Grebe Expectations

Up to seven Black-necked Grebes have been present on Birchwood Pool at Moore Nature Reserve for a couple of months now. Probable overspill from nearby Woolston Eyes, the birds have so far failed to breed. Nevertheless, they have given superb close-up views of their exquisite plumage, the stand-out element being the fantastic ‘flame’ around those blood-red eyes.

Five birds were present this morning, although it took me a considerable amount of time to be certain; for all the individuals to be on the surface at the same time is akin to waiting for all the planets to align! Two other species of Grebe also on the pool were circa ten Dabchicks and a singe Great Crested.

The Pumphouse Pool was quiet, with the pick being a brief view of a Kingfisher darting above the legions of Common Blue damselflies and a pair of loafing Tufted Duck. Currently, these wildfowl appear to be on nearly every watercourse in Cheshire - perhaps it is an organised garrison system!

For the afternoon’s entertainment I drove over to Inner Marsh Farm. Had I been two hours earlier, I would have seen two Spoonbills, a hunting female Peregrine, a Little Ringed Plover and a herald of southerly migration in the form of a Spotted Redshank rather than a cohort of moulting Mallard, Teal and Gadwall. Ho hum.

Until later.