Wildlife challenge
Grebes
Three to spot
Great Crested Grebe. Photo: David Norton (rspb-images.com)
Easy to find
Great Crested Grebe
These elegant water birds can be seen on lakes and reservoirs and off-shore during the winter months. The largest of our grebes, the Great Crested Grebe has a distinctive long neck, slender bill and a bright white face and neck, visible even at a distance.
Little Grebe. Photo: Malcolm Hunt (rspb-images.com)
Tricky to find
Little Grebe
The diminutive Little Grebe is widespread but is often shy and can be elusive. They tend to prefer well-vegetated pools and lakes and often dive underwater at the first hint of disturbance. Their fluffy rear-end and buffy colouration makes them quite distinct.
Slavonian Grebe. Photo: Steve Round (rspb-images.com)
Lucky to find
Slavonian Grebe
One of our rarest breeding birds, Slavonian Grebe numbers increase in winter as birds head to UK coastal waters from northern Europe. In winter they lack their dazzling golden ear tufts and black and rust-red breeding garb, adopting a stark black and white plumage.
