A quick dash for a Red-necked Grebe

The short drive to Thorpe Marshes reserve to look for the reported Red-necked Grebe looked as if it was going to be unsuccessful: a few year ticks (Little Grebe, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker) were picked up during the muddy trudge to the riverbank, but vantage points are few and far between. I spent half an hour mardling with a fascinating 'big lister' from Bolton (I'm ashamed to admit I've forgotten his name!) before walking around the lakes again. A largish raft of Tufted Ducks included a Pochard and - as I realised just as they were all flushed off to Whitlingham - the target Grebe!