A pair of Great Crested Grebes - wildlife of Painshill Park

I had to have rather a domestic time this morning - boring! But after I'd finished the shopping and as Painshill Park was a quick sprint up the A3, I decided I'd better renew my membership which expires on Thursday. (Great value the membership.. I can visit so frequently)

It was a bright day but no sunshine as such but the wind was very light. I'd also had a heads up from Tim that the Great Crested Grebes (at least - one of the two pairs) had laid some eggs... so how could I resist!!

I headed up and membership duly renewed I went in search.

There they were, a contented couple. I'd viewed the nest from the distant bank before going around and had seen 1 egg.... I was in for a treat.

Despite the lack of sun, it was to my favour as had it been shining I would have been shooting directly into it.

Mum was in the nest when I got there.

After a while, she got off the nest and joined Mr. for a swim around

Swimming over, they both added some more nesting material. Whilst Mum was off the nest, I tried - in vain - to spot any eggs but couldn't see a single one.

She came back to the nest and decided a tidy up was in order.

Thinking she'd done enough, she started to settle but..

a bit more rearranging was necessary

before settling back down on her 4 eggs (all that tidying had revealed them!)

and then she finally settled.

What a privilege it is to see such magnificent birds.

And by now, the raindrops had started so I headed off for home - a very happy bunny to have seen what I did today :D