Grebe in North Wales (1 Viewer)

[glennmanc]

Is this a Little Grebe? (poor and distant photos taken this morning - freshwater lake)

 

[norwichbirder87]

Tricky one. It looks very black and white and the peaked crown suggests Black-necked but need some better pictures.

Will

 

[brackenb]

Very difficult to tell as winter plumage on both has what could be seen as black and white in certain light. I would lean towards little grebe because of the way it holds its head etc. But would not swear to it.

Bernard

 

[Rob Smallwood]

Where was it?

 

[Hotspur]

Looks like Black-necked

 

[brackenb]

@Rob. I think it was North Wales. Black Necked a bit unusual that far north at this time of year.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

@Rob. I think it was North Wales. Black Necked a bit unusual that far north at this time of year.

One has been sighted in Cardiff Bay Nature Reserve over the past week. Must admit my first thought was BNG.

Rich

 

[chris butterworth]

The exact head shape is difficult to make out but, the rather broad, even dark stripe down the back of the neck looks better for Black-necked or Slavonian than Little. In the middle two photos the apparently broad dusky area on the neck sides looks better for Black-necked, as does the shape of the white area on the sides of the head in the second photo down on the left hand side.

 

[glennmanc]

Thanks everyone. That was very helpful.
I took the photo hoping to "prove" BNG, but when I looked at the result it didn't look 100% convincing, so I appreciate your more experienced eyes.

 

[pppppvvvv]

The photo with the vegetation in the way (middle right) looks very convincing for Black Necked.. Can even make out a red eye but it is probably just the camera playing tricks.
The middle pic on left column looks very much like Little Grebe though.

 

[dantheman]

Is this a Little Grebe? (poor and distant photos taken this morning - freshwater lake)

It looks like a BN Grebe ...

Is it at a private location with no access to the public? Otherwise it would be probably be a good idea to put the news out as a 'possible' BN Grebe so others can enjoy/confirm the id in the field?