Smew and Red-necked Grebe in June?

Loch Leven, Perth & Kinross 30 June 2010.

Red-necked Grebe in summer plumage on Loch Leven, 30 June 2010.

A drake Smew at Loch Leven had been reported several times of late and being a bit "Smew-less" last winter I thought it would be nice to try and see it. So after work today I drove from Dunning to Loch Leven, making straight for the Findatie Bay where the bird had been reported the previous day. No sign of anything on the water on arrival so I strolled in the direction of Vane Farm checking any rafts of ducks en route. First few Tufted Ducks didn't contain the "White Nun" but I was surprised to see a spanking Red-necked Grebe all "summered up" (I do like that phrase) with a few Great Crested Grebes. It spent most of its time asleep but stretched a couple of times revealing the red neck, white face and yellow bill with a black tip. A great bird; not one I see very often and rarely in summer plum'!

Loch Leven is a big place and I could see plenty of ducks spread over the middle near the island, but could only pick out a few Pochards with the Tufteds. Sedge Warblers and Willow Warblers were still in song along the bank; very nice but I was relieved to find a sizable raft of Tufties to get my teeth into and even more pleased to find the drake Smew in with 120 Tufteds and 5+ Pochards.

To be honest this eclipse drake (centre behind a drake Tufted Duck and asleep!) was a bit of a grot-job and if it was a Nun it had been up to no good!
I called in at Glendevon on the way back but no sign of the Rosefinch in the short time I was there. Still; Red-necked Grebe and drake Smew on the last day of June - whatever next?