After a timely text message while i was birding my patch at East Halton from GPC,i headed over to Pit 25 at Barton to try and see the Red-necked Grebe which Graham had found this morning.
I parked at the railway crossing near the ski pit at Barrow Haven as i thought it would involve less walking and this proved a great decision,as after bumpimg into Mark Bannister,he told me he had just found a drake Ring-necked Duck on the Ski Pit....bit jammy i thought to myself as i knew nothing about the bird,what a nice added bonus.
After a quick chat to Mark i was off and enjoying some lovely views of our very smart American visitor,as he swam about and postured to his Pochard buddies.He looked to be paired to a female Pochard,as they more often than not are,well at least the ones i've seen have anyway!.
After a while i was joined by Wayne and Claire Gillatt,Mr C and Neil D and i thought to myself this is the most birders i've seen since last autumn visiting the Taiga Flycatcher in Co.Durham.
Covid really has brought it home how important my hobby is to my mental health,even on the day's when you see buggar all,it's just great to get out into the natural world.
After enjoying views of the Ring-necked Duck i walked over to Pit25 to look at the lovely Red-necked Grebe.
The bird showed more distantly than i would have liked,but was great to watch as it picked flies from the surface of the water,showing off it's summer finery,lovely black crown and mask,with subtle white border,yellow bill base and brick red neck and lower brest,what a cracking bird!.
I was then joined by Jon and he enjoyed views of the Grebe and added a lifer in the form of the Ring-necked Duck,so a good day was had by all.
Other sightings while on site,saw at least 85 Sand Martins being seen,my first of the year and a stunning male Marsh Harrier.
A brilliant few hours out and about and my first twitch of the year.
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