20 November 2021 - Smithy Bridge & Watergrove

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Tree Sparrows, Teal, Red-throated Diver

Arranged for Andrew H to come and see the Tree Sparrows in the garden this morning, so didn't set out around the lake early.  They duly showed quite well, and in conversation we discussed the option of scouting the local area for more.  We set off for a walk over the field towards Akzo pond, and down to the canal.  We walked under the Railway to the new Russell Homes housing estate and found a little pool with tussocks of rush, containing a few Teal giving quite close views.  Heading back there was a notification on WhatsApp of a Red-throated Diver at Watergrove found by Steve Atkins so we dashed up there to see that.

The diver was close to the wall as we arrived but immediately dived and reappeared some distance away. It remained at some distance, giving reasonable views through the scope but not much to write home about in terms of photography. Eventually we ran out of time and had to head back.

Teal near the canal, 1/1000sec at F4.0, ISO 1000, 220mm

Red-throated Diver, Watergrove (videograb) 1/250sec at F5.6, ISO100