Black-necked Grebe

I spent an enjoyable hour in the hide at Wilstone Reservoir on Tuesday watching this juvenile Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis which showed really well in the late afternoon sunshine. It was actively feeding in between bouts of sleeping and eventually swam close enough to the hide for me to grab this photo. The upended Mallard in the background gives a good idea of the tiny size of Black-necked Grebe, only slightly larger than a Little Grebe.

Juvenile Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis - 17th August 2010

The supporting cast included this Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis which perched for some time on a branch close to the hide. Kingfishers must have had a terrible time in the hard winter so its great to see a pair regularly at Wilstone at the moment. Frustratingly the bird was in the shade, just out of the sunshine that would have brought it's stunning colours to life.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Working their way busily through the shallows were the 2 juvenile Black-tailed Godwits of the ssp. islandica that have been present at the reservoirs for a few days. These Icelandic birds have shorter bills and legs, and darker summer plumage than ssp. limosa from the rest of Europe. Also present was the rather drab eclipse drake Garganey that has been around for a while and, just as I was leaving, a Greenshank which must have flown in unnoticed popped up on the mud to the left of the hide.