Saturday 30th January 2016 and Glyn, Richard and I made a visit to Cleethorpes Country Park in Lincolnshire, to see 2 species of grebe that are scarce winter visitors. To see them both on one small lake was exceptional, especially as they were very confiding individuals. A Red-necked Grebe and two Slavonian Grebe performed very well for our cameras during the morning, as you will see from the following photographs. It was a superb experience to have these birds at such close quarters, totally comfortable with our presence right at the waters edge.
The Slavonian Grebes, in particular, were very inquisitive, checking us out on and off and giving extremely close views. We also had a Kingfisher here and 2 Black-tailed Godwit flew over the site. After a bite to eat at one of the beach-side cafes, we checked the beach area and there were numerous small parties of feeding Knot, Redshank and Oystercatcher. We called in at Farr Ings on our journey home but there was very little here, apart from several flocks of Curlew and a few Goldeneye. Also an horrendous hale storm that last around 20 minutes. Fortunately the rain didn’t fall on our Podiceps Parade during the morning! – My Year List has moved on to 115 species, adding Whooper Swan and Egyptian Goose near home on Sunday morning.. It has been very difficult deciding which pictures to put on the website, especially out over 500 keeps!!
Slavonian Grebe – Winter plumage – above 8 images – Individual number 1 – Cleethorpes CP – Note the stunning red eye – Tony Davison©
Slavonian Grebe – Winter plumage – above 2 images – Individual number 2 – This one was more difficult to photograph due to its location and the light conditions – Tony Davison©
Red-necked Grebe – Winter plumage – above 5 images – Cleethorpes CP – note the yellow base to the bill – Tony Davison©
Coot – Cleethorpes CP – Tony Davison© – Even a humble Coot makes for a good picture in the winter sunshine and reflections from the reed bed.
Black-headed Gull – Above 2 images – An adult in winter plumage – Cleethorpes CP – Tony Davison© – two different individuals.
Good stuff.
many thanks Richard for your comments.