The Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is the largest of the grebes. It has a long neck and head with a distinctive black double crest, and has its lobed feet set well back on its body, so is clumsy on land and rarely leaves the water. Great Crested Grebes form monogamous pairs and are famous for their spectacular courtship displays.

The female is slightly smaller than the male and both sexes rear their chicks. When small, the cute striped chicks are carried on the back of one parent while the other dives for small fish or other prey, which are fed to the young. This pair of Grebes bred late and was videoed caring for their three chicks in mid-March 2018.

One chick was in the water and was frantically trying to climb onto its father’s back. It pushed him around like a tugboat in its efforts to push itself back on board.
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