Little Grebe

The Little Grebe is a small, dumpy water bird which often appears to have a “fluffy” rear end. They can be found across the UK although they are largely absent from upland areas.

It readily dives when disturbed, surfacing unseen some distance away. In summer it has a bright chestnut throat and cheeks and a pale gape patch at the base of the bill. It can be noisy, with a distinctive whinnying trill.

Little Grebes breed in freshwater wetlands with muddy bottoms and edges and still or slow-moving water with plenty of emergent vegetation, usually lakes, gravel pits, canals and rivers. In winter they also move to coastal habitats, both offshore and on brackish lagoons.

Date: 5th March 2008

Location: Cromford Canal, Derbyshire