Psilos Bird Journal
GREAT CRESTED GREBES
     
The winter of 2009/10 was tough for all the wildlife on Doffcocker. The lake remained frozen for many weeks and only the very hardy remained. When I returned in April after not visiting since the summer I found only one pair of grebes in residence. It has to be said though that the harshness of winter did not weary them for they looked as stunning as ever.
 
 
 
April 23rd 2010 - One pair of Grebes had become two pairs plus one lone male who seemed to be upsetting the balance. Instead of getting a mate of his own he was flirting with the two other females. Tempers flared and the grebes could often be seem prowling round, growling and clearly unsettled.
 
 
Here is the lone male trying to find some peace and quiet. He climbed out of the water and laid down on the irises.
The two pairs could often be seen doing thier courtship dances though always too far away for my liking!
 
May 21st - Rogue male is still around, causing confusion amongst the pairs but for one evening calm was restored.
May 22nd - but the next day battled commenced when rogue male was found by one of the males and chased half way round the lake with his beak clamped round his head. I do not think in the end the bird was seriously hurt. During this week I saw one of the pairs mating and on the 24th the female was sitting on a nest. As yet the other pair have made no attempt to nest.