At last another year tick

At last I managed a few hours away to catch a year tick. I haven't been out since the trip to Abberton a few weeks ago but when the Jim's asked if I fancied a couple of hours at KGV I found the motivation to agree and within an hour we were on the banks of the reservoir with a small group of nine others looking for yesterdays Red-necked Grebe.

The large crowd ...12 of us in all and that's a large crowd for KGV

We scoped the south basin finding three Great Crested Grebes and three Little Grebes before a smart looking Slav Grebe popped up close to the dabchicks. With no joy looking for the Red-neck we walked on and eventually found the Great-northern Diver the Jims needed for a late year tick. Next we ticked Harry, Neville and Stuart along with a few other locals. As we got back to the towers we scoped again and found a Black-necked Grebe in the distance before getting the scope on a sleeping Grebe that at first I had put down as just another Great-crested Grebe until a Coot swam by and made me rethink as it looked small next to the Coot. I put the Jims on it and eventually it lifted its head and revealed itself to be the fifth Grebe of the morning as a Red-necked Grebe and at last my year list was on the move again.

I must admit I had an eye on the Pacific Diver in Port Talbot but being 200 miles away and reports saying No access I decided to wait on further news of access. A few birders got into the reservoir this morning before security arrived to police the area and escort visitors off site so I was pleased I hadn't made the long trip. Hopefully the bird will stay and access arrangements can be made at which time I'll rethink the twitch.

Year list 234 and four short of my worst listing year of 238.

I'm still hoping I can get a day or two out before the year end and chase down another four ticks with the likes of Whooper Swan, Bewick's Swan, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Tundra and Taiga Bean Geese, Red-crested Pochard and even a wintering Barred Warbler in Norfolk giving me a little hope.