Great Crested Grebe Chicks can still been seen on Radipole Lake this late in summer. A couple of weeks ago RSPB volunteer David Jones took these photos of a pair of proud Great Crested Grebe parents and their two chicks. When the chicks hatch, they ride on their parents back for the first few weeks. The chicks are vulnerable to predators in the water and so hitching a lift in this way offers them some safety. Unlike their parents the chicks are striped all over with red patches on their heads. The stripes remain until winter when their new plumage appears.
Great Crested Grebes can have an extended breeding season. Sometimes they can be on eggs as early as mid February, so it is possible for them to have two broods a year. Another possibility is this pair may have bred earlier but had been unsuccessful in rearing the young, perhaps due to the weather, so started again late. Either way they are rather cute!
For bird updates and recent sightings, contact the Discover Centre on 01305 778313.