Pied-billed Grebe + American Robin 12/11/10

Started my journey at 2.30am today and drove straight up to Greater Manchester for the PIED-BILLED GREBE at Hollingworth Lake CP. I arrived at 7.10am and walked around to the most sheltered bay in the SE corner and thankfully two observers were already looking at it. I watched the Grebe for over an hour and at times it showed very well catching Perch.

Pied-billed Grebe, Hollingworth Lake and surrounding countryside.

News of the AMERICAN ROBIN came through so i made the brave decision to drive yet another 3.5hrs down to Exminster Marshes, Devon. I left the Grebe site at 9.00am and arrived at Exminster at 12.50pm. There had been no sign for a few hours, and with the constant rain falling i thought i had no chance.

However, i went to check out a nearby field, but then noticed a gathering of birders looking at one bush, so i briskly ran back to them and sure enough the Robin was perched right out in the open.

American Robin at Exminster Marshes RSPB.

I arrived home at 8pm. A total of 760 miles was covered totalling 13 hours of driving.