🌤8C Wednesday 14th March 2018 ~ After dipping the
Red-throated Diver yesterday I couldn't have timed my arrival better at Draycote Water this morning as Richard Mays and Dave Cox had just sent out the word of a summer plumaged
Black-necked Grebe!
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| Black-necked Grebe just off the sailing club! |
Having had a call from Theo de Clermont I hung around at Farborough Bank until Theo arrived a few minutes later and we both headed off down to the sailing club, where Richard and Dave had said it had gone. We were there within five minutes and straight onto the bird, which was not only in full summer plumage but was also calling constantly, which was a real treat!
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| Gorgeous Black-necked Grebe & calling! |
After enjoying the bird for a while I headed off to Brandon Marsh, bumping into several of the Brandon volunteers, who were, fortunately, visiting Draycote on an RSPB Coventry local branch outing. Yesterdays
Swallow was still around Farborough Bank but I didn't stop at the play area for the long staying
Hawfinch.
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| Red Kite drifting over East Marsh Pool! |
Brandon Marsh has returned to some normality after the flooding, although we need to release the water on East Marsh pool desperately. By the way, if anyone is visiting tomorrow (Thursday 15th) we will be preparing the Sand Martin structure & any islands that aren't underwater for the forthcoming breeding season. I'll post my sightings for today on the
Brandon Birding Site but the hightlights during my visit included
Red Kite and my 1st
Sand Martins of the year, with two over East Marsh Pool!
Year-List 2018
