I had got used to walking around harbours in shorts and sandals recently, but today it was a different matter altogether, at Scarborough in December! I'd missed the Little Auk experience down the East coast while away, hoping for some more on the next Northerlies. I like Scarborough in the winter, as the harbour often shelters good birds and having read about the Black-necked Grebes in the area, it was worthwhile going for a look. Two Black-necked Grebes were seen straightaway as we entered from the marine drive end, in the main harbour. Another was on our left, in the small yacht harbour - with much brighter white parts on the plumage. The first two split up, one diving underneath us from one harbour to the other. Another appeared in the middle of the main harbour and it was difficult to ascertain whether there were three or four birds in all, as they dived for long periods. Two Guillemots were feeding in the harbour, this one of the 'bridled' form. A diver was all over the harbour and was difficult to locate when it surfaced, always in atrocious light conditions. It seemed to be a Red-throated but I must admit, its 'Great Northern head shape' kept worrying me. Do the juveniles have stouter bills? All nice birds to see at close range, no white-wingers about and nothing out of the ordinary at Scalby.
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