GREBES BREED AMONG THE SUMMER REEDS
AT this time of year, the warm water of our many lakes and other wetlands are full of life.
Tadpoles, mudeyes, midges, even the little galaxias are abundant.
It is the ideal time for at least one group of birds to raise their young.
Grebes are typically summer-breeding birds, for it is now that there is an abundance of their preferred food for their young.
They build a floating nest anchored to some emergent water plant, and lay four or five dull-white eggs.
Incubation by the adults can be sporadic, for the decaying vegetation produces enough heat to keep the eggs warm.
When not actively brooding the eggs, the birds cover them, making the nest appear no more than a mass of stranded vegetation.
This also helps keep the eggs warm.
Incubation is relatively long for such a small bird – grebes are not much larger than starlings – spanning about three weeks.
The nestlings are well developed, and will leave the nest soon after hatching.
The parents care for them, and teach them well – when the adults dive to catch their food, they often carry the young on their back, perhaps for protection or education.
There are three species – the Australasian, hoaryheaded and great crested, all of which are found around Geelong.
While their preference for nesting sites and summer habitat are freshwater wetlands, in winter they move to open areas.
Hoary-headed grebes, often called “dabchicks”, lose their striking breeding headplumage and move to open areas, including Corio Bay.
Similarly crested grebes will gather in good numbers on the bay off Point Henry.