hoary-headed grebe

We weren't far off completing our loop around the lake when we first saw a Hoary-headed Grebe, then noticed a Coot on what was obviously a grebe nest. I can't remember now who first realised, but it became clear that the coot was destroying the nest, or maybe it was stealing the nesting...

My second lifer of the day soon followed. Out on the water was a pretty Blue-billed Duck (with a little party of Hoary-headed Grebes). Blue-billed Duck is one of the six species of stiff-tailed ducks with a world-wide spread (just about) and interestingly they all have blue bills. Pretty...

Coming round a bend of the lake there in front of us (well sort of) was this gorgeous Hoary-headed Grebe. I have a right soft spot for grebes, especially our Little Grebe and this one is more or less the same size. This sighting now meant I'd seen all three Grebe species to be found in Australia!

The Hoary-heads are now in their full breeding plumage. On Wednesday we leave for Fiji for a week's birding and snorkelling, so hopefully some different bird photos!

Back to our local 'hotspot', Laratinga Wetlands.

I have never before managed a photo of this bird although it is quite common. They always tend to stay in Mid water well away from me and my camera. This time I was lucky.

Fairly common species of inland Australia. Database species www.aviceda.org