Little Grebe

A once common sight at the reservoir with up to 5 pairs breeding in the 60's. With much less vegetation in the water this birds sadly breeds no more but is still regularly seen, particularly in winter.

21/03/35 - 'Several' birds.

14/07/35 - 'Some' with young.

25/03/36 - Single bird.

No records between 1937 & 1939

25/03/40 - 3 birds, chasing each other.

No records between 1941 & 1953

1955 - Pair bred. 1st breeding pair for 'several' years.

1956 - Pair bred.

29/09/57 - Maximum count of 16 birds.

1958 - Bred.

1959 - Bred.

14/09/59 - Maximum count of 19 birds.

1960 - At least 5 pairs bred.

1961 - Bred.

1964 - Infrequently noted but no evidence of nesting.

1965 - Pair bred.

1966 - 5 pairs bred.

1968 - Maximum count of 8 birds.

09/06/71 - Nest & eggs.

27/07/72 - 2 juveniles.

29/12/73 - 2 birds.

1975 - Bred.

1976 - Pair bred.

1977 - Sightings of a breeding pair & 2 young birds.

1978 - 2 'families'.

1979 - Bred.

1981 - 2 pairs noted.

30/07/83 - 4 birds, including 3 young, at nest.

1984 - Pair bred successfully.

16/06/84 - 6 birds including juveniles.

19/08/85 - 6 birds (probably family party).

??/04/86 - Heard calling.

??/04/87 - Pair.

1988 - Pair raised a single young bird.

1994 - 2 birds seen in the 2nd winter period.

??/11/96 - 2 birds.

29/10/97 - 2 birds.

08/11/97 - Single bird.

14/09/98 - Single bird. 2 birds were seen on 18/09.

02/10/98 - 2 birds.

??/11/98 - Single bird.

10/01/99 - Single bird.

20/03/99 - 2 birds.

15/04/99 - Single bird.

15/10/99 - Single bird. Seen again on 19/10. 2 birds present on 21/10 & 3 on 28/10.

12/11/99 - 5 birds.

13/12/99 - Single bird. 3 were present throughout the month

2000 - Single on 26/07 then singles throughout September and a single on 21/10.

2001 - Singles seen each month from July to November.

2002 - Single on 10/04 then singles on at least one day each month from August to December.

2003 - Single on 16/03 then singles on several dates in October and November.

2004 - Pair on 02/03 with other single records during the month. Singles in August, October and November.

2005 - Singles in August, October, November and December.

2006 - Singles on 22/07 and 12/10

2007 - Singles in September, October and December with 3 on 31/10.