Máistir Nádúraí: Grebes!

10.31.2012

Grebes!

Horned Grebe

I spent some time yesterday afternoon scoping Lake Mendota for loons, grebes, and other waterfowl. There was a large raft of American Coots just off the pier near Captain Bill's Restaurant. Mixed in were Pied-billed Grebes and Horned Grebes, plus Buffleheads, Mallards, and a couple of Northern Shovelers. There were a few Common Loons, but they were further out on the water.

Horned Grebe

After posting one of the Horned Grebe images on the Wisconsin Birding Facebook group, Laura Erickson reminded us that this is the plumage when some birders mistake them for Red-necked Grebes. Only hours later, a Madison birder retracted a sighting of a Red-necked Grebe on Lake Waubesa saying after review it was probably a first-winter Horned Grebe. Actually, I know of a few instances of these birds being mistaken for Western Grebes. No matter the name, they are still beautiful birds to admire through a spotting scope!

A pair of Horned Grebes

Pied-billed Grebe

American Coots!

Bio:

Mike McDowell has been documenting southern Wisconsin’s flora and fauna since 1987 and began leading field trips in 2002. Prolific at Pheasant Branch Conservancy, other highlighted natural areas include Pope Farm Conservancy, Spring Green Preserve, and the Baraboo Hills. His nature photography has appeared in various publications, newspapers, magazines and was even featured on a Wisconsin Endangered Resources license plate, a Capital Brewery beer label, and a National Geographic publication. He began journaling nature observations on this blog in 2005. He's the recipient of the 2012 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or state to promote the field of ornithology. He was a finalist in Swarovski’s Digiscoper of the Year photography contest several times. His other interests include insect macro-photography (especially tiger beetles, treehoppers, and robber flies), fossil collecting, amateur astronomy, botany, natural history, and marksmanship with long-range firearms. Once a gigging musician, collecting Fender Stratocasters is a recently revived interest—most prized being a 1957 Vintage Custom 'Mary Kaye' White Blonde. A former IT Professional, he's spent the last 24 years employed in the sport optics industry and has more binoculars than you.