Great crested grebe

[nanila]

[Macro image of a great crested grebe sitting on its nest.]

I spotted this great crested grebe brooding on its nest in the canal at Westerdok in Amsterdam. I thought its nest was a remarkable construction: the usual twigs, but also bits of plastic rubbish, and finishing touches of hollyhock. I was also impressed by the two female mallard duck bodyguards who immediately rushed over when I started taking photos. They didn't quack, but eyed me up silently as they circled the nest at a careful distance.

We were staying on a barge nearby for three nights and I checked on the grebe morning and evening. I don't believe it stirred from the nest in that time, so hopefully soon there will be some freshly hatched urban grebes learning to navigate the Dutch canal system!

Comments

[taichara]

Omg, that is an awesome grebe and an awesome picture <3

[nanila]

Thank you! I have much admiration for the bird's ingenuity. :)

[alatefeline]

Wow! What a great bird!

[nanila]

It is! Very clever, very adaptable.

[redsixwing]

What a gorgeous bird!

I like the hollyhock bits in the nest. Wonder if the buds will open..

[nanila]

Grebes are very beautiful.

I hope the buds do open. What a lovely sight that would be for the baby grebes to open their eyes to. :)

[yourlibrarian]

They didn't quack, but eyed me up silently as they circled the nest at a careful distance.

That's nice to think that they watch out for one another. And yes, a cool nest to see.

[nanila]

I didn't know that birds of other species looked out for one another like that. The two mallards never strayed far from the nest for those three days, though they always kept their distance from the protective parent.

[turlough]

What a cool photo!

I'd no idea crested grebes could nest in cities. Here in Sweden they're definitely birds of the countryside.

[nanila]

Thank you! Neither did I. There are great crested grebes in a reservoir near me, but as you say, that is definitely the countryside. This photo was taken all of ten minutes' walk from Centraal Station in Amsterdam.

[shirebound]

That's marvelous camouflage. You have a good eye.

[nanila]

Isn't it! I admire the bird's ingenuity and adaptability. And thank you.

[marycatelli]

Nice shot!

[nanila]

Thank you! :)

[manuleanders]

That really is a great nest. Neat find!

[nanila]

I only wish I could check on it again. Fingers crossed the hatchlings are doing okay, if they're out now!