Out After A While

Clowbridge Reservoir - 18.3.2025

I've not been out for a while so today I'm off to catch up with a Red-necked Grebe a winter visitor to the UK that's been resident on a local reservoir for quite a few days. The last time I was at this location was to photograph a Grey Phalarope so I know the location reasonably well.

It's blue sky and sun this morning not the best for photography but as long as I can get the sun behind me it should be ok. As I approach the reservoir I can see in the distance around fifteen white swans...Whoopers. Although fairly common in the region in winter I've not seen any since a group appeared up on Ashworth Moor a few years back so my attention shifts from the grebe to getting some images of these wild winter visitors to the UK.

Sitting on the bank enjoying the sunshine the swans come closer vocalising with each other, on occasion walkers pass by and the swans move away, but they have a prefference for this location being less windy and soon move back close enough for more images.

It's now been a great couple of relaxed hours, Whoopers and sunshine, what could be better ! now it's time to move on and check out the Red-neck Grebe. Crawshaw Booth is quite a large reservoir so the scanning begins looking for the grebe.

I'm making my way back along the track the way I've come spotting several grebes, they are Great Crested and a smaller grebe, it's the Red-necked, but it's way out in the middle of the reservoir, I'm in no rush the weathers great !

Over the next hour the grebe never comes near and the signs are it won't, never mind with some images on the card I'm happy with the visit, and with Crawshaw Booth so near I might just try again.

Whooper Swan