Stockers Lake Rickmansworth - Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher

A dull morning yesterday at Stockers Lake, but the Great Crested Grebes were lively.

 

This one running swiftly across the surface with the help of wings...

 

....whilst this pair were demonstrating part of their courtship dance (I have only seen this in the Spring before, but was reliably informed that last year eggs were hatched in the Winter)

 

A Great Crested Grebe having a salad with its fish breakfast....

 

....whilst this grebe popped up surprising me and a pair of  Shoveller ducks.

A Kingfisher sat obligingly close as well.



Marsworh Reservoir Tring - Great Crested Grebe in Early Courtship

Arriving at Marsworth Reservoir at Tring on a not too bright morning last week, I immediately saw a pair of Great Crested Grebes displaying to each other out on the water, mirroring each others moves.....

 

 

....This went on for three or four minutes, before they went off separately to fish.  About half an hour later, one came to the edge of the reed bed diving and fishing (the light had temporarily improved a bit by then).

 The grebe then started swimming quickly across the water with its head & neck close to the water.....

.....until it met up with it's mate who had arrived back from fishing.  They then started to display again.... 

 ....Swimming slowly back to the red bed.

 

Not the full bloodied courtship display yet, with the weed waving and running on the surface of the water.  I hope I can find time to get back next week and be lucky enough to witness the full display.