 Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). Summer plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on March 23rd 2022. Summer plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on March 23rd 2022. (1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on October 8th 2020. Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on October 8th 2020. (1/500th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus). Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 13th 2015. Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 13th 2015. (1/1000th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) Description L: 46 - 51 cm; WS: 59 - 73 cm An elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes, which almost caused its extinction in the UK due to over-hunting. Fortunately the population has now recovered. In winter the plumes are lost, the neck becomes white and a dark cap does not extend to the eye. It is found over most of the British Isles, but is absent from northern Scotland and parts of Ireland. Its usual habitats are lowland lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Nests are made from reed stems. Great Crested Grebes dive to feed (mainly on fish), and also to escape, preferring this to flying. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their plumes. This species is not threatened or rare in the UK. Sightings | 17-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 11-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 04-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Mar-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Mar-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 15-Mar-2024 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Feb-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 02-Feb-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 26-Jan-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 16-Jan-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 04-Jan-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2024 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) |
| | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 26-Dec-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 08-Dec-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Nov-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 07-Nov-2023 | : | Slimbridge, Glos | (1) | | 22-Oct-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 22-Sep-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 13-Sep-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 18-Aug-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 16-Aug-2023 | : | Whelford Pools, Glos | | | 01-Aug-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 28-Jul-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 19-May-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 27-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 21-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 20-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 17-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (4) | | 16-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 04-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 03-Apr-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 19-Mar-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 26-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 05-Feb-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jan-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 02-Jan-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-Jan-2023 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) |
| | 26-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 20-Dec-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 06-Dec-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 25-Nov-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 20-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | | | 13-Nov-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Nov-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Oct-2022 | : | Tophill Low, E. Yorks | (2) | | 18-Oct-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) |
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