Sighting date: 2024-01-18.
Submitted by: Gerry Rawcliffe.
Location: Grasmere.
While watching Goldeneye on Grasmere yesterday afternoon, I saw what was clearly a diver. With good views eventually, I was able to confirm it as a first winter Great Northern Diver. The bird had a heavy pale bill, well scaled back, very square head, and showed a pale half collar. The rear of the head and neck was dark, not noticeably different in tone to the dark ( but scale) back. The bird was present again this morning (Friday). The bird was actively diving and quite difficult to follow as it ranged up and down the lake. If anything it tended to favour the area in front of the Daffodil Hotel.