Tag Archives: Great crested grebe chicks

More chicks

04 Saturday May 2024

Posted by in birds, spring

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On Tuesday we had Moorhen chicks. On Wednesday I noticed one of the pair of Great crested grebes was carrying two tiny chicks on its back, while the other parent was diving frequently for food to nourish their offspring.

240504 great crested grebe and chicks

And on Thursday, while I was spellbound by singing warblers at Cardiff Bay wetlands, a mother Mallard emerged from a reed-edged channel of water with her nine little ducklings in tow. Fortunately, she didn’t stay out of the water for long – despite being a designated nature reserve, many people still walk their dogs off the lead in the area, which could easily mean death for unwary ducklings.

240504 mallard and 9 ducklings

Great crested grebe, great parent

02 Saturday Sep 2023

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These two Great crested grebe humbugs (chicks – the humbug name comes from their markings resembling a popular boiled sweet) looked too big still to be hitching a ride on their parent’s back and I think the parent thought so too, unceremoniously dumping them in the water to scratch an itch. But they soon climbed back on again. Great crested grebe parents are very tolerant!

176/366 Breeding grebes

24 Wednesday Jun 2020

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Monday’s walk was a delight, my first of the new-fangled socially distanced walks with a friend. As well as each other’s good company, we enjoyed a lovely wander around part of Cardiff Bay, including the wetlands reserve. There is always an abundance of Great crested grebes in the waters around the reserve and this day we also spotted two pairs breeding.

200624 great crested grebes (1)

One pair was perhaps making a second attempt, as this is late in the season to begin their breeding cycle. While one bird brooded their single (so far) egg, the other was keeping itself busy gathering extra materials to add to the nest.

200624 great crested grebes (2)

We then noticed another pair of grebes that already had two chicks (birders commonly call them ‘humbugs’ because of their striped colouring) and, while the two little ones sheltered on one adult’s back, the other went fishing for sprats for its offspring. It was wonderful to watch them.

200624 great crested grebes (3)

144/365 Humbugs

24 Friday May 2019

Posted by in 365DaysWildin2019, birds, nature

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Some days it’s only Nature that keeps me sane – today was one of those days and these gorgeous creatures played a big part in restoring my sanity and making me grin from ear to ear. In case you don’t know, this is a Great crested grebe and its two chicks, which are often referred to as Humbugs because of their resemblance to the black-and-white-striped sweet of that name.

190524 Great crested grebe (1)

I think this is their Dad who’s carrying them – Mum, a smaller version of Dad, was nearby. The parents take turns protecting their chicks by carrying them on their backs. I’m not sure if that gaping beak is a yawn or a wish to be fed – I suspect the former.

190524 Great crested grebe (2)

Dad was getting quite upset at this point because a fight between a Coot and a Mallard was coming a little too close for comfort.

190524 Great crested grebe (3)

Calm restored. Snoozing bookends!

190524 Great crested grebe (4)

Curiosity! Soon after this, the closest chick ventured out on to the water for a very brief moment before deciding it was much safer and more comfortable on Dad’s back.