Saturday 16th March 2013

   Third attempt for the Grebe today, at least the weather looked a bit more promising.

   Got to the viewing platform at Ham Walls RSPB in lovely sunshine, bit cold, but nothing like the last two visits. At least the 3 Bitterns were booming again, one flight view as well. Quite a few ducks around too. Then the call i had heard last time, which i had now checked and it was the Pied-billed Grebe, couldnt find it though. Kept looking for a while. It called a few more times, still nothing. A Twitter message said the Tundra Bean Goose was showing very well at Slimbridge, what a pain in the arse, and another message said there was also a Kingfisher showing, too close for the photographers. I was begining to think someone was taking the mickey....Then one more call, and i found it with a Coot in the reed bed. At last!!! It disappeared again soon after though. Then came the rain, quite a few brief showers later, some quite heavy ones, and the Grebe came back out. It caught a big Roach (well big for such a small bird anyway), then disappeared again in the reeds. I walked back to nearer the reed bed, and luckily it continued to call and gave itself up. It was hidden in the reeds at the bottom of a small tree. Myself and 2 other photographers waited there, hoping it would swim across the open bit of water in front of us. It did eventually, and i finally got my shots, closer would have been better, but not gonna complain this time..........

Pied-billed Grebe

   While i was waiting, before the first rain showers, i also found a new, for me, Fungi, called Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha). Just had to photograph it..nice colour, huh?

Scarlet Elf Cup