Slavonian Grebe at Fairhaven Lake - 8th October 2011


I saw my first Grebe at the age of about 12 on a lake (Mount Farm I think) in Bletchley. It was a Great Crested or at least they were as they went through their ritual dance and ever since then I found the species a delightful one to watch and find them even in winter plumage a beautiful bird.
After missing out on the Solitary Sandpiper at Nateby, Reeces rugby and a slight hang over on the Sunday and working from the office for the rest of the week, I decided to head up to Fairhaven Lake to try and capture some photographs in the poor light and rain of the Slavonian Grebe that has been resident there for most of the week.
Upon arriving there was no sign of it which happened the last time I twitched (or dipped!) a bird at Fairhaven. Thankfully the bird was just diving and soon appeared from around one of the boats moored at the side of the lake about a meter away.  I watched with several other birders in the slight drizzle not needing a scope or even binoculars as it bobbed along on the choppy water.   

6 comments:

Stuart Price said...

Nice! And only 1 meter away to boot.......

Derek Gallagher said...

Thanks Stu, the recent birds at Fairhaven seem to be very obliging

Anonymous said...

Glad you got it Derek, especially after missing the SS. Nice photos as well. Mike

Derek Gallagher said...

Thanks Mike, just need the curlew sand to stop for another week at Marshside

Ornitocampero.blogspot.com.es said...

Nice bird , i hope I would see one , in the future....
Nice day!

Derek Gallagher said...

Thank you. Do you ev er get them near you?