Species spotlight - Little grebe
The Little Grebe or ‘Dabchick’ is a common resident and winter migrant of the UK with around 16,000 individuals present each winter. Although they are common, Little Grebes are elusive.
Opting to stay hidden amongst vegetation on the edges of lakes, ponds, rivers and estuaries. In the winter they are easier to spot as vegetation dies back and can be seen on exposed lakes and ponds.
At Caerlaverock one was a regular visitor on the Whooper pond throughout September but has now moved over to the Back pond, where it has been spotted during October and November with a few occasions of two birds being spotted together. As their names suggests, they are small and are the smallest grebe in Europe weighing 100-140g (the same as 4-5 AA batteries) and have a maximum wingspan of 45cm and max length of 29cm.
Due to their size, their diet consists of insects, tadpoles, small molluscs and small fish. To catch prey they can dive up to a metre below the surface, but they also dive as an escape tactic. When trying to spot these little birds, watch out for them disappearing suddenly under the water, and appearing often quite a way from the original dive point. They are unlikely to be seen out of the water and only do so to breed. This is because their feet are placed further back on the body, making them specialised divers but rather uncoordinated on land.
Written by Isaac Hoult.
Featured photograph by Lesley Barker.
