Pretty cold feet actually as I stood for an age waiting for the Great Northern Diver at Whittle Dene to come close but it was very human aware and kept its distance, even moving away the moment a photographer with a considerably bigger lens than mine, opened the gate to the south bank as it neared that side. Didn't get very good pictures therefore but, like the Sabines Gull, enjoyed seeing a true seabird close up through the scope.
The sun was shining strongly when I arrived having rushed through a meeting and packed all the wrong kit hence the photographic demise. Note to self ............must win the lottery soon and replace all my lenses although to be honest, it doesn't matter what you use you always want to be closer.
Interesting comparison between size of Great Northern Diver and Great Crested Grebe. The bird swam and fished for about an hour before the cold took its toll on me. It could stay underwater for quite some time but I never saw it bring a fish to the surface. Also about Kingfisher, Canada Geese, Mute Swans, a Grey Heron which gave the diver a strange look as it swam by, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Fieldfare and Redwing from which two Mistle Thrush were noisily trying to defend their patch.
Good to see a bird like this in the inland area.
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