Unusual bird spotted at Upton Warren en route to Eastern Europe

A red-necked grebe has been spotted near the shallow waters of the nature reserve between Droitwich and Bromsgrove, complete with its summer breeding plumage.

John Belsey, a volunteer warden at Upton Warren, said: “A small number of red-necked grebes overwinter in the UK and they pass through on their way to and from breeding grounds in spring and autumn. This is the first time we’ve ever seen one at Upton Warren and to have one in full summer breeding plumage is absolutely fantastic.

“On Wednesday there was only one other red-necked grebe being reported in the UK so we’re really honoured – and lucky – that this one chose Upton Warren.”

Staff at the nature reserve have said that red-necked grebes prefer shallow bodies of water for breeding, although they often spend their winters in estuaries, bays and out at sea, sometimes in the UK. In winter their feathers are generally white and smoky grey, before being replaced for their courtship and breeding by brighter plumage.

The bird spotted at Upton Warren was feasting on freshly-hatching flies leaving the water, making use of a new channel that has recently been cleared to help encourage bitterns to breed.

Mr Belsey added: “Around 300 people came to see it on Wednesday; they’re nocturnal migrants so we didn’t know whether it would still be here on Thursday. Visitors on Thursday got good views of it but there’s so far been no sighting of it today.

“It has been putting on a good display for visitors both in the new bittern channel – we’re thinking of calling it the red-necked grebe channel – and in front of the birdwatching hides.”

The Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve at Upton Warren is open seven days a week and all visitors need to either carry their membership card to gain entry, or purchase a day permit, which is £3 from the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, volunteers on the site, or from the Upton Warren Aztec Adventure Centre.