Redpolls at Amwell

16th February 2026

I had a couple of hours to spare so thought I would pop down to Amwell to see if the Black-necked Grebe was still there. It would seem that everyone else had the same idea as it is several years now since I have seen so many birders at the viewpoint. The only passerine of interest there was this male Reed Bunting.

There were still a few Goldeneye out on the lake with the males looking absoluty resplendent in the sun.

And out in the middle were two males and a female displaying.

The Black-necked Grebe took longer to find as it had been favouring the north-western end of the lake and was best seen from the White Hide, but it eventually appeared from the other end of the lake and eventually settled down to feeding just right of the main viewpoint. This was its third day and apparently quite unusual for a Black-necked Grebe at Amwell to stay more than one day.

But the stars of the show today were the dozen or so Redpolls that were feeding in the sun in a couple of Silver Birches just down the track from the viewpoint. Winter finches have been quite scarce everywhere this winter so these were a welcome distraction.

Never thought I would see the day at Amwell where a Black-necked Grebe was the support act!!!