A Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena was reported from Clowbridge Reservoir near Burnley yesterday so I took a trip over this afternoon after the football. It was on the far side of the reservoir when I arrived so after watching it briefly from a distance I started to walk round to get a closer look. As soon as I arrived it started making its way back to where I was originally, so I retraced my steps to the west side of the reservoir. Fortunately this had a section of calmer water close in and the grebe worked its way along the edge giving terrific views. The only downside was the dull and fading light but I still managed some nice images. You can easily see the pale iris in the first image which indicates that this bird can be aged as a first winter/2nd calendar year.
