"After weeks of heavy rain, Cheddar reservoir in Somerset is finally full again of water, and of birds. Thousands of coots, hundreds of gulls and ducks, and dozens of great crested grebes crowd the surface, some already moulting into their smart breeding plumage, crests and all. They feed almost constantly, building up energy reserves for the breeding season. Among the throng are some less familiar visitors:"
"The red-necked grebe the scarcest member of its family in Britain is easily overlooked, superficially resembling a smaller, darker great crested grebe. I experience many false alarms. Several times I think I've found it, only for the bird to turn and reveal a bright white neck. Just as I'm about to head home, the red-necked grebe surfaces just offshore, showing off its dark face and neck and a yellow base to the bill, to reveal its true identity."
Cheddar reservoir in Somerset has refilled and now hosts thousands of coots, hundreds of gulls and ducks, and dozens of great crested grebes. Many birds are moulting into breeding plumage and feeding almost constantly to build energy reserves for the breeding season. The assemblage includes less familiar visitors such as scaup and frequent-diving goosanders, with colourful males standing out. An observer searched the reservoir perimeter for a scarce red-necked grebe, mistaking several birds before one surfaced showing diagnostic dark face and neck and a yellow bill base. Photographs later suggested the individual might belong to the American race.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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