Grebe. Ferny Ness. East Lothian (1 Viewer)

[bonxie birder]

Can anyone suggest which species of grebe these are? Quality of photos is poor

 

[Jinac]

Looks like Gavia Arctica but hard to say...

 

[bonxie birder]

They were definitely grebes

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

knowing that they were Grebes (you know, I trust observers opinion much more than pictures), the right bird gives an instant gut feeling of an Slavonian Grebe to me.

The left bird is harder for me, it might well be another Slavonian Grebe or as a second choice maybe a Rednecked Grebe with a slightly paler/whiter foreneck than usual (not that rare) and enhancement of this by distant/hazy picture.

Any more pictures?

 

[THE_FERN]

My strong initial impression is red-necked grebe. More forensic examination might suggest Slavonian, but I think the stance and general appearance better for red-necked in winter plumage. There's no obvious size difference, so suggest they're the same. Esp. guided by 2329 which has typical red-necked shape for me.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Looks like Gavia Arctica but hard to say...

Certainly not black throated divers. As THE_FERN said, these do look better for red necked grebes. In my eyes, particularly in the third image the left hand bird has a much more upright posture particularly in the neck. I think the apparent finer appearance to the bill suits red necked better than slavonian but it is difficult to say. If forced to I would go with red necked grebe.

Evan

 

[kb57]

To me the proportions are wrong for Slavonian, too robust and long in the neck, so I would favour red-necked too. The only issue is the pale neck seen on one of the birds, but if it is within variation as Alexander says then it's good for red-necked.

 

[david kelly]

Ferny Ness is in Gosford Bay, it used to be the best site in Britain for Red-necked Grebe with late summer numbers reaching up to 80 birds. The East Lothian Council decided to promote water sports in the Bay, especially windsurfing. Result of that was numbers plummeted. Having said that I saw two Red-necked Grebes there a week ago.

David

 

[bonxie birder]

Thank you for all the responses. My gut feeling was red-necked but the throat seemed very white. I’m thinking an adult and immature