Summer plumage. Taken at Tophill Low, East Yorks on June 7th 2008.
(1/320th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on November 17th 2023.
(1/1000th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on September 13th 2014.
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 23-29 cm

A small, dumpy grebe which often appears to have a 'sawn-off' rear end. It readily dives when disturbed, usually 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. The gape patch is smaller in winter, and the bright chestnut colouring disappears.

It is found across the UK, although largely absent from upland areas.

Its favoured habitats are lakes, gravel pits, canals and slow rivers with plenty of vegetation. In winter it can be found on more exposed lakes, as well as sheltered coasts and estuaries.

It breeds in the vegetated margins of small inland waters. It keeps in cover of reeds and sedges for long periods. It often winters on larger lakes and reservoirs.

This species is on the UK amber list. There are about 10000 breeding pairs in the UK. Between 18000 and 36000 birds over-winter in the UK.

Sightings

16-Feb-2024	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
02-Feb-2024	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
16-Jan-2024	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(8)
04-Jan-2024	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
26-Dec-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(6)
15-Dec-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(8)
08-Dec-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(7)
17-Nov-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(9)
13-Sep-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
03-Mar-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
02-Jan-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(4)
01-Jan-2023	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(1)
20-Dec-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(4)
25-Nov-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
13-Nov-2022	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(2)
04-Nov-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
28-Oct-2022	:	Tophill Low, E. Yorks	(1)
18-Oct-2022	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(2)
16-Oct-2022	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(4)
23-Sep-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(8)
23-Mar-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
24-Feb-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(h)
23-Feb-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
11-Feb-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
02-Feb-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(7)
20-Jan-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
02-Jan-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
24-Dec-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
01-Dec-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
25-Nov-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
21-Nov-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
14-Nov-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(16)
14-Nov-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1)
07-Nov-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
01-Nov-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
18-Oct-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
16-Oct-2021	:	Appleford GPs, Oxon	(1)
14-Oct-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(8)
04-Oct-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(5)
15-Sep-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
06-Sep-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
10-Aug-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
09-Mar-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(h)
18-Feb-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
28-Jan-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(4)
22-Jan-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(3)
12-Jan-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)
29-Dec-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(8)
24-Dec-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
17-Dec-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2)