Sunday, 1 March 2026

Very distant Slavonian Grebe at Barton Broad

After the Hume's visit, I changed my gear Nikon set up for the canon big lens and drove mid moring on Sunday 1st March to Barton Broad, I found the disable car park OK but was struggling to find the main car park, carring along the road and turning left at the main house I eventually found it parked up and walked back right and left following a farm track along a hedge which then rejoined the corner of the road I had just driven thena an 800 metre stroll lead me to directional signs left of the road to the boardwalk. I found the viewing platform and having met some birders they advised if I was lucky I'd only see it with a scope and was right at the far back difficult to see as it was spending time within the reeds and when out on the water it was diving a lot. After just 10 minutes I spotted it a fine Slavonian Grebe, its black and white bicolouration prominent but seen at extreme range, exactly where they said right at the far back, it was regularly diving first left and right of a rusty bouy situated close to the far reeds. Unfortunately first a passing boat and then a low flying male Marsh Harrier spooked it and later a female Marsh Harrier quartered the reeds it swam into the reeds and didn't come out during the next 90 minutes. Meanwhile I scanned the Broad at least 6 Goldeneye seen, 4 males and 2 females plus 9 GC Grebes together one fairly close in. Plus 2 Chiff- Chaffs were singing heralds of spring. A Kingfisher darted by twice and a Buzzard flew left.

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