Slavonian Grebe, Blacktoft Sands

 

Our second visit to see the Slav Grebe on Singleton. The first time we missed it by 10 minutes as it flew to the river, good job we are only just down the road ! A happy, friendly crowd in the hide made for a lovely morning. Pity the weather remained greyer than grey !

Slav Grebe, Langford Lowfields

Distant was an understatement !  But see it we certainly did along with a red kite. An excellent afternoon in good company at this fantastic reserve. Just made it back to the car before the heavens opened ! This makes 168 for the year so far. 

Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir

 

Not been to Covenham for over a year so a slow drive out today made a change. The car park was busy and a new stile to get in. Can't ever remember the paths being that muddy (or with that much dog poo to avoid). Plenty of people, mostly dog walkers and keep fitters. Eventually finding the Slav in the roughest corner with waves that were making me feel sea sick ! A monochrome bird on grey water on a grey day !  

Last weeks bits and bobs (most pre snow!)

Bearded Tit, Far Ings 

 Goosanders

Hawfinches 

Kestrel, Sammy's Point 

Nuthatch 

Redwings 

Ring Ouzel, Sammy's Point 

Slav Grebes, Barton 

Song Thrush 

Teal

Well, what a week that has been. We got out a couple of times and then the snow arrived which made driving almost impossible, and it's still around with more forecast. Got caught up with house jobs, read a couple of books and watched masses of TV !  Boring !

Slavonian Grebe, Cleethorpes Country Park

The weather was slightly warmer this afternoon so we decided to head to Cleethorpes Country Park to try and catch up with the slavonian grebe that has been there for a few days now. When I say warmer..... it had risen to the sweltering temperature of 6 degrees! The bird was immediately visible but was in the centre of the lake where it stayed for the majority of the afternoon. A great crested grebe swam quite close and it didn't seem to like that so it headed in towards the side, only to be flushed back out by the never ending stream of loose dogs. The light was dire, greyer than grey. But after a couple of hours we were chilled to the bone so beat a retreat. It was good to get out though after a week of baltic temperatures that had kept us indoors close to our log fire!

Slav Grebe and Purple Sandpiper at Covenham Reservior

A couple of cracking birds on a Thursday morning walk round Covenham Reservoir

Slav Grebe, Toft Newton Reservoir

First trip out in our new car !