Another migrant returns - Brook Lamprey

This morning got off to a another cold and misty start but I added the Beautiful Plume moth (Amblyptilia acanthadactyla) to the year list from the garden trap. 
Driving round to Beeley Triangle I was surprised by a party of Whooper Swans crossing low over Screetham Lane towards Flash Lane but soon lost them in the mist. I think they were seen earlier over Ogston where they counted the group as 27 birds.
Last year during April Ken Smith located a small group of Brook Lamprey at Darley Bridge. They remained for most of the month constructing a communal nest and eventually numbered over 30 individuals. We had high hopes that this would be a regular Spring occurrence and today I hope that has proved to be the case with two Brook Lamprey busy in nest construction again at Darley Bridge. 
The water is not quite clear and is still fairly deep so photo opportunities will hopefully improve.

Brook Lamprey

Brook Lamprey - nest and eggs - updated images

Popped down to see the Brook Lamprey again this afternoon, by the bridge at Darley Bridge. There were still up to 6 there moving stones around the nest,  but now there appear to be many round white eggs in the nest as well.

Brook Lamprey with eggs

Brook Lamprey

Ken sent me these pictures taken today at Darley Bridge of Brook Lamprey. From Ken's description it sounded like they were involved in some sort of display/spawning. This is not a species with which I'm familiar at all but I'll take a look tomorrow. 
Ken also reports Sand Martin and Swallow around Rowsley today and he recorded the first Wheatear last Sunday.

Brook Lamprey (Ken Smith)