Red-throated Diver at Alton Water

11th February 2019

After a very successful morning and early afternoon at Mistley it was time to make the short 20-minute drive to Alton Water to try and find the Red-throated Diver that has been there for a few days. It had been favouring the most northerly arm of the lake west of the Lemon Hill bridge, but was nowhere to be seen when we got there. To make things more difficult it had the habit of hauling out on to a bank.

We walked north along the western bank scouring the open water and shorelines as we went. The water was like a mill pond so it should have been quite easy to spot. We eventally arrived at the northern end by the A137 without any luck. We then retraced our steps still searching on the return journey to no avail. Then as we once again went across the bridge, there it was right in the middle of the nearest bay. I suspect that it had been hidden under some trees and had just swum out.

Sadly by now the sun had disappeared behind the clouds but we did manage to get a few shots.

Well, that was hard work but we got there in the end.