Lightning it seems does strike twice or at least it does when it comes to divers at Eyebrook. I'd resigned myself to a day of chores and daytime telly when a text from Phil Rogers caused me to cast those humdrum plans aside. A Black-throated Diver had joined its Red-throated cousin at the big E and despite the dreadful weather Phil was going to pop over to check it out. I alerted Alan to the diver's presence and then blagged a lift with Phil and Cheryl.
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| This is a Black-throated Diver - honest! |
We dropped Cheryl off on the hill near Alec's Lane Gate so that she could take a stroll before we headed round to the carpark below Stoke Dry. A small group of soggy birders were peering out over the res but the news was not good. No sign of either diver but at least the Cattle Egrets were showing on the opposite bank. As we kept scoping the res the Red-throated was found and we had reasonable scope views despite the challenging weather. Afterwards we moved round to the Leics bank but the rain was fairly heavy and the viewing conditions dreadful. A strategic withdrawal to the Castle in Caldecott then followed as we waited for conditions to improve. Several pints later and we returned to the reservoir from where we struck lucky from Ketley's Corral near the island. The Black-throated Diver was picked out distantly as it swam close to the dam . Despite that distance and the poor light I attempted a record shot as Phil obligingly held an umbrella to protect my camera from the rain. The dubious result you can see above, I can only apologise but you can, if you squint, at least make out the white thigh patch! By now we were more than a little on the damp side and so we beat a retreat and headed back to Corby.
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