File:Great Crested Grebe (13647860323).jpg

Taken at Pitsford NR. There is not much left at Pitsford as in terms of water birds they seem to have all left but off not there were 5 pairs of GCB, around 15 mute swans, 100 odd coots, 38 pairs of cormerants, a few pairs of Grey Heron, around 50 pairds of mallard, 2 snipe, 30 odd pairs of Tufty, 1 Red Necked Grebe and 1 GND next to the Dam Still. But suprisingly no Lapwings! But in terms of Passerines, alot was there, 7 Goldfinches, 50+ Tree Sparrow, a handful of Greenfinches, 2 Goldcrest were caught displaying, a few Blackbirds, a Song Thrush was heard, 3 Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting were found displaying in just about everywhere, Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit galore and a Wren was heard singing close to a Chiffchaff. But present yesterday at Brampton Valley Neil and Eleanor McMahon spotted a Osprey!!Heading towards the NR but want there today, :(.

A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young grebes often ride on their parents' backs.

Status: GReen

Population:

UK breeding: 5,300 adults 
UK Wintering: 23,000 birds