'Sum plum' Red-necked Grebe at last!

A last minute decision to race up to Glasgow proved to be the right one in the end, despite a lengthy wait for the bird and torrential rain stopping play prematurely. I paced round Hogganfield Loch growing increasingly frustrated at not being able to locate the bird (and getting increasing annoyed with the rowdy locals) but eventually, as the heavens opened, I spotted the scarcity at the far end of the loch, right next to where I had parked! Fortunately, the initial shower was but a brief one and I was able to get some decent images before the main downpour. I'm pleased with these - my only - shots of summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe, but I came away feeling a little frustrated that the light and water-surface conditions hadn't been better: it was a spectacular bird and I didn't feel I did it justice.

Red-necked Grebe 24 Hogganfield Loch 31s

Red-necked Grebe 11 Hogganfield Loch 31s

Red-necked Grebe 23 Hogganfield Loch 31s

Red-necked Grebe 2a Hogganfield Loch 31s

Red-necked Grebe 9 Hogganfield Loch 31st

Such was the pull of this stunning bird, I returned on 2nd August and got some shots of it in more unusual poses. The light was also better but sadly, it kept its distance this time.

Red-necked Grebe 18 Hogganfield Loch 2nd

Red-necked Grebe 13 Hogganfield Loch 2nd

Red-necked Grebe 9a Hogganfield Loch 2nd

There were other grebes on show, too: Great Crested and Little. The latter showed especially well and I think I managed to get my best shots of this species, too. Here are just a couple:

Little Grebe 23 Hogganfield Loch 2nd Aug

Little Grebe 12 Hogganfield Loch 2nd Aug

Little Grebe 20a Hogganfield Loch 2nd Au