Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/500th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionL: 31-38 cm; WS: 46-55cm The most attractive of the UK's breeding grebes, with its golden ear tufts and trilling call. It looks similar to the Black-necked Grebe in winter, but has whiter cheeks which almost meet at the back of the neck. In the breeding season this species is mainly found north and south of the Great Glen and in Strathspey. In winter it can be found around the coast, with the Moray Firth, the Firth of Forth, the Clyde Estuary and Islay in Scotland and Pagham Harbour, Sussex being important sites. It breeds on shallow, well-vegetated lakes. It will use small ponds with little open water as long as they don't dry up completely. Individuals dive frequently for small fish and insect larvae. Due to its small UK breeding population of about 30 pairs it is an Red List species. Around 1100 birds over-winter here. Sightings
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