Hi Everyone..

John Parry · #1 22-02-2009, 09:57 PM

Well I found this site because I typed "Bird Identification" into Google, and up popped on of your posts. I did also find the RSPB Bird ID Finder, but it left me more confused than when I started.

Don't know if I've done it correctly, but hopefully you should be able to see the bird I saw this morning. (Somewhere!). The reason I was confused was that if it was the bird I concluded it was from the RSPB finder, then it certainly shouldn't have been where I saw it. I won't tell you what I concluded, or where I saw it, because I don't want to colour your judgement, but let me know what you think and I'll tell!

Thanks - John

CertEdFriday · #2 22-02-2009, 10:45 PM

Hello John

I would go for Great Crested Grebe - usually found on stretches of open water - reservoirs and lakes.

Steven Gourlay · #3 23-02-2009, 09:16 AM

Yeah would have to agree with David after searching google images for "Great Crested Grebe "

John Parry · #4 23-02-2009, 02:16 PM

Think you're both probably right after looking at it on a better monitor - I can see the suggestion of a crest there now. The photo was taken hand-held at maximum zoom on an 80-320mm lens, and is cropped right down to blow it up. What's thrown me is the RSPB showing the bird with winter plumage that looked nothing like the same bird in summer.

Not sure why it would have summer plumage in February though...?

John

Steven Gourlay · #5 23-02-2009, 02:25 PM

I adjusted the brightness a bit too much so you can see the colouring a bit better. Not sure about the plumage i don't know enough to comment perhaps some of the other members could inlighten us.

jdrury · #6 24-02-2009, 09:39 AM

Hi John

Yes it is a Gt Crested Grebe, we have a few here on the river Stour in Essex. Some of these have changed or are changing into their summer plumage, while the others are still in winter plumage.

John

Steven Gourlay · #7 24-02-2009, 10:09 AM

Must be global warming. :-)

John Parry · #8 24-02-2009, 04:53 PM

Something like that! We are 200 miles north of Essex, John so would have expected it to be later. You live and learn.

The climate's definitely affecting wildlife ranges. The Southern Darter dragonfly is not unusual as far north as the Lake District now. It used to be - well, southern!