Little grebe habits

[vinnychameleon]

Hi I am goin to try and spot a Little grebe tommorow as I have never seen one. I was just wondrin whereabouts on lakes they frequent. Cheers
VC.

[glsammy]

Usually very close to the edges, of course this will be the one furthest away from you.

[Gill Catton]

hmm tricky because they can appear all over the place but on a big lake they seem to group in the largest numbers around reed fringed edges. They can occur right out in the middle though I've noticed they hate cormorants and avoid them when they're in the water (presumably because they are small enough to eat!!)

[jerryh]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Hi I am goin to try and spot a Little grebe tommorow as I have never seen one. I was just wondrin whereabouts on lakes they frequent. Cheers
VC.

Good luck with the search, VC. Lovely birds.

I, too, would say more likely around the edges of the water than in the middle.

Jerry

[Gill Catton]

Oh extra thought that might get you closer, canals can be quite good for little grebes(and water rail actually) if you have one near you why not try an early morning walk when the birds aren't expecting anyone

[vinnychameleon]

Well funny you say that Gill. There is a canal at my LNR and I was plannin to go there at 9 tommorow so will be there before most people.(I'm also trying to spot Water Rail and Kingfisher so am goin early to have a better chance).

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by vinnychameleon

Well funny you say that Gill. There is a canal at my LNR and I was plannin to go there at 9 tommorow so will be there before most people.(I'm also trying to spot Water Rail and Kingfisher so am goin early to have a better chance).

earlier earlier earlier!!! go at daybreak - the light will be fab for photos too all pinky orange.
Having said that I won't be getting out of bed before 10 hee hee hee

[aeshna5]

In a few weeks it will be easier to hear them, as they become very vocal in the breeding season, a loud trilling sound, that sounds almost exotic + the sound doesn't seem to fit the bird.

This afternoon guiding people around Wetland Centre we were lucky to see several of these birds close to, both from walking around + from hides. One had just caught a fish that looked a little too big for it, but it eventually went down the hatch!

If they're used to people they can be pretty confiding + indifferent to people. Good luck tomorrow- the Dabchick + Kingfisher should be easier to see than the Water Rail. If you hear a strange squealing sound from the waterside vegetation, you'll at least know a Water Rail is present- they are commoner than most people realise, just elusive- I did manage a good view in the open yesterday + a fleeting glimpse of a second bird.

[vinnychameleon]

Tanks Aeshna. I have seen the kingfishers at my LNR so know where they prefer to hunt . I also have been told where the water rails live and there is a hide looking out on to a shallow muddy pool in a parting between the reeds so thats where i'll look. Oh and by the way I have heard a rumour that if you suddenly do a loud handclap this may provoke the rails to call. Is this true?

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

In a few weeks it will be easier to hear them, as they become very vocal in the breeding season, a loud trilling sound, that sounds almost exotic + the sound doesn't seem to fit the bird.

fairy ponies....... they sound like fairy ponies....... ever since I was six that's what they've sounded like (well i am a girl after all)