. Not clear what they were eating
- Reed Bunting expanded across Castle Farm Way and calling from the edge of the fields here

The full log of additional birds seen or heard to the E / SE was: no Mallards; no raptors; 1 Pheasants; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 18 Wood Pigeons; no Collared Doves; no woodpeckers; 3 Sky Larks; 1 Swallow; no other hirundines; no wagtails; 20 Wrens; 4 Dunnocks; 10 Robins; 13 Blackbirds; 4 Song Thrush; no Mistle Thrushes; no Lesser Whitethroats; 4 Common Whitethroats; no Garden Warblers; 3 Blackcaps; 2 Chiffchaffs; 1 Willow Warbler; 1 Goldcrest; 1 large party of Long-tailed Tits; no Coal Tits; 6 Blue Tits; 3 Great Tits; 3 Magpies; no Jackdaws; 9 Rooks; 4 Crows; no Starlings; 15 Chaffinches; 13 Greenfinches; 2 Goldfinches; 1 Linnet; no Bullfinches; 1 Reed Bunting; and 7 Yellowhammers

(Ed Wilson)

2nd June, Friday ( 04:45 - 06:10 // 07:40 - 09:30) - The regular Priorslee early start and two laps of the lake, interspersed with excursion to The Flash and back again. Mainly cloudy again after a promising start, but some brief sunny spells. Still rather a cool wind for June.

Highlights at the lake today were:
- the 4 cygnets recorded again this morning. The cob had 2 interlopers to see off - seemed to be immature birds, though only seen in flight
- yesterday's party of 4 Mallard ducklings was down to just 1 today: there was another pair with 4 very new ducklings, but they temporarily abandoned their charges when the taxi-driver arrived with the daily (white) bread supply, so how well they will do remains to be seen!
- 12 Tufted Ducks was another high count for June: again many flew off - apparently 5 drakes and a duck
- 2 Kestrels around the lake today - a male and a female
- 1 well-grown juvenile Moorhen with a pair of adults along the N side
- 5 'cootlings' recorded today from 3 broods: two different broods of 2 in the NE area; 1 at W end of N side, though I could not locate this later and one of the adults was busy adding yet more sticks and greenery to the nest
- more Collared Doves seen flying over
- a Cuckoo heard distantly and briefly before 05:00 (and before the M54 traffic!)
- another passage of Swifts flew W early on in singles / small groups - I logged 32. No gathering of hirundines over the water this fine morning until well after 09:00 when up to 7 House Martins appeared - a few of these passed earlier
- a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard calling along the N side: from the calls I suspect there were fledged juveniles around, but could not see anything
- at least 2 juvenile Grey Wagtails seen today
- now 8 singing Reed Warblers today. I did not check for non-singing birds
- a Common Whitethroat sang briefly and early at the W end. At one stage I thought I heard the Lesser Whitethroat sing briefly, but not sure
- 2 Garden Warblers again today: and equal highest count of singing Blackcaps - 9 today
- a Willow Warbler heard calling but not in song again
- a male Bullfinch out in the open on the dam face was unusual

Also
Insects
- several Painted Lady butterflies, though in the cloudy conditions they were sitting tight, wings closed
- a newly emerged and colourless (female?) Damselfly was getting some attention from a male which, comparing the digital picture I took with the key in the Field Guide, seems to have been an Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella). 2 were seen

Mammals
- the moles were busy last night
- 7 rabbits

My complete log of the birds at and around the lake today is set out below:
4 Great Crested Grebes; no Herons; the 2 resident Swans and 4 cygnets, with 2 immatures present for a while; no Greylag Geese; no Canada Geese; 29 adult Mallard (24 drakes) with 5 ducklings from 2 broods; 12 Tufted Ducks (8 drakes); no Ruddy Ducks; male and female Kestrels; no other raptors; no Pheasants; 4 adult Moorhens with 1 juveniles; 31 adult Coots with 5 juveniles from 3 broods; no waders; no gulls; no Feral Pigeons; no Stock Doves; 22 Wood Pigeons; 2 Collared Doves; 1 Cuckoo heard; 32 Swifts; no Kingfisher; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard; 1 Sky Larks heard to NE; no Sand Martins; no Swallows; 10 House Martins; no pipits; 3 Grey Wagtails; no Pied Wagtail; 26 Wrens; 7 Dunnocks; 11 Robins; 16 Blackbirds; 6 Song Thrushes, 5 of which were in song; no Mistle Thrushes; no Sedge Warblers; 8 singing Reed Warblers; 1 probable Lesser Whitethroat; 1 Common Whitethroat; 2 Garden Warblers; 9 Blackcaps (all in song); 5 Chiffchaffs (4 singing males and 1 calling bird); 1 calling Willow Warbler; no Goldcrests; 1 large party of Long-tailed Tits; 1 Coal Tit; 1 Willow Tit; 10 Blue Tits; 5 Great Tits; no Jays; 10 Magpies; 13 Jackdaws; 10 Rooks; 15 Crows; no Starlings; no House Sparrows; 7 Chaffinches; 9 Greenfinches; 4
Goldfinches; no Linnets; 1 Bullfinch; 6 Reed Buntings; and no Yellowhammer heard.

( Ed Wilson)

1st June, Wednesday (04:40 - 06:20 // 07:40 - 09:15) - Back to the regular Priorslee early start and two laps of the lake, interspersed with excursion to The Flash and back. Mainly cloudy and some light rain.

Highlights at the lake today were
- only 4 cygnets recorded this morning. The cob seem strangely tolerant of the geese on the lake
- 6 Greylag Geese on the lake much of the time: they flew off once of their own volition but did not go far: then the cob Swan chased them, but they only circled and landed again. Later they did leave
- 4 Mallard ducklings seen today
- 14 Tufted Ducks a very high number for June: 2 pairs