Black Necked Grebes at Amwell

Went down to Amwell as usual for the regular Sunday get-together. Heard a singing Nuthatch as I got out of the car, plus several Chiffchaff and Blackcaps along the track. Only four people there when I arrived-down along the hedge looking at the Sedge Warbler found yesterday. Despite a few of the regulars being away, eventually a large crowd of familiar faces gradually appeared as the morning progressed. I popped down to listen to the Sedge, my first of the year.

I picked up a Little Ringed Plover as well-two are present. Two Oystercatchers were also there but vanished quite quickly, plus maybe four Redshank.

Seem to be a few Teal still, but otherwise duck numbers are very low now, a few pairs of Shoveller, Pochard etc and normal summer quantities of Tufties and Gadwall. Every now and then a few Swallow, House and Sand Martins were seen, raptors were limited to very distant soaring Buzzards, one Kite and a pair of Kestrels.
Phil and William were scanning the big island and got a bit excited when they picked up two small grebes. Scope views confirmed we had a pair of Black Necks. Everyone made their way down the path to get better views, but the birds were always distant for the camera-more suited to digiscopers.
The pair gradually moved a bit closer as they drifted north before turning round. While we were there it was apparent that at least two Sedge Warblers were now present in the small sallows on the water's edge.