Broad-Bodied Chaser

Broad-Bodied Chaser
Wing Mosaic (Broad-bodied Chaser): Winner, Nikon In-Frame Competition August 2010

Cormorant

Cormorant
Cormorant: Winner, Attention to Detail, Bird Photographer of the Year 2017

Sunday 10 April 2011

Summer Plumaged Red-necked Grebe, and Lots of Snakes! 9th April

A weekend in South Yorkshire meant I could spend a day in the Hatfield Moor area, a superb and unusual place.  The main draw was a summer plumaged Red-necked Grebe which was at the far end of Ten-acre Lake. 

The walk down there produced news of a Common Crane over, although it couldn't be located.  Not a great place to be looking up in the sky; at least three Adders and several Grass Snakes were seen along the way, not doubt taking advantage of the early hot weather. The Adders could be heard moving through the tinder-dry dead ferns, although they generally were quickly out of sight once located.  Only one showed well enough for some shots:



The Red-necked Grebe was in superb rarely seen plumage, almost full summer.  A handful of photographers were present, but it tended to spend its time fishing a little too far out for good shots.  However, patience paid off as it occasionally moved towards the banks and allowed some nice views:



The afternoon was spent wandering around in the sun at the other end of the reserve at Hatfield Moor. The two Black-necked Grebes reported earlier were nowhere to be seen.  A couple more Adders were located, as well as a few butterflies. 


A close male Reed Bunting allowed some nice detail to be captured:


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