Great Crested Grebe Chicks!

Today we returned to Hogganfield Loch and were delighted to see that the great crested grebe chicks had hatched and were riding along on their Mums’ backs. Two lots of chicks were on their parents’ backs far off in the middle of the loch but we saw that one lot were being kept close to their nest. Mum seemed to be sleeping and at first we couldn’t see any chicks, but suspected they were there as her back feathers were all puffed out. Then three little black and white heads popped up, looking like mint humbugs.

We hung around for quite a while and were just about to leave when the Mum swam away from her island nest and closer in to the loch shore. Then the Dad came to feed fish to the chicks. Three stripey necks popped out eager to be fed.

Here is one lucky chick being getting the fish in its beak.

What a thrill to see the great crested grebe family all together and close enough to observe.

At one point the Mum tilted to the side and shrugged off the chicks into the water. This way they learn to swim, even when fairly newly hatched. They then instinctively climb back on board their parent, relatively safe from predators and the elements.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen great crested grebe chicks for myself. What a treat!