Psilos Bird Photography

Litte grebes

A study of family life
 
Little Grebes are one of five species found in this country but only one of three species that breed here regularly. Whilst they are widespread and common they are very elusive shy birds preferring the cover of reeds to open water especially when threatened. Getting close enough to study and photograph them is always a challenge so when I was told about a pair that had nested on a nearby canal and they were approachable I jumped at the opportunity to go and watch them.
 
 
Upon arrival I was not to be disappointed. The birds were present and out in the open water. The pair had produced three chicks. Two were out on the water and one was tucked safetly away on mums back. The pouring rain however considerably hindered my efforts to photograph them and having satisfied myself that this family was here to stay for a while I packed up and went home.
 
 
Two days later the rain had stopped and I was back out there. A quick head count sadly revealed that one of the chicks had gone. Hundreds of Moorhen and Coots chicks of all ages can be seen in the canal so it is evident that mortality rates are relatively low here. I am just praying that no more chicks are lost.
 

 
The chicks are now four days old and already there is a huge difference in their size. The younger of the two spends more time on the mothers back and several times I saw him subjected to bullying by his bigger sibling. Adult Moorhens and Coots are also a big danger to these chicks. At one point the younger chick strayed too close to an almost fully grown Moorhen juvenile and with no effort at all the Moorhen took him by his feet hoisted him out of the water and then tried to drown him. At no point did mum who was close by intervene. It was only the pluck and bravery of the little ones struggles that saved him to fight another day.
 
 
After this frightening encounter he went straight back to mum and climbed aboard her back where she could keep him safer. I think there is no more endearing sight than this. On the whole mum was a good parent and was usually quick to call her offspring back to her if there was danger about.