20-03-2015, 08:54 PM
1
Lakeside Looksee.
Up early and a quick check of the local weather found that despite recent reports there might be a chance of a glimpse of eclipse.Nothing ventured nothing gained, so i wandered down to my local lake as i wanted to see what effect it would have on the birds.
Cloud cover was heavy but a sliver of blue was heading the right way. Set up the scope and prepared as best i could sometimes the cloud lightened and you could just make out the sun and the start of the eclipse.
Almost at once the Mute Swans left the water and moved onto land. The Noisy Tufted ducks became silent.
Chatting with a couple of dogwalkers we enjoyed the event, getting brief views of the changing face of the sun.
After it was all over and the sky had lost its cloud
i walked up to the small lake to observe the Great-crested grebe pair, i have been watching and photographing these attractive and interesting birds since 2006.It was blowing a hooley and well below average temperatures for the time of year. The Grebes were together and pair bonding, mutual head tossing and mirroring each others moves, before retiring into the Phragmites reeds where nest building and mating occurred.
The reedbed, next to a sports center.
The nest is as far away as is possible, but the birds kept well into the reeds so not much chance for any photos.
Couple of surprises included a colour ringed Coot, rare to see this species ringed, so i will try to find out its provenance.
a friend of mine had a nice find on the coast with 3 Waxwings in a dene, very hard to come by this winter.
apologies for the dodgy pics, record shots only.
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